Summer in Dubai has a way of testing every family’s plans, the heat sets in, school lets out, and finding somewhere the kids can burn energy while the adults actually get to relax becomes the day’s real challenge. Riva Beach Club is answering that with a season built around exactly this kind of family time, a place where mornings stretch into afternoons by the water and evenings wind down just as easily, giving every member of the family a reason to stay a little longer.

Weekdays are where the value really shows itself. Adults make their way in from AED 99, with AED 89 of that landing straight back as food and beverage credit, while children join on the same terms, their AED 99 entry fully redeemable on snacks and drinks throughout the day. It is the kind of offer that turns a random Tuesday into an outing worth taking, especially once happy hour rolls around from 3pm, giving parents their own reason to stay a little longer once the kids have had their fill of the water.

Weekends lean further into the family of it all. The Weekend Treat brings the same fully redeemable child entry alongside a slightly more generous adult package, AED 150 with AED 125 in credit, built for the families who want two full days poolside rather than squeezing everything into one. It is the sort of offer that removes the usual back and forth over which day to go, since both are covered without the cost doubling up, leaving more room in the budget for the extras that actually make a day out memorable.

As the afternoon heat eases and the sun starts to dip, After Dark by the Pool picks up where the day left off. Children aged eight and under are let in free, meaning families do not need to cut the visit short once dinner time approaches, while the essentials, sun loungers, fresh towels, a proper two hour beverage package, are all built into the AED 199 adult entry for the grown ups looking to stretch the evening out rather than pack up and head home. For residents, an additional 20 percent off food and wine sweetens what is already one of the more relaxed ways to close out a family day in Dubai’s summer heat.

The rest of the week fills in just as easily around these family staples. Fridays and Saturdays bring Sip & Splash, with two hours of unlimited house beverages alongside pool access, while the Sunday Social eases things into the week ahead with unlimited mimosas. Mondays offer Steak & Wine at AED 129, Wednesdays belong to Ladies’ Day with pool access, an appetizier and 40 percent off at Dreamworks Spa, and Fridays keep things casual with tacos from AED 49, with the Weekend Warm-Up carrying a 40 percent food discount through Thursday and into Friday evening.

Taken together, it is more of a reason to make Riva part of the family’s summer routine, one where the deals hold up whether it is a quick Wednesday visit, a full weekend by the water, or an evening that runs on long after the sun has gone down.

Radisson Hotel Group continued to accelerate its growth strategy in the first half of 2026, signing and opening 160 hotels, representing more than 22,000 keys. This sustained momentum reflects continued owner confidence in the Group’s brands and ability to generate compelling results, alongside continued demand for high-quality branded hospitality across global markets.

During the first half of the year, the Group strengthened its presence across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific through a combination of signings, openings, market entries, and brand extensions. Activity continues to be driven by a diversified portfolio spanning luxury, lifestyle, upscale, resort, conversion, and mixed-use opportunities.

Diversified Growth Across EMEA

Across Europe, Radisson Hotel Group recorded several notable milestones, including the signing of Radisson Collection Hotel, Frankfurt and Radisson RED Vienna Danube Riverside, alongside new openings across Austria, Germany, and Poland. The Group broadened its resort footprint with new openings in Tenerife and Phuket, while Radisson Individuals expanded in Greece and Spain. Lifestyle and luxury brands also extended their reach, with Radisson RED debuting in New Zealand, the Philippines, and Türkiye, while Radisson Collection strengthened its presence in key gateway destinations, such as Lake Como. The Group is expanding its Verified Net Zero program, with the coming months seeing an additional 10 hotels joining the initiative across Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the first VNZ hotel in South Africa, while Les Loges, the gastronomic restaurant at Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel, was awarded its first Michelin star just 10 months after reopening.

Across the Middle East and Africa, notable openings, including Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barsha Heights, Radisson Collection Residences, Riyadh, and Radisson Blu Hotel, Almaty Airport, reinforced the Group’s presence in strategic markets.Africa surpassed a significant milestone during the period, with more than 100 hotels now in operation and under development across the continent.

In EMEA and SEAP, Radisson has been the most-signed hotel brand within its segment since 2019, demonstrating the continued relevance of the brand, and the group, to owners and guests.

“We create value for our guests and owners through our brands and people. We believe in the long-term nature of our business and are committed to deliver above market returns to all our stakeholders,” says Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group.

New Market Entries and Brand Expansion Strengthen Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific remains one of Radisson Hotel Group’s most important regions, supported by favourable demographics, increasing travel demand, and rising investor confidence in branded hospitality.

China continues to play an important role in the Group’s long-term development strategy, with more than 260 hotels in operation across Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, and Radisson RED, and a substantial development pipeline across its midscale and lifestyle portfolio. Activity remains robust across major urban centers, including Wuhan, Beijing, and Chongqing, as well as emerging Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 cities, supported by the world’s largest domestic travel market and continued demand for branded hospitality.

Across Southeast Asia Pacific, LIME Resort Bohol, a member of Radisson Individuals Premier, marked the debut of the brand in in the region, In Australasia, Radisson RED Auckland became both the Group’s first hotel in New Zealand and the first Radisson RED in the region.

India Remains a Growth Market

“India is one of the most promising hotel development markets in the world today,” says Younes. “Demand continues to outpace supply, infrastructure is improving rapidly, and owner confidence remains high. Combined with our legacy in the country, the awareness of our brands and our exceptional colleagues on the ground, these fundamentals create significant opportunities for long-term, meaningful growth.”

During the first half of 2026, the Group signed and opened 22 hotels in India, bringing its development pipeline in the country to nearly 100 hotels. Radisson Hotel Group currently operates 142 hotels with more than 15,500 keys across 86 cities in India, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading international hotel operators. The Group recently unveiled its India Vision 2030 plan, which aims to grow its portfolio to 500 hotels over the next five years.

This summer, Anantara Retreat Santorini Abu Dhabi, operated by Minor Hotels, invites guests to discover a different side of its serene coastal sanctuary as it celebrates its annual Date Harvest Season. From July to September, the luxury retreat’s 450 date palm trees bear around six varieties of dates, inspiring curated guest experiences that celebrate the UAE’s treasured fruit through farm tours, culinary creations, botanical beverages and wellness.

At the heart of the season is the Date Farm Tour, led by in-house Retreat Date Storyteller, Nadia Bouassia, where guests explore the palm farm, learn about the harvest and taste freshly picked dates. In the lobby, a curated date display extends the experience with a seasonal tasting station on arrival.

Guests can experience the harvest beyond the palm farm through a curated selection of optional culinary and beverage offerings, including culinary classes featuring the retreat’s signature date pudding and Jewel of Al Jarf, a botanical drink made with dates, tamarind and honey. At breakfast, date seed coffee offers a thoughtful expression of the season, with seeds carefully air-dried, roasted, ground and brewed to showcase the harvest in a distinctive new way.

The season’s most distinctive wellness highlight is the Tamr Al Nakheel Ritual (Dates of the Palm Ritual), a 90-minute spa journey featuring dates harvested from the retreat’s own palm trees. The ritual celebrates the fruit’s natural richness in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. Designed to hydrate, soften, and revitalise the skin, the experience begins with a nourishing body wrap made with freshly harvested dates and milk, accompanied by a relaxing head massage. Following a refreshing shower, guests continue with a soothing full-body massage using rich shea butter to deeply moisturise and replenish the skin. The ritual concludes with the retreat’s signature Golden Harvest Elixir, crafted from its own dates for a naturally energising finish.

“It is amazing to see how the fruit of these precious trees has inspired experiences across the retreat, from arrival and dining to beverage and now spa and wellness,” said Rachid Bakas, General Manager of Anantara Retreat Santorini Abu Dhabi. “Every summer, we harvest more than 3,200 kilograms of dates, and this has become an integral part of our sustainability initiatives. Beyond creating meaningful guest experiences, the harvest also allows us to give back to the community. While we are a Greek-inspired luxury retreat, we are deeply connected to our setting in the Emirates, and celebrating the date harvest is a beautiful way to honour the destination we proudly call home.”

Inspired by the effortless elegance of the Greek islands, Anantara Retreat Santorini Abu Dhabi is an adults-only luxury retreat set along the coastline between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Home to just 22 keys, including a royal suite, the retreat offers an intimate escape defined by sea views, curated dining, wellness experiences and personalised hospitality. Blending Mediterranean-inspired design with the warmth of its Emirati setting, the retreat is a soulful hideaway where privacy, tranquillity and destination-led experiences create a distinctive coastal sanctuary in the UAE.