Splendor In The Desert

Underwater hotel suites, indoor skiing and exotic supercar parades – in Dubai, a city synonymous with excess, nothing is too far-fetched. Here’s how to plan your escape to the Middle East’s mecca of luxury

Dubai is a destination defined by super­latives – the biggest, the best, the prici­est – where cheetahs are considered status pets and police drive Ferraris in lieu of standard squad cars. It’s where you’ll find the largest shopping mall on the planet, the world’s biggest indoor ski resort and the tallest building on earth, known as the Burj Khalifa, an architectural marvel that soars half a mile into the sky and is more than twice the size of the Empire State Building.

Up until 50 years ago, the now-glittering metropolis was a modest fish­ing village. It was only after oil was discovered off the coast in 1966 that the region was catapulted into a period of explosive growth, with revenue from black gold fueling the rise of a modern city seemingly overnight. The Dubai we know today is largely a reflection of its leader. Sheikh Moham­med bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who transformed the Emirate into a booming hub of global activity, diversifying the economy with tourism, manufacturing, finance and technology. (Oil now accounts for just 6 percent of Dubai’s economy.) The Sheikh has made his goals for the region abundantly clear. “We want to be number one,” he says. “Becoming number one is not impos­sible – the word impossible doesn’t exist in our dictionary.”

Without question, Dubai has a reputation for making the impossible possible. There’s its indoor ski resort, where locals and guests can hit the slopes year-round despite the region’s unforgiving desert climate. Or its 12 million-square-foot mall, which manages to attract more visitors per year than all of New York City. And then of course, there are the Palm Islands, a trio of man-made archipelagos so expansive, they can be seen from out­er space. Conceived in 2001, the project promised a solution to the dry’s beach shortage – Dubai’s 37-mile-long coastline was completely inundated with skyscrapers and hotels by the ‘90s, leaving little room for expansion. (Developers extracted 3 billion cubic feet of sand from the Persian Gulf to form the palm-tree-shaped islands.) Though only one of the planned three is complete, it’s already paying dividends: The artificial land mass has doubled the amount of coastal real estate available in the dry. Residential villas are selling for millions, and the list of luxury hotel brands opening properties on the Palm continues to grow. The St. Regis recently announced plans for a development with 289 rooms and 504 apartments, set to open in 2018. When it does, guests will be treated to views of the city’s extravagant skyline from a 360-degree infinity swimming pool – 50 stories above ground.

It’s this brand of next-level luxury that makes Dubai a rich man’s Dis­neyland, with sprawling hotel suites, desert off-roading and indoor black-diamond slopes. You can spend the day with a falcon trainer, and the night at a Champagne-soaked nightclub. If you’re in the market for an opulent escape, you’ll find it in Dubai. Here’s what to do when you go.

Suite Dreams – Get the royal treatment in Dubai’s most awe-inspiring hotel rooms

It should come as no surprise that the world’s only “seven-star hotel” – the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – is located in Dubai. Towering over the Per­sian Gulf, the sail-shaped property has become something of a city landmark since it first opened in 1999. (The $7.8 billion project took five years to complete.) At the Burj, even entry-level suites are lavish, but there’s no reason to settle for second best in this town. Go all out and book the Royal Two-Bedroom Suite. The experience begins at the airport, where guests can choose to be picked up in a helicopter or a white Rolls-Royce Phantom (the Burj has a fleet of them). Once you’ve cheeked in to the 8,395-square-foot room, you’ll find gold-leaf chocolates, gold-plated iPads and a gold staircase, plus a library, cinema and on-call butler. The room might set you back around $20,000 per night, but can you really put a price on that level of indulgence?

While the Burj is known for its iconic silhouette, the pyramid-shaped Raffles Dubai, just a few miles north, has a wow factor of its own. (Archi­tects drew inspiration for the 19-story building from Ancient Egypt, of course.) At Raffles you can have an entire floor to yourself. The 21,500-square- foot space – called the Dubai Floor – is the for­mer residence of the hotel’s owner, Sheikh Mana Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. It comes with a chauf­feur, chef and butler, as well as its own spa and three kitchens. The hotel will even perfume the floor with the scent of your choosing.

If the idea of staying in a high-rise feels far too vanilla, head to Atlantis, The Palm, where a duo of Underwater Suites offers subaqueous views. The three-story space features floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the 3 million-gallon Ambassador Lagoon Aquarium, which is home to more than 65,000 marine animals – sharks included.

Atlantis is just one of many lavish options on the artificial archipelago of Palm Jumeirah (known simply as “The Palm”). For a more tra­ditional ocean view, One&Only The Palm’s 3,500-square-foot Beachfront Mila doesn’t disap­point. The two-bedroom pad has its own garden, private pool and a shaded gazebo for dining out­doors. The Beach Garden Mila at the hotel’s sis­ter property One&Only Royal Mirage, is equally impressive, and located just across the bay.

On the eastern crescent of the Palm, Anantara’s resort-style property brings an Asian aesthetic to the Middle East. Book a One-Bedroom Over Water Mila and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an exotic retreat in the middle of nowhere. Even more unique, stay at a wintry ski resort during the heat of the summer at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, a mountain lodge-inspired property in the heart of the city. Its three-bedroom Aspen Ski Chalet comes with a crackling fireplace and views of Ski Dubai’s perfectly manicured slopes.

For those who prefer polo over fresh pow­der, there’s Per Aquum Desert Palm, a resort situated on a 160-acre polo estate. You’ll want to reserve Villa Layali. The exclusive accom­modation was completed this May, and if you go during Dubai’s polo season – from October to April – you can take in a match from the comfort of your balcony. The villa comes stocked with fresh-baked breads, house-smoked meats and a fridge filled with your favorite wines.

Similar attention to derail can be found at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. While not technically in Dubai (it’s in Abu Dha­bi’s Rub Al Khali), the five-star oasis is a scenic drive or short helicopter ride from the city, and well worth a weekend trip. It appears almost like a mirage, camouflaged by hulking sand dunes. Qasr Al Sarab’s Royal Pavilion Villa is exquisite, and also comes with a laundry list of perks. For starters, you’ll have a chef at your disposal who will create a custom menu to fulfill your every culinary fantasy, which will be much needed after a busy day in the desert: Guests can choose experiences that range from dune bashing and archery to desert land sailing and falconing.

It’s only fitting that a destination with the largest mall in the world would also be home to a number of designer-branded hotels. Giorgio Armani was such a fan of the Emirate, he chose it as the location for his first-ever Armani Hotel, occupying 10 floors of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. The Italian fashion icon’s Armani Dubai Suite is refreshingly minimalist and understated – two words you won’t hear very often in Dubai – unlike Palazzo Versace Dubai, an over-the-top hotel designed to look like a 16th-century Italian palace. Palazzo Versace’s pièce de résistance is the Imperial Suite. Located on the top floor of the hotel, it’s teeming with Carrara marble and opulent furniture from the House of Versace. Soon, Armani and Versace will be joined by a third Italian fashion conglomerate: Bulgari has an eponymous property slated to open in 2017.

Extreme Adventures

If ever a city were built for daredevils, it’s Dubai, where a gutsy duo of adrenaline junkies – better known as Jetman – regularly strap jet packs to their backs, soar past the world’s tallest building, then rocketeer in formation with an Emirates A380 wide-body aircraft (all in the name of cre­ating viral video). Where Tom Cruise nixes his stuntman to scale the Burj Khalifa himself while filming Mission: Impossible. Where you can rip the world’s first indoor black-diamond ski run, play tennis on a skyscraper helipad, swim with sharks at the mall and make it home (on camel, if the mood strikes) by dinner. Hang tight for the ultimate adrenaline rides in the Emirate.

In the Sand. Admit it, you’ve always wanted to be allied the Falconer. Now’s your chance to hunt like a sheikh, with a razor-taloned bird that can clock 200 mph diving for prey. Platinum Heritages private falcon experience will deliver you via Range Rover to the Dubai Desert Conserva­tion Reserve, where you’ll encounter one of the world’s top trainers and interact with his elite collection of flying assassins.

Armed with your new Bedouin stalking skills, you’ll want to venture further into the des­ert. Dune bashing (wherein your Land Cruiser turns real-life roller coaster, plummeting down steep sand mountains and bucking you in the air) is a must. Dubai Private Tour’s Royal Desert Safari pairs that thrilling exploit with a bespoke Arabian Nights-style evening. Camel rides, a BBQ spread, belly dancing and sandboarding – capped off with Arabic coffee and shisha – are yours for the taking. For a more rugged ride, strap into the safety harness and roll cage of an open-air Dune Buggy Dubai vehicle. (You’ll be in the driver’s seat.) The company also offers camel trekking and ATV tours. Or slide on some sand skis and show oft’your powder tricks on the dunes, courtesy of Desert Safari Dubai.

In the Air. While you can’t rent your own jet pack just yet, you can zoom over the Palm Island or Burj Al Arab in a straight-out-of-the-Jetsons glass-hatch gyrocopter, piloted by Skydive Dubai. The com­pany also offers dizzying free-fly jumps, with only a wingsuit between you and the sandscape below.

For more civilized aviation adventures, Seawings’ luxury seaplane departs from a water taxiway in Dubai, then glides over UAF landmarks and alights on the remote isle of Sir Bani Yas, where the desert-island safari of your fantasies awaits. Giraffes, cheetahs and gazelles, along with rare species like the Arabian oryx, roam free in one of the Middle Fast’s hugest wildlife reserves. Finish your aerial tour with an exclusive sunrise charter above stunning desert vistas. Balloon Adventures Emirates owns four of the world’s largest hot air balloons, along with smaller baskets for just you and your VIP crew.

In the Snow. Leave it to this unquenchable desert me­tropolis to dream up Ski Dubai, a massive, 242,000-square-foot snowplex inside the Mall of the Emirates. It’s home to the Snow Bul­let – the world’s first indoor, subzero zip line. Sail above that black-diamond run (earning its white- knuckle status with a 200-foot drop), a toboggan course and a waddle of king penguins.

And lest you forget this is a land where size matters, Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, just announced another colossal snow center, this time with even big­ger bragging rights. The 4,000-foot run (at the forthcoming Meydan One center) will be the longest indoor ski slope in the world, nearly tripling the current record holder. Pack your snow gear for its 2020 debut.

In the Water. There comes a time in every gentleman’s life when he must go head-to-jaw with a half-ton shark (though you probably didn’t expect it would go down next to Bloomingdales). The massive 10 million-liter tank at the center of the Dubai Mall – part of the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – is home to the largest frenzy of sand tiger sharks in the world. Book one of the thrice-daily dives to join them underwater in an intimate group of four, supervised by a certified dive master.

If you prefer gentler sea creatures, head to Atlantis, The Palm’s lush Dolphin Bay, where you can reserve your own lagoon for an afternoon with a pod of cetaceans. Or learn the centuries-old art of pearl diving with an inter­active excursion from Dubai Travel & Culture Services. Their crew will escort you to a secluded cove off Jebel Ali port, where you’ll climb aboard the ancient wooden deck of a 60-foot sail­ing dhow and scour the seafloor.

Suit Up

Have a taste for the finer things? Here’s how to shop the Middle East’s most stylish city

The Emirate’s two main shopping malls – Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Mall – have more than 1,700 stores between them, so whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it in Dubai. All the major players are represented, from Brioni and Brunello Cucinelli to Hermès. If the sheer volume of stores seems overwhelm­ing (it should), you might consider enlisting the help of an expert, like celebrity stylist Kelly Lundberg, who offers personal shopping services to her high-end clientele. Lundberg estimates she’s clocked more than 10,000 hours of shop­ping with clients while helping them navigate the luxury fashion landscape in Dubai. If you choose to go at it alone, one spot you shouldn’t miss while you’re in town is Parmar Tailors, a bespoke suiting shop that puts Savile Row to shame. Their team of 135 craftsmen creates cus­tom suits for Dubai’s elite, using gold buttons and rare wools. (Each suit takes around 50 hours to produce.) Once you buy yourself a bespoke suit, you’ll want to break it out for the second annual Dubai Watch Week, which takes place November 15-19. It’s all watches, all day: semi­nars about the art of horology, watchmaking classes, round-table discussions, exhibitions and more. Last year’s event featured 76 speak­ers,  55 different watch brands and no shortage of horological hobbyists.

Future Perfect

Forward-thinking design is transforming Dubai’s skyline

On the gusty 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa, you can dangle your toes from a shin-high gap in the glass protective barrier – with nothing but wind whistling between you and the aquama­rine pools some 1.820 feet below. It’s the world’s tallest open-air observation deck, in the world’s tallest building. But true to form, Dubai is al­ready planning to shatter that record, announc­ing an even tidier (“by a notch”) building, this time from Spanish neofuturist Santiago Calatrava (who dreamed up the wing-shaped Oculus transit hub of NYC’s World Trade Center). His new $1 billion supertower is set to debut ahead of Dubai’s 2020 World Expo, a massive interna­tional extravaganza that’s expected to lure 25 mil­lion visitors to the City of Gold.

Arriving even sooner are the city’s magnifi­cent, ark-shaped opera house (opening August 31 with a performance by Plácido Domingo) and the Museum of the Future (coming in 2018), an apropos attraction for a city whose favorite day always seems to be tomorrow. That new mecca of innovation – a $135 million gleaming-steel ovaloid that looks a bit like a hollow eye – will showcase cutting-edge prototypes and serve as an incubator for inventors and technological breakthroughs.

It’s not just that everything’s bigger in Dubai – it’s also engineered to boggle the mind, with otherworldly shapes and astonishing architectural feats. “The city is constantly grow­ing and building the future,” notes Cyril Zammit, director of Design Days Dubai. “Design is often the result of collaborations between a maker and a doer, and there is fertile ground here – it’s uniquely positioned as a place of convergence and creativity.”

That striking blend is evident in the city’s buzzy cultural scene. The Emirate just hosted the fifth annual Design Days Dubai, which remains the most diverse design fair in the world. It’s putting final touches on a sprawling, design- focused mini-city, d3, and is home to Art Dubai, the region’s most illustrious art fair. Meanwhile, in the cool-kid warehouse district of Alserkal Avenue, prominent painters and sculptors from around the globe, as well as emerging local superstars, unveil provocative pieces.

“The world meets in Dubai.” Zammit points out. “And there is no better place to create, build and exchange.”

Whip Flash

When it comes to the city’s supercar culture, there’s no shame in showing off

Despite the falling price of oil, luxury lines the streets, and valet queues – at the Mall of the Emirates, the Burj Khalifa and elsewhere in the city – often resemble scenes from The Fast and the Furious, with rare rides on full display for all to ogle. The Emirati don’t believe in keeping their treasures tucked away in garages, reserved for special occasions. In Dubai, air flaunting is ostensibly a competitive sport.

“Cars are a social status, and nowhere is this more true than in Arabic cultures,” says Neil Slade, president of Aston Martin, Middle East. “This point is critical in Dubai; this is not a place where it is frowned upon to show your real wealth – in fact, it’s quite the opposite.” The phe­nomenon began 10 years ago, says Slade, “when Dubai reached the global stage as a hotspot for the super rich, and of course, ears are one big item that demonstrate just that.”

Dubai’s auto-obsessed culture reached a fever pitch during the economic boom in the early aughts. But when the financial crisis hit in late 2008, many drivers found themselves with supercar loans they couldn’t afford. Since Sharia Law states that failure to pay debts is a punish­able crime, people took matters into their own hands: They abandoned their cars and fled the country. Which explains why, to this day, you’ll find airport parking lots piled high with exotic whips – like a limited-edition Ferrari Enzo worth over $600,000 – literally collecting dust.

Not to be outdone by these “supercar grave­yards,” the police themselves cruise around town in the world’s most over-the-top patrol cars. There are no Crown Vies here – Dubai’s police fleet in­cludes a Bentley Continental GT, an Aston Martin One-77, a Lamborghini Aventador and, the jewel in the crown, the Bugatti Veyron, one of die fast­est street-legal cars on the road. Though truth be told, the cars aren’t for chasing down criminals – they’re mostly considered public relations tools.

While car enthusiasts will find plenty of eye candy just by roaming the streets, the city also plays host to a number of high-profile events, like the Dubai Motor Festival, sponsored by the Crown Prince, which takes place every No­vember. The festival’s Motor Village and Grand Parade, led by the police fleet, showcase the widest collection of rare luxury cars in the Middle East. Coinciding with the 2017 festival is the Dubai International Motor Show, during which more than 600 cars are on display for the roughly 100,000 gearheads who show up to fuel their fetish. In recent years, the Motor Show has hosted vehicles like the Aston Martin DB10, the Jaguar C-X75 and the McLaren P1.

With so many exquisite cars around town, visitors and locals are often itching to get behind the wheel – and the Dubai Autodrome is happy to accommodate them. Its 3.3-mile circuit is a combination of high-speed straights and techni­cal comers that make for one of the most chal­lenging courses in the world. Choose from a McLaren, a single-seater or an Audi R8 v10 – or if you’d rather watch, the track hosts races like the Porsche GT3 Cup ME, the Formula Gulf 1000 and the TRD 86 Cup, during which professional and amateur drivers go head-to-head. A private instructor will help you tackle drift­ing, navigate course configurations and master wings and slick tires.

Just an hour south of Dubai, on Abu Dhabi’s man-made Yas Island, there’s Ferrari World, an indoor amusement park for auto lovers. Brave the planet’s fastest roller coaster (it hits 149 mph in 4.9 seconds) or toy with a state-of-the-art simulator like Driving With the Champion, which puts you in the trainee seat on the Fiorano track with an F1 pro. You can also drive the island behind the wheel of a Ferrari California.

Though Dubai is a haven for all things shiny and new, the Emirate still has a deep respect for vintage automobiles. Each March, 350-plus clas­sic cars take center stage at the Emirates Classic Car Festival. It’s a spectacle that makes one thing very clear: In Dubai, cars are king.

Dubai’s Hottest Restaurants

No longer a desert outlier, Dubai has earned a well-deserved post on the global epicurean circuit. With a hefty catalog of celeb-chef offer­ings – Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Michael Mina’s Firebird Diner and Nobu Matsuhisa’s ubiquitous Nobu, not to men­tion familiar faces like Cipriani and Catch – you might check your passport to ensure you’ve actu­ally left New York or London. But the mouth­watering options in this gourmand gateway are as diverse as they are bountiful from traditional Middle Eastern feasts to exquisite sushi, over-the-top seafood spectacles and contemporary Peruvian delicacies.

Enigma. You never know what you’ll get at this shape-shifting spot – and that’s the point. Tucked inside the gilded Palazzo Versace Dubai ho­tel, Enigma rethinks its entire menu, chef and concept every three months. Three-Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta set a high bar with his inaugural Mediterranean stint earlier this year, followed by Nordic interactive dining from two-Michelin-starred genius Björn Frantzén.

Atmosphere. Bucket-list time: Book the 122nd-floor private dining room at the world’s highest restaurant inside the world’s tallest building for an unpar­alleled experience. The 12-seat jewel box here affords jetliner views of the city along with world-class foodie fusion. High tea in the lounge is also an extravagant undertaking, where pas­tries are stacked to the sky and a Champagne cocktail is flecked with real gold.

Zuma. This Dubai-by-way-of-London -by-way-of-Tokyo sushi star has outposts around the globe, but it remains one of the buzziest spots in the desert. The multilevel space in the downtown financial center draws a beautiful crowd with its vibrant bar scene, izakaya-style small plates and inven­tive sushi, like a mackerel-cucumber roll drizzled with ginger and vinegar.

Play Restaurant & Lounge. With serious kitchen pedigree (Zuma’s former toque Reif Othman oversees the 40 chefs on staff) and art deco-inspired decor, this “MediterrAsian” newcomer has shot to the top of every must-eat list. Snag a table near the 36th-floor windows of the H Hotel and order Black Cod Two Ways (teriyaki-skewered and Spanish cro­quette-inspired) or the Pita Surprise, a wagyu- draped pita shell that drips with truffle butter. An exclusive private dining space, Reif’s Room, will soon join the big-night fun.

Amaseena. Haunting music from Arabic oud and tabla play­ers – along with the occasional belly dancer – drifts through this tented village, set up each eve­ning on the seaside grounds of the Ritz-Carlton. A vast, alfresco caravan of regional masterpieces from Syrian chef Rami Almaket (you’ll crave his spiced lamb and secret-recipe chicken shawarma) have been luring in-the-know locals and exalted guests for more than a dozen years.

Coya. Peruvian plates are having a moment, and this contemporary Incan den more than exceeds the hype with its ceviche counter, traditional anticuchos and fiery grilled meats. The Pisco Lounge, inspired by the oldest bars in Lima, stocks a li­brary of infused brandy and has quickly become one of the most coveted cocktail lairs in the city.

Pierchic. What could be sexier than supper at sunset, floating over the Arabian Gulf? Perched on the edge of a pier at the Al Qasr Madinat Jumeirah resort, this elegant seafood showcase is con­sidered the most romantic hideaway in Dubai. Soak in the dramatic views of the Burj Al Arab and the shoreline while sharing a crustacean- heavy tasting menu.

La Petite Maison. It’s rare to find consensus when anointing the best restaurant in town, but top tastemakers in the Emirate (and several “best in the world” lists) point to LPM as the unrivaled victor. A spin-off of the famed French Riviera brasserie, this beau­tifully appointed bistro serves unfussy Niçoise fare. Think escargots in garlic butter, tuna car­paccio, burrata and scrambled duck eggs.

Indego by Vineet. With two Michelin stars up his sleeve, chef Vineet Bhatia seriously elevates modern Indian in this celebrated and richly ornamented indoor-outdoor Grosvenor House destination. Secure one of the private, wood-screened dining nooks, decked out with glass lanterns, for more-intimate refined dining.

Eauzone. A floating wooden dock snakes its way over turquoise pools, delivering you to your red- striped tent at this retreat along the shore of the lush One&Only Royal Mirage resort. The Marrakesh-on-the-beach ambience is complemented by a deep roster of pan-Asian starters and fresh seafood catches.

Al Nafoorah. The terrace of this secluded oasis at the Jumei­rah Emirate Towers is one of the best places to order authentic Lebanese fattoush salad, lamb kibbe and mixed grill – among the most tempt­ing cuisine in the Middle East. The impeccable hospitality is only enhanced by the team of belly dancers swirling by.

Underwater Dining. Dubai’s reputation for splashy meals may be unrivaled, but two restaurants take that con­ceit to dizzying depths. Outlaw’s at Al Mahara, officially opening this fall inside the Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, and Ossiano, at Atlantis, The Palm, both serve sumptuous, white-tablecloth seafood against the backdrop of floor-to-ceiling aquariums stocked with marine life.

Private Chefs. For true indulgence in the City of Gold, try a custom feast whipped up in your own hotel suite. Dubai’s ChefXChange keeps an exclusive Rolo­dex of private cooks to feed your every craving. Scroll through their epicurean masters, like top-rated Chef Maxime, who specializes in BBQ and French cuisine, or Chef Vanessa, who prepares Caribbean and Italian bites.

Get There In High Style

With first-class cabins, flying to Dubai might just be the best part of your trip

Airline: EMIRATES

The Cabin: First Glass Private Suite

The Plane: A380 and most Boeing 777s

What to Expect: Two shower spas with Bulgari bath products and detox juices; an onboard lounge; leather amenity kits; meals served on fine china; a sommelier-curated wine list; chauffeur service to and from the airport.

The Route: Direct flights to Dubai from Bos­ton, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.G.

Airline: ETIHAD

The Cabin: The Residence

The Plane: A380

What to Expect: A three-room suite (living area, bedroom and shower) with capacity for two travelers; a leather sofa for lounging; a bed with Italian linens; full-size shower and bathrobe; a personal butler and chef.

The Route: Flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Dallas, Chicago and Washington, D.C., to Abu Dhabi, followed by a 60-minute limo transfer to Dubai.

Airline: QATAR

The Cabin: First Class

The Plane: A380

What to Expect: A private upper deck for first class passengers only; osetra caviar; a Missoni sleeper suit with slippers; a large closet for storage space; an oversize bath­room scented by fresh flowers.

The Route: Flights from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York to Doha, followed by a one-hour flight to Dubai.

Desert Nights

Dubai doesn’t take its “Vegas of the Middle East” moniker lightly. Boozy brunches are stan­dard, internationally renowned DJs spin for the jet set, pop stars drop the mic in megaclubs and posh debauchery is always on the menu, (Tip: If you’re hopping hot spots, download Careem, Dubai’s chauffeur-on-demand app.)

Go All Out. Jay Z, Will Smith and Wyclef have all been spot­ted at the aptly named VIP Room, soaking up the exclusive scene inside the JW Marriott Marquis, which happens to be the world’s tallest hotel. (The club hits sister venues in St. Tropez and Paris.) NYC import Provocateur also draws the heat in its 7,000-square-foot arena at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, with an Alice in Wonderland-in-space vibe that combines European dollhouse frescoes, futuristic lighting and su­personic vertical speakers that electrify the ceiling.

Up on the Roof. A few flights above Provocateur is the rooftop bar Mercury Lounge, where stunning views of the Arabian Gulf compete with the human scen­ery. Inventive cocktails arrive draped with actual Barbie dolls. And just in case you weren’t dis­tracted, man-made snow falls from the sky on oc­casion. Or, for sultry Ibizan ambience, sink into the aqua and white cushions under the stars of Cielo Sky Lounge, an outdoor canteen atop the Dubai Creek Yacht Club, bathed in purple light.

Surfside Libations. The Emirate’s thriving beach scene promises diversions from dawn to dusk (and then dawn again). Both Zero Gravity and Eden Beach Club offer raucous pool parties, sundowner cocktails, festival-caliber live music and eyebrow­raising dance performances.