You know those weeks…when work is a pain in the behind, your other half is doing your head in and even the dog is annoying you. All you want to do is escape, run away for a full day with a mate or two and forget your woes. Well, throwing a sickie is one of the best ways to do it (so we hear, not that we’ve done it or encourage it) you’re still getting paid, you haven’t eaten into ‘your’ and there’s that feeling of rebellion that keeps you on a high all day.

But Dubai isn’t a huge place, so the skive needs to be planned carefully, think places that are far out, have hiding places…the sort of place no one is going to catch you. Need some ideas? You’re welcome…

10. Sega Republic

Once you’ve sneaked into Dubai Mall, head to Sega Republic for two floors of rides, amusements, arcades, simulators, video and redemption games. There’s over 76,000 square feet of fun…that’s plenty of room to hide…we recommend spending some time in the world’s tallest and largest indoor slide!

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9. Hint Hunt

Remember Crystal Maze? No? It was a game show, where a team member was shut in a room and given a few minutes to complete a puzzle to win a crystal and escape the room. Hint Hunt is basically the real life version of the show. Get a team of three to five people and head to the Time Square Center setting and you get 60 minutes to solve a set of puzzles and mysteries in a tiny room. The goal is simple…you have to complete the challenges to be allowed out of the room. No one will catch you skiving in a locked room!

8. iFLY Dubai

We love a skydive in Dubai…not quite ready for a full on outdoor one? Try the indoor type at iFLY at City Centre Mirdif. Get kitted out in the full suit and helmet (no one will recognise you in that) and enter the wind tunnel and get ready to float on thin air…

7. Theatre by Rhodes at Vox Cinemas

For the perfect secret chill out, head to the dark space that is VOX at Mall of the Emirates to catch a new blockbuster, make the experience even more special by treating yourself to a full on Michelin-standard dinner and waiter service at Theatre by Rhodes. Think: menu created by Michelin star chef Gary Rhodes, exclusive lounge for guests, reclining seats with adjustable foot rest, blanket and pillow and in-cinema waiter service with a call button on your seat…bliss!

6. Talise Spa – Burj Al Arab

The best place not to be seen…is somewhere so exclusive that you can’t get in without an invite. Enter: Burj Al Arab. Your taxi can’t even get across the bridge if your name’s not on the list. Get your name on the list by booking into the luxurious Talise Spa. Choose from massages or facials or chill by the pool and check out one of the best views of Dubai.

5. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa

Just a 40 minute drive from Dubai city centre, this desert oasis is the perfect place to escape. Inside the walls of the resort (which is surrounded by stunning sand dunes) are shaded courtyards, walkways and water features, not to mention a beautiful pool and an array of restaurants that serve delicious food…our favourite is the Le Dune Pizzeria (it’s even on Entertainer). No one will find you at Bab Al Shams …unless they’re on a ‘duvet day’ too.

4. Noire at Fairmont Dubai

It’s not just during the day you need time off work stuff, sometimes you need to get out of working late or that client dinner that you just can’t face. Don’t fancy just staying in and watching Netflix? Well, what could work better than dinner at a restaurant that is enveloped in darkness? There’s not a chance that the boss will see you in the pitch black of Noire…the food is served in total darkness to heighten your sense of taste.

3. Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo

Make it the most exciting day off ever by jumping into a 10-million litre aquarium and have a little swim with some sharks. Snorkel masks or underwater helmets mean that your boss could even walk past you at Dubai Aquarium on their lunch break and still not recognise you! Choose from the numerous diving, shark walking or snorkelling in a cage options to give your day off a bit of bite!

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2. Aquaventure Waterpark

All those tunnels, slides and of course, the lazy river, makes Aquaventure at Atlantis The Palm the perfect place to hide out when you’re pulling a sickie. Need a rest from all the wave machines and water rides…head to the secluded beach and take a dip in the sea or pay that bit extra for a dolphin encounter…you’ll never want to go back to work again!

1. Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa

Want utter luxury with your chilled out day off? Look no further than our number one spot on this list…just under an hour from Downtown Dubai. Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa is a familiar amongst the ‘Best in the World’ lists that the likes of Tripadvisor loves to roll out. With everything from luxurious swimming pools, spa, a conservation reserve, falconry, epic sand dunes, jeep safaris, horse riding and delicious food options…you might be tempted to stay over and take that second sick day.

Now read: Top Ten Places for a Boozy Daytime Catch Up