With Valentine’s Day falling on a weekend, one of the easiest things you can do to make the holiday memorable is have a romantic getaway. While the city of Dubai doesn’t need many reasons to go on a staycation, February 14 offers a simple, sentimental one. So, with that in mind, here are the short-haul trips you can make to have a special weekend.
The UAE
Al Zorah Beach Resort | Ajman
Starting with travelling within the UAE, this is ideal when considering the trip time, especially when you like to run a strict schedule. Away from the urban landscape and desert dunes, Al Zorah Beach Resort is tucked among mangroves and lagoons, providing a natural setting unfamiliar to most in the UAE. Between bird watching, kayaking, or simply lazing around in the luxurious pool villa, there’s plenty here to tick off over the weekend.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara | Abu Dhabi
Located 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara prides itself on being a peaceful escape to unwind and relax. And with private pool villas, bespoke spa rituals, and understated yet elegant dining offerings, we’d have to agree! For Valentine’s Day, the resort has cultivated programs just for couples who find themselves looking for the ultimate romantic getaway. There’s plenty to pick from—three-course meals at the resort’s contemporary rooftop steakhouse, Suhail; an intimate dinner at the modern Mediterranean-inspired Amanie; and wellness treatments at the Anantara Spa, specifically designed for two.
Jordan
The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea
Sitting at the lowest location on Earth, the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea feels less like a hotel and more like a Jordanian village, rich with traditional details that offer comfort and a homey feel. But of course, what makes this resort stand out is the proximity to the Dead Sea, not just as a view but as an active involvement in the resort’s spa treatments. With concentrations of Dead Sea water that provide therapeutic and other holistic benefits, it makes a visit to the country not just a means for escape, but a means for healing.
Valley Resort, Wadi Rum
If you’ve never visited Jordan before and want to make your trip count, check in at the Wadi Rum. Famed for its reddish sand, it’s a unique desert sandscape with natural geographic structures that offer a calm, serene feeling. Over here are your typical desert activities—camel rides, stargazing, and taking in Bedouin hospitality. But within the Wadi Rum are also unique rock formations, springs, and historic landmarks, so you still have your pick of adventure.
Maldives
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives
If a tropical escape is what you’re looking for, then you might have to sit tight on a longer flight, but the other side makes it all worth it. With clear blue waters, pristine sand, and private villas, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives offers an idyllic space for couples. As an adult-only resort, couples here can indulge in gastronomic experiences, beach activities, and water sports.
Heritance Aarah Maldives
Another idyllic island to unwind, at Heritance Aarah Maldives, you can make the most of the weekend with gourmet dining, wellness retreats, and a dolphin safari, aboard a traditional Maldivian Dhoni as dolphins leap into view. Or, you can stay inside, lounge in the resort’s private pool and reconnect with your partner.
Kazakhstan
The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty | Almaty
For those looking for a snow-capped getaway, Almaty, Kazakhstan, provides just that and more. Although chilly, you can explore the Alatau Mountains or dig deeper into Almaty’s heritage and retreat to the comfort of The Ritz-Carlton at the end of the day. With sky-high pools, polished marble floors, and chandeliers that speak to the Ritz-Carlton’s signature opulence, a weekend visit here is a dynamic one with its metropolitan energy.
The St. Regis Astana | Astana
The capital of Kazakhstan, Astana boasts plenty of landmarks and natural spaces to explore. Whereas The St. Regis Astana itself is a quieter escape, sitting on the banks of the Ishim River, surrounding itself with plenty of lush greenery that immediately calms the nervous system down. With design details that nod to Kazakhstan’s equine heritage, you can either find yourself settling in the calm river water or you can leave and further explore the city’s highlights, all of which are a quick drive away.
