If, like us, you’ve decided to stay in the UAE this Christmas and are already feeling a bit homesick for cold weather and peeved that the Waitrose in Dubai doesn’t stock the Heston Blumenthal mince pies, then it might be time to revisit the Kempinski Ski Chalets.
Designed in classic Swiss style and overlooking the slopes of Ski Dubai it’s largely been forgotten by residents since the big launch in 2006, and we think that’s a shame as it’s still an original and fun place to take someone for a night away that isn’t your typical hotel room.
Combine that with an early evening of fondue and a few cheeky reds next door at Aprés or a visit to the new Spanish taps bar Salero (with Estrella Damm on tap) and it should help ease the regret at not booking a flight home. You can also order in-room dining and put on your Now That’s What I Call Yodelling CD if it helps set the non-desert tone. Kempinski currently has a winter offer where you get 10 percent off if you stay three nights or more.