This season, Durrah Magazine joined a select press group to experience the 30th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). While Dubai has always been a beacon of luxury, our journey focused on the shift toward experiential “time-wealth”—exploring how the city is captivating a new generation of travelers who value authenticity, community, and frictionless living.
The Home Base: Zabeel House The Greens
Our stay at Zabeel House The Greens perfectly mirrored this modern shift. Far from the traditional gilded lobby, this hotel offers a curated, “neighborhood-cool” aesthetic with eclectic interiors and a vibrant social atmosphere that feels like a home for the global creative.
The Experiences: From High-Tech to Heritage
- Topgolf Dubai: We kicked off the trip with a high-energy session at this tech-integrated landmark, where competitive play meets a social lounge atmosphere, offering one of the best skyline views in the city.
- The View at The Palm: For a moment of reflection, we headed to the 52nd floor, where the 360-degree panorama of Palm Jumeirah provides a staggering perspective on Dubai’s architectural heritage and its future ambitions.
- e&MOTB (Market Outside the Box): As the heart of the Gen Z festival experience, this sustainable pop-up market showcased local designers and cutting-edge street style, proving that the new elite values unique, independent brand stories over mass-market labels.
- Global Village: Now in its landmark 30th season, this cultural titan continues to evolve; we explored the brand-new “Dragon Kingdom” puzzles and the serene “Gardens of the World,” a tranquil space that balances the high energy of the “Fast Live” stunt show.
The Culinary Highlight: Blu Pizzeria
No exploration of modern Dubai is complete without experiencing its homegrown culinary innovators. We visited Blu Pizzeria, an Emirati-founded success story that has perfected the art of the sourdough crust. Founded by entrepreneur Abdelrahman Alteneiji, Blu recently expanded its minimalist, mountain-inspired aesthetic to Nad Al Sheba, where the signature Short Ribs Pizza and the location-exclusive Nad Al Sheba Pizza (featuring Black Angus beef and Arabic spices) represent the perfect dialogue between Napoli tradition and Middle Eastern soul.
