Jumeirah Mina A’Salam

Staying at this resort is like staying at an upscale, adult version of Disneyland. You’ve got a world class gym around the corner (we’ve spotted Versace models and Miss Universe in zumba class), the bars of Madinat Jumeirah steps away, and some of the city’s most popular restaurants right at your doorstep. Mina A’Salam is part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex that includes Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf.

 

Sweet Suite

Book an ocean suite, just do it. Aside from containing two of our favourite words in the world (Suite. Ocean. Enough said), there’s really no better way to embrace a vacation state of mind than sitting on your balcony and enjoying a private terrace with a killer view. And yes, that means FROW for a Burj Al Arab view.

Ocean_Suite_-_Mina_A_Salam

The Suite Life

 

If you have cash to splash, book a room in @madinatjumeirah’s #DarAlMasyaf, which has a massive courtyard outside each mini-villa that looks like something out of a James Bond movie set.

Jumeirah_Dar_Al_Masyaf_-_Arabian_Summerhouse_Courtyard

Ideal for a photo shoot, isn’t it?

Food-tastic

In the mood for a taste fiesta? At Mexican restaurant #Tortuga you can eat guacamole made to order and wear a sombrero. Cheesy, but so is the food – in the best possible way. It’s a taste fiesta at this casual hotpot in #Minasalam in @madinatjumeirah where you can munch on nachos, drink strawberry margaritas and wave to people on abras as they sail on by…

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It’s even prettier at night when the lanterns are lit up

 

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Totally celebrated a birthday here with the sis… because, sombrero!

Insta-party

Mellow out to a live band at #BahriBar with a view of the #BurjAlArab if you’re lucky enough to get a seat outdoors.

Taste of Culture

With Madinat Theater around the corner, there’s always a fun show to watch during your stay at this hotel. My favorites have ranged from famous stand up comedians to Beatles musicals to ballet shows. Most recently, the Opera de Paris dancers were in town for a performance and I was lucky enough to sit in on a rehearsal. The command these performers have on their bodies is amazing – the rehearsal alone was full of grace and athleticism. Videos to follow!

What to Pack

Channel the vibrancy of Mexico at #tortugadubai in #Minasalam #hotel with this bright ensemble. Pay homage to artist #FridaKahlo with this colourful iPhone cover and play up that stunning green hue in the @aliceandolivia dress with dangling earrings. As @jimmychoo says, you are what you wear not what you eat, so no worries about all that cheese 😂 It’s a celebration of colour!

 

 

Mina A'Salam Tortuga - lunch fiesta

 


Alice Olivia floral dress
1,275 AED – neimanmarcus.com

Alice + Olivia flat shoes
1,090 AED – revolve.com

Jimmy choo handbag
4,115 AED – net-a-porter.com

Turquoise jewelry
580 AED – jjcaprices.com

Casetify iphone case
145 AED – casetify.com
Mina A’Salam hosts a lot of events throughout the year (including my wedding!)… for a polished look at an event – say, for a new jewellery collection or art exhibition – go for a classic look:
Classic

 


David Koma color block dress
4,645 AED – farfetch.com

Gianvito Rossi high heel shoes
3,245 AED – neimanmarcus.com

White purse
695 AED – wolfandbadger.com

Smashbox lipstick
77 AED – marissacollections.com

Chloé perfume fragrance
420 AED – sephora.com
Guest Post by Rupert Wright of Ashbright
Welcome
 
Paris holds no terrors for well-heeled travellers, who can check into one of the city’s eleven palaces such as ­ the Georges V, Plaza Athénée, Le Bristol or my favourite, Le Meurice. But for those on any kind of budget, finding a decent place to stay in the French capital can be a challenge. Bedrooms smaller than a bathroom, bathrooms smaller than a bidet, we’ve all stayed at one of them and lived to regret it. So, it’s with great pleasure that I have found almost the perfect Parisian hotel – and you don’t need to be a tech billionaire to afford it. The Bedford has been family owned and run for more than a hundred years, combining Swiss roots, French flair and English tradition. It benefits from strong leadership, attention to detail, and a staff eager to look after you. With just 140 rooms, it is large enough to intimate, but not so large that you are anonymous. It’s a 4 star, but deserves more.
 
The rooms
 
Parquet flooring; high ceilings; comfortable beds and pillows; keys rather than plastic cards; and best of all, real switches, that turn the lights on and off. The Bedford has sensibly ignored many of the technical traps that can make staying in a hotel room more challenging than setting up your own satellite transmission site. The result is a place that combines understated elegance with modern touches and old school service. Some rooms overlook the rue de l’Arcade, others look over a courtyard, but all are a decent size and a muted colour. There is air-conditioning too, which is a relief when the summer strikes.
 
Eating
 
Breakfast is a buffet in a glorious belle époque room, boasting stucco reliefs and a glass roof. Dinner happens here too, French cuisine and fairly formal. There’s also a relaxed bistro/bar that serves meals and cocktails.
 
 
Location
 
A stone’s throw from the Place de la Madeleine, the Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries Gardens, and the Opera, this is one of the best areas to stay in Paris. (Marcel Proust used to live just around the corner). It is a lively area, with great boutiques, wine bars and an eclectic mix of restaurants, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Lebanese and French too.
 
Don’t miss
 
The Bedford knows that many people like to travel with their pets, so they are allowed to stay too.
 
 
HOTEL BEDFORD, 17, RUE DE L’ARCADE 75008 PARIS Tel. : +33 (0)1 44 94 77 77 Fax : +33 (0)1 44 94 77 97 More information at www.hotel-bedford.com
 
Rooms from €250; Suites from €450

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Sara Hamdan

Welcome to a magazine editor’s guide to luxury hotels and what to wear when you’re there! My work has appeared in: The International New York Times, Rolling Stone, Variety and CNN Travel. I’ve held editorial roles at VIVA Magazine, Dubai Magazine and Stylist Arabia.  Now, I freelance for the likes of Google, CNN and Savoir Flair!

Editing travel pages was always my favourite part of working for lifestyle magazines. I started this blog out of a love of beautiful hotels that provide the fairytale escape of a day as a princess where breakfast is a buffet and chocolates appear on my pillow.

PR queries, feedback and compliments? Email sara@holidaysinheels.com!