Hospitality
Majid Al Futtaim ties up with Parkin Company to introduce barrierless parking at top UAE malls
Majid Al Futtaim in collaboration with Parkin, is introducing barrierless parking at three of its most popular malls; Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif, revolutionising the parking experience.
Set for launch by January 2025, this solution in collaboration with the largest provider of innovative parking solutions in Dubai, will offer a seamless experience for thousands of daily mall visitors. The new system is expected to ease the journey for more than 20 million cars annually across the three malls, transforming the way customers use parking spaces at Majid Al Futtaim’s top shopping destinations.
The introduction of barrierless parking marks a significant milestone in Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing mission to enhance the customer experience through innovation and unparalleled convenience. Thanks to the new system, cars will no longer need to stop upon entering or exiting the mall car parks, as advanced cameras will automatically capture the vehicle’s license plate, resulting in smoother traffic flow.
“At Majid Al Futtaim, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the customer experience at every touchpoint,” said Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management “Our partnership with Parkin demonstrates our commitment to offering advanced solutions that simplify the parking process while addressing common visitor challenges. Whether it’s the convenience of barrier-free entry of the ease of electronic payment, this technology will provide millions of our customers with a seamless parking experience each year, and will be one of the many smart solutions that we will introduce at our malls.”
“This strategically important new agreement with a leading mall operator complements our existing operations and underscores our ongoing commitment to continued growth. Our smart systems will reduce congestion and enable smooth traffic flow, enhancing the overall customer experience at some of the busiest and well-known retail properties in Dubai. As the clear market leader in parking operations, management and technology, we will continue to leverage our unique capabilities and know-how to pursue further attractive partnership opportunities in this growing sector,” commented Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin Company.
How it works
Shoppers arriving at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif will no longer have to pause for a ticket at the parking barrier. Instead, as they drive in and out, licence plate recognition technology will automatically track their car.
If there is a parking fee to be paid, the driver will be sent an SMS alert with a payment link to pay the charges immediately through a web-based platform.
Customers also have the choice to link their account with the Parkin’s wallet, adding to the overall convenience.
This technology is expected to drastically reduce queues, particularly during peak hours, and eliminate delays caused by lost tickets or unpaid parking fees. Drivers will be able to enter and exit parking facilities in seconds, ensuring a more efficient and stress-free experience.
What sets it apart
The parking fees at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, and City Centre Mirdif will remain unchanged, offering customers a consistent and transparent pricing model.
The barrierless parking solution is only the beginning of the digital transformation of Majid Al Futtaim’s parking services. The integration of additional digital features to enhance customer experience is also in the offing. “This launch represents a major achievement in our efforts to create a digitally integrated and customer-centric shopping experience,” added Bin Braik.
“We are committed to ensuring that our parking solutions evolve with the changing needs of our customers, without adding extra burdens. By keeping our current rates while offering a faster, more efficient, and seamless parking experience, we offer our mall visitors greater peace of mind.”
Over the next few months, customers can anticipate more improvements that continue to deliver on Majid Al Futtaim’s promise of setting new standards in convenience, safety, and innovation.
Hospitality
OCEAN BASKET BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER THIS RAMADAN WITH SEAFOOD PLATTERS
This Ramadan, Ocean Basket invites diners to switch things up with an Iftar experience that offers a fresh change of pace. Inspired by its Mediterranean roots, the brand introduces a limited-time Seafood Platter created for sharing, passing, and gathering around the table. Available all day throughout the holy month at Ocean Basket Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi, the platter comes in two sizes, priced at AED 299 for two or AED 499 for four, making it a simple centrepiece for after-sunset dining.
Guests can begin Iftar in the traditional way with complimentary dates, followed by a comforting bowl of Ramadan style harira to ease into the evening. For guests looking to step away from traditional Ramadan fare, the experience introduces a lighter, fresher way to gather, moving on to a strawberry hazelnut salad and hibiscus iced tea, before the Ramadan Seafood Platter anchors the table as a shared centrepiece.
Served in two sharing sizes, priced at AED 299 for two or AED 499 for four, the platter delivers standout value for families and friends gathering around the table. Both options are loaded with the same generous spread of, it includes Dover sole, Argentinian and Prince prawns, mussels, and calamari, accompanied by golden fries and fragrant rice, bringing together Ocean Basket favourites in a centre of table spread designed for sharing. Ideal for smaller catch ups or larger family Iftars, it offers a simple, satisfying way to come together over seafood this Ramadan.
Where: Ocean Basket Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi
When: Available all day throughout Ramadan
Hospitality
LADURÉE CROWNED BEST CAFÉ AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD MIDDLE EAST AWARDS 202
The iconic Parisian tea room is recognised for culinary excellence and refined dining across the UAE
Ladurée, the iconic Parisian maison celebrated for its French pâtisserie and refined dining, has been awarded Best Café at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards 2025. One of its Dubai Mall locations has been recognized as a standout destination among the city’s finest dining experiences.
Founded in 1862 on Rue Royale in Paris, Ladurée brings over 160 years of French culinary heritage to the UAE. From its beginnings as an intimate Parisian tea room to its evolution into a globally renowned maison, the brand has remained synonymous with elegance, craftsmanship, and classic French flavours—both sweet and savoury.
Ladurée has firmly established itself as a restaurant-led concept, offering far more than a traditional café experience. With a strong presence across the UAE, including its flagship restaurant at Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue and its elegant tea room at Mall of the Emirates, each venue offers guests an immersive and refined dining experience through a carefully curated expression of French indulgence. Iconic macarons are complemented by refined savoury classics, all executed with the meticulous attention to detail that defines the maison.
Globally recognised for its signature macarons, Ladurée continues to honour recipes perfected over generations. The menu also features beloved classics such as the iconic French toast, the Ladurée club sandwich, and comforting French dishes that reflect the brand’s culinary depth and savoir-faire.
The Best Café title for 2025 builds on Ladurée’s continued recognition by the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards, following its nominations for Best Café and Best Casual Dining Restaurant in 2024, reinforcing its consistent excellence in the region’s competitive dining landscape.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and discipline of our restaurant teams in the UAE, who bring Parisian heritage to life in every detail. From impeccable consistency to an unwavering commitment to quality, their efforts ensure that every guest experience upholds the maison’s standard of excellence,” said Kieran Mallon, CEO of the F&B Division at Scope Investment.
As of January 2026, Ladurée proudly holds the title of Best Café, reinforcing its status as a leading destination for authentic French cuisine and sophisticated café culture in the UAE.
Hospitality
LADURÉE TURNS VALENTINE’S GIFTING INTO A WINNING AFFAIR WITH PARIS FLIGHTS HIDDEN INSIDE EVERY MACARON BOX
Ladurée elevates Valentine’s Day gifting with a luxury-led campaign where every macaron box from its Valentine’s collection includes a Love Ticket with a guaranteed prize. Available across three curated box options, each purchase unlocks an instant reward ranging from exclusive Ladurée in-store experiences such as afternoon tea or signature treats, to luxury prizes, including return flight tickets to Paris for two, redeemable anytime in 2026.
Love is in the details, and this year, Ladurée celebrates it where it beats strongest: Paris, the city of love. Bold, sweet, and unapologetically luxurious, the limited-edition Valentine’s collection, illustrated by Guillaume Sardin, invites you to savor life and macarons with audacity.
What’s on the menu for love:
- Heart-Shaped Macaron Caramel Ginger Black Tea | 15 AED
- Macaron Gift Boxes:
- 8 Macarons | 158 AED15 Macarons | 289 AED
- Valentine French Toast | 72 AED Brioche, raspberry lychee jam, rose Chantilly, chocolate hearts, and macaron powder
- Valentine Gift hamper | Starting from 599 AED, Macarons, chocolates, and marshmallow teddy bears tailored for your beloved
- Valentine cake for 2 | Priced 119 AED, A romantic, heart-shaped creation featuring a delicate rose macaron shell, layered with rose buttercream, fresh lychee and raspberry. Finished with a handwritten chocolate love note, this elegant dessert is perfectly sized for two ideal for Valentine’s Day gifting or sharing.
Whether gifting, indulging, or simply celebrating life’s sweetest moments, Ladurée Dubai turns Valentine’s Day into an unforgettable luxury experience. Because love, like a perfect macaron, is meant to be bold, beautiful, and utterly irresistible. Available exclusively in the UAE and KSA.
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