Hospitality
ME BY MELIÁ DUBAI INVITES GUESTS TO ‘GET FESTIVE WITH ME’: WINTER DINING, SPA ESCAPES & SUNLIT CELEBRATIONS
As Dubai’s perfect winter weather arrives and the festive season comes to life, ME by Meliá Dubai invites guests to embrace December with a curated lineup of seasonal experiences. Guests can savour comforting holiday flavours with Central Restaurant’s Festive Business Lunch, enjoy relaxed evenings under the stars with the newly launched Grill by ME, an elegant daily al-fresco dining experience that also offers a special New Year’s Eve celebration – or unwind with indulgent spa rituals designed to restore balance during the busiest time of year.
With its chic atmosphere, thoughtful dining concepts, wellness-led offerings, and sun-soaked cabana moments by the pool, December at ME by Meliá Dubai is an invitation to celebrate the season and indulge in the art of living well.
New Year’s Eve at ME by Meliá Dubai
Ring in 2026 in true ME style as the Pool Terrace transforms into a vibrant open-air celebration beneath Dubai’s glittering skyline. With the city’s glittering lights as the backdrop, guests can look forward to an evening filled with flavour, music, and memorable moments shared among friends and loved ones.
Savour an international feast featuring live cooking stations, indulge in festive favourites thoughtfully prepared by the culinary team, and enjoy dynamic live entertainment that sets the tone for a night of joyful anticipation. As midnight approaches, gather for an electrifying countdown as we welcome the arrival of 2026 in signature ME fashion.
Marc-Antoine Barrois x ME by Meliá Dubai – A New Creative Collaboration
ME by Meliá Dubai welcomes an exclusive collaboration with Maison Marc-Antoine Barrois, the independent French couture and fragrance house renowned for its poetic surrealism, refined craftsmanship, and singular artistic universe. Known for modern olfactory icons such as B683, Ganymede, Encélade, and the Maison’s newest creation, Tilia, the brand brings its imaginative aesthetic into the hotel’s architectural landmark.
As part of the collaboration, guests will discover a Marc-Antoine Barrois–designed Christmas tree displayed in the hotel’s dramatic atrium, an installation that reflects the Maison’s timeless elegance and its distinctive blend of creativity and wonder.
In addition, a curated selection of Marc-Antoine Barrois fragrances will be available for purchase daily from 12pm to 8pm, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the brand’s celebrated creations within ME by Meliá Dubai’s vibrant cultural setting.
Festive Business Lunch at Central Restaurant
This December, Central Restaurant invites guests to take a well-deserved pause from the seasonal rush and indulge in a Festive Business Lunch crafted to inspire warmth, connection, and culinary delight. Thoughtfully curated by the Executive Chef, the menu showcases the very best of the season with dishes that celebrate comforting flavours and elegant festive flair. Guests can begin with the velvety Velouté of Chestnut & Pumpkin soup, a rich blend of roasted pumpkin and chestnut that captures the essence of winter, or opt for the vibrant Mediterranean Octopus, paired with potato, baby romaine, and a bold black garlic emulsion for a fresh, refined start.
For the main course, highlights include the beautifully Herbed Turkey Roulade, served with rosemary-roasted root vegetables and a bright cranberry reduction, a sophisticated take on a holiday classic, alongside the indulgent Slow-Braised Lamb Shoulder, finished with parsnip purée, roasted baby carrots, and a deep, aromatic jus. Guests seeking a meat-free option will enjoy the comforting Artichoke Risotto, finished with parmesan, mushroom, and parsley for a fragrant, creamy finish.
To end on a sweet, celebratory note, desserts offer a truly festive finale: the decadent Buche de Noël with dark chocolate and kirsch-soaked cherries, the delicate Festive Triffle layered with vanilla meringue and berries, and the beautifully spiced Winter Ginger Mille-Feuille, infused with warm winter spices and caramel.
Whether dining solo, taking a well-earned break from festive shopping with friends, or gathering colleagues for a cheerful Christmas lunch, this midday experience offers a deliciously memorable way to savour the season.
Wellness by ME – Get Festive with ME
This festive season, Wellness by ME invites guests to step into a world of serene indulgence with Get Festive With ME – a curated collection of joyful spa experiences designed to inspire relaxation, rejuvenation, and well-being. From hydrating facials to warm, aromatic massages, each treatment promises moments of pure bliss, complemented by complimentary access to the pool, sauna, and gym with every spa booking.
Guests can immerse themselves in Holiday Bliss (AED 500), featuring a 60-minute Hydra Boost Facial paired with a 30-minute Rescue Release Massage, or unwind with the Winter Warmer (AED 450), combining a soothing 60-minute Recovery Warm Oil Massage with a 30-minute Lavender Luxe Buff Body Scrub for ultimate seasonal comfort. For the generous gifter, For Your Santa offers exceptional value with packages of five 60-minute massages or four 90-minute massages, both at AED 1,750, delivering substantial savings and unforgettable relaxation.
For those looking to treat someone special this season but unsure what to gift, spa gift certificates, starting from AED 450 – offer the perfect gesture of indulgence.
Grill by ME
As the weather turns perfect for al-fresco dining, enjoy a relaxed yet elegant evening at ME by Meliá Dubai’s striking Pool Terrace with Grill by ME. Set inside the architectural icon that redefined the city’s skyline, this new open-air dining experience pairs contemporary style with effortless comfort – the kind of place where chilled beats, live grill stations, and ME Dubai’s signature modern energy come together seamlessly. Guests can explore a thoughtfully curated buffet featuring fresh salads, handmade pasta crafted at interactive stations, sizzling grilled favourites, and decadent desserts, all designed to elevate simple flavours with finesse.
Perfect for intimate evenings or vibrant gatherings with family and friends, Grill by ME offers a refined yet welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of Dubai after dark.
The Cabana Experience
Soak up the winter sunshine in ultimate style with the Cabana Experience. Perfect for sunbathing, splashing in the pool, or simply lounging in comfort, each cabana is designed to be a private oasis. Standard room guests can enjoy a cabana for AED 250 (for two people), complete with two refreshing beverages of choice, mineral water, cooling towels and a hand fan, plus sun protection by Deeper Beauty to keep everyone perfectly pampered under the sun. Suite guests receive a complimentary cabana with the same indulgent inclusions. Whether it’s sipping a chilled drink poolside, cooling off in the pool, or simply basking in the rays, the Cabana Experience transforms an ordinary day into a sun-soaked escape full of relaxation, fun, and effortless luxury.
Deeper Beauty – Sun Care Elevated
ME by Meliá Dubai proudly continues it’s collaboration with Deeper Beauty, a UAE-born SPF brand that seamlessly blends inclusivity, sustainability, and high-performance skincare. Crafted to protect and celebrate every skin tone, Deeper Beauty’s lightweight, non-white cast formula delivers broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection without compromise, making it especially suited for darker complexions. Perfect for sun-soaked days by the pool or outdoor adventures, it ensures skin stays nourished, protected, and radiant.
Whether applied before a relaxing cabana day or on-the-go, Deeper Beauty makes sun protection effortless, effective, and suitable for every skin tone.
Hospitality
AARK MARKETING STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN UAE PERFECTING THE TITLE OF DIGITAL & INFLUENCER MARKETING & PR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Aark Marketing, a reputed boutique integrated marketing and communications agency, continues to strengthen its position within the UAE’s competitive brand landscape through culturally attuned, insight-led campaigns. Marking a milestone year in its growth journey, the agency’s 2025 performance reflects strategic clarity and creative precision, translating brand narratives into measurable impact across sectors. Beyond F&B and hospitality, Aark serves diverse industries including retail, manufacturing, and construction, offering end-to-end expertise across media planning, social and digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to deliver ROI-driven outcomes.
Founded in 2020, Aark has led several high-impact campaigns for reputed F&B brands, including Kashkan, which generated 2.4 million views and 20,000+ followers in three months. Its hospitality portfolio includes Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur, Silk Lantern, Lavang, Aminia, and The Permit Room, while work with Emirates Airlines – Dnata and Dubai Islamic Bank demonstrates its capability beyond F&B.
Under visionary leadership, Aark celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2025, marked by key achievements including Pincode winning the Time Out Restaurant Awards 2025 and Lavang being named Filmfare Middle East Favourite Debutant Restaurant 2025; demonstrating the agency’s ability to align strategic brand positioning with meaningful audience engagement.
The agency earned multiple industry honours this year: the Middle East National Business Awards for A Marketing & PR Recipe for Success, and accolades from the Global Business & Finance Magazine Awards: Best Integrated Marketing Agency UAE, Best PR & Media Agency of the Year UAE, and Excellence in Brand Communications UAE. Inclusion in the Caterer Middle East F&B Power PR List further reinforced its regional credibility.
Emphasising on Aark’s client-first approach, Kkusum Rawat, Founder and Marketing Director at Aark Marketing, said, “Today, brands are looking beyond traditional marketing for partners who truly understand their objectives and the regional nuances that shape consumer behaviour. Our focus has always been on delivering customised solutions that build visibility through relevance, not volume. With a clear emphasis on Return on Investment, we leverage innovation and technology to create impactful campaigns that connect meaningfully with audiences and deliver measurable outcomes. The consistency we achieved in 2025, across thinking, execution, and results, reflects the strength of our team and the trust our clients place in us to build lasting brand impact.”
From a performance standpoint, Aark Marketing delivered sustained digital growth across its portfolio, achieving over 5 million in reach and 3 million video views. Multiple F&B brands recorded 20 to 40% month-on-month engagement growth, while festive campaigns drove 2x to 4x visibility spikes, improved cost efficiencies, and increased footfall, online orders, and inquiries.
Across influencer and communications channels, Aark Marketing strengthened brand recall and authority. A flagship Al Nabooda campaign generated over 1 million video views, while strategic PR efforts secured 500+ media articles across top-tier regional publications, driving consistent editorial visibility, stronger brand credibility, and increased inbound discovery across AI-powered search platforms. Revolutionizing the ever-growing digital marketing sector, Aark Marketing stays committed to providing creative campaigns and excel in client delivery. The key achievements collectively signal a year defined by credibility, collaboration, and carefully measured growth, positioning the agency firmly within the region’s evolving marketing and communications landscape
Hospitality
HOUSE OF HYPE DUBAI JUST FLIPPED THE HOLIDAYS, UNVEILS THE WINTER WONDERVERSE
This festive season, House of Hype, Dubai Mall’s most spectacular immersive mega-experience, turns the holidays upside down with The Winter Wonderverse, a surreal festive universe that only Dubai could dream up.
Running from December 13 till January 4, 2026, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype delivers a larger-than-life remix of holiday classics across the park’s 25 immersive worlds. Expect glowing snow, dancing lights, spontaneous performances, mischievous elf photobooths, chaotic parades, and snacks almost too cute to eat — all crafted to surprise, delight, and spark unforgettable shared moments.
But this isn’t nostalgia, and it’s definitely not the winter village you’ve visited five times before. This is House of Hype in Dubai! Where everything is bigger, wilder, brighter, and far more fun.
A Holiday Universe, One Wild World at a Time
From the moment you step inside, you’re not entering a venue, you’re crossing into a surreal festive season multiverse. One minute you’re inside a shimmering snow globe where neon snow falls around you, the next, you’re being pulled into an elf transformation photobooth where the “elves” are a little too enthusiastic and definitely up to mischief.
Turn a corner and suddenly a world-hopping parade bursts through the space, sweeping you into a swirl of bold characters, dancers, glitchy holiday creatures, and spontaneous performances that feel like they jumped out of a fever dream.
Blending humor, fantasy, nostalgia, and hypersaturated design, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype is for people who want their holidays to feel anything but ordinary, families, friends, creators, travelers, and anyone chasing a festive escape with a twist.
Festive Highlights:
Inspired by House of Hype’s signature mega-experience DNA, here’s what guests can expect:
- Glowing Snow & Dancing Lights: A surreal holiday landscape perfect for unforgettable photo and video moments.
- Elf Transformation Photobooths: Snap, record, and instantly drop into the Winter Wonderverse storyline with playful, social-ready content.
- World-Hopping Parades & Outrageous Performances: A spontaneous cast brings the universe to life through bold interactions and unexpected spectacle.
- A Surprise Treat Awaits Anyone in Ugly Sweaters: Show up to Dubai’s most chaotic holiday showdown, loud, fun, and delightfully unhinged.
- Cute Holiday Snacks & Limited-Edition Treats: Delicious, highly Instagrammable snacks curated by Michelin-starred culinary talent.
House of Hype invites guests on a 60–90 minute adventure through Dubai Mall’s full-scale City of Dreams, a joyful mega-experience built from the brightest corners of digital pop culture. Across 25 surreal, interactive zones, visitors drift through neon Tokyo nights, K-Pop stages, shimmering Bollywood energy, robotic light shows, projection domes, hidden pathways, exclusive shopping, and limited-edition global snacks. With live performances, AI-powered photo moments, and unexpected worlds opening at every turn, every visit becomes a journey to dream big, live loud, and have fun.
Hospitality
PIZZAEXPRESS UNVEILS FESTIVE MENUS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
PizzaExpress invites guests to celebrate the festive season with specially curated Christmas and New Year dining experiences, combining seasonal flavours, signature dishes, and a lively social atmosphere. Available throughout December and culminating in a vibrant New Year celebration, the festive menus have been designed to bring people together over food, music, and celebration.
“As the festive season approaches, we wanted to create menus that feel celebratory, comforting, and perfect for sharing,” said Nitin Makhijani, General Manager, PizzaExpress. “Our Christmas and New Year offerings bring together seasonal ingredients, familiar favourites, and a vibrant atmosphere, making PizzaExpress a welcoming place for guests to celebrate with friends and family.”
For Christmas, guests can enjoy a festive set menu, offering a selection of seasonal starters, mains, and desserts inspired by classic holiday flavours. Highlights include creamy Cranberry Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Truffle Dough Balls, festive pizzas such as the Christmas Feast and Brussels & Porcini Truffle, and indulgent desserts including Speculoos Gingerbread Tiramisu and KitKat Stuffed Dough Balls
A selection of festive beverages and cocktails are also available to complement the dining experience.
The celebrations continue into New Year’s Eve, where guests can look forward to an extended festive menu featuring unlimited starters, seasonal pizzas, delicious pastas, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts, paired with a wide selection of beverages
From savoury dishes like Barbecue Burnt Ends pizza and creamy Cajun Chicken pizza to festive desserts and signature cocktails, the New Year menu is designed for relaxed, social dining as guests countdown to midnight.
Blending festive flavours with its signature dining experience, PizzaExpress offers a relaxed yet energetic setting for both Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations, making it a popular choice for groups looking to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere during the holiday season.
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