Living away from family and friends can be tough. I have missed a lot of birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. Sadly, I wasn't able to send meaningful gifts, especially for times when a simple message greeting is not enough. I've kept this dilemma for years until I came across Gift Basket Overseas!  ..read more

Did you know that you can experience Swiss hospitality in the heart of Dubai? We were delighted to learn about Revier Hotel. The hotel brand curated in Switzerland recently opened its doors in Business Bay. We felt it would be a unique staycation venue in the UAE, especially now that the weather is getting warmer. So we booked a one-night stay ..read more

We finally visited Dubai Frame last month!  It took us four years to set foot inside "The World's Largest Picture Frame". We thought adoring the iconic structure from the outside is enough until my parents came over for a vacation and told us that they want to see it up close ..read more

Located in the old district of a dazzling city is a gem of a hotel that offers comfort, convenience, and sweeping views of both old and new structures. With Union Metro Station around the corner and the Dubai Creek only a stone's throw, Swissotel Al Ghurair is considered one of Deira's best hotel accommodations for travelers.  From a Dubai resident's point of view, I see Swissotel Al Ghurair as an ideal spot for special dinners and events for several years. And just recently, I realized how suitable it is for staycations as well!  ..read more

While having a relaxing daycation in Mina Seyahi last week, Ed and I stumbled across a lovely restaurant by the sea. As far as I can remember, I've seen photos of it on Instagram last year, but I never really paid attention as we were too focused on traveling overseas. Little did I know, it is a gem that is definitely worth a visit!  I'm talking about Fish Beach Taverna ..read more

It has been a while since I had a Friday off. Working on a weekend isn't that bad, but then I miss going to Friday Brunches! You know how brunches are here in the UAE; it's a pretty huge deal! So when I finally got my long-awaited weekend break, Ed and I went to O'Learys in Hilton Dubai Creek for the Home-Run Friday Brunch ..read more

And just like that, I turned 38! :) I'm not a fan of throwing big birthday parties, hence turning a year older during the time of social distancing didn't bother me. But yes, I must admit, I was sad that I couldn't go home to see my parents or at least travel to a new place just like how I spent my birthdays before. Stuck in Dubai with a full 9-hour shift to render, I searched for a good place to have my birthday breakfast. My work starts at 11:30 AM, so my options are limited as most cafes only open at 10. Then, I saw that Atmosphere in Burj Khalifa has a breakfast voucher on The En ..read more

Now that the world is slowly coping up with the COVID-19 situation - safety protocols have been implemented here and there - Ed and I have also learned to embrace the new norm. Recently, we started to spend more time outdoors for a natural dose of Vitamin D which I believe we are currently deficient with by now. And being home buddies and couch potatoes for several months, we finally opted to break away from the mundane household routine with hotel staycations. Last week, we spent a night at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel. Freshly reopened and launched with an ALLSAFE label, we were con ..read more

When the pandemic started, dining out became a rare occasion for me and Ed. It was surprising and somehow funny how I transitioned from being a big eater in restaurants to a domesticated wife who preferred to eat home-cooked meals. But as expected, halfway through 2020, my taste buds longed for diversity. So when the new norms of eating out were implemented, we safely and slowly began rediscovering Dubai's food scene... starting from the restaurants we loved pre-Covid. Medley in Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre Hotel was one of our go-to venues for theme night buffets and Iftars in the past. Fo ..read more

Long before COVID-19 shook the world, my parents flew over to Dubai for a quick visit. It became a sort of tradition to spend a night or two in a hotel every time they arrive. Ed and I are often caught up with work, hence staying in a hotel has been an excellent way to spend more quality time, catch up and bond with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Tested and proven for comfortable yet budget-friendly stays, we spent a night in the newly-opened Premier Inn Hotel in Dubai.    ..read more