Hospitality
SWISSÔTEL AL GHURAIR PRESENTS ‘A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER’ WITH FESTIVE DINING, CREATIVE WORKSHOPS AND SPA INDULGENCES
Dubai, November 2025 – This December, Swissôtel Al Ghurair invites guests to create cherished holiday memories with a thoughtfully curated line-up of festive experiences, bringing families and friends together for ‘A Christmas to Remember’. From immersive dining to interactive workshops and indulgent spa treatments, the hotel promises a season filled with joy, warmth and celebration.

Sunday Festive Brunch
Indulge in a gourmet brunch at Swissôtel Al Ghurair and savour seasonal delights such as sage-roasted butternut squash soup, shrimp & fennel salad, smoked duck breast, poached salmon salad, grilled peach with aged balsamic, classic meatloaf, Massaman duck curry, honey-roasted turkey with lemon thyme, and baked Quattro Formaggi pasta. Live stations will feature grilled chicken, beef and fish steaks, adding to the festive feast. To complete the experience, guests can enjoy an irresistible selection of decadent desserts including Chocolate & Marshmallow Crunch Log, Festive Pudding, the traditional Yule Log and rich fruit cake.
Children can also enjoy activities including face painting, Christmas arts & crafts, a kids’ cooking class and a bouncy castle.
Venue: Liwan Restaurant
Dates: Sunday’s 7th, 14th and 21st December
Timings: 1 PM – 4 PM

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Be a part of the festive magic with the grand lighting of a 20-foot Christmas tree, sparkling with seasonal decorations. Guests can enjoy a Christmas choir performance, pass-around canapés, festive drinks, access to the ‘Little Explorers’ Play Area and a gingerbread house-making workshop.
Dates: Thursday, 11th December
Timings: 5 PM to 7 PM

Festive Swiss Chocolate Masterclass
For chocolate lovers seeking a hands-on festive experience, Swissôtel Al Ghurair invites you to join an exclusive Festive Swiss Chocolate Masterclass, where the talented pastry team will guide guests step-by-step in crafting their very own decadent Yule Log. This immersive session blends creativity, flavour and festive fun, offering dessert enthusiasts the chance to learn professional techniques while creating a delicious masterpiece to take home.
Dates: Thursday, 11th December
Timings: 3 PM to 4 PM
RSVPs are required by Wednesday, 9th December 2025

Lindt Festive Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea with decadent festive notes. Guests can enjoy festive treats such as maple-smoked turkey ham with brie & cranberry sauce on mini brioche, dill & lemon herb cream cheese on cucumber boats, sourdough chicken empanadas, cheddar cheese & caramelised onion tartlets, Christmas macarons, red velvet cake, berry tarts, and homemade chocolate & orange scones with whipped cream and blueberry jam, along with a selection of hot chocolates, luxury teas and coffees.
A specially curated kids’ menu includes macarons, chocolate-dipped marshmallows, baked mac & cheese, and peanut butter & strawberry sandwiches. Also, as an added treat, Swissôtel has thoughtfully organised a selection of family board games to cherish quality time with loved ones.
Venue: Yasmine Lounge
Dates: Daily from Friday, 5th December to Sunday, 4th January 2026
Timings: Between 12 PM and 6 PM

Gingerbread House Workshop
Families can join a delightful Gingerbread House Workshop, where creativity meets holiday cheer. The pastry chefs at Swissôtel Al Ghurair will teach the “Little Explorers” how to build their very own gingerbread creations with icing and sweet decorations while the parents can enjoy the indulgent Festive Lindt Afternoon Tea.
Venue: Yasmine Lounge
Dates: Saturdays 13th, 20th and 27th December
Timings: 2 PM to 4 PM

Christmas Eve Dinner
Celebrating the festive spirit, Swissôtel Al Ghurair presents a lavish dining experience, as the magical Christmas Eve sets in. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet featuring prawn & pomelo salad, poached seafood bar, roasted chestnut soup, chicken terrine with pistachio, beef consommé, whole roasted turkey, roasted Brussels sprouts, seafood paella, and grilled lamb chops. Sweet treats include Yule Log, panettone, Stollen, Christmas pudding and mocha cake.
Adding to the magic of the evening is groovy live music that will fill the venue with beloved Christmas melodies, creating a warm and joyful ambience. Little ones can enjoy an array of engaging kids’ activities, from Christmas arts and crafts to face painting and even a bouncy castle. The highlight of the night is a special visit from Santa, making it a truly unforgettable Christmas Eve for the whole family.
Venue: Liwan Restaurant
Dates: Wednesday, 24th December
Timings: 7 PM to 11 PM

Christmas Day Brunch
Families are invited for cherishing a traditional Christmas Brunch complemented by live entertainment and children’s activities. On Christmas Day, enjoy a festive brunch with a trio melon salad, pulled chicken with artichoke salad, chestnut soup, pulled turkey salad with cranberry dressing, whole roasted turkey, slow-cooked beef ribs, seared Atlantic salmon and a poached seafood bar. Festive desserts include Yule Log, panettone, Stollen Christmas pudding, toffee pudding, eggnog mousse and passionfruit pavlova.
Children can enjoy face painting, Christmas carols, arts & crafts, ornament hunts and a cooking class for Snowman marshmallow pops alongside a special visit from Santa.
Venue: Liwan Restaurant
Dates: Thursday, 25th December
Timings: 1 PM to 4 PM

Festive Spa Offers
This holiday season, Swissôtel Al Ghurair invites guests to unwind, refresh and immerse themselves in luxurious festive spa experiences. Perfectly timed for the season of celebration, these treatments provide a blissful escape, leaving guests rejuvenated, radiant and fully immersed in the festive spirit. Each experience is complemented with a comforting cup of signature hot chocolate to complete the indulgence.
The Festive Glow Revival facial envelops the skin in warmth and radiance, blending aromatic cinnamon and frankincense to restore a luminous, holiday-ready glow, completed with a revitalising arm and hand scrub for an added touch of luxury.
The Peppermint Luxe Serenity massage offers a soothing journey for body and mind, combining calming lavender, invigorating petitgrain and refreshing peppermint notes to melt away stress and balance the senses.
Dates: Wednesday, 3rd December to Monday, 12th January 2026
Timings: Between 10 AM and 10 PM
Swissôtel Al Ghurair’s festive offerings are designed to create unforgettable experiences that celebrate togetherness, gratitude and the spirit of the season, truly making it a Christmas to remember.
Hospitality
FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST
This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.



Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.
Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.
Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir
Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.
Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.
Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.
Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.
The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.
Hospitality
ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES
On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.
Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.
Hospitality
GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals
Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.
According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.
The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.
Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).
Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.
“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”
Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).
During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.
Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.
As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.
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