Home is where the holiday is

There was a time when a staycation was pitching a tent in the desert, cooking on a barbecue and eventually having a ‘shower’ with a wet wipe to clean off the worst of the sand and smoke. But now stylish staycations mean exploring the five-star dream destinations on our doorstep without the fuss of a longhaul flight, changing money or having to learn any foreign phrases. With resorts here that rival global hotspots like the Seychelles and the Maldives, you can simply turn up with an overnight bag and have a weekend to remember.

As the countdown to Eid begins, we put the best hotels close to home to the test, trying out the myriad cuisine, spas and beaches. You can check out the results on page 68 where we’ve named the best family-friendly, romantic and adventurous hotels. It was a tough job for the Friday team – we put on weight fine dining and became obsessed with high-octane rides and water sports – but it was worth it. Check out the beauty guide to holiday hair and make-up on

page 44 too so you look your best beachside. Until next week,

Karen Pasquali Jones

Editor

kpasqualijones@gulfnews.com