Eating out in this city\u00a0can get really expensive but we all use our Entertainer apps, right? Not one Lovin Dubai member of staff who didn’t even know of it’s existence until about three weeks ago…now she’s addicted! In honour of her utter ignorance we decided to go through the apps and pick our favourite deals…because it can all get a bit overwhelming and we do wonder if we don’t get round to using the really good ones!<\/p>\n
\u00a0Here’s a quick run through, if like our colleague…you’ve been living under a rock…<\/p>\n
The Entertainer: a brief introduction<\/h3>\n
In its original form\u00a0The Entertainer was\u00a0a big\u00a0book of\u00a02-for-1 vouchers for restaurants and\u00a0leisure\u00a0attractions\u00a0valid from the first day of\u00a0January\u00a0to 30\u00a0December of every year, excluding public holidays (which is why 31 December is out;\u00a0and Valentine’s Day is off the table too).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since the operation first kicked off in 2001 it’s\u00a0grown\u00a0from just one\u00a0book\u00a0devoted to Dubai\u00a0into\u00a045 products\u00a0that cover 40 destinations in over 15 countries. Just in Dubai\u00a0you’ve got your general Dubai tome, the Fine Dining edition, the Dubai\u00a0Body\u00a0instalment, the Travel edition\u00a0and the Kids version; all of which come as apps as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n that cash adds up, yo<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The deal is you purchase the book (AED 495 for the general Dubai guy or\u00a0the Fine Dining edition; AED\u00a0395 for the Dubai Body book; and AED 375 for the kid-friendly book) or the corresponding product via the\u00a0app\u00a0and it basically pays for itself provided you do end up\u00a0using\u00a0a voucher or two by the time the year runs out.\u00a0<\/p>\n Money, money, money.\u00a0Moooooneh!<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n With the exception of the Travel edition,\u00a0every outlet featured in a\u00a0book\u00a0gives you three\u00a0vouchers\u00a0although some places will give you\u00a0more than three\u00a0on the app. For dining,\u00a0you and a guest\u00a0get a complimentary main course when you order a main of equal or greater value.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just a note:\u00a0This whole 2-for-1 thing works best for couples who like to eat out and are at that stage in their relationship where they’re past the point of trying to impress one another by paying full-price for a lavish meal.\u00a0Single? Unfortunately, the rules dictate that you have to be at least a party of two to use a voucher. So make sure to\u00a0go with a friend or two.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether you’re single or part of a duo, these vouchers are perfect for\u00a0group dining.\u00a0You can use up to four vouchers when you dine out\u00a0as a group provided you don’t do that annoying thing where everyone\u00a0asks for separate bills.\u00a0You’re meant to present your vouchers\u00a0prior to asking for the bill, but we’d advise you to\u00a0ask about using The Entertainer before you order\u00a0since some special menu items aren’t part of the deal. And nobody likes getting blindsided, especially when it comes to food.<\/p>\n When you’re eating out with a group this big, don’t\u00a0ask for separate bills, dammit!<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n For experiences and\u00a0excursions, for example,\u00a0taking the kids out to Atlantis the Palm’s Lost Chambers Aquarium, it’s the same deal: buy one child (or adult) admission and get the other one for free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Now with The Entertainer Body,\u00a0which features\u00a0offers for spas,\u00a0fitness classes, beauty treatments, beach access\u00a0and more, (with ‘more’ including\u00a0things like teeth bleaching and\u00a0botox injections)\u00a0offers can be redeemed with a friend\u00a0or you can buy one treatment and get the second treatment free of charge at a later date. It’s definitely a must for the massage junkies out there.\u00a0<\/p>\n Last but certainly not least, The Entertainer\u00a0Travel version gets you one of two deals: either a complimentary night’s stay or 20% off the best available rates at some top-rated\u00a05-and-4\u00a0star hotels all around the world. This year, you get The Entertainer Travel app for free when you purchase any of the book or app products. Pretty sweet.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n You can watch a brief\u00a0video (featuring a smiley-face bobble-headed man)\u00a0that sums it all up nicely\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fancy an extra night for free\u00a0at Koh Samui’s ultra-luxe\u00a0Akyra Chura resort? Yeah, we thought so…\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Since The Entertainer launched its app in 2013\u00a0the\u00a0consensus is that the\u00a0app is the way to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n For one, the apps are all AED\u00a050 cheaper than the book versions. It’s also a lot lighter to carry your smartphone\u00a0than to to lug around\u00a0a 600-\u00a0or 700-page publication\u00a0and that mobility\u00a0gives you a\u00a0measure of spontaneity with the app you just can’t\u00a0get with the books.\u00a0<\/p>\n You also get monthly offers with the app that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.<\/p>\n AAAAAND, the app keeps track of how much you’ve saved. Can you imagine the warm fuzzy feeling you’ll\u00a0get when you see those savings\u00a0stacking up on the screen? \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ooooh, there’s also the seamless technology benefit of having the app integrated with both Uber and TripAdvisor.\u00a0<\/p>\n And contrary to popular belief,\u00a0you can still pass on the savings to\u00a0friends and family via the app by ‘pinging’ it to them.\u00a0The ability to spread the love, whether its via the app or the books, is\u00a0key because unless you really, really<\/em> like\u00a0a place enough to visit it on\u00a0more than three\u00a0occasions\u00a0in one year, you won’t end up using all your\u00a0vouchers unless you go with a large\u00a0group.<\/p>\n The verdict: you should totally app it.\u00a0<\/p>\n the look of delight when you see that the place you’re just about to walk into is featured on the app<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you haven’t gone on a safari trip yet since getting here then you simply must. That’s especially the case\u00a0if you’ve got out-of-towners visiting.\u00a0Dream Night Tours<\/strong>, a top notch tourism outfit, recently signed up with The Entertainer. You can\u00a0get a 2-for-1\u00a0Desert Safari (and they have a variety to choose from including\u00a0and\u00a0overnight, and early\u00a0morning safari, a\u00a0camel trek,\u00a0or transport via\u00a0Hummer). There’s also a 2-for-1 offer on their Hatta Mountain Tour where you can experience some seriously dramatic landscapes (think rock mountains jutting out of the desert and punctuated by dazzling fresh water pools) and maybe fit in a visa run if the need arises. (Just kidding.)<\/p>\n Dune bashing<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The wonderful thing about the Dubai App is that it’s so\u00a0comprehensive. And by that we mean that it includes retail bargains as well. If you like to shop almost as much as you like to eat (we do) then the Dubai App is prefect for you.\u00a0One of the best retail\u00a0deals\u00a0on there is a 20% off of any purchase at\u00a0Magrabi Optical<\/strong>. Considering their massive selection and how it is\u00a0(almost) always sunny in Dubai, the fact that you can get 20% off\u00a0three\u00a0pairs of shades is very cool.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Sunglasses\u00a0\u2014the ultimate accessory\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Dubai is packed to the brim with restaurants but its Italian dining scene is woefully lacking. Luckily\u00a0we found\u00a0Certo<\/strong>, which is hand-on-heart one of the most authentic and delicious Italian spots in town. This gem of an eatery, to be found\u00a0in Dubai\u00a0Media City’s Radisson Blu, has people raving over its seafood linguine, pizza margherita (according to some\u00a0the crust\u00a0is\u00a0‘perfection’) and their shrimp and\u00a0asparagus risotto. But there are plenty of other hits on the main course menu, making it one of the best spots to bust out those 2-for-1 mains vouchers!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Certo is certainly\u00a0a Lovin Dubai\u00a0 fave<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Yes, the largest indoor theme park\u00a0is technically in Abu Dhabi, but it’s still a premier attraction for thrill-seeking\u00a0peeps visiting (or living in) Dubai. If you’re feeling courageous and love going fast, line up to ride Formula Rossa\u00a0\u2014 the world’s fastest rollercoaster (the top speed clocks in at a staggering 240\u00a0km\/hr). Not completely insane?\u00a0There are attractions\u00a0for all ages, including go-karting, simulators, even a teacup ride. Yes, a Ferrari teacup ride. Combine that with\u00a0the\u00a0chance to drive a proper Ferrari\u00a0and a tour of the Galleria\u00a0Ferrari (featuring gorgeous vintage cars)\u00a0and that’s a great day out in our books.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n THE BEACH\u00a0is probably the best thing that happened to JBR\u00a0(apart from it actually being on the beach), and probably the worst too considering all the damn traffic it generates. No matter, we love the mix of cool retail with beachy vibez the area (shopping centre? mall?)\u00a0has going on. And we love the food there. Especially the eats at Busaba Eathai<\/strong>, a\u00a0Thai casual dining\u00a0favourite imported from London. Spend your morning on the beach (or in THE\u00a0BEACH, whatever is your thing), then pop into Busaba for their gorgeous Massaman duck curry and\u00a0get yourself some\u00a0Pad Thai, gratis.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n People in Dubai are mad for brunch, and everyone \u00a0whose been\u00a0raves about the super-classy brunch at the Park Hyatt’s\u00a0Traiteur<\/strong>.\u00a0But it’s not just about brunch, people. You don’t get to try the\u00a0bouillabaisse at brunch.\u00a0You don’t get to take a stab at the\u00a0sous-vide venison loin at brunch. And you certainly won’t get a\u00a0forkful of\u00a0Traiteur’s specialty trofie pasta in a cepe mushroom and chestnut sauce (mmm….) at brunch. Sure, their brunch is delightful, but just think of dinner, especially the free one!\u00a0<\/p>\n Did we mention that Traiteur\u00a0happens to have\u00a0one of Dubai’s most extensive cellar selections to boot?<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Do you like steak? Of all the steakhouses included in\u00a0the FD edition this year, we’d say that\u00a0JW’s Steakhouse<\/strong>\u00a0is at the top of our list,\u00a0edging out\u00a0Prime68<\/strong>, which also happens to be a JW\u00a0Marriot establishment,\u00a0by a tiny\u00a0fraction. Clearly, the folks at the JW\u00a0Marriot (Marquis or otherwise) know their way around a good steak. And good steak sure\u00a0is pricey. Both of these establishments are certainly worth a visit (with vouchers firmly in hand), but the ambience couldn’t be more different: JW’s is incredibly\u00a0old school\u00a0with its\u00a0solid\u00a0dark wood,\u00a0fireplace, and paintings of various\u00a0hunting dogs dotting the walls;\u00a0while Prime68 is\u00a0all\u00a0sleek\u00a0modern\u00a0monochrome.\u00a0<\/p>\n It’s like that movie where Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger are meant to be twins, but it involves steak\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you’ve got a special\u00a0occasion coming up and don’t suffer from motion sickness, bust out the voucher\u00a0for\u00a0Bateaux Dubai<\/strong>, an exquisite\u00a0dinner cruise experience along the creek\u00a0that just oozes glamour and\u00a0romance. It’s amazing for couples celebrating anniversaries, but wonderful for larger groups looking to celebrate something really\u00a0special as well.\u00a0You can book an evening we’ll guarantee you’ll\u00a0remember right\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether you’re a pescatarian or just happen to really, really love seafood, you’ll be chuffed to stumble upon the vouchers for Salmontini<\/strong>, which is undeniably one of the best seafood restaurants in Dubai. This Belgravia import does salmon every which way: smoked, roasted, grilled, in a sushi roll, not in a sushi roll. But the kicker is that the rest of their food is heavenly as well, with special accolades going to all of their sushi (not just the salmon) and their steaks. What’s even tastier is that one of you will eat for free.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ok, maybe that’s a bit too much salmon<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Another awesome fine\u00a0dining find you’ll see exclusively\u00a0on the app via the monthly deals feature\u00a0is the\u00a0offer for\u00a0El Sur’s\u00a0Friday Tapas Lunch<\/strong>,\u00a0which is basically a brunch, but better. Redeem this offer and go for the house bev package and\u00a0you’ll\u00a0net\u00a0savings of about AED 400.\u00a0Since this is one of Dubai’s superior (possibly even\u00a0best)\u00a0Spanish eateries, you defo have to go for this. Oh, and this ‘monthly’ offer lasts till 30 December. Buy one main course get one free offers are also available\u00a0on the fine dining app and hard copy\u00a0book.<\/p>\n If there’s one thing that living in Dubai gets you used to, it’s getting preened and pampered. And wanting to look really, really good. Whether you’re a lady or a gent, if you live in Dubai you probably\u00a0love your spa\u00a0treatments,\u00a0mani-pedis, and personal training sessions. Fully aware of the Dubai-dweller’s desire to both\u00a0look and feel his or her best, the folks at The Entertainer put together a Body book.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Again, there’s a wealth of amazing offers to choose from, but here are few of the best deals you’ll find…<\/p>\n In Dubai, it’s a cardinal sin to be seen in sandals without a\u00a0pedicure, so nail salons are in abundance. And they’re all\u00a0pretty great\u00a0\u2013 the hygiene standards are unassailable; the nail\u00a0technicians usually\u00a0know what they’re doing; and if you book in advance, you can get your hair trimmed, dyed and blown out while simultaneously getting mani-ed and pedi-ed.\u00a0<\/p>\n That said, there are nail spas and then there’s The <\/em>Nail Spa<\/strong> While The Entertainer Body 2016 can’t get you a ‘Spa-rty’ for free, it can get you twofers for their Classic mani-pedi, their deep\u00a0pressure Back-and-Neck Reviver Massage, and their Absolute Radiance Facial. Why is this such a fab\u00a0deal? Well, since the massage and facial are 30-minute in-chair treatments,\u00a0you can do all three at once!<\/p>\n it’s a spa-rty!<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you’ve got a bit more time on your hands and desperately\u00a0(or not so desperately, whatever)\u00a0need to decompress, look no further than the\u00a0Anantara Spa\u00a0offers in the Body 2016 editions. The spa therapists at this\u00a0hotel resort \u00a0know\u00a0what they’re doing (it is<\/em> a Thai luxury\u00a0resort\u00a0brand after\u00a0all), so there’s no excuse not to test out their heavenly Anantara Signature Massage. Twice.\u00a0Or share the love with\u00a0a good\u00a0friend.<\/p>\n![\"Piggy](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/Piggy-Bank2.jpg?mtime=20160309143928\")
So how do I\u00a0use it?<\/h3>\n
![\"Walter](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/walter-white-money.jpg?mtime=20160309122200\")
![\"01](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/01-friends-dinner-w724.jpg?mtime=20160309144443\")
![\"Akyra](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/Akyra-Samui_Poolsuite2.jpg?mtime=20160309145822\")
To book it or app it?<\/h3>\n
![\"Bigstock](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/bigstock-Happy-Man-Surprised-Looking-At-66066406-e1411590128148-605x358.jpg?mtime=20160309121819\")
And now for 15\u00a0of the hottest deals off The Entertainer 2016 range at the moment…<\/h3>\n
1.\u00a0Safari adventures for the fam (and friends) courtesy of the Dubai Kids App and the Dubai App<\/h4>\n
![\"Url\"](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/url_160309_184002.jpg?mtime=20160309184001\")
2. Use the Dubai App to get\u00a020% off your next pair of shades (or specs, or lenses)<\/h4>\n
![\"Img](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/img_54f7f6f12aef6.png?mtime=20160310200732\")
3. One of Dubai’s best Italian joints (Dubai App)<\/h4>\n
![\"Certo](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/certo-italian-restaurant-dubai-2.jpg?mtime=20160310194615\")
4. Got a\u00a0need for speed? 2-for1 tix to\u00a0Ferrari World (Dubai App)<\/h3>\n
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/blue-and-yeller_1749870i.jpg?mtime=20160310202524\")
<\/figure>\n5. Craving\u00a0Thai in JBR? Pull out that\u00a0Dubai App<\/h4>\n
![\"Busaba\"](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/BUSABA.jpg?mtime=20160315221046\")
<\/figure>\n6.\u00a0The upscale\u00a0brasserie on the Fine Dining App<\/h4>\n
![\"Exh322](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/EXH322-Traiteur-Restaurant_A.jpg?mtime=20160309212432\")
7.\u00a0Carnivore heaven(s) on the Fine Dining App<\/h4>\n
![\"Jw](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/jw-steak-house-dubai-pic1.jpg?mtime=20160309212836\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Ncs](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/NCS_modified20151027132714MaxW640imageVersiondefaultAR-301319995.jpg?mtime=20160309212842\")
8.\u00a0The Love Boat on the Fine Dining App<\/h4>\n
![\"47573Alsh3Er\"](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/47573alsh3er.jpg?mtime=20160310003116\")
<\/figure>\n9.\u00a0Did someone say salmon?\u00a0(Fine Dining App)<\/h4>\n
![\"Ncs](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/NCS_modified20151027122915MaxW640imageVersiondefaultAR-140229327.jpg?mtime=20160309215053\")
10. Tap into Dubai’s finest Tapas\u00a0(Fine Dining App)<\/h4>\n
![\"Tapas](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/tapas_alt-660x400_160310_191813.jpg?mtime=20160310191812\")
<\/figure>\nNow for the body bit<\/h3>\n
11.\u00a0Express TLC (Dubai Body App)\u00a0<\/h4>\n
![\"3X](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/3xHmvzzpNc98iuqG7EYjZN-1.jpg?mtime=20160309230649\")
12. The ultimate\u00a0Dubai Body\u00a0pampering experience\u00a0<\/h4>\n
![\"Hammam](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/hammam-facility.jpg?mtime=20160310162611\")
![\"Merchant](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/merchant_profile_-hero-_image_slide.1_retina.png?mtime=20160310000321\")
![\"Url](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/url-1.jpg?mtime=20160310192023\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Imgres\"](\"https:\/\/cloud.lovindubai.com\/images\/uploads\/2016\/03\/_blogWide\/imgres_160310_011208.jpg?mtime=20160310011207\")