by Twinkle Aswani

In a destination defined by a distinctive blend of heritage, modernity and waterfront living, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa presents a resort experience built around space, leisure and a strong sense of place. Located along the Abu Dhabi coastline, the property brings together accommodation, dining, wellness and recreation within an expansive setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.

The resort’s connection to the waterfront is central to its character. The sea has long been an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s identity, shaping the emirate’s communities, trade and cultural heritage, and the coastal setting at Al Raha provides a contemporary interpretation of that relationship. Open spaces, landscaped surroundings and views towards the water create an environment that contrasts naturally with the pace of the city.

Accommodation is designed to complement this resort setting, with a range of suites offering generous proportions, comfortable interiors and spaces suited to longer, more relaxed stays. The Gulf Junior Suite is among the options, combining additional space with a residential sense of comfort while maintaining the connection to the wider resort environment. Across the accommodation offering, the emphasis remains on privacy, convenience and creating a comfortable base between time spent exploring the property’s leisure and dining facilities.

Dining forms an important part of the resort’s offering, with different restaurants providing distinct culinary experiences. Sevilla Restaurant operates as the all-day dining destination, offering an extensive selection across breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its varied approach allows the restaurant to accommodate different tastes and dining occasions, while its relaxed atmosphere complements the resort’s informal daytime character.

Their restaurants are diverse such as Azur Restaurant provides a contrasting culinary setting, introducing a more intimate and refined dining experience. The distinction between Sevilla and Azur gives the resort’s dining programme greater variety, allowing guests to move between an expansive all-day dining concept and a more focused restaurant experience.

Together, the culinary venues reflect the broader evolution of Abu Dhabi’s hospitality landscape, where international dining concepts increasingly coexist with the flavours, traditions and hospitality values of the Emirates. The result is a dining offering that caters to an international resort audience while remaining part of the destination’s wider culinary identity.

Wellness adds another dimension to the property. The spa provides a dedicated environment for relaxation and rejuvenation, incorporating treatments that draw on established wellness traditions. Their spa such as Moroccan Bath particularly rooted in ritual, bringing together Moroccan black soap, steam, traditional exfoliation, purifying clay and nourishing hair treatments within one treatment sequence. The experience reflects the enduring appeal of traditional bathing rituals, where cleansing, warmth and relaxation form part of a wider approach to wellbeing. Complemented by a tranquil setting and considered finishing touches, including Peach Beauty White Tea and dates served beside the pool, extending the sense of calm beyond the treatment room.

Leisure remains central to the resort concept. Swimming pools, beachfront spaces and the waterfront environment provide multiple settings for relaxation, while the property’s scale allows different experiences to coexist without feeling confined to a single area. The combination creates a resort environment suited to families, couples and travellers seeking a more leisurely Abu Dhabi escape.

There is also a clear connection between the property’s hospitality approach and the broader traditions of Emirati welcome. Generosity, comfort and an emphasis on making guests feel at ease remain important characteristics of hospitality across the region, and these values are reflected through the resort’s combination of spacious surroundings, varied facilities and attentive service.

What distinguishes Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa is ultimately the breadth of the experience. Accommodation, dining, wellness, pools, beach and waterfront surroundings come together within one property, allowing the resort to function as a destination in itself rather than simply a base for exploring Abu Dhabi.

It represents a form of contemporary resort hospitality that balances international expectations with the character of its location, offering the comforts and variety of a modern luxury resort while remaining closely connected to Abu Dhabi’s coastal setting and cultural identity.

In a city celebrated for its remarkable pace of development, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa offers a different perspective on Abu Dhabi, one shaped by the water, defined by space and centred on the enduring luxury of slowing down.

Dubai-based Indonesian restaurant Bobi Bowl is marking Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia, or Indonesian Independence Day, on August 17 with a sweet thank-you to the UAE community that has supported its journey.

Guests dining in at Bobi Bowl on August 17 will receive a complimentary serving of Klepon Merah Putih, a special edition of the traditional Indonesian dessert created for the occasion. The chewy glutinous rice balls are filled with palm sugar and coated in freshly grated coconut. While klepon is traditionally green, Bobi Bowl has coloured this special version red to reflect the colours of the Indonesian flag.

The celebration comes as Bobi Bowl reflects on the past few months, which have not always been easy, but were made possible by the incredible support of the UAE community. As part of the occasion, Bobi Bowl also hopes to continue sharing the flavours of Indonesia with more people across the country.

Among its Indonesian best sellers are Beef Rendang, tender beef slow-cooked in a rich blend of spices and coconut; Beef Empal Gepuk, a sweet and savoury Indonesian beef dish cooked for 18 hours until exceptionally tender; and Nasi Ayam Geprek, crispy fried chicken served with fiery sambal.

This August 17, Bobi Bowl invites the community to celebrate Indonesia’s independence, one bowl and one sweet ending at a time. Bobi Bowl is located at Ground Floor, Shop No. 12, Wasl Port Views Building 5, Al Mina Street, opposite the Port Police HQ, Dubai.

Radisson Hotel Group announces the opening of Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal, the first Radisson Blu branded residence in Türkiye, further strengthening its presence in the country, with a property combining the flexibility of long-stay living with the services and standards of the Radisson Blu brand. Located on Istanbul’s rapidly developing Asian side, the new property offers spacious contemporary residences, extensive wellness facilities and convenient access to the city’s major business districts, transportation hubs and leisure attractions.

Offering 200 contemporary serviced apartments, including one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal is designed for both short and extended stays. Guests can enjoy all-day dining, a lobby lounge, flexible meeting facilities, a fitness center, an indoor pool and spa, while many residences offer panoramic views of the Marmara Sea and the Princes’ Islands.

Accommodation

Designed around the needs of today’s modern traveler, Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal offers much more than accommodation. Whether visiting Istanbul for a short business trip, an extended assignment or a family getaway, guests can enjoy spacious living areas, thoughtfully designed interiors and personalized hospitality in surroundings that offer both flexibility and comfort. With contemporary social spaces, premium amenities and seamless connectivity throughout the city, the hotel provides a residential experience that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Meetings & Events

Whether hosting a board meeting, workshop or private event, Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal offers six contemporary meeting spaces, including two boardrooms and four flexible event rooms. Supported by the Radisson Meetings concept and modern audiovisual technology, every event is delivered with seamless service and personalized hospitality.

“With Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal, our goal was to create more than just a place to stay—we wanted to create a place where guests truly feel at home while enjoying the quality, comfort and personalized service that define the Radisson Blu experience. Whether visiting for business, an extended stay or leisure, guests can enjoy the flexibility of a residential setting together with the trusted standards of the Radisson Blu brand. We look forward to welcoming our guests to a new residential hospitality experience on Istanbul’s Asian side,” says Burak Aydın, General Manager of Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal.

Dining

Dining at Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal has been designed to complement the hotel’s residential concept, creating welcoming spaces where guests can enjoy everything from a relaxed breakfast to informal business meetings and evening gatherings.

The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant offers a carefully curated menu featuring both international favorites and locally inspired cuisine in a contemporary setting. Whether starting the day with a generous breakfast or enjoying dinner after a busy day in the city, the restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere that reflects the warm hospitality of the Radisson Blu brand.

At the heart of the hotel, the Lobby Lounge & Bar serves as a natural meeting point for guests throughout the day. Designed as a comfortable social space, it offers premium coffee, light bites, signature beverages and a welcoming environment for informal meetings, casual conversations or moments of relaxation.

Wellness & Leisure

The hotel features modern fitness facilities, indoor swimming pool, Turkish bath, sauna, spa facilities and dedicated relaxation areas designed to promote wellbeing in a calm and elegant environment. Panoramic views across the Marmara Sea further enhance the experience, creating an atmosphere where guests can disconnect from the city’s pace while enjoying moments of tranquility.

“The introduction of Radisson Blu Residences to Türkiye marks an exciting new chapter for our portfolio in one of our most important growth markets. Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal demonstrates our commitment to bringing diversified hospitality offerings to the country while continuing to create long-term value for our owners, guests and local communities,” says Baran Türkel, Managing Director, Development & Franchise Services, Türkiye.

Location

Ideally positioned on Istanbul’s Asian side, Radisson Blu Residences, Istanbul Kartal offers excellent connectivity to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, the M4 Metro Line, Marmaray and Istanbul’s major motorway network. Guests can easily reach the Istanbul Financial Center, Pendik Marina, Bağdat Avenue and the Princes’ Islands, making the property an ideal base for both business and leisure travel.