Ten of Dubai's best hotel iftars

Louise Oakley, July 12th, 2011

1. Ritz-Carlton Dubai: this luxury beachfront hotel offers a variety of options for guests to enjoy the traditions of Ramadan this August. The outdoor tented Amaseena Restaurant will be moved indoors to a more comfortable space and La Baie and Salon meeting rooms will be transformed into an elegantly decorated venue with tents and drapes. A mix of high and low Majlis seating will accommodate up to 100 guests for Iftar and Sohour. A lavish iftar buffet will be offered at sunset and after iftar, an even more extensive sohour buffet will include live cooking stations such as a seafood grill, a traditional Arabic mixed grill and Moroccan tagine. A salmon station with different condiments and an Arabic breakfast station are on site as well. For shisha fans, La Baie Terrace will be transformed into a glass-enclosed venue offering more than 30 flavours of shisha — one for every day of Ramadan. Iftar is open daily from sunset until 9pm at AED 195 per person. Sohour follows at 10 pm until 1 am and is available for AED 215 per person. Both are inclusive of Ramadan beverages while other drinks and shisha are priced separately.

2. Park Hyatt Dubai: this luxury Creekside hotel has added a new venue to its yearly Ramadan settings. In association with Rivoli Group and LG, Park Hyatt Dubai’s Creek Ballroom will be transformed into an authentic Ramadan tent. There will be a live ‘oud’ performance nightly, and the Creek Ballroom’s outdoor terraces will serve as shisha lounges for those who wish to relax after breaking fast. Other Ramadan celebrations at Park Hyatt Dubai include Iftar at Café Arabesque and Sohour nights at The Terrace, which will open onto the outdoor deck and be fully covered and air-conditioned. The Creek Ballroom’s Ramadan Iftar tent opens its doors nightly from sundown until 10pm, and tickets start at AED 160. Iftar Arabesque is available daily from sundown to midnight and is priced at AED 165 per person, including soft drinks, while The Terrace, overlooking the picturesque Dubai Creek, will be open from 8pm to 2am.

3. InterContinental Dubai Festival City: the ever-popular Ramadan Tent will return to the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels at Dubai Festival City this August. Not only does the tent promise a true Arabian experience, it offers panoramic views of the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline. A full Iftar buffet will be available for AED 165 per person from sunset to 8.30pm each night, followed by an eclectic Sohour a la carte menu from 8.30pm until 3am. Al Soufra at InterContinental Dubai Festival City will also offer iftar, while Al Badia Golf Club features a delicious Sohour a la carte menu at Blades Terrace and Tee Lounge.

4. The Address Dubai Marina: At the opposite end of town, this five-star property is transforming its Constellation Ballroom into the perfect venue for iftar and sohour. Evenings during Ramadan will begin with an Iftar buffet with oud players, followed by sohour in the Ballroom terrace with an a la carte menu, Moroccan tea and shisha. There will be a variety of activities for children, including a resident bouncy castle. Iftar begins at sunset until 7:30pm, served at AED 155 per person and Sohour is from 8pm onwards.

5. JW Marriott Hotel Dubai: Guests are invited to celebrate the holy month in the indoor Ramadan tent located in the Town Square at JW Marriott. Commencing at sunset, guests can partake in the sumptuous Iftar buffet, spice souk and live cooking stations serving falafel, kharouf, sharwarma, foul mesdamas and saj. Arabic sweets will be prepared in front of the guests, who can relax by watching Ramadan season soap operas on a multitude of TV screens, The iftar is priced at AED 150 net per person for the buffet.

6. Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai: This new hotel will celebrate Ramadan for the first time this August with authentic iftar celebrations in Al Bahou, the main atrium of the hotel. At 90 metres long and 30 metres high, Al Bahou is expected to accommodate 250 people for iftar each night under its 88 huge Arabic lanterns suspended from the ceiling. The Ramadan buffet at Al Bahou will feature an array of traditional Arabic dishes with a distinctive Moroccan accent, while entertainment will be provided by traditional Oud and Tabla players. The Ramadan buffet is set at AED 140 per person, including Ramadan juices.

7. Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa Dubai: There is a host of Ramadan celebrations planned at this beachfront hotel. A Ramadan set menu will be served throughout August in Al Khaima, which will feature a fully air-conditioned Arabic inspired tent, set in the hotel’s beautiful landscaped gardens. Board games, playing cards and other entertainment offerings will be available, along with 30 different flavours of shisha. The Ramadan Traditional Arabic Set Menu costs AED 250 per person including fruit juices and Arabic drinks. Diners can also enjoy an Iftar buffet at the Brasserie restaurant priced at AED 210 per person and a three-course special set menu at Italian restaurant Ossigeno for AED 180 per person.

8. The Palace — The Old Town: Both ifatr and sohour are available at this Arabian style hotel in the heart of Downtown Dubai. All day dining restaurant Ewaan offers Arabic and Oriental dishes from live cooking stations at an extensive buffet, priced at AED 190 per person for iftar and AED 150 per person for sohour. From 10pm, guests looking for a more intimate gathering can celebrate sohour a la carte at Ewaan, which will also offer shisha on the terrace. Various corporate iftars can be arranged in the Royale Ballroom or the tents overlooking the poolside.

9. The Pullman Dubai: Signature restaurant Sanabel at the new Pullman hotel will be transformed into the hotel’s iftar venue. With emphasis on succulent grills and fresh bespoke salads, complete with live cooking stations, guests can enjoy interaction with the chefs while they prepare dishes according to their tastes. The iftar buffet is priced at AED 150 per person inclusive of water and Ramadan drinks and at AED 75 for children.

10. Movenpick Hotel and Apartments Bur Dubai: This Bur Dubai favourite aims to appeal to fans for both traditional Arabic and Indian cuisine this Ramadan. Traditional Ramadan dishes will be prepared at Fountain restaurant, where the Ifatr buffet will cost AED 110 per person. At Chutneys, diners can celebrate iftar with a selection of traditional north Indian options including Gosht Korma, Tawa Murgh and Dum Biryani for just AED 85 per person. Meanwhile, private parties will also be arranged at the Oud Metha Ballroom, which can accommodate 350 guests in one room, or 100 guests in each of three sections.

And one more bonus location!

11. Raffles Dubai: Break your fast with a regal array of traditional Arabian favourites with classic specialties that are very true to their origin. At AED 175 all inclusive, Iftar at Azur is an intimate, yet ambient experience. Azur overlooks the Raffles Botanical Garden where you have the option of taking advantage of the picturesque location by dining outside on the patio adjoining Crossroads Lounge. This outdoor dining experience includes the shisha Sommelier who will be on hand to recommend innovative combinations of fruity flavours and unique tastes as you relax after a day of fasting.