My last few days in Abu Dhabi were perfectly relaxing – just what I needed.

My trip there mostly involved  lots of time by the pool, gym, shopping, waterpark rides, movies and the most wonderful brunch at the Emirates Palace. Ok, that probably doesn’t sound very relaxing at all. I always feel I need to make the most of every second during my break, with chill time squeezed in too of course :).

If you’re thinking of travelling to Abu Dhabi, the best malls to go shopping are the Abu Dhabi Mall (downtown) and Marina Mall (by the corniche) which is a bit more grand and fancy.

We decided to have a movie marathon there, and went to the cinema 3 times back-to-back (we’re kind of movie junkies if you can tell), with shopping time in between. After being offshore for 5 weeks, it makes me soo happy to just be able to switch off my brain and sit in a cinema with a huge bucket of salty popcorn. So I kind of got it all out the way in one day :p.

The latest X-Men blockbuster is as action-packed and exciting as they come. Fault in Our Stars is probably one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen. I seriously challenge you to watch it and not shed a tear. I had a big ball in my throat for the last hour, both my sister and I had our packets of tissues out blubbing away.. so cliche but it was just so sad!

To fuel us through our movie marathon (and the fact that it was Ramadan so no restaurants were open) we had a spontaneous trip to the Emirates Palace for brunch. This also made me very happy. The hotel is owned by Kempinski, it’s 7 stars and cost almost 4 billion UKP to build! Crazy.

So it shouldn’t be surprising that this hotel is insanely huge, grand and majestic in every way. It’s actually overwhelmingly large, a maze of high-ceiling rooms, halls and corridors glistening with golden hues and shiny marble. We got lost several times.

Upon entering the restaurant, all the beautiful food, with a separate seafood room and dessert room was making me giddy with joy. I was also absolutely starving.

Like most of the hotels in Abu Dhabi, they sure know how to set up a decent buffet.

I really want to try re-creating the stuffed peppers with ricotta and salmon tartare. It was so fresh and ticks all the ‘clean eating’ boxes which is a win.

The restaurant was pretty empty due to it being Ramadan, so we pretty much had the entire buffet to ourselves :).

The seafood room..

And my favourite, the dessert table! I prefer savory than sweet, but it all was just too pretty for words!

I wanted to have it all, I didn’t know what to choose! So I was rushing back and forwards, hands flying and eyes darting like a mad woman. You would’ve though I’d never stepped foot in a restaurant before!

I think that’s what a lack of snacks between breakfast and lunch does to you.

And possibly being on a boat for 5 weeks.

We actually paid another visit to the hotel the following night for dinner at one of my favourite restaurants, Hakkasan. I’ll tell you all about that very soon!

It’s a pretty spectacular hotel, and if you’re ever in Abu Dhabi I definitely recommend it. Their spa is also meant to be one of the best in UAE. Sadly I couldn’t go because it’s currently under renovation, but I’m going to make sure I get there next time!