Nikki

As we arrive at the isolated location on Pearl Jumeriah, Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, the security guard at the gate took our temperature from the safety of our car, and then we were directed to self-park before heading to reception.

There we signed wavers to say we had no COVID-19 symptoms; no cough, no temperature, no fever etc. Very thorough, indeed.

BEACH VIEW FROM LUXURY SUITE BALCONY

A daycation at this hotel includes a lavish room until 7pm. Ideal, when the summer heat gets a little too much and a break is needed. The room was large, split into living room, bedroom and an equally large bathroom with wet room and free-standing bath. We made use of the coffee machine and sat on the balcony looking out onto the beach and Arabian Gulf for a while before heading down.

SWIMMING POOL

The pool and deck area are split into shallow and deep, and each oversized double sunbed is adequately spaced apart around it. We opted to sit right by the pool – to limit the distance between the shade under the umbrella and ice-cold blanket of the water – and spent most of the day in the seated area in the middle, which dipped enough to have everything but your head and shoulders submerged.

With capacity kept to a minimum, social distancing was very easy, only adding to the chilled ambiance of the resort.

GARDEN VILLA CABANA

When we began to feel peckish, we perused the menu, found using the QR code by the side of the lounger. We chose a niçoise salad, poke bowl and side of fries, along with mocktails – the activated charcoal and grapefruit one was particularly refreshing.

You can use the website that loaded on your phone, so there’s no need to order from a waiter, limiting interaction. The seasonal fruit platter also made for the perfect light afternoon snack.

BEACH VIEW FROM VILLA BEDROOM

After hours of splitting our time lazing on the sun bed, and cooling off in the pool, we decided to head back to the room and enjoy some much-needed air conditioning and shade. Reading on the balcony was idyllic, as was running a bath and soaking the sun rays away. The MALIN+GOETZ products laid about the room were at our disposal, as were fresh gloves and face masks found on the table.

As the sun set, so did our day at Nikki Beach, but we could have easily spent the evening relaxing in that room. We decidedly spent the last minutes watching it descend down over the glistening ocean and out of view on the balcony.

For more information, call: +97143766000 or visit dubai.nikkibeach.com 

Find the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai at Pearl Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

Photos: Supplied