Cupid’s arrow has struck you and you can’t wait to spend the most romantic day of the year with your better half. But if you’re waiting for inspiration to strike you for some unique date night ideas this Valentine’s Day, look no further! From grand candlelit dinners for hopeless romantics to quirky out-of-the-box ideas for the nontraditionalist, there’s an activity for every kind of couple to bond over this Valentine’s Day in Dubai.
1. Experience the magic of digital art with your love
Art is embedded in the word heart, which makes it only fitting that you and your partner stroll through this stunning digital art exhibition together on Valentine’s Day. The Gaudí, Kandinsky and Klee Immersive Experience is a colourful kaleidoscope of lights, sound and art that you can lose yourself in and. The fact that it lets you experience UNESCO world heritage sites such as Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and quite literally step inside magical paintings, all without leaving Dubai, is an added bonus. Keeping with Valentine’s Day’s theme of two bodies and one soul, the good folk at Infinity Des Lumiere’s have a special buy one get one free deal on tickets to the experience. Two people get to watch a one-of-a-kind art exhibit for the price of one? That’s maths we love.
2. Get wax mould of your hands made and enjoy a guided tour of Madame Tussauds Dubai
Why just hold hands when you can cast them in wax and capture the moment forever in eternity? This stinkin’ cute activity is on offer at Madame Tussauds Dubai and also includes a guided VIP tour or a standard admission to the celebrity wax museum at Bluewaters Island. The 90-minute VIP tour comes with your very own paparazzo in tow, snapping pictures of you and your paramour making you feel like the stars you are in each others’ lives. The star-studded day doesn’t end there. You also get the inside deets of what it takes to cast celebrities in wax during a talk by the studio artists. Later, stroll over to The London Project where a romantic three-course meal of fresh oysters and truffle ravioli and chocolate fondant await you along with stunning views of Ain Dubai.
Price: From AED 1,059 per couple
Date: Offer only valid on Valentine’s Day; February 14
Booking: Click here for reservations
3. Paint a picture over a romantic dinner with your partner
Love is more than seeing red this Valentine’s Day at Jones the Grocer in the Emirates Golf Club. The artisanal gourmet eatery is encouraging lovebirds to get colourful with a ‘Paint and Dine’ experience for Valentine’s Day. This imaginative offer includes a three-course dining experience with, sharing platters, wine, and specially curated cocktails and a live Latin band to set the mood. The art experience on-site will be conducted by Artfem.
Price: AED 1050 per couple with painting
Date: February 14; from 7:30pm to 10pm
4. Make movie night a luxurious affair at the Paramount Hotel Dubai
A movie and a dinner is a date night experience as old as time. It gets a glamorous cinematic twist at Paramount Hotel’s screening room with their special ‘To The Stars’ package for Valentine’s Day. You can rent out the entire venue to watch a movie of your choice accompanied by a customised dinner experience and bottle of champagne to toast to your love. The offer is valid until February 28, so you can even plan a post-Valentine’s Day treat to truly surprise your sweetheart and maybe even propose. Watching a rom-com while making your own? It doesn’t get any cuter.
Price: AED 2500
Date: Until February 28
Bookings: Call or WhatsApp 055 180 7559 or email restaurants@paramounthotelsdubai.com
5. Share your love story to enjoy free dessert at Moreish to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dubai
Everyone one loves a good meet-cute story. Even the most curmudgeonly of us that hate the commercialisation of hearts, chocolates and teddy bears. Moreish, the cosy homegrown vegan restaurant in Mankhool will trade you your love story for something as sweet if not sweeter – dessert. Dine in with your partner on Valentine’s Day at Moreish, take a couple picture along with your meal, post in on Instagram along with the tale of your romance and tag Moreish. Show one of the staff you two are Insta-official and dessert is absolutely free!
Booking: Call 04 5910441
6. Cuddle up with a movie under the stars at this Bavarian pub
You and your special someone can cosy up at this outdoor movie night hosted by Ernst, the authentic Bavarian beer garden at 25hours Hotel. Their terrace, which offers some insanely good views of the glittering Burj Khalifa, will turn into an open-air cinema tonight and screen romantic movies. The warm glow of love should heat things up but just in case, there’ll be special wintery drinks on offer as well as an from the a la carte or snack menus, including sharing platters starting from AED 120.
Date: February 14; from 6pm to 12am
Bookings: Call 04 2 102 511 or email dubai@ernstbiergarten.com
7. Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Dubai with an afternoon tea amidst the clouds
You get to raise the bar quite literally on love with SLS Hotel’s romantic afternoon tea for Valentine’s Day. Take your love to new heights with this sophisticated treat at the S Bar that’s perched on the 71st floor of the hotel tower. Dizzying views of the city coupled with the giddiness of love are a heady combo. Throw into that mix artisanal tea, savoury finger foods and a glass of fizz (for an extra AED 55) and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable Valentine’s Day.
Price: AED 195 per person
Date: Until February 17; from 3pm to 4pm
Booking: Call 04 6070737 or email slsdining.dubai@slshotels.com
8. Relax with a blissful couples spa
True love is all about feeling at peace. Ditch all the stress of the everyday rat race and take a moment to be present with each other with Adress Fountain Views’ Valentine’s Bliss Spa package. You and your loved one will be pampered with a 90-minute bespoke massage, a complete tailor-made treatment to address your wellness needs so all your cares and worries will fly out the window. Partners will also receive a gift box including a sleep set to take home followed by access to the hotel’s Valentine’s Afternoon Tea set in the Lobby Lounge.
Price: AED 1,980 per couple
Date: From February 14 to 22; from 12pm to 9pm
Booking: Call 0 4 245 8866 or email spa.adfvh@addresshotels.com
9. Go on an elegant picnic with your Valentine
And we’re not just talking about any odd picnic with a humdrum wicker basket and a plaid blanket. We’ve discovered a unique picnic service (how Dubai) named Lily’s Picnic that pulls out all the stops when it comes to picnics and outdoor escapes in the city. They’ll scout for the perfect location – from beaches and public parks to even indoor venues – help you choose the food and set up decorations, flowers, the whole nine yards.
Booking: Visit https://lilyspicnics.com/
10. Go glamping at an elegant desert camp
The roving desert restaurant and safari experience has an oasis of romance stored up for Valentine’s Day. Twinkling fairy lights set up, a lounge to watch the sunset in the desert on top of a sand dune and a menu featuring a blend of seasonal and traditional dishes, such as the seven-hour slow-cooked Madfoon with Yemeni spices, are on the list. What makes this a unique experience whose memories the sands of time can’t wash away are exhilarating entertainment acts – you can experience a camel ride inside the camp, a live musician will set the mood, and enjoy falconry and fire shows so add some thrills to your Valentine’s Day in Dubai.
Price: AED 590 per person
Booking: Call 050 3367909 or email info@sonara.ae