Springing up from the Arabian Desert seemingly overnight, Dubai is an innovative city that goes out of its way to impress. This modern metropolis is all about extremes and firsts; it's home to the world's first seven-star hotel, the world's tallest building, the world's most iconic man-made island, and the world's largest shopping mall. The Maldives make you feel like you've been marooned on a desert island - in a good way. Each island is a hotel in itself, meaning you can usually step right out of your room and on to the sugary sands. You'll probably have to pinch yourself as you arrive and see how bright the turquoise sea really is.
3 nights - JA Ocean View Hotel - Dubai
The facilities at JA Ocean View Hotel include: an outdoor infinity swimming pool, kids' pool, restaurant, two cafe-restaurants, 24-hour deli/cafe, sport bar/pub, fitness centre, kids' club, Speedflex venue, complimentary Wi-Fi access, shuttle bus service, and 24-hour reception.
Le Rivage opens for a seasonally-changing, buffet-style menu of international dishes at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The 24-hour Italian-style cafe and deli Caffe Via is a must for pizza lovers as it offers pizza-by-the-slice and a grab and go service. Girders combines live sports on screen and ice-cold drinks with a daily happy hour, unique British-style pub grub menu, and smokehouse-style barbecued fare.
Sehr al Bahr operates as a poolside cafe by day transforming into an Arabic restaurant with traditional mezze and fresh grills at sunset; fragrant shisha and a wide selection of drinks are available here too. The Deck open-air cafe sits by the infinity pool also serves as a poolside cafe during the daytime serving lunch, light snacks, and refreshments, before opening its doors for Arabic-style cuisine at dinner.
Keep up your fitness levels with a morning swim in the outdoor infinity swimming pool, a workout in the fitness centre, or a Speedflex circuit training session. CoolZone Kids' Club offers games, equipment, and activities to keep three to 12 year olds happy. Rejuvenation, rebalancing, and re-energising treatments are on the menu for men and women at Calm Spa.
The adjacent The Walk is lined with shops, bars, and eateries, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. Nearby you'll also find beach jogging trails, water sports, golf club, cinemas, skydiving, and zip lining. The hotel's shuttle bus service takes you to Dubai's main shopping malls and attractions too.
Discover the origins of Arabia at Dubai Museum; take a selfie alongside the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa; or Ski Dubai is the go-to place to play in snow and ice year-round. Admire the eclectic mix of marine life at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo or the Lost Chambers Aquarium takes you on a marine adventure through the lost city of Atlantis.
JA Ocean View Hotel has a total of 342 modern, sea view guest rooms and suites, comprising Sea View Rooms, Superior Sea View Rooms, Family One Bedroom Suites, Club Sea View Rooms, and Sea View Junior Suites. Sea View Rooms offer a balcony, king-size bed, twin beds, bathroom with bathtub/shower combo, Wi-Fi access, coffee/tea making facilities, minibar, flat-screen television, and DVD player.
7 nights - Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa - Maldives
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has abundant facilities, including: an outdoor freshwater pool with waterfall and children's pool, beach, seven restaurants and bars, spa island, fitness centre, tennis court, table tennis, diving centre, water sports centre, excursions, and kids' club.
Additionally, there is: a medical service, 24-hour reception with concierge, laundry service, 24-hour room service, babysitting service, SPK Kids Pass, boutique, jewellery store, photo studio, and lobby with complimentary 24-hour Wi-Fi access, printer, and flat-screen television.
Club guests have special access to Sheraton Club Lounge offering complimentary buffet breakfast, hot and cold drinks, evening drinks and canapés, wired and Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access, private check-in/checkout, outdoor deck with seating, loungers, cabanas, and sea view swimming pool.
Enjoy casual-style dining and rotating themed nights in the show kitchen and live-cooking stations of Feast at breakfast and dinner. Sea Salt Beach Grill combines lagoon views with freshly-barbecued fish, lobsters, and crabs or tuck into Japanese cuisine at Teppanyaki Hut. Savour al fresco Pan Asian dining at the a la carte Sand Coast or experience delightful Thai flavours at Baan Thai.
Kakuni Hut's all-day refreshments including salads, pasta, crab burgers, local dishes, and drinks are served direct to your spot on the beach. Dim sum, noodles, pastries, light snacks, exotic teas, fresh juices, and cocktails are on the menu in T for Teahouse. Enjoy light meals and drinks by day, followed by live music, DJs, and cocktails after dark in Anchorage Bar.
Start the day off in style with a few laps of the swimming pool or hit the treadmill in the fitness centre and clock up a few kilometres. Partner up for few sets of tennis or wind down by treating yourself to a pampering massage or rejuvenating facial at Shine Spa for Sheraton located in a private island setting.
Head to the Diving Centre for PADI diving courses or, if you’re more experienced, go diving at one of over 40 world-class dive sites around The Maldives. Have a go at parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, and wave surfing or set out on a sunset dolphin cruise, hand line or big game fishing, or a reef snorkelling excursion aboard a traditional Maldivian Dhoni.
Sheraton Adventure Club has plenty of supervised entertainment for four to 12 year olds including sports days, scavenger hunts, flat making, movie nights, tennis clinics, and beach activities. Why not book an excursion to visit a local island, tour the Maldives' capital of Male, or experience a sandbank picnic by boat or jet skis?
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has 176 guest units across ten categories; ranging from Water Bungalows, Cottages with Pool, and Ocean Pool Villas through to Club Water Bungalows with Pool, Water Villas, and Water Suites.
Water Bungalows are located at the northern end of the resort and are built on stilts over the lagoon. Under a thatched roof, you'll find a king bed and day bed, bathroom with lighted mirrors, spacious bathtub, and separate shower and WC, safe, telephone, air-conditioning, flat-screen television, minibar, and Wi-Fi Internet access.
