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Hospitality
The Secret to Happiness? It’s Called Party Time!
By Jay Wynne, Director of Secret Parties
There are many questions in life where the answer escapes us. We can spend our lives on a fruitless search for meaning where the result only yields more questions. What is the meaning of life? To be or not to be? Why are we here? What is our purpose? Thankfully, my assignment isn’t to tackle those and it’s a rather more familiar subject that I find myself pondering today.
The Secret to Happiness
If you asked a group of ten, one hundred, one million people what their secret to happiness is, I can almost guarantee that each answer would be unique and different to all of the others. Happiness is deeply personal to each individual and is, more often than not, in context and specific to their unique situation in life. So, while the billionaire owner of Amazon, Jeff Bezos’, version of happiness might be finding an even bigger, more shinier mega yacht (to clarify – that would make me happy too), another person’s version may simply be that they were able to put food on the table for their family.
Human Connection
Something that became abundantly clear in 2020 when the pandemic hit was that the vast majority of us crave human connection and togetherness. Not only do we crave it, we need it to survive. For some, the various lockdowns were a lonely time filled with empty days and little to no human contact. It is no surprise that in the 12 month period from 2020-2021 Zoom’s revenue amounted to $2.65 billion, up more than 300 percent from just $623 million the year before.
Though many of us may have used Zoom for various work calls, it felt that connecting with friends and family was the overwhelming use for the software in this period. A number of us will have stories about “virtual” quizzes, parties, weddings, birthdays and more during lockdown, tales of dancing in your living room while loved ones on the screen were doing the same. Technology was specifically developed for the purpose of people being able to party together in a virtual setting, over the fence “gatherings” with socially distanced neighbours became the norm.
So, why would we jump through these hoops and do these things simply to connect with others? Because the secret to happiness is human connection. And the greatest human connection is having fun together. Or in other words – partying.
Secret Parties
Our brand is parties. We exist for parties. What makes us happy…..is people, together, partying. And quite simply, we do what we do – because people love to party.
While I won’t go into the ins and outs with our own struggles of owning a party brand when partying was banned, we could not have been more certain of our purpose during that time.
So many of us can relate to the issues faced in this time, we remember going to bars with no music, sitting a metre apart, no dancing. But we couldn’t help ourselves, could we? No dancing standing up? No problem – waist up, seated, upper body dance moves only (admit it, we all did it)!
Our events were busy, in spite of these restrictions, in spite of the unnerving time we found ourselves in. And why? People sought fun, people sought togetherness, people sought happiness. Thankfully, it transpired that the secret to that happiness was, and still is, partying!
The Party
.When we develop and concept a new event, our number one objective is delivering an excellent customer experience. Of course, this is subjective and not everyone’s idea of the perfect day or night out is the same, but the formula remains the same. Our guests want a great party. They want to wake up the next day still buzzing from The Party, the group chat blowing up with stories surfacing from what happened at The Party. And then what happened at the After-Party.
Creating the perfect party is conducting an orchestra. Everything is designed and composed to reach the crescendo. All the moves made, and elements brought in are carefully thought of to induce happiness.
To make a great party, you’ve got to think about a perfect marriage of the senses. Our senses are the gateway to a great party.
Taste = food = happiness
Sight = visuals / entertainment / venue aesthetic = happiness
Touch = dancing = happiness
Sound = music = happiness
On a weekly and almost daily basis we witness guests in what appears to be their happiest state of being. Chatting, dancing, laughing, singing, smiling, flirting are just a handful of actions occurring as we scan the room at any of our events. Noise levels go through the roof with the sound of people having the time of their lives, laughing louder than they’ve ever laughed, creating memories with friends or loved ones they’ll remember forever.
While it would be impossible for me to generalise an entire world’s population and say we all have the same thoughts on what happiness is, I am fairly certain it is the minority that don’t enjoy a great party.
Dancing and singing are our global shared language of unity, togetherness and of course, happiness. Babies find their rhythm before they find their words. It is built within us to party.
To seek joy. To find happiness.
Grand Iftar by Mövenpick Bur Dubai
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai invites guests to experience The Grand Iftar, a refined Ramadan celebration hosted across two distinctive venues, thoughtfully designed for meaningful moments of togetherness.
Gather with family, friends, and colleagues over a generous Iftar buffet showcasing a curated selection of Arabic specialities and international favourites. Signature highlights include Chef Feras’ lamb ouzi, slow-cooked for over 12 hours, alongside classic Ramadan dishes such as chicken shish taouk, beef kebabs, and lamb kofta, served at Fountain Restaurant and The Garden.
The experience continues at Garden Lounge, an elegant outdoor setting featuring live BBQ stations with premium meats, chicken, and seafood. Guests can unwind under the open sky with shisha available, while enjoying live entertainment in a warm and inviting Ramadan ambience.
Details:
Date: Throughout Ramadan | Time: Sunset – 10:30 PM | Seating: Indoor and outdoor available | Venue: Fountain Restaurant, The Garden & Garden Lounge
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
Suhoor at The Garden Lounge
Unwind under the open sky at The Garden Lounge and enjoy a relaxed Suhoor experience in an elegant outdoor setting. Guests can savour traditional and international à la carte dishes, refreshing mocktails, and a wide selection of shisha flavours, complemented by live oud/qanoon music for a serene late-night Ramadan atmosphere.
Details:
Date: Throughout Ramadan | Time: Until 3:00 AM | Venue: The Garden Lounge
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai.
This February, One&Only Royal Mirage invites guests to celebrate love in its most elegant forms. Throughout the month, indulge in the Valentine’s Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge and Samovar Lounge, featuring the romantic pairing of chocolate and roses. For those seeking shared moments of serenity, the spa offers intimate couple rituals, while Eauzone presents an unforgettable evening beneath the stars on Valentine’s Day itself. Each experience is designed to evoke connection, indulgence, and timeless romance in the resort’s serene coastal setting.
ROMANCE UNDER THE STARS
An Intimate Valentine’s Evening Beneath the Open Sky: Celebrate the magic of Valentine’s night surrounded by candlelight, gentle sea breeze, and the soft hum of the waves at Eauzone. Begin your evening with two glasses of sparkling wine before indulging in a four-course menu crafted for sharing and savouring together. Every detail from the rose petals to the intimate table setting evokes elegance, warmth, and connection.
INTIMATE GAZEBO UNDER THE STARS
A Private Celebration of Love and Connection: For those wishing to celebrate in complete seclusion, Eauzone offers an exclusive private gazebo experience set amidst candlelight and the shimmering night sky. Begin with a sparkling welcome, followed by a meticulously curated four-course dinner, Champagne, flowers, and sweet indulgences all served with discreet, dedicated attention in a setting designed for cherished memories.
Chocolate & Roses Themed Valentine’s Afternoon Tea Celebration: In honour of the month of love, this February, guests can immerse themselves in an afternoon of refined indulgence with One&Only Royal Mirage’s Valentine’s Afternoon Tea. Inspired by the classic pairing of chocolate and roses, this carefully curated experience features delicate flavours of chocolate, rose, raspberry, and lychee alongside savoury selections including duck breast with beetroot, blue cheese, and caramelised onion. Set in the elegant ambience of either the Lobby Lounge or Samovar Lounge, offers guests the perfect way to celebrate love in an intimate, relaxed setting.
TOTAL HOLISTIC DUO RITUAL
A Shared Journey of Balance, Relaxation, and Connection: Reconnect with your loved one through a deeply restorative ritual designed exclusively for two. The experience begins with personalised facials in the privacy of a serene couple’s suite before surrendering to a harmonising full-body massage. The experience restores balance and invites you both to unwind, rejuvenate, and embrace calm together.
COUPLES HAMMAM EXPERIENCE
Indulge in Shared Serenity and Timeless Wellness: Step into a sanctuary where Moroccan wellness rituals meet contemporary luxury. The journey begins with aromatic steam, gentle exfoliation, and soothing treatments that prepare your body and mind for a shared 30-minute massage, leaving you radiant, relaxed, and perfectly in tune.
VALENTINE’S BASTIEN MANICURE
Perfectly Polished for Your Special Moment: Prepare for your celebrated evening with a Signature Bastien Manicure focusing on refined nail and cuticle care, complemented by a deeply relaxing forearm, wrist, hand, and finger massage. Finished with the colour of your choice, this experience ensures every detail is as flawless as your occasion.
This Ramadan, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island invites guests to embrace the spirit of togetherness through elegant and thoughtful dining experiences. From a refined Iftar at the Yas Grand Terrace to a tranquil late-night Suhoor and tailored group gatherings, every detail has been considered to create moments that honour the essence of the holy month.
IFTAR AT YAS GRAND TERRACE
Set against the calm backdrop of Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Grand Terrace at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island offers a refined Iftar experience crafted to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan. Guests can break their fast with a thoughtfully curated menu that highlights time-honoured flavours, comforting dishes, and indulgent desserts. Whether gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, the elegant outdoor setting and warm hospitality provide the perfect atmosphere to reflect, reconnect, and enjoy the season.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan | From Sunset onwards
SUHOOR AT HILTON ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
Extend your evening with a relaxed Suhoor experience in a serene setting, perfect for unhurried gatherings and quiet reflection. The menu features comforting favourites and Ramadan classics, served in an atmosphere designed for peace and connection before the day begins.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan
GROUP RAMADAN GATHERINGS
Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island welcomes group bookings for corporate Iftars, family celebrations, and private Suhoors. With flexible event spaces and attentive service, each gathering is tailored to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience for all.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan
MÖVENPICK HOTEL BUR DUBAI -RAMADAN LISTINGS
CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S WITH THAT SPECIAL ONE AT ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRA
EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN AT HILTON ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
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