Top 10 UAE National Day events and offers
To celebrate the UAE's 40th National Day, the emirates' hotels, airlines and malls are proudly sporting everything red, black, green and white and offering a range of themed offers, entertainment and traditional cuisine starting December 1.
Click through to the following pages for Hotelier's round-up of the best happenings this UAE National Day.
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Human flags and fun at Holiday Inn Al Barsha
Guests to the Holiday Inn All Barsha in Dubai can visit a simulated heritage house Al Bayt Al Kadeem Fi Dawlet Al Emarat constructed in the hotel lobby.
It houses a photo exhibition on the local heritage as well as the UAE rulers.
Visitors to the hotel lobby will be treated to local music, Kahawa (traditional coffee) and Henna tattoos.
A special Arabic menu will be served in the all-day dining restaurant The Gem Garden.
Today, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group marked National Day with a cake cutting for Emirates staff at the Group headquarters. The large, specially made, cake was designed to replicate the UAE flag.
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Dubai fountain to sing UAE National anthem
Visitors to the world’s tallest performing fountain between December 1 and 3 will be serenaded to the tune of the UAE national anthem.
More than 6600 lights and 25 projections create a stunning visual display of 1000 different water expressions in time to the music.
In addition to the fountain’s tribute, Emaar will be hosting the Emirates Classic Car Festival, the colourful Downtown Dubai Parade all in Downtown Dubai, as well as a host of activities at Dubai Mall to mark the occasion.
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Falcons, freebies and folklore dances at Burj Khalifa
At the Top, Burj Khalifa’s observation desk on the 124th floor, will host a weeklong series of activities from November 27 to December 3, 2011 to celebrate the UAE National Day.
Adorned with UAE flag, At the Top will host a traditional, heritage Emirati house.
Other cultural activities within the world’s tallest building next week include henna designers, photo opportunities with a traditional falconer and folklore dance performances every 45 minutes on Dec 2-3.
As part of the UAE National Day festivities visitors to At the Top will receive a wide range of complimentary.
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A trip down memory lane at Corp Executive Hotel Apartments
Corp Executive Hotel Apartments – Al Barsha in Dubai will host is a special exhibition titled “My Years in the UAE” from December 1 at 7pm until December 15.
The hotel invites all UAE residents to take part in the exhibition, which will showcase the most memorable photographs of the participants’ time spent in the UAE.
Some of the UAE’s indigenous crafts will be practiced at the event.
Those who wish to take part in this exhibition can still do so by emailing eight to 10 high-resolution images (300 dpi) to create@mpj-pr.com
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Photo opportunities galore and cake at the Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab will display the ‘world’s longest UAE National Day flag’ in its atrium.
A UAE national flag will also be projected onto the exterior of the hotel providing Facebook profile picture-fit photo opportunities.
A UAE national day cake will also be on display, as well as a free commemorative book for each of the hotel guests.
For those who fancy a night at the Burj to celebrate, a special 40% offer is being run for best available dates.
Here’s a list happenings and dates at the hotel:
• UAE flag to be projected on the building on Dec 2
• National day themed cake displayed in the middle of Sahn Eddar lobby lounge
• National day themed flower decor around the house on Dec 1-2
• National day themed chocolates to be placed in suites as evening amenities on Dec
• Kids camel toy give away to be placed in suites on Dec 2
• ‘UAE - Visions of change’ book to be given to in-house guests on Dec 2
• National day themed welcome screen for guests who check-in on Dec 2
• National day stay (Rooms) offer for UAE Nationals and residents (40% off BAR for 40 days from now until December 20)
• National day themed welcome letter for arriving guests
• Arabic buffet in Al Iwan restaurant
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Flags and more folklore festivities at Fujairah Rotana
Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa is flying UAE national flags in its main entrance, with miniature versions showcased at reception desk and even the staff will be wearing their flag pins.
On December 2 guests can watch, and even take part in, folklore dances, bread making, henna, a balloon show and enjoy Arabic specialty food which will be offered in Mozaique Restaurant for both lunch and dinner.
A cake cutting will take place in the lobby that same day.
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Free dinner at IHG hotels
Those who turn the big 4-0 themselves on UAE National Day are in with the chance to win of forty free dinners for four people (yes, we’re getting the four theme) at participating IHG hotels across the emirates.
To add to the celebrations hotels will also be offering a taste of the UAE, serving a selection of traditional Emirati dishes in some restaurants until December 2. Accompanying these delicious meals will be information regarding their origin.
The group said it is also offering a range of special National Day room packages loaded with added value.
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Dine Emirati style at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa welcomes guests to enjoy its special National Day Emirati-inspired set menu.
Enjoy a variety of Arabic delights including hot and cold mezzeh, samak eaish and baklawa.
The Arabic restaurant, Al Khaima, is set in the hotel’s beautiful landscaped gardens and is offering the set menu at AED 250 per person. To book call: 04 316 5550
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Shop and win at Al Bustan Centre and Residence
Celebrate UAE’s 40th National Day at Al Bustan Centre & Residence and get a chance to win AED 10,000 worth of cash and gift vouchers.
The property has partners with the ‘Shop and Win’ promotion launched by Dubai Shopping Mall Group to celebrate UAE’s 40th National Day.
The campaign which runs until December 2 will have 40 lucky shoppers win exciting prizes.
There will be a raffle on December 2 with 10 winners to be selected.
Shoppers are entitled to one raffle coupon for every minimum purchase worth AED 200 from any of the 95 outlets at Al Bustan Shopping Mall. The coupon will be entered into the weekly draw.
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Emirates plan to fly low over Abu Dhabi
Those in Abu Dhabi this weekend will see Emirates aircraft swooping low over the Corniche and Yas Island.
The Emirates flypass will be completed by one of the airline’s acclaimed A380 aeroplanes carrying the official National Day logo.
The timings of the fly over are: 4pm over Abu Dhabi Corniche, with the aircraft circling the area several times over the course of 25 minutes.
The plane will then fly to Yas Island arriving at around 4:35pm for several circuits before landing back in Dubai.
The Emirates Airline headquarters is sporting a giant celebratory banner to also mark the occasion.