Habibi, welcome to Dubai.
We’ve been enthralled by the friendships, fights and love lives of Dubai millionaires unfolding across two seasons of the hit Netflix series Dubai Bling. As the furore around the must-watch television show reaches a fever pitch, team FACT has tracked down some of the series’ top locations so you can live life like a millionaire.
Season Two
88 Terrace
Before Loujain can begin her restaurant empire, she decides to take a job as a waitress to learn the ropes of the hospitality industry. While Mona isn’t quite happy with the service provided nor Loujain sipping their drinks), a visit to 88 Terrace rewards night owls with a dazzling rooftop bar and lounge, and one of the most spectacular views in town.
GO: Follow @88terrace on Instagram for more information.
Amelia
Dubai Bling’s biggest argument to date happens during Safa’s female empowerment party at Amelia. The Beirut-born restaurant in Address Sky View features a refined lounge and restaurant that transitions into a lively nightlife destination. Expect a winning combination of mixology, gastronomy and music, serving Nikkei cuisine with Mediterranean hints in a retro-futuristic steampunk setting.
GO: Visit https://amelialounge.com for more information.
Boardwalk
Resting on the glorious Dubai Creek, the Boardwalk at Park Hyatt Dubai features heavily in the second season of Dubai Bling. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Dubai’s historic creek, diners can indulge in Salmon Carpaccio, Grilled Octopus and some classic Tiramisu, following in the footsteps of Farhana and Ebraheem.
GO: Visit www.hyattrestaurants.com for reservations and more information.
Eva Beach House
Fireworks ensue at Eva Beach House in Palm West Beach when Safa goes to confront Loujain about her behaviour. The beautiful beach club blends Tulum-style seaside dining with an artisanal culinary experience. While most of the venue is devoted to high-energy dining, there’s also a beach and pool where guests may gather for refreshments while enjoying the sunset against West Palm Beach views and a soundtrack of Tulum’s mystical – and always rhythmic – vibes.
GO: Email evareservations@aizahospitality.com for reservations or more information.
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
Early in the second season, the cast escapes to the Northern Emirates for a weekend break at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, where is it revealed that Mona Kattan is joining the group. The group stays in one of the Al Marjan Beachfront Suites, complete with a private outdoor pool surrounded by verdant gardens and a separate living area. The next day, the girls head to Beach House for a toes-in-the-sand breakfast. As the name suggests, the beachfront venue comes decorated with colourful surfboards and a sand-strewn floor.
GO: Visit www.movenpick.com for reservations and more information.
Ninive
The final episode of season two features a surprise engagement, leaving the series on a cliffhanger. The setting for the grand gesture was the FACT Award-winning Ninive at Emirates Towers. Taking its name from one of the world’s seven wonders – the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, or Neneveh – Ninive is a magical setting. Settle into the urban majlis, where you can dine under the stars and soaring skyscrapers. It feels like you are doing a desert safari without touching a foot in the desert, as it is surrounded by palm trees, foliage and twinkling lights. Plus, the dishes are inspired by Morocco, Iran, Iraq and Turkey, and range from fattoush salad to lobster tagines.
GO: Visit https://ninive.ae for reservations and more information.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Weekend retreats don’t get much better than a stay at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. Nestled along a picturesque stretch of natural shoreline, this beachfront resort is the setting for Ebraheem Al Samadi’s wedding ceremony. Abu Dhabi’s only all-inclusive all-exclusive resort is decked out in deep blues and subtle sandy tones to match the desert island locale, while many rooms and suites have access to shared private pools, allowing guests to jump straight out of bed and directly into the calm waters.
GO: Visit www.rixos.com for more information.
The Dubai EDITION
The Dubai EDITION features heavily in the second season of the show. We see the case strutting through the corridors while Loujain has a photo shoot at the chilled yet classy Thia Sky Lounge. Visitors can expect classic cocktails, Mediterranean food and immaculate views of Burj Khalifa from the pool.
GO: Visit www.editionhotels.com/dubai for reservations and more information.
The Besties Cafe
Ebraheem Al Samadi and Danya Mohammed have been making waves with the grand opening of The Besties Cafe. Located at Al Seef, the cosy cafe features prominently in the final episode of season two. The cafe encourages you to bring your besties along for the ride. The drinks are served in cups featuring one half of a heart, completed only when paired with the heart on your best friend’s cup. The Besties Cafe in Dubai is open from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 11pm and Friday to Sunday from 10am to midnight.
GO: Visit @findbesties for more information.
Season One
Address Beach Resort
Towards the middle of season one (episode five to be precise), Loujain Adadah goes on a disastrous date at Address Beach Resort. The location is actually the terrace of the hotel’s lobby lounge, known for its water feature, elaborate sculptures and views of the Arabian Gulf. If you can grab a spot on the in-demand terrace, then afternoon tea is a must.
GO: Visit www.addresshotels.com for reservations and more information.
Ain Dubai
Currently closed for renovation, the world’s tallest observation wheel is the location for a romantic meal between Safa Siddiqui and her husband. Located on Bluewaters Island, the wheel is expected to re-open to the public in early 2023, offering unique views of Dubai’s iconic landmarks from 48 indoor, air-conditioned cabins. The experiences are split into three main categories: Observation Cabins, Social Cabins and Private Cabins, with experiences starting with one rotation of approximately 38 minutes and up to two rotations of approximately 76 minutes.
GO: Visit www.aindubai.com for reservations and more information.
Beach by FIVE
The glass infinity pool at Beach by FIVE provides the backdrop for a dating debrief between Ebraheem and DJ Bliss in season one. Sure, it has Insta-influencers, but the sun loungers with a view and glass-lined pool are where you’ll likely find us. Plus, there are stellar deals for spa, lunch and beach access. Trust us: you’ll be back.
GO: Visit https://palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com for reservations and more information.
CÉ LA VI Dubai
Sky-high hotspot CÉ LA VI Dubai in Address Sky View offers the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa when Brianna and Kris Fade meet Zeina for a couples’ dinner in episode one of season one. Should you visit, a table on the terrace is a must, offering glittering views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountains and Downtown skyline to complement the exceptional Pan Asian menu from chef Howard Ko. There’s a reason why CÉ LA VI Dubai is a multiple FACT Dining Award winner.
GO: Call 04 582 6111 for reservations and more information.
Forever Rose Cafe
Ebraheem Al Samad’s Forever Rose Cafe at Boxpark is the scene for numerous showdowns throughout both seasons of Dubai Bling. Designed to feel like a storybook, guests will be immersed in a fairytale-like experience and live through the cafe’s 2D illustrations and artistic drawings with 3D elements woven throughout. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, desserts and coffee.
GO: Call 04 548 4210 for reservations and more information.
Madame Tussauds
The first Madame Tussauds experience in the GCC showcases the fascinating world of glamour, sport, music and entertainment under one roof. In episode six of Dubai Bling’s first season, Kris Fade takes his parents to the attraction to see his waxwork and asks his dad to be a groomsman at his wedding. With seven themed rooms, you can step into a Bollywood movie and take a picture with Shahrukh Khan, or take a selfie with Kylie Jenner. Pose next to Cara Delevingne, Christiano Ronaldo, Jennifer Lawrence, Jackie Chan, Taylor Swift, Will Smith, Justin Bieber and Lewis Hamilton.
GO: Call 058 592 7856 for more information.
Mosaico
In episode one of season one, the lavish lobby lounge at Palazzo Versace Dubai is the setting for a chance encounter between Zeina Khoury and Farhana Bodi. Decked out with red and gold upholstery with a floor mosaic of the unmistakable Medusa head Versace logo, plus a soundtrack of live percussion, Mosaico offers a refined experience at Dubai’s premier fashion hotel. We recommend the afternoon tea which provides a curated selection of savoury and sweet bites presented in opulent Versace style.
GO: Email dining@palazzoversace.ae or call 04 556 8805 for reservations and more information.
OPA
In season one, Safa, Zeina and Lojain visit the Greek restaurant inside Fairmont Dubai and smash plates to let off some steam. You too, can escape to the charming Greek Islands with delicious dishes crafted with passion that are rooted firmly in tradition. Enthral the senses with an extensive menu and tableside preparations in addition to Zorba dancing and the smashing of plates.
GO: Visit www.opadubai.com for reservations and more information.
Ossiano
The underwater restaurant at Atlantis, The Palm, was showcased in the first episode of Dublin Bling’s first season when Ebraheem Al Samadi and Loujain Adadah meet for the first time on a blind date. The restaurant may be next to a floor-to-ceiling aquarium, but the food is one MICHELIN quality and will steal your attention away from the marine life. Sure, stingrays and sharks are swimming past you, but, best of all, there’s chef Grégoire Berger’s impressive seafood menu inspired by the ocean.
GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for reservations and more information.
Sky Views Observatory
Situated at Address Sky View is an attraction that takes city sightseeing to new heights. Adventure seekers can take on the Edge Walk like Zeina and Safa and enjoy a hands-free walk across a ledge 219.5 metres above ground level with no windows or barriers standing between them and sky-high views. For something less extreme, try the glass slide, in which you hurtle from floor to floor.
GO: Visit www.skyviewsdubai.com for more information.
Sonara Camp
A trip to the desert takes an unexpected turn in episode three of season one when the Dubai Bling cast visits Sonara Camp. Set high upon a sand dune within the Dubai Conservation Area, Sonara Camp offers unspoilt sunset views over the Arabian desert, where guests can embark on a range of experiences including camel rides, live Oud music and a falcon show, ahead of a relaxing dinner or overnight stay.
GO: Email info@sonara.ae or call 050 336 7909 for reservations and more information.
The Penthouse
Safa Siddiqui hosts her first Fashion show at FIVE Palm Jumeirah. So why not live like Safa and take some Instagram shots in the hotel lobby or at the rooftop hotspot, The Penthouse. The lifestyle hotel is known to attract a clientele of social media influencers and VIP guests who come for the Insta-worthy rooms, swimming pool and desirable dining destinations.
GO: Visit https://palmjumeirah.fivehotelsandresorts.com for reservations and more information.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
The final episode of Dubai Bling’s first season focuses on Brianna and Kris Fade’s wedding. The lavish event took place on the lawns of The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai in JBR. The closest you can get to experiencing this for yourself is with a meal at beachfront hotspot Tamoka. The restaurant embodies a sense of discovery that radiates the warmth of the Antillean islands. Whether visiting for a light lunch, an extravagant dinner, or sundowners, you can expect a dedicated ceviche bar, outdoor fire pits and sunken lounges.
GO: Visit www.ritzcarlton.com for reservations and more information.
URLA
The climactic end to the first episode takes place during a feisty group dinner at URLA to celebrate the engagement of Kris and Brianna. Although onscreen fireworks ensue, your visit to URLA will likely include beguiling cocktails served in glassware resembling jellyfish and elaborately plated food to showcase premium ingredients. Not forgetting those stunning Burj Khalifa views.
GO: Follow @urla on Instagram for reservations and more information.
