“Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.” William Shakespeare
It’s time to think about romance, chocolates and flowers because love it or hate it Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you and your partner are celebrating the day of love in Abu Dhabi here’s three special ways to mark the occasion on Wednesday 14th February.
Couples Massage – Emirates Palace Spa
Book an indulgent and memorable massage for two in the privacy of one of the Spa’s five couples suites located at the majestic Emirates Palace. The pampering begins with a candlelit milk bath strewn with hundreds of fragrant red and white rose petals followed by side-by-side hour long signature massages. The milk proteins in the bath are enriched with vitamins and minerals to hydrate, brighten and soften the skin leaving it silky smooth, while the spice massage oil with black pepper and ginger helps to restore balance and energy flows.
The spa are also offering a Be Mine for Valentine package where you can create your own signature couples experience. Choose a 60 minute massage, facial or pedicure combined with one of the following 30 minute treatments; either a mini facial, milky bath, rejuvenating foot treat, body scrub, back neck and shoulder massage or an argan oil hair and scalp treatment. Available until 28th February with prices starting from AED 885* for a 90 minute package. All packages are inclusive of Beach Club, Pool and Gym access as well as 20% off in selected signature restaurants.
Emirates Palace Spa, Emirates Palace, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi
Telephone : 02 690 7978
For bookings and further information email: spa@emiratespalace.ae
Website: www.kempinski.com/en/abudhabi/emirates-palace/luxury-spa/
I can thoroughly recommend the couples experience – read my full review here Click here to see the Emirates Palace Spa menu
High Tea – Filaments Lounge, Southern Sun
Take your loved one for an indulgent chocolate inspired high tea at the Filaments Lounge located in the lobby of the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi. A selection of handcrafted chocolates and truffles sit alongside the usual sweet and savoury delights of a high tea.
Open sandwiches, delicate cakes and delicious desserts, an assortment of colourful macaroons and bite-size scones accompanied by signature Mighty Leaf teas will ensure you leave completely full to the brim. Vegetarians are well taken care of with a choice of savoury bites, I can personally recommend the egg and mayonnaise topped with chive on tiny toasts and ALL the chocolates.
Those chocoholics amongst us will enjoy the interactive chocolate masterclass led by the hotel’s chefs that guides you through the process from ‘bean to bar’. You and your partner can become chocolatiers for the afternoon as you get to grips with the process of making different flavours of artisan chocolates and truffles, I challenge you not to sneak a bite or two along the way!
Filaments Lounge, Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Mina Road, Al Zahiya, Abu Dhabi,
Telephone: 02 818 4888
Website: www.tsogosun.com/southern-sun-abu-dhabi
The Chocolate High Tea is available from 8th – 14th February 2018 daily from 3pm and 6pm for AED 95* per person. Guests can register for the Chocolate Masterclass to be held on 12th February 2018 at 3pm by purchasing the Chocolate High Tea.
Urban Love Dinner – BU!
Love is in the air at the capital’s favourite Pan-Latino restaurant, BU located on the fourth floor of The Hub at the top of Abu Dhabi’s World Trade Center Mall. Expect a romantic setting with flicking candles and rose petals aplenty as you dine together and celebrate the designated day of love.
The four-course Urban Love menu starts with cold starters designed to share served on a platter of ice; black cod in teriyaki sauce, salmon sashimi with truffle oil and the food of love, oysters with spicy clam sauce. Vegetarians are not forgotten with a selection of vegetable tempura.
Hot starters include shrimp or mushroom quesadilla and tenderloin skewers with anticuchera sauce. Cute bowls of tastu pisco sour with lychee foam, passion fruit topped with truffle and rose petals refresh the palate ahead of the mains. A choice of three mains can be chosen, Corn Fed Baby Chicken with Stir Fried Quinoa and vegetables, barramundi with avocado and tomato salad or the vegetarian option of sticky rice with shimeji mushrooms and asparagus.
The piece de resistance of the meal is the edible BU emblazoned chocolate pinata, a dessert to share together. Once smashed (implement provided and it makes a great boomerang) treats are revealed inside of peanut butter brownies, churros, tropical fruits, coconut marshmallows and meringues to dip in the accompanying chocolate sauce and enjoyed with ice-cream. A delicious and indulgent end to a really lovely meal in a perfect setting with great service.
BU!, Level 4, The Hub, World Trade Center Abu Dhabi
Telephone: 02 666 8066
E-mail: reservations@butrinity.com
Website: www.butrinity.com/
The Urban Love menu is available on 14th February from 7pm and costs AED 550 per couple.
Single and looking to shun all the hearts and roses on 14th February? Try the anti-Valentines events happening around the capital. The Belgian Café Yas Island is offering an Anti-Valentine’s Day celebration. Delicious dishes on offer for all singletons such as ‘Selfish shellfish’ accompanied by unlimited brewed and house beverages from 8pm to 11pm for just AED 69 for ladies and AED 150 for the guys.
Irish pub PJ O’Reillys, at the Royal Meridien, will be holding its annual Anti-Valentine’s Day protest with the guarantee that love will not be in the air. Celebrate being single on Friday 16th February from 1 – 4pm, it’s sure to get a little messy. There will be prizes for the best dressed and games winners – AED 200 per person
I was invited to the review Emirates Palace Spa, Filaments High Tea and the Urban Love menu at BU! All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2018. All rights reserved. Additional Spa photo use with courtesy of Emirates Palace Spa
Read more about the Emirates Palace here Staycation | Emirates Palace and Brunch at the Palace | Las Brisas
Read more about the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi in previous posts Raising The Steak Friday Brunch | The Foundry and Thursday Steak Feast | The Foundry
Read more about BU! in previous posts The Breakfast Club | BU!, BU! | The Hub and The Hub | World Trade Center Mall Abu Dhabi