DUBAI
CHECKIN:FORM HOTEL
Just a 10-minute drive from Dubai
International Airport, in the
downtown area of Al Jaddaf,
this newly opened hotel is far from
the gaudy kind of luxury you’ve
come to expect from Dubai. It has
a decidedly restrained aesthetic
and at just 136 rooms, it’s
considered boutique by the city’s
standards. The in-house restaurant
has a refreshing focus on seasonal
and minimally processed foods,
or you can go all when-in-Rome
with a curated tour of the local
foodie favourite spots.
designhotels.com***
LOCAL FAVOURITES
With Tom Arnel (@tomarnel),
a Dubai-based
Australian restaurateur.
BREAKFAST
You have to experience a Dubai
brunch, it’s completely different to
how we do brunch in Australia.
My pick is Coya.
COFFEE
Encounter Coffee Roastery at
The Sum Of Us Café. Barista Jamie
Elfman brought the Melbourne
coffee culture to Dubai.
RESERVATION
Bistro Des Arts, the best French
restaurant in town. Makes you feel
like you’ve disappeared to Paris
for an evening.
CHEAP EAT
Ravi Restaurant, an eatery that
dishes up some of the best Indian
and Pakistani food in Dubai.
CULTURE FIX
The Louvre in Abu Dhabi as they
showcase historically significant art
from the Louvre in Paris.
GET OUT
Dune Bashing in the desert – so
fun! Or Dubai’s secret beaches.ELOCAL FAVOURITES
According to fashion stylist
and blogger Tina Leung
(@tinaleung).
BREAKFAST
Order any of the meals with
scrambled eggs at Australia Dairy
Company. Or any local places in
my neighbourhood, Happy Valley.
COFFEE
Omotesando Koffee on Lee Tung
Avenue in Wan Chai.
RESTAURANTS
Sevva, Duddell’s or The
China Club.
CHEAP EATS
A gai dan zai (egg waffle) either
alone, or with condensed milk,
peanut butter and lots of sugar.
DRINK
Please Don’t Tell (PDT) bar at The
Landmark Mandarin Oriental.
CULTURE FIX
I love going to Man Mo Temple.
It’s easy to get to, gorgeous inside
and there’s a fortune teller there
who’s quite accurate.
GET OUT
Try hiking. HK has the best trails.
GETTING AROUND
The MTR is super-clean and
efficient. Or take a tram or ferry
Words: Elle McClure; Ciara Rickard; Brianna Kovan; Holly Swayne. Photography: Joaquin Ponce deLeon; Axel Jageneau; Nick Bayntun; Patrick Michael Chin; Adrian Gaut; Ramon C Purcell Photography; Benoitlinero; Laure Joliet; Eric Staudenmaier; Simon Brown; Matteo Carcelli; Verko Photographyfor a real taste of Hong Kong.
LOCAL
KNOWLEDGE:
Astay at Hong
Kong’s Tuve means
you’ll skip the
touristy sceneDISCREET DUBAI:
Form Hotel is an ode to
minimalism and
restrained luxury