It’s back baby…

Please note this event is now sold out

It’s been a little while since we last held our UAE-famous What’s On weekender in Abu Dhabi — the staycation that comes with your room rate, brunch, after party (with free drinks), a bunch of epic activities, pampering, breakfast and more, all for one audaciously low price of Dhs699 for two people.

And we genuinely have been hammered with questions asking where and when the next one will be. Who doesn’t love a super luxe, heavily discounted staycation on the beach.

So it gives us great pleasure to announce, that we’re returning to the site of our very first capital outing, back to Fairmont Bab Al Bahr once more for a third Lock In, between Saturday August 6 and Sunday August 7, 2022.

Rooms for the sell-out event are on sale now via the fairmont.com/whats-on-lockin website. Dhs699 for two people and all this…

The Venue

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is a luxury five-star hotel perched on Abu Dhabi’s Khor Al Maqta creek. It features stylish, modern rooms and a plush range of family-friendly facilities.

The property-bracing pool complex is certified Insta-perfect and is equipped with a swim-up bar. There’s a health club, private beach and eight epic dining outlets.

The itinerary

Saturday August 6

Your weekend kicks off with an early 10am check-in at our dedicated Gold Club Lock In hub. Then there’s a quick orientation session, where you can book slots for pampering, fitness activities, and watersports.

Afterwards, between 10am and 12.30pm, after dropping your bags in the room and before heading to brunch, aquatic adventures await. Iron Waves Boat Rental & Watersport is inviting you to get involved with a range of watersports including jet ski trips, banana boat rides and kayaking. But Spaces are extremely limited so please ensure you arrive at check in on time to secure spot.

From 11am house of zen, Bodytree will be offering a pre-brunch Radiant Flow Yoga session, allowing you to find some inner peace before the wild indulgence of brunch. Lead by Angela, this 75 minute vinyasa class “incorporates balancing poses, intuitive movement, liquid transitions, and change of direction to further challenge your focus”. Namaste

And then there’s the curated curiosities from the team behind Abu Dhabi’s Prison Island. These masters of adventuretainment, normally found in Abu Dhabi Mall, provide the closest experience the UAE has to the Crystal Maze and will also be present at the orientation hub. They’re bringing with them a collection of conundrous exhibits, designed to outfox and befuddle you. Will you walk away with clout or self-doubt? There’s only one way to find out.

Brunch takes place at chic international diner CuiScene between 1pm and 4.30pm. We’ve hooked you up with a house beverage package and house music soundtrack. Looking fresh? Our friends at Fame Spin are joining us and bringing with them their latest bit of kit — a high speed, 360º camera that spins around a subject (you and your mates dancing), rendering it all in super slo mo awesomeness.

Between 5pm and 8pm there’s an after party at Marco’s exclusively for What’s On guests. To help kick things off we’ve scored you another five free drinks (must be redeemed before 8pm) followed by special happy hour deals on drinks and dining.

Those that fancy something a little more substantial for dinner can head to Mazaj where there’ll get a dining discount of 50 per cent (excluding shisha) from 7pm.

If refined Japanese dining is more up your culinary alley, there’s 25 per cent off dinner at Cafe Sushi for all Lock In guests.

Sunday August 7

There’s a bit of a lie-in for those that need it with a long laidback breakfast served at CuiScene between 6.30am and 10.30am.

Before brekkie — at 9.30am, the ladies can torch an average of 500 calories with 60 minutes of functional fitness training.  One of the city’s best-loved and longest running wellness centres, Bodytree will be providing their signature class, Bodytree Body run by lead instructor Anya, who guarantees to boost your endorphins to an ‘urban and house’ soundtrack.

Those puzzle-possessed enigma merchants, Prison Island (who also happen to be the same team behind the TEPfactor sensation) are back for more on Sunday. This time around they’re bringing contraptions from their brand new (What’s On approved) BoxedIn adventure — encapsulating all the phenomenal thrill of an escape room challenge, in an itty bitty space.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Boxed in – Think in (@boxedin.ae)

If chilling by the pool is the sort of energy you want to manifest the morning after the night before — there will be an exclusive ‘drinks and dining menu’ at the pool bar, for everyone with a Lock In wrist band.

At midday, our friends at Seven Wellness return with a soothing Yin to balance out the day before’s fiery Yang — Sound Healing and Meditation. Join Neli on a journey into healing frequencies with the percussive support of Tibetan Singing Bowls, Crystal Alchemy Bowls, Ocean drum and Chimes. It’s the perfect session for calming an anxious mind, or breaking up obstructive emotional blockages.

We’ve managed to get you a lazy check-out time of 2pm, and if by that point you’re still not ready for the fun to end — you can opt-in on the extension package for Dhs149 per COUPLE, which includes a pizza at Marco’s, two drinks and a super late check out time of 6pm.

The pricing

The What’s On Lock In: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is priced at Dhs699, which includes all the above for two adults. Spaces are extremely limited and expected to sell fast, so jump online and head to fairmont.com/whats-on-lockin to secure space now.

Alhson pass reminder

To attend you will need to show an Alhosn Green Pass prior to entering the hotel. Consult our full guide on how to obtain that status and for more information on entry/exit requirements.

Images: Provided