Latest news with #Dhs63
What's On
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- What's On
Review: BrewDog at Bluewaters Island Dubai
Founded in 2007 with a mission to make delicious craft beer, BrewDog now has more than 100 pubs around the world and has finally landed in Dubai to splash their considerable cash on a giant temple of hops on Bluewaters Island. Brewdog – exterior It's reported that BrewDog plan to open eight pubs in Dubai before 2030, and this 'industrial chic' outpost is the brand's impressive Middle East debut. Announcing their arrival with a loud woof, BrewDog has elbowed its way into a prime corner plot on the promenade under Ain Dubai. Fronted with a huge blue neon sign, BrewDog sprawls across two floors and gives patrons superb views of the city from its terraces. BREWDOG – Darts Visiting on a Wednesday night, we were greeted by a lively musical duo rattling through violin and guitar covers of pop hits. We suggest you keep moving however, past the augmented reality dartboards, to the more inviting bar upstairs and by 'inviting' we mean darker and quieter. Flop into a squishy Chesterfield booth and browse the 11 brews on the Daily Draft menu, which has intriguing tasting notes such as milkshake, hazy and mango. Prices range from Dhs50 for 500ml of BrewDog's crisp and clean Lost Lager to Dhs63 for 330ml of their cult Elvis Juice, a punchy grapefruit IPA. There's no standing on ceremony at BrewDog, service is swift yet friendly. This place is about delivering glasses of quality craft hops to thirsty guests and then letting them get on with it. For a 360 tour of the BrewDog universe, order a flight of any four beers for Dhs125 in stemmed glasses that measure a third of a pint. It may not be your most economical decision of the evening but it allows you to explore the variety of zingy flavours that have made BrewDog a global phenomenon. Putting our glasses down for a moment, BrewDog also does food. A quintet of sublime chicken wings (Dhs55) and a pizza named The Big Pastrami One (Dhs95) paired wonderfully with a pint of Punk IPA described as spiky, bitter and tropical in its tasting notes. Following the likes of Tap House (Downtown, Palm, Dubai Hills) and Goose Island (JBR and JVC), BrewDog continues the city's welcome trend for craft beer pubs that offer guests a wide range of hops far more interesting than the usual mainstream brands. Carry on like this, and BrewDog's billionaire founders will continue to see the cash pour in. BrewDog, Bluewaters Island, Sun to Thur 12pm to 12am, Fri and Sat 12pm to 2am. Tel: 052 956 5688. @brewdogbluewaters WHAT'S ON Verdict: BrewDog is a tail-wagging addition to Dubai's growing craft beer scene. Words: Robert Chilton Images: Supplied > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Gulf Today
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Ajman inaugurates Dhs63m Sheikh Zayed Street Development Project in Al Helio area
As part of the initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman, the Ajman Municipality & Planning Department, in cooperation with Ajman Police, inaugurated the Sheikh Zayed Street Development Project in the Al Helio area. The project spans 2.8 kilometres and has a total cost of Dhs63 million. This project reflects the commitment and dedication of the Ajman Government to achieving a modern infrastructure that keeps pace with the population and urban growth in the emirate. It also contributes to enhancing the quality of life and supporting comprehensive and sustainable development across various regions. The project falls within the efforts of the department to improve and develop the infrastructure of the emirate, in alignment with the objectives of Ajman Vision 2030, which aims to build an integrated and sustainable transportation system. WAM
Time Out Dubai
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
35 fun play areas in Dubai that the kids won't want to leave
Play is how little people make sense of the world and it brings them joy (and parents too when they get some peace and quiet). Luckily, there are loads of play areas in Dubai to take the kiddos to let loose, from adventurous soft play areas to immersive indoor playgrounds, to edutainment spots. Wondering where to take the little ones to fill their free time with maximum fun? Keep reading as these indoor play areas in Dubai are sure to put a smile on your kids' faces. Play areas in Dubai to drop off your kids Jump to: Indoor kids' play areas in Dubai Boo Boo Land (Credit: Boo Boo Land) The play area in Dubai Mall boasts everything you need to keep the kids entertained. Spanning over 25,000 square metres, there are over 30 attractions from a snow park to a princess dress-up area, trampolines and interactive shows. Offering something for ages spanning from babies to teens, get lost in the new playground paradise. From Dhs190. Open daily 10am-11pm. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (050 189 8140). Cheeky Monkeys soft play centres are great places for the kids to let off some steam. Neon-lit slides, mini zip lines, dressing-up areas and ball pits provide endless entertainment. Plus, there's a café serving hot kid-friendly meals and coffee for mums and dads – a must for play areas in Dubai. Dhs63 (one hour play) Dhs35 (every additional hour). Times vary. JBR, Downtown, Palm Jumeirah, Mirdif, Al Ain, Arabian Ranches. (04 276 0011). Kids HQ Less shiny and new than others but still packed with fun – and also at a more affordable price. High-energy kiddos will love running, climbing and jumping as they play on the various slides, in the ball pit and on the trampolines. There is also a dedicated area for the tiniest of fun-seekers with a smaller ball pit and play house. Dhs65 (two hours). Open Mon-Thu 9am-7pm; Fri-Sun 10am-9pm. Umm Suqeim Road, Dubai, (04 548 6626). Koala Kids Credit: Koala Kids This space in Al Quoz is suitable for kids aged two to ten and has plenty to do, split over two levels. With a trampoline park, soft play area with slides, climbing frames and more as well as a digital games area, they'll be fully entertained and the time will fly by. There's a café, too, so grab a coffee and refuel while the little ones have a snack. What's more, tickets are 10 percent off for siblings. Dhs85 (one hour, Mon-Thu, all ages), Dhs125 (one-hour, Fri-Sun). Open Mon-Thu 10am-7pm; Fri-Sun 9am-9pm. Al Quoz, (04 298 8404). Leo&Loona Credit: Leo&Loona Leo&Loona at Dubai Festival City Mall opened in late 2023 and sprawls over 2,200 sq m. There's heaps to get involved in with more than 20 attractions and more than ten creative workshops for kids aged two to ten. Think trampolines, ball pools, climbing walls, pedal go-karts and more. There's also a café, while Leo&Loona hosts kids' masterclasses in bath bombs, slime, cooking and more. Dhs179 (Mon-Fri, full-day pass), Dhs229 (Sat-Sun, full-day pass), free (under twos). Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm; Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Dubai Festival City Mall, (04 237 5454). Little Island (Credit: Supplied) If you've got a little Ethan Hunt in the house looking for their next mission impossible, take them to the soft play area of Adventure Island in City Centre Deira, called Little Island. Little ones aged four to ten years can make their way through padded climbing structures, slides, ball pits, trampolines and sweat it out at interactive zones. Meanwhile tweens and teens have plenty of brilliant activities to check out at this spot. Brought to us by the people behind one of the ultimate indoor adventure playground, TEPfactor, there's everything from Prison Island to laser tag to canopy trails and laser mazes for the older kids to explore. Dhs69 (4-10 years, height restrictions apply). Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm. Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. City Centre Deira, (052 120 0061) Mini Bounce Credit: Mini Bounce This cute play area is ideal for smaller kids and is a more recent addition to the Springs Souk. The open-plan area makes it easy to keep an eye on kids, while there's a huge ball pit, slides and tunnels to climb through, plus, of course, trampolines for them to burn off any extra energy. There's a small music-based space too, plus a large café if you want to refuel after all that jumping – with tickets often having meal deals included. This spot is just for the tots, as the maximum height is 140cm. Dhs80. Open daily 10am-10pm. Springs Souk, Emirates Living, (04 304 9333). This play-and-learn edutainment centre is all about feeding inquisitive little minds. Built around hands-on activities that nurture curiosity, imagination and exploration, OliOli has eight galleries and over 40 interactive exhibits spread over two floors. Each space features artistic, innovative concepts that create a one-of-its-kind educative play experience. From Dhs139 (kids aged 2-16), Dhs69 (kids aged 12-23 months). Open daily 10am-7pm. Al Quoz 1, (04 702 7300). Orange Wheels Little adventurers between the ages of six months to ten years old have free rein to run, jump and explore this soft play destination where they can burn off energy in a safe environment. There are indoor slides, ball pits, role play areas and even arts and crafts. Parents who want to keep an eye on their tots can stick around and kick back in the café with a coffee, plus there are plenty of locations so you're never far from the fun. Dhs115 (two hours).Various locations including Circle Mall, JVC; Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah and Town Centre Jumeirah, Playtorium Credit: Playtorium This chilled out spot in Meadows Village has a large indoor play area with huge slides, climbing frames and even a mini toboggan. There are plenty of places to run around, while there's also a toddlers' area for the under-threes, which is separate, with a smaller slide and plenty of role play areas including a kitchen, supermarket, garage and building site. And right now, there's a special summer offer that allows littles ones to enjoy two hours of playtime for just Dhs63. Dhs80 (one-hour), Dhs110 (two hours). Open daily 9am-10pm. Meadows Village, Emirates Living, (052 838 4116). Ready Steady Go This under-the-sea themed kids indoor play area is the perfect spot for kids this summer. Apart from a range of oceanic adventures to explore, there's also an arts and crafts room, a beauty salon and interactive games to check out. With giant dolphins, starfish and octopuses floating overhead, and a sea of aquatic colours all around, little ones will feel like they've been transported to a mini Atlantis. Dhs99 (two hours, with nuggets or pizza), Dhs150 (day pass). Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm. Sports Society, Mirdiff, @readysteadygouae (04 236 3305). The Green Planet in Dubai's City Walk is a biodome designed to educate kiddos on the dangers facing the world's rainforests. It is an immersive experience, designed to allow its inhabitants to live as they would in the wild, with a broadly diverse ecosystem of creatures and jungle creatures. More than 3,000 exotic animals and plants (including two resident sloths) are housed in the indoor four-storey tropical rainforest. From Dhs155 (adult), Dhs135 (kids aged 2-10). Open daily 10am-6pm. City Walk, Al Safa Street, (800 2629464). This edutainment destination aimed at kids up to 12 promises a fun blend of education, discovery, development and play across 10 themed galleries. Each gallery hosts cool interactive exhibits designed to spark children's curiosity, imagination and innovation whilst delivering clear learning objectives (just don't tell the little ones). Book online to get the ticket for less. From Dhs139 (adult and child). Open daily 10am-7pm. Al Quoz, (800 966466). Best kids playground in parks Al Awir Park The 10,500 square metre park is packed full of swings, slides, open-air fitness equipment, exercise tracks and play areas to keep everyone busy and active. As well as play areas, you can also make the most of green spaces and the jogging tracks. Free. Open 24 hours. Al Awir 2. Al Barari Playground As playground areas go, this one knocks it out of the park. A set-in-nature wonderland for little (and big) adventurers, there are floating bridges to cross, treehouses to explore, cargo nets and giant slides to climb, pirate ships to conquer and water-filled coves to splash around in here. Dhs45 (two hours, Mon-Thu), Dhs58.5 (two hours, Fri-Sun). Open Tue-Sun 8am-8pm. Al Barari. (056 686 7439). Al Khazzan Park Al Khazzan Park might be small but it's got a decent-sized play area for children, this place is a low-key, urban sanctuary There are also picnic benches making it a great place to pack up a lunch box for when hunger strikes. Free. Open Sat-Wed 8am-10pm; Thu-Fri 8am-11pm. Al Safa Street, Satwa (800 900). Al Sufouh Park This park is well-maintained and family-friendly with swings and slides plus areas for football and basketball. Grassy spaces for chilling are also available and Burj Khalifa views. Free. Sun-Wed 8am-10pm; Thu-Sat 8am-11pm. Al Sufouh. Dubai Hills Park Dubai Hills Park boasts swings, slides, monkey bars and cargo net-filled playgrounds which are open to both residents and non-residents and free to use. A sheltered-from-the-sun splash park and wave pool, skate park and ice rink all add to the fun and mean that this park appeals to tweens and teens as well as smaller children. Free. Open 24 hours. Dubai Hills, (04 567 2030). JLT Park Whether you're a JLT-dweller or live a little further afield, should you and the clan be seeking some thrifty, post-school al fresco entertainment, the play areas in JLT Park are well worth a visit. Little ones can enjoy toddler-safe rides, swings and slides, while their older pals burn off energy hurtling along zip lines and scurrying up the large black spider's web climbing frame. Free. Open 24 hours. Cluster P, Jumeirah Lake Towers. Mushrif Park Mushrif Park is a lush forest teaming with wildlife. Kiddos can explore an equestrian centre, running tracks, a swimming pool, sports courts, play areas, a mini global village with traditional houses and more. Dhs10 per car, Dhs3 per person. Open Sun-Wed 8am-10pm; Thu-Sat, 8am-11pm. Al Khawaneej St (04 288 3624). Sustainable City Park Expect all the farm feels at Sustainable City Park. Visitors can feed the ducks, say hello to the donkeys and goats and admire the peacocks strutting about in their enclosed area. After that, challenge the kids to navigate their way through the mini maze and climb to the top of the lookout tower, swing high into the sky on the upcycled tyre swings and have a pretend tea party in the wooden tree house that overlooks the equestrian centre. Free. Open 24 hours. Al Qudra Rd, (04 347 5955). Town Square Park The large grassy expanse (ideal for impromptu sports days and football games), water fountains, super-fun splash zone and good-sized play park with apparatus for different ages mean that you can easily spend a good few hours at Town Square Park. Free. Open Sun-Wed 11am-9pm; Thu-Sat 11am-10pm. Al Quadra Road, (800 674262). Umm Suqeim Park Umm Sequim Park (or Burj Park Beach) has a set-in-the-sand playground area. Pack up a picnic and head here for a play, then make your way across the road for ice cream and sandcastle building. Note that the park is only open to women and children during the week. All family members are welcome at the weekend. Free. Daily 8am-10pm. Jumeriah 3. Best restaurants with indoor play areas Café Confetti Credit: @ As cute and cosy as the name suggests, this pretty little spot in JLT has plenty to keep toddlers and little kids entertained with tepees, a wooden kitchen, toy cars and more. Open daily 8am-9pm. Cluster U, JLT, (04 554 6206). Common Grounds Credit: @_common.grounds_ This cool spot in Nakheel Mall serves brilliant coffee and comes from the team behind Tom&Serg and The Sum of Us. The best thing about this branch, however, is the fact there's an enclosed kids' play area with toys, books, puzzles, games and a doll's house that will keep little ones entertained while you drink your cuppa. Open Sun-Thu 8am-9.30pm; Fri-Sat 8am-11.30pm. Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah, @_common.grounds_ (050 900 1699). Luigia Kids will love the playroom at family-friendly Italian, Luigia. The dedicated space for little ones has soft play toys, a video game machine, arts and crafts options and books, as well as a cosy cinema room. Open Mon-Fri 5.30pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 12.30pm-midnight. Rixos Premium Dubai, JBR, (04 349 6950). Osteria Mario and Shvili Credit: @osteriamario_dxb This restaurant in Dubai Hills Mall has an indoor play area in the centre of the space, boasting a tree house-style hideaway, soft toys, games and more to entertain the kids while you wait for your meal. There are two menus – one Italian and one Georgian, so there's plenty of choice when it comes to food, too. Open daily 9am-1am. Dubai Hills Mall, (052 929 2088). Ribambelle Credit: Ribambelle This fancy restaurant and play area Bluewaters Dubai opened in June 2024 and promises heaps of fun for all ages. Aimed at everyone from toddlers to grandparents, this licensed venue has arts and crafts, a slide and ball pit, quizzes, games and more to make sure your experience is fun-packed. There's a menu that ranges from breakfasts to snacks, mains, salads and more, with a kids menu that houses dishes from shrimp dumplings to chicken quesadillas. Plus there are burgers, pizzas and pastas for the whole fam, too. Open daily 10am-10pm. Bluewaters Dubai, (04 581 5555). Sanderson's Sanderson's looks out over Sustainable City's pretty plaza and is a great place for a wholesome breakfast or lunch. A compact but well-equipped indoor play section complete with a mini kitchen (always a winner for toddlers), wooden toys and games are perfect for smaller children. Open daily 7am-9pm. Diamond Plaza, Sustainable City, (04 580 4597). Tom & Serg There's no need to worry about rushing your flat white or powering through that plate of smashed avo on toast at speed for fear that the kids will soon be causing an uproar at Tom & Serg. Instead, let them pick their meal from the better-than-average children's menu and then amuse themselves in the kids' zone. Open, Mon-Fri 8am-4pm; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm. Al Quoz, (056 474 6812). Mondoux Mondoux is a modern restaurant with great locations in Dubai. It's the perfect mix of refined and casual, with strong European vibes. What's more, they have pretty lovely kids' playroom inside. So your little ones can have as much of a fabulous time as you do while chomping your way through pastries and coffees. Open Mon-Thu 8am-11.30pm, Fri-Sun 8am-12.30pm. The Beach, JBR, (050 137 2814) Best playgrounds in restaurants Maison Mathis Dubailand family favourite Maison Mathis has a small enclosed outdoor play area that certainly offers up enough excitement to keep little people entertained while you enjoy your coffee. The added bonus here is that if you snag yourself an indoor table close to the floor-to-ceiling windows or at just the right spot on the outdoor terrace, you can watch them play from the comfort of your chair. Open daily 8am-1am. Arabian Ranches, (04 450 1313). Phileas Fogg's The large, air-conditioned indoor-outdoor play area at Phileas Fogg's is one of the top playgrounds attached to a restaurant in Dubai. This one is probably best suited to the over-3s and in addition to the swings, slides and climbing apparatus, there's also a cute retro-style carousel. Kids tend to be fascinated by the quirky travel trinkets and ornamental hot air balloons dotted around the place too. Open Mon-Thu noon-1am; Fri-Sun 8am-2am. Address Montgomerie, Emirates Hills, (04 572 4477). Reform Social & Grill When the weather is good, we struggle to think of a better place for families to kick back and chill al fresco than at Reform. You can't go wrong with their classic pub grub, the roasts are great and the kids menu has plenty to offer. In addition to the outdoor playground area, there are also masses of green space for running about. Open daily 8am-midnight. The Lakes, (04 454 2638). The Farm Lots of tropical greenery, swoon-worthy views, a sun-dappled terrace, a tranquil vibe and a health-focused menu – a trip to The Farm for an outdoorsy brekkie or lunch is always likely to please. The grassy lawn to the left of the main building and the kid's climbing frames and swings means that it's not only the adults who will relish their time here. Open daily 7.30am-10.30pm. Al Barari, (04 392 5660). More things to do in Dubai 10 of the best family brunches in Dubai to bookmark for 2025 Mega brunches designed for every family occasion 51 brilliant family days out in the UAE For you and the little ones Planning an exciting day out? Visit these best theme parks in Dubai This might just be your best day out yet
Gulf Today
19-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE records remarkable housing achievements with support exceeding Dhs63 billion
The UAE continues to make remarkable accomplishments in the federal housing sector, enhancing its leadership in urban development and social stability, and strengthening its position among the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life. In H1 2025, the UAE Cabinet approved housing decisions for over 1,838 citizens, totalling Dhs1.2 billion as part of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, which has provided assistance amounting to Dhs63 billion since its establishment to date. More than 93,000 Emirati citizens have benefited from this initiative so far, reflecting the country's commitment to empowering Emirati families and providing suitable housing as one of the key pillars of societal stability. In recent years, the programme has witnessed a series of strategic developments that have enhanced the effectiveness of the housing system, accelerated the process of obtaining housing support, and increased customer satisfaction. Additionally, there has been an expansion in partnerships with the banking sector and financial institutions, in line with the country's focus on financial sustainability and innovation in service delivery. Between 2021 and 2024, the programme achieved remarkable results in terms of performance indicators. The time required to obtain a housing support decision was reduced by more than 50%. The percentage of citizens owning homes increased to 91% - a 17% increase compared to 2017, while private sector funding accounted for 76% of the total, confirming the effectiveness of the adopted financial policies. Customer satisfaction surveys also showed that happiness levels regarding housing services doubled today—an increase of 100% compared to 2021—indicating a significant improvement in the efficiency of the government service system. In this context, the UAE Cabinet has approved a new financing policy for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme extending until 2041. The policy aims to issue 40,000 housing support decisions, divided into four phases. The first phase includes the issuance of 13,000 decisions at an estimated cost of Dhs11.5 billion, effectively doubling the number of annual decisions compared to previous years. This comes as part of the country's efforts to enhance resource sustainability and improve the efficiency of public spending. The new policy is based on an integrated model between the federal government and national banks, contributing to reducing the financial burden on the public treasury while providing flexible financing alternatives for citizens. Additionally, the Ministry launched several regulatory initiatives in cooperation with the Central Bank of the UAE to address challenges associated with implementing the new policy. These include the 'Flexible Loan,' which allows citizens to obtain housing finance that aligns with their financial capabilities, with the possibility of benefiting from the finance gap for up to four years. Another initiative is the 'Reuse of Housing Assistance Value,' enabling citizens to re-utilise the assistance in case their living conditions change. Moreover, the policy includes an 'Exemption of Retirement Contributions from Total Salary,' which enhances the process of assessing monthly income and expands opportunities for obtaining housing support. As part of the government's efforts to streamline procedures, the Ministry launched the 'Manzili' bundle, which was recognised in the Zero Bureaucracy Awards as the Best Team across the UAE Government in the 'Impact on People's Lives' category. The package contributed to reducing the number of entities a customer must deal with from 11 to just one, the number of procedures from 14 to three, and the required documents from 10 to just one. This was made possible through integration and coordination with 28 partner entities, resulting in saving over 9 million working hours, reducing fuel consumption by 55,000 liters, and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 586,000 kilograms—based on calculations for an estimated 5,000 users annually. The Ministry also launched the national platform 'Darak' as a unified window for offering advisory services and construction packages to citizens. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Possibilities, the Social Solidarity Fund for Ministry of Interior employees, and local housing programmes. In a new achievement that reflects the UAE's global standing in the housing sector, the country won the presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and secured membership in its Executive Board. This recognition strengthens the UAE's role in supporting international efforts in housing and sustainable urban planning. UN-Habitat is an international UN agency headquartered in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It works towards a better urban future, with a mission to ensure adequate shelter for all by promoting the sustainable development of human settlements in social and environmental dimensions. UN-Habitat includes a membership of 193 countries from around the world. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, 'Thanks to the directives of the UAE's wise leadership, the country continues to achieve significant milestones in the housing sector. The housing support decisions, during the first half of 2025, reflect the country's unwavering commitment to providing suitable housing for citizens, as it represents a fundamental pillar in the path of comprehensive development.' He added, 'These remarkable achievements are the result of a strategic vision in which government efforts are integrated with the banking sector under the new funding policy, aimed at empowering Emirati families, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring resource sustainability.' He pointed out that the Ministry, in the coming phase, aims to develop innovative housing projects that align with future needs, reinforce principles of sound financial management, and redefine traditional concepts of homeownership—contributing to improved quality of life, family stability, and the social and economic growth of the nation. For his part, Eng. Mohamed Al Mansouri, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, emphasised that these achievements reflect the forward-looking vision of the wise leadership, which places people at the heart of development plans. He noted that the programme is a fundamental pillar in empowering and stabilising Emirati families. He said, 'We continue working to develop a flexible and innovative federal housing system that integrates government and private sector efforts, aligns with citizens' aspirations, and enhances the UAE's global competitiveness in quality of life and urban development indicators.' WAM
Time Out Abu Dhabi
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
Your guide to the rising property prices in Abu Dhabi
House hunting in Abu Dhabi? You might want to start saving a little more aggressively. The capital's property market has just clocked its strongest capital gains in three years, even though sales activity has taken a tumble. That's according to ValuStrat's latest Q1 2025 report, which shows a market surging in value while grappling with a slowdown in transactions. Property values rose by 2.1 percent quarter-on-quarter and a healthy 7.2 percent year-on-year, with the ValuStrat Price Index now sitting at 125.6 points. Villas led the charge with a 9.7 percent annual increase, while apartment prices grew by 4.5 percent over the same period. Villas on Saadiyat Island saw the biggest jump, with prices up by a whopping 21.2 percent year-on-year. Al Raha and Mohammed Bin Zayed City also saw noticeable growth. As for apartments, Al Reef topped the list with a 7.5 percent annual boost, followed by Saadiyat Island and Al Muneera. The average home in Abu Dhabi is now valued at Dhs10,226 per square metre, with apartments averaging Dhs10,979 and villas at Dhs8,407. And it's not just prices that are climbing – rents are surging too. Apartment rental rates rose by 11.6 percent annually, while villa rents grew by 6.3 percent. A typical studio now goes for Dhs63,000 a year, with a one-bedroom hitting Dhs89,000 and a two-bedroom costing Dhs125,000. Larger homes are significantly pricier, with villa rents averaging Dhs245,000 annually. Despite the appetite for homes, the number of new units coming online remains slim. Only 90 apartments and 189 villas were completed in Q1, representing just two percent of the 2025 pipeline. Still, major developers aren't staying quiet. Aldar launched Mamsha Gardens on Saadiyat Island, IMKAN announced Naseem Al Jurf in Ghantoot Taraf teamed up with Marriott International to deliver W Residences on Al Maryah Island. Sales volumes told a different story. Overall transactions fell sharply – down almost 43 percent quarter-on-quarter – with off-plan sales plunging by 79 percent year-on-year. Yet the average home price is on the rise. Ready property prices jumped by nearly 6 percent, with the average ready home now fetching Dhs1,146 per square foot. The average transaction size increased to Dhs2.6 million. In the commercial sector, Abu Dhabi's office market is thriving. Asking rents climbed more than 30 percent over the year, driven by strong demand and high occupancy in central business districts. Retail is holding its own too, with Yas Mall reporting 97 percent occupancy, an 18 percent jump in footfall a 10 percent rise in tenant sales. The hospitality industry continues to shine, with average room rates hitting Dhs683 – a rise of 37 percent year-on-year – and occupancy reaching nearly 87 percent in early 2025. With 5.2 million guests in 2024, Abu Dhabi is firmly on the global tourism radar hotel supply is expected to exceed 50,000 keys by 2030. New entries to watch include the UAE's first Mondrian Hotel in Downtown Abu Dhabi and a new Waldorf Astoria at the former Anantara Eastern Mangroves site. So whether you're buying, renting, investing or just keeping an eye on trends, the message is loud and clear – Abu Dhabi's property market is booming it's not slowing down anytime soon. More going on in Abu Dhabi UAE residents can now save big time on flights thanks to a new Skyscanner feature No complaints here You can now get a robotaxi from Zayed International Airport Trips to the airport just got an upgrade Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted 20 incredibly fun ways to explore Abu Dhabi after dark The city is at its most fascinating once the sun goes down
