Hospitality

THE MODERN HOST’S NEW PLAYBOOK

Published

2 months ago

May 19, 2026

By Erika Blazeviciute-Doyle, Founder & CEO of Drink Dry

There is a moment that happens more often than people realise. You sit down at a beautiful restaurant in Dubai. The lighting is perfect, the menu is thoughtful, the service is polished. Your friend orders a glass of wine. The waiter turns to you and asks what you would like to drink, and you say you are not drinking alcohol that evening. And then there is a pause. You are offered water or maybe a soft drink. If you are lucky, a mocktail that sounds like it belongs on a children’s menu. In that moment, the experience drops slightly. Not dramatically, but enough to notice. You feel like you have stepped out of the occasion, rather than being part of it. I have had that experience many times.

And then, on the other hand, I have also had the opposite. I remember going out for dinner recently with a friend and the waiter handed us both the drinks menu without hesitation. There was a dedicated alcohol-free section. Proper options. A 0.0 sparkling wine, a non-alcoholic beer, a few well-thought-out cocktails built with alcohol-free spirits. The waiter asked me what I usually enjoy drinking and recommended something that paired with the food I ordered. It felt exactly the same as ordering wine. No compromise, no awkwardness. Just part of the experience. That is the difference we are starting to see now. And it is changing the way people host, entertain and socialise altogether.

The new rules of hosting are not really about removing alcohol. They are about expanding choice. Whether it is a dinner party at home or a night out, people are becoming far more intentional about what they serve and what they drink. Hosting is no longer about simply opening a bottle of wine and calling it a day. It is about creating an experience that works for everyone at the table.

I see this a lot in real life. Friends inviting people over will now often ask in advance who is drinking and who is not. There will be a couple of bottles of wine on the table, but next to them there will also be a good quality alcohol-free alternative. Not hidden away, not treated differently, just part of the same set-up. And the interesting part is that even the people who do drink alcohol will often try the alcohol-free option as well. Not because they have to, but because they are curious. This is where the shift is really happening. It is no longer a binary choice between drinking and not drinking. It is about having flexibility. A glass of wine followed by a non-alcoholic alternative. A completely alcohol-free evening without feeling like you are missing out. That sense of freedom is what is driving the category forward.

For hospitality, this presents a very real opportunity. The UAE has one of the most advanced dining scenes in the world. The level of detail that goes into food, interiors and service is exceptional. But for a long time, the non-alcoholic drinks offering has not kept up with that same standard. And the reality is, consumers have moved on. People are no longer satisfied with sugary mocktails that do not complement the meal. They want something that feels considered. Something that matches the quality of the food and the overall experience. I always say that a non-alcoholic drink should not feel like a compromise, instead it should feel like a choice.

The venues that understand this are already seeing the benefits. They are not just adding one or two token options to the menu. They are investing in the category. They are training their teams, thinking about food pairings, presenting the drinks properly. And most importantly, they are not segregating the experience. If a guest orders a non-alcoholic drink, the service should feel exactly the same as if they ordered a glass of wine. Same level of attention, same storytelling, same confidence. That is what elevates the experience because ultimately, this is not just about what is in the glass, it is about how people feel. If someone walks into your venue and feels like they are part of the occasion regardless of what they are drinking, you have done your job properly. If they feel like an afterthought, you have missed an opportunity.

But even more importantly, it is an opportunity commercially as much as experientially. There is a large and growing audience that is either not drinking at all or choosing to drink less. If you are not catering to them properly, you are simply leaving revenue on the table. What is often overlooked is that this is not about replacing alcohol sales, it is about adding to them. A guest who is not drinking alcohol is still sitting at your table. The question is whether they are spending on a premium drink or defaulting to water or a soft drink. When venues get it right, they are able to increase their average spend per guest without increasing footfall. A well-priced alcohol-free sparkling wine, a crafted 0.0 cocktail, or a premium non-alcoholic beer all carry strong margins when positioned correctly. Multiply that across a table of four, or across a full service, and it becomes very real, very tangible revenue.

I have seen this firsthand with our hospitality partners. The moment they move from offering “an option” to offering a proper selection, the numbers follow. Guests stay for another round. They order a second or third drink. The occasion extends, and so does the spend. And importantly, this does not cannibalise alcohol sales. More often than not, it complements them. One person at the table might still order wine, while another orders a premium alcohol-free alternative. Both contribute to the bill. Both feel equally part of the experience.

We are still early in this journey, especially in this region. But the direction is very clear. Hosting is becoming more thoughtful. Social occasions are becoming more inclusive. And the definition of what makes a “good drink” is expanding. Alcohol is no longer the default, it is simply one of many options. For me, that is a very positive shift. It does not take anything away from the experience. If anything, it adds to it. Because the best kind of hosting has never really been about what you are pouring. It has always been about how you make people feel when they are sitting at your table.

Hospitality

Make Saturdays a Family Affair with a Weekend Family Lunch and Redeemable Pool & Beach Access at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Saturdays just got even more exciting at Sevilla, the elegant all-day dining destination overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Families are invited to indulge in a vibrant Weekend Family Lunch every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, combining an exceptional international dining experience with redeemable access to the hotel’s pool and private beach.

Designed to bring families together while enjoying the best of dining and leisure, the experience is priced at AED 210 per adult, with 50% savings for children aged 5–12 years, while children under 5 dine free.

Guests can indulge in an extensive family lunch buffet featuring an exceptional selection of fresh salads, chilled seafood, international cheeses, Arabic specialties, and globally inspired main courses. Highlights include a live sushi counter, succulent carving stations, a made-to-order pasta station, authentic Arabic mixed grill, Asian noodle station, traditional Lamb Ouzi, and an irresistible array of handcrafted desserts, complemented by fresh juices and infused water.

Following lunch, guests can continue their day by relaxing at the pool or unwinding on the private beach with redeemable pool and beach access, making it the perfect weekend escape for families.

For those looking to enjoy the facilities without lunch, the property also offers redeemable pool and beach access:

Weekdays: AED 125 per person
Weekends: AED 175 per person

The offer is designed to enhance the guest experience by combining exceptional dining with leisure, providing outstanding value while creating memorable family weekends.

With breathtaking Gulf views, elegant interiors, and a beautiful outdoor terrace, Sevilla offers the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon of international cuisine, live culinary theatre, and quality family time.

Weekend Family Lunch

When: Every Saturday
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Price: AED 210 per adult
Children (5–12 years): 50% off
Children below 5 years: Complimentary
Includes: International family lunch with live cooking stations and redeemable pool & beach access.

Whether it’s a leisurely family lunch, a weekend celebration, or a day by the water, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa offers an ideal destination where exceptional hospitality meets beachfront tranquillity.

For bookings, please direct them to F&B Reservations at +971 56 545 0274 or email fbsecretary.alraha@danathotels.com

Hospitality

DISCOVER THE PERFECT SUMMER ESCAPE AT ME BY MELIÁ DUBAI

Published

3 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Summer is officially here, and for those staying in the city, ME by Meliá Dubai invites guests to discover a new season of curated summer experiences launching this July. From exclusive residential long-stay offers and luxurious daycations to rejuvenating spa rituals, the hotel has curated a collection of experiences designed to help guests relax, recharge and make the most of the season.

Stay with ME – Exclusive Long Stay Offer
For those planning a longer stay in Dubai, Stay with ME offers a sophisticated way to experience the city with all the comforts of a beautifully designed home. Starting from AED 13,500 per month, guests can enjoy a seamless extended stay complemented by exclusive perks and signature ME by Meliá Dubai touches.

The offer includes complimentary Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping, ensuring a stress free and connected stay. Guests can also benefit from 30% off spa treatments, Central Restaurant, in room dining, and laundry services. With access to the gym, pool, and sauna, alongside complimentary valet parking, this long stay experience is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in ME by Meliá Dubai’s distinctive lifestyle.

Availability: Extended until end of August 2026
Reservations & inquiries: 04 525 2500 | reservations.me.dubai@melia.com
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

Daycation at ME
Looking to escape for the day? ME by Meliá Dubai is the perfect place for it. Priced at AED 400 per person, guests can relax poolside and completely switch off from the daily hustle and bustle. For those looking to stay active, the experience also includes full gym access, perfect for a morning workout before taking a dip in the pool.

Guests can then retreat from the midday heat with a 45-minute spa treatment of their choice before enjoying a specially curated set-menu lunch at the hotel’s Central Restaurant.

Availability: July – August 2026

Time: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | 6:00 pm -10:30 pm

Rate: AED 400 per person (fully redeemable)

Reservations & inquiries: +971 549917489 | aura.medubai@melia.com

The Cabana Experience

Soak up the 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.

Availability: Ongoing

Rate: AED 250 (for two people) – Standard room guests | complimentary for Suite guests.

Included: x2 beverages, mineral water, cooling towels, hand fan and SPF protection.

For reservations and inquiries: +971 54 991 7481

Offer subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

Fee is non-redeemable

Cabana access is limited to a maximum of 2 guests.

Children below 6 years old enjoy complimentary access.

90 Minute Summer Reset – Wellness by ME Spa

Summer has arrived, making it the perfect time to recharge with a bespoke 90-minute spa journey at Wellness by ME Spa. Escape the heat and indulge in a 60-minute aromatherapy massage, followed by a 30-minute body scrub for AED 450. Complete the experience with a complimentary refreshing tea and access to the hotel’s pool, sauna and gym for the ultimate summer wellness retreat.

Availability: The month of July

Rate: AED 450

Reservations & inquiries: spa.me.dubai@melia.com | 04 52 52 500 | 04 52 52 589
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

With a collection of experiences designed to suit every summer itinerary, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to offer guests a contemporary escape in the heart of the city.

Hospitality

MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS AL JADDAF REWARDS LONG SUMMER STAYS WITH 15,000 BONUS MARRIOTT BONVOY POINTS

Published

3 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

This summer, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf is rewarding its longest-staying guests with something worth settling in for. Guests who stay 30 nights or more, completed before 7 September 2026, will earn a bonus of 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

The offer lands as Dubai’s hospitality market leans further into longer-stay demand and within that expansion, hotel apartments have carved out a distinct niche: business travellers on extended assignments, relocating executives and families settling in for months at a time are increasingly choosing the flexibility of a private residence over a traditional hotel room, a shift that is prompting operators across the city to compete harder for the long-staying guest.

The timing is no accident as Al Jaddaf has recently completed a refurbishment across its residences, refreshing interiors while preserving the warm, residential character the property is known for. Every apartment now also features an in-unit water filtration system for premium drinking water, removing the need for single-use plastic bottles across the building, part of a broader push to make longer stays not just more rewarding, but more comfortable and more sustainable. Beyond the apartment door, residents find a fully equipped gym, two outdoor swimming pools, a Balinese spa, a beauty salon, an ATM and an on-site convenience store, along with five restaurants and lounges that carry them from a business dinner to a relaxed family meal to a quiet evening drink.

The bonus builds on rewards that already come with every stay. Across the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, guests now earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US dollar spent, while every night counts as one Elite Night Credit towards Marriott Bonvoy status. For those settling in for a month or a full season, a long stay in Dubai becomes a fast track to elite recognition across Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.

“Many of our guests choose to stay with us for months rather than nights, and this summer’s offer is a way of recognising that,” said Saad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager. “The longer a guest makes Al Jaddaf their home in Dubai, the more rewarding the stay becomes, both during their time here and across the wider Marriott Bonvoy programme.”

With monthly and yearly residency arrangements available, guests enjoy the flexibility of a private lease without the setup costs, the paperwork or the compromise on service that usually accompany it.

Set in the heart of Dubai with views over Dubai Creek and the city skyline, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf sits less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport. Its fully serviced one, two and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, generous living and dining areas and dedicated workspaces, alongside twice-weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge and security, and in-room dining around the clock.

Reservations

To book the offer, guests can apply promotional code S2449 at marriott.com/DXBHC or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. To explore longer stays at Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf more broadly, please visit marriott.com/DXBHC or contact the hotel at reservations.jaddaf@marriott.com.