The Beauty of Arabia's Lore Comes to Four Seasons Hotels Dubai

Who was the first to attempt human flight? Hint: “The Wright Brothers” is the wrong answer. Abbas Ibn Firnas, an Arabian inventor, achieved a glorious ten-minute glide over Yemen’s Jabal Al Arus, setting his place in history as a true pioneer of flight. Ibn Firnas’s flying machine diagrams, so prolific for their time, went on to influence 20th century aviation engineering.

Countless achievements by Islamic and Arabian scholars have traversed history to influence the modern world. Al Khawarizmi’s invention of algebra, Ibn Battuta’s relentless travels and map-setting, the Sufis of Yemen’s invention of coffee brewing, and Ibn Sina’s pioneering of mental-health treatments are but some of the contributions that echo on today.

Inspired by Arabian folklore and Islamic ingenuity, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Four Seasons Hotel DIFC welcome the Holy Month with experiences rooted in tradition. Dubai’s residents and visitors are invited to immerse in Arabesque glory, with Iftars worthy of Ziryab’s banquets, Suhoor under the same stars that shone on the Bedouins and spa experiences as meditative as a desert sunset.

The Beauty of Connecting Over Iftar – Suq, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

As the sun sets, the sense of camaraderie and connection is unlike any other. It isn’t just bread being broken, but the barriers between everyone congregated around the table. The world has shifted, yet the sentiment of breaking the fast remains the same over a thousand years on. 

Suq serves culinary treasures with influences that span the entire breadth of Islamic geography, from the shores of the Gulf to the islands of Indonesia and the seas of Andalusia and Sicily.

The chefs here pay special respect to tradition, spreading their recipes across a sumptuous buffet that has become a Dubai favourite over the years. At the verdant terrace that evokes the feel of a sultan’s garden, a three-piece band graces the ears of diners with strums and hums from days past.

• AED 410 per person, includes buffet, house water, Ramadan juices, Arabic coffee and Moroccan tea

• AED 205 per child aged 6 to 11 years, complimentary for children below 5 years of age

• AED 395 per person, available for group bookings (15-29 guests)                           

• Timing: Sunset to 10:00 pm

Shisha is available on the terrace, starting from AED 210.

• Timing: Sunset to 8:00 pm

A Feast of Poetry and Flavour – Iftar at Shai Salon, Four Seasons Resort Dubai

Omar Khayyam, renowned for his prowess in both poetry and mathematics, wove verses that mirror the depth and beauty of glorious Iftar flavours. His timeless creation, the Rubaiyat, composed of quatrains filled with reflections on life and love, resonates with the complexity of the rich feast at Shai Salon.

As guests partake in this feast, Khayyam's legacy serves as a reminder of the profound intertwining of poetry and the sublime beauty of gatherings during the sacred ritual of breaking fast in Ramadan.

• AED 300 per person, includes five-course set menu, house water, Ramadan juices; minimum for 2 persons

• AED 150 per child aged 6 to 12 years; children below 6 years dine with compliments

• Timing: Sunset to 9:00 pm

Traditions that Transcend Borders – Iftar at MINA Brasserie, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC

An ode to Ziryab, an Islamic musician who was said to have invented the three-course meal and pioneered the use of a tablecloth circa 789-857, MINA Brasserie’s Iftar is the perfect convergence of East and West.

Here, amid the hustle and bustle of the financial centre, colleagues and culinary enthusiasts can connect over inspired creations such as the Seared Foie Gras and Hummus and the Herbed Sea Bass with Couscous.

Celebrity Chef Michael Mina and Executive Chef Rami Nasser have prepared eight special dishes that celebrate the culture of the Middle East while taking inspiration from the western world.

• AED 295 for three courses including Ramadan juices

• Timing: 6:30–8:00 pm

The Night Is Young, The Crescent Is Bright – Suhoor at Penrose Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel DIFC

The intimate botanical terrace of Penrose Lounge overlooks a view of the crescent moon as it adorns the world’s tallest tower. Here, moments of social connection thrive, deep into the eve, as stories are shared, and bonds are strengthened between the best of friends. The strums of the oud remind one of how the Arabian scale of minor keys reverberated across the years, helping give birth to a new rhythm that now transcends all music.

From the sweet and tangy muhammara to the succulent lamb chops grilled to perfection, every dish around the table is a celebration of the rich flavours of the Middle East. Sweet moments are made even sweeter with a Suhoor trolley with aromatic coffee and precious pastries.

• AED 330 including a six-course set menu, shisha, and Arabic coffee trolley

• AED 210 including a six-course set menu

• Timing: 8:30 pm – 2:00 am

Tea Leaves, Treats and Tales of Old – Suhoor at Shai Salon, Four Seasons Resort Dubai

It is said that the Sufis of Yemen were the first to ever brew coffee into a beverage, starting a trend that spurned the rise of the café and subsequently the tea houses that Arabia became famous for. The tradition lives on at this modern-day tea lounge, which overlooks the verdant Four Seasons Resort and the Arabian Sea.

Guests are invited to share delicacies from the Emirates and Arabia, coupled with pastries by the talented Nicolas Lambert, taking moments to savour the calm ambiance of the timelessly elegant Shai Salon.

• À la carte delicacies and pastries

• Timing: 9:00 pm onwards

A Body in Harmony, A Mind at Peace - The Pearl Spa and Wellness Jumeirah, Four Seasons Resort Dubai

Ibn Sina, the father of modern medicine, was among the first to recognize the importance of the mind-body connection. He documented the impact that mental stresses and struggles have on the body, recognizing the importance of mental balance for enduring physical well-being.

In this spirit, The Pearl Spa and Wellness Jumeirah invites guests to find harmony in moments of reflection and self-love. Throughout the Holy Month, wellness-seekers are privy to 20% off on all body treatments at the spa.

• 20% off on all body treatments from 60-minutes onward, excluding massages, throughout the month of Ramadan

• Timing: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Reservations and more information:

• Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach: +971 4 270 7777

• Four Seasons Hotel DIFC: +971 4 506 0000