Tokyo @ The Tower - Emirates Towers, Dubai

On the second floor in Emirates Towers sits this low key Teppanyaki and Sushi restaurant - not as glitzy and glamorous as similar joints like Sake No Hana but a great place to venture for a fun yet casual night out. Our visit to Tokyo @ The Tower was once again thanks to Whats On - another part of the great prize that was gave with the nights stay at Emirates Towers Hotel so i was particularly excited to discover a little bit of Toyko. On first appearances it looked small and narrow laiden with small basic wooden tables and chairs - it wasnt until we hit the back of the room that we saw the Teppanyaki stations displayed out in front of us.

After we were seated it was time to decide the 'food' direction of the evening and luckily my companion and I came to a suitable decision from the set menu - one meat & one seafood and then obviously share :) There is also a al carte options comprising of different cuts of meat, alternative seafood and duck but, as advised by the waitress, the set menu was the real deal. With miso soup in hand and a small salad on the side it was time to watch the chef work his magic, starting with the veggies. Sliced and diced into tiny pieces in what felt like one second, the veg was ready and left to one side with the occasional toss from the chef. The rice came next - the selection being sticky or egg fried (egg fried obviously being the more entertaining and tasty option). After it was vigorous flipped and pulled from side to side a few times, the veg was added and the egg cracked and voila - egg fried rice - it was amazing how quickly they could accomplish so much! Next came the proper grub - my prawns, lobster tail, scallops and salmon were sliced, scooped up and juggled around on the hot plate with oils, salt and pepper tossed in to enhance the flavor and fire. The meat followed in the same fashion and to be honest, both dishes were fantastic - light and full of flavor - the whole show was immensely impressive.

The food at Tokyo @ The Tower really was the main highlight of the evening, the chefs were simply spectacular however there were some aspects which didn't impress as much. The entrance of the restaurant didn't do any justice to the rest of the place and could maybe be more intriguing to entice customers at first glance. It is also situated right next to a karaoke bar which got very loud - its great if you want to join in, not so great if you have having dinner. Finally, i thought the staff weren't overly friendly or helpful and service with a smile didn't seem to apply. Apart from that, the food was fab - all credit goes to the amazing Teppanyaki chefs.

i-escape

This website has quickly become by new obsession and also a handy go-to when planning hotels for holidays. The site shows a selection of hand-picked beautiful boutique and hip hotel, B&Bs plus houses to rent all set among gorgeous back drops. Well worth a look - there are some real gems to be uncovered and explored!

http://www.i-escape.com

  

Music Mondayz

Ed Sheeren two ways - have a listen to the official track and if you haven't already heard it, give the Glastonbury live version a listen featuring the ever so awesome Rudimental. 

OFFICIAL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIJHg1XWR7o

LIVE AT GLASTO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSjlOGrQE88

Hilton Al Hamra Beach and Golf Resort - Al Hamra, RAK

Previously the Al Hamra Fort Hotel, Hilton has now taken over this hot spot in Al Hamra, sandwiched between The Waldolf Astoria and The Banyan Tree. Situated conveniently 50 minutes away from Dubai, 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah, and an hour from the Omani border (which leads up to the beautiful Musandam Peninsula), Al Hamra is a great place to be to experience the best of both worlds (the city and the mountains) as well as being a great place for a weekend stay cay. It is also very close to other local attractions including Ice Land and Dream Land.

We went to Al Hamra for a night to stay at The Hilton and even though it was definitely not a 5 star resort it was comfortable and had all the amenities which make stay-cays enjoyable. The complex was huge, and all the rooms were separated into Arabic style building with winding pathways laid down between  gardens joining up the resort. From the outside, the buildings looked authentic and painted a lovely picture of the resort, however the inside could of done with a bit of work. The corridors and stairwells resembled my old boarding school - stone and cold - and the rooms looked dated. Even though they were clean, the beds were comfy and there was a large balcony attached, the paint work looked chipped, there were water stains on the wall and the AC didnt seem to be working well (it was also very noisy!) which obviously made things slightly uncomfortable in the middle of summer. However, on the plus side, we ordered room service for breakfast which made up for what was lacking in the room. They offered a proper full English breakie with PORK bacon and they also served gluten free bread. Not only was it probably one of the best breakfasts we have had from room service in a hotel, it was also the cheapest and after our first nights stay, gave us a little more hope in terms of what else The Hilton had in store for us.

The Hilton offers up a range of sporting activities, on the water and the land. They have an 18 hole golf course (and a mini golf course too - more my style), tennis courts, two swimming pools, plus a gym and water sports center. There are also eight onsite dining venues, including a gastro pub, a pool side lunch spot and the infamous Mai Tai Lounge (AKA Trader Vics). The pools are nice however quite small in size and were far too warm for the summer months, however the main delight was the beach. RAK is known for its white sandy beaches and this one did not disappoint. It was an enjoyable stay for one night, however its a better place for a family holiday rather than a relaxing weekend away.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel - Dubai

Thanks to Whats On, myself and a pal of mine were lucky enough to win a nights stay in Emirates Towers plus four dinners at a handful of their amazing restaurants. Booked in for the weekend before I was heading back to the UK on holiday, the stay came at a perfect time and gave me a chance to chill out and catch some rays before heading home. I have always admired Emirates Towers from a far  - as well as being one of the most stunning architectural buildings among the Dubai skyline, the two towers combined also offer a luxury shopping destination suitably named the Boulevard as well as a roster of  great restaurants, night clubs and cafes as well as hotel rooms and offices. To sum up, you could live there (and only there) for 6 months and probably not get bored. 

Emirates Towers is also part of the infamous Jumeirah Group, so as an added benefit of staying at Emirates Towers guests can use the beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel as well as Wild Wadi giving you the best of both worlds - a day by the sea and a day surrounded by the buildings, hustle and bustle and of course the shopping of Down Town Dubai. 

The hotel itself is consistently voted one of the world's finest business hotels, and I can see why this would be the case. Location wise, it is right next to DIFC - the biggest financial district in Dubai, and in terms of the benefits of the hotel, the majority of the restaurants are tailored towards business dinners/lunches and all offer exquisite fine dining menus, fancy interiors and incredibly attentive staff. The 400 rooms on offer come decked out desks, high speed internet, an essential coffee machine and huge floor to ceiling windows allowing tonnes of light into the room. 

Our room was completely different to the hotel rooms we normally stay in.. On entry, the curtains automatically opened to show off amazing views of the Burj Khalifa, the bed, perfectly placed in-front of the window (I could of sat for hours with a coffee in the morning just gazing out). Everything electric was automatic from the lights to the curtains with a handy panel by the side of the bed to control it all - no actual switches present or necessary. Even though the rooms weren't huge they had everything you would of wanted from a large swanky bathroom with a large bath and shower, a plasma TV, a sofa and desk area and a huge, mega comfy bed with massive squishy pillows - they need to start selling these online! 

Even though the rooms do not have balconies, there are smoking rooms available and other designated areas throughout the hotel. There is also a hotel spa (which I sadly didn't get a chance to try) as well as a handy shuttle bus system ferrying people to and fro from Jumierah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi, Souk Madinat and Dubai Mall. All in all it was pretty faultless in terms of a business hotel and I would recommend anyone to stay there if they were stopping over for a night in Dubai (its conveniently close to the airport). The staff are accommodating, and will always go the extra mile to help and the choice of restaurants on offer is outstanding with every type of cuisine under the sun on offer.   

The final goodbye

In his final chapter, Robin Williams linked up with Apple to do the voice over on 'The Verse' for Ipad Air. 

Poetic, beautiful, passionate - inspiring you to grow

#RIPRobinWilliams

WATCH HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiyIcz7wUH0

5 Day Trip around Oman

DAY 1: Drive/Fly to Muscat. Have a day lounging by the pool at The Chedi and spend a night in luxury. 

http://thedoodlefile.blogspot.ae/2014/08/the-chedi-muscat-oman_6.html

DAY 2: Have a morning relaxing and a delicious lunch by the sea at The Chedi. Drive 1 1/2 hours to Wadi Shab. Visit the Sink Hole and spend a night at the Wadi Shab Hotel.

http://thedoodlefile.blogspot.ae/2014/08/wadi-shab-oman.html

DAY 3: Wake up early and head to Wadi Shab and begin the hike. Once completed, drive down to Ras Al Jinz, stopping in Sur on route for a spot of lunch and a visit around the oldest town in Oman. Stay a night at The Turtle Reserve and prepare to wake up early!

http://thedoodlefile.blogspot.ae/2014/08/ras-al-jinz-turtle-reserve-oman.html

DAY 4: Wake up at the crack of dawn to see the Turtles (Turtle season is at its best either in July/August or October/November). Fill you belly with breakfast before heading up the mountains. Stop at Nizwa for some lunch and a spot of site seeing before heading further into the mountains (note you will need a 4X4 car from Nizwa onwards) to Jebal Shams and stay here - http://www.booking.com/hotel/om/jebel-shams-resort.en-gb.html?sid=8453da0430e51cd82711ca03e59d5107;dcid=4

DAY 5: Watch the sun rise over the mountains before either driving back to home or back to Muscat to catch a flight. 

Wadi Shab - Oman

Wadi Shab is probably one of the better things I have experienced whilst travelling. Roughly an hour and a half drive south of Muscat, right between the sea and the mountains lies the infamous Wadi Shab. It is arguably one of the most gorgeous and scenic places in Muscat and is well worth a visit if you are ever in Oman.

The entrance isn't overly inspiring, and doesn't do the trek ahead any justice.. Well sign posted off the main road you will arrive under a bridge where cars are parked up. From there, locals are waiting with boats to transport you across the river so you can begin your adventure.  Beyond the entrance, the wadi rewards you with gorgeous aquamarine pools filled with tiny frogs and fish, rocky mountains, caves and waterfalls. The terrain throughout the hike varies as you go along, starting off with a well laid out path, leading to walking around the sides of cliffs, followed by large rocks and finishing off with a 10 minute swim into a cave which is covered in waterfalls. Pools are conveniently situated throughout the trek giving hikers the perfect opportunity to jump in and cool off! There is also a great jumping point where one can safely fling them self off a cliff into deep, cool, refreshing water.

The hike takes around 3 hrs to complete (if you are stopping for swims) and it is advised to bring water and food with you (we bought neither and struggled) as well as appropriate footwear (we wore flip flops - worst idea) as the rocks can get slippy. It is untouched nature at its best and for an added bonus it is also free (except the boat ride at the beginning which costs 1 OMR).

If you are making the trip down to Wadi Shab and looking for somewhere to stay, your best bet is Wadi Shab Resort. A mere 5 minutes away from the wadis, its cheap and cheerful and a perfect resting place. Each guest is given a large room with clean bathroom and terrace out the front. The pool is small (and slightly warm!) but there are sun beds and great views of the skyline and beach from the pool side. With one cafe, buffets are popular but the food is decent, and fills you up before the trek - for more info visit: http://wadishabresort.com/. Please note that the staff speak very little English, so head to reception if you have any queries - they are extremely helpful.

If you have time to squeeze in one more thing, head to the Sink Hole. Roughly 15 minutes away from the hotel, the big sink is a natural watering hole where anyone can go for a swim. Situated in the Hawiyat Najm Park, on the road between Dibab and Bimmah (slightly closer to Dibab) it is also a free attraction and a great site to see.

The Shangri - La - Muscat, Oman

The Shangri-La, situated the other side of Mutrah (Old Town Muscat) from the Chedi, offers completely new experiences with whiter sand, taller cliffs, more mountains and more wildlife. The Shangri-La is an impressive resort with three hotels on its premise, all three specializing in a different holiday experience. Al Waha is the dedicated Family hotel and the largest of the bunch. We had a room here during our stay and even though the hotel was largely kid orientated, the layout was well kept, the rooms were spacious with thick walls (no noise traveled which was great!) and the pools were big. The restaurants on the other hand were mainly focused on feeding children, with the more upmarket eateries based in the other hotels. However, the beauty of a large resorts means you can leave you hotel to dine in another, and luckily the other hotels have a large variety of cuisines on offer. There were many methods of transport linking up each hotel, my favorite being the lazy river which ran between Al Waha and Al Bandar. Alternatively there are shuttle buses and plenty of pathways as well as the beach of course.

We only visited Al Bandar a few times, mostly to dine and swim. A number of pools also dominate the grounds at Al Bandar surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars. There is a jacuzzi  and in pool chairs to keep cool in the sun. This hotel is the focal point of the resort and is the base for all food, wine and entertainment, as well as the place you go to indulge in various water sports.

Al Husn is the last and most luxurious hotel of the bunch. Sat on the cliff, it offers great views of the mountains behind and the sea in front. The hotel has its own 100 meter private beach, as well as a specialized Turtle Beach where visitors can see the babies hatching from their shells at certain times of year. Its not a kid friendly hotel and children under the age of 16 can not use the pool or beach, however, like the rest of the hotel, they are free to use the facilities elsewhere.

In total, there are 14 restaurants, seven cafes and pool bars, and six lounges and bars all offering dining options from tradition Middle Eastern cuisines to Brazilian Steaks, Italian pizzas and various snacks. We ate at Bait Al Bahr which offers up amazing local seafood - a brilliant setting on a decked out terrace over looking the beach, its a great place to go on a cooler night in order to take full advantage of the terrace and the views. In between Al Waha and Al Bandar, its peaceful and relaxing. The food is great, with a large selection and the staff are helpful and accommodating. We also dined at Capri Court which was a lot smaller, yet a lot more swanky than expected. The food was proper Italian  and we dined on a mixture of Foie Gras, Seafood and a massive meat platter - it was exquisite! According to the concierge, the top restaurants are Sultanah or Shahrazad, both situated in Al Husn Hotel and both need to be booked 24hr in advance.

For me though, the best thing about this part of the coast line is the water related activities. Take advantage of this and make sure you take a trip to either go dolphin watching or snorkeling. The cliffs look amazing from the sea, and the coast is covered in secret beaches and great snorkeling spots. Muscat is also apparently a great place to dive, and luckily The Shangri-La has a center on site.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hotel and for the first time in a while, i didn't think I could get bored of the place if I'd stayed a few days long - loads to do, loads to see and great value for money.