Perfect Pairings: Multi Centre Holidays

Some places are wonderful on their own, but others make far more sense together. The golden rule of truly exceptional luxury travel? Contrast creates magic. A skyline before a sandbank. A desert sunrise followed by an overwater villa. City energy softened by that beautiful stillness you only get from a remote island. That’s the beauty of Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays — they’re journeys designed around balance.

Why board one long haul flight if you like to explore, and there’s a natural stop en route? When you can pair bold Arabian architecture with barefoot luxury, culture with castaway calm, adventure with ocean air. These are the perfect pairings for travellers who want more than one mood, one landscape, or one story.

Choose your opening act from the Middle East, then drift somewhere softer in the Indian Ocean. The rhythm, as always, is yours.

Choose Stop 1: The Middle East

The Middle East has long been a natural stopover on the way to the Indian Ocean, and it’s easy to see why. 

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman offer everything from vertiginous skylines and desert drama to peaceful beaches and lush mountains. Stopovers with carriers like Emirates are more than a logistical convenience — they’re an opportunity to step into a world of luxury, curated experiences, and unexpected surprises before you even reach the islands. 

Dubai — Delano Dubai

Dubai has always understood drama, but Delano Dubai brings something slightly cooler to the conversation. Set on Bluewaters Island, this is Miami’s legendary Delano spirit translated into Middle Eastern polish: all sculptural interiors, curated coastal calm, and that unapologetic and unfiltered city glamour.

Rooms lean slightly minimalist while also being wonderfully indulgent, with floor-to-ceiling sea views and tactile finishes; suites in particular will suit design lovers and couples seeking space and privacy. Days revolve around the private beach and a series of serene pools, including a striking beachfront infinity setting. And dining - as ever - is central to the experience, with elevated Mediterranean flavours at Blue Door and stylish coastal dining at Maison Revka that see mealtimes extend well into the evening.

It’s a high-energy, high-style opening for Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays — a bold contrast to the stillness that follows.

Abu Dhabi — Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort

If Dubai is spectacle, Abu Dhabi is composure – and Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort captures that quieter sophistication perfectly. Overlooking protected dunes and one of the region’s most pristine stretches of sand, the resort - in true Jumeirah fashion - feels deeply connected to both the surrounding culture and its nature, where hawksbill turtles nest along the shore.

Interiors are bright and breezy and elegant, with panoramic suites and private pool villas ideal for families or those searching for a longer preface to an island escape. The resort features three outdoor pools (including adults-only and family options), plus the expansive Talise Spa, a hallmark for the brand known for its signature desert rose rituals and hammam experiences. Dining ranges from Levantine cuisine at Tean to refined Italian at Mare Mare, proving that the Middle Eastern destination doesn’t limit tastebuds. 

For multi centre holidays, this is a restorative beginning – it’s polished, it’s gentle, and it’s deeply serene, and actually, we’d expect nothing less from Jumeirah.

Oman — Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Sat at a soaring 2,000 metres above sea level on the edge of a vast canyon, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is extraordinary – dramatic cliffs, rose gardens, and endless mountain air make this one of Oman’s most remarkable stays.

Cliffside pool villas come with private infinity pools and sweeping canyon views, while the hotel’s remaining rooms and suites blend beautiful Omani design with modern comforts. Experiences range from sunrise yoga overlooking the gorge to dining on the famous cliff-edge platform, while the Anantara Spa draws on regional healing traditions, including rose-infused treatments inspired by the surrounding terraces, alongside an infinity pool suspended above the canyon.

Oman introduces scale and soul – raw landscapes that heighten the indulgence of the islands that follow during a Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holiday. 

Ras Al Khaimah — Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

For something classic yet quietly grand, Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah delivers Arabian elegance in abundance between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Gulf, with a relaxed coastal rhythm.

Rooms and suites are almost palatial in scale, ideal for families or travellers seeking traditional Arabian luxury. The resort is home to a private beach, two temperature-controlled pools, and access to an 18-hole championship golf course. Dining includes the celebrated Lexington Grill for premium steaks and Umi for refined Japanese cuisine, while the Waldorf Astoria Spa offers bespoke facials and restorative body therapies that help to while away any hints of jet lag before you hop onto your next multi-centre destination.

It’s a composed start to Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays, balancing heritage and modern comfort.

Choose Stop 2: The Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is a playground of possibilities: sun-drenched atolls, coral-rich lagoons, and islands that cater to every kind of escape. 

From family-friendly resorts with poolside adventures to couples-only sanctuaries where silence is part of the luxury, there’s a rhythm for every traveller. Villas perched over turquoise waters, floating restaurants, and wellness sanctuaries tucked into lush landscapes make this region feel like a living postcard — but one you can step straight into. 

Maldives — Lily Beach Resort & Spa

Few places understand the art of a great escape quite like Lily Beach Resort & Spa in the South Ari Atoll, known worldwide for its luminous lagoon, coral-rich house reef, and genuinely generous all-inclusive concept.

Overwater and beachfront pool villas hover above turquoise waters, perfect for couples or families wanting space and direct lagoon access – snorkelling in the atoll often brings encounters with manta rays and whale sharks. The resort features multiple dining venues, including Lily Maa for international cuisine and overwater fine dining at Tamarind, and the Tamara Spa specialises in Balinese therapies and ocean-inspired treatments.

For Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays, it delivers the quintessential Maldivian finale – effortless and blissfully removed from everyday life.

Maldives — JA Manafaru

Nestled on a private island in the northern Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru is barefoot luxury at its most expansive. Beach and overwater villas come with private plunge pools, sunrise decks, or direct lagoon access, while Two- and Three-Bedroom Residences are ideal for families or small groups. 

Dining spans seven venues, from the beachfront Ocean Grill to overwater White Orchid, with a subterranean wine cellar for candlelit evenings. Three pools, a Calm Spa Sanctuary, and a PADI 5-star dive centre ensure every moment balances relaxation and adventure. Families enjoy CoolZone Kids’ Club and ChillZone Teens’ Club, while adults can opt for sunset dolphin cruises or castaway picnics. For Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays, JA Manafaru delivers serene seclusion paired with understated indulgence.

Maldives — Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa lives up to its name — a place where space, privacy, and quiet luxury take centre stage. Set on one of the largest resort islands in the region, villas here feel wonderfully expansive, from Beach Residences with private pools hidden among tropical gardens to sprawling Ocean Villas with Pool suspended above the lagoon. For families or groups, the multi-bedroom residences offer serious space and direct beach access.

Dining covers global flavours and live cooking at Matheefaru Restaurant, refined Asian fusion dishes at Samsara, and poolside pizzas and fresh fish at Meeru Bar and Grill, while the rest of the day is shaped around two infinity pools, a pristine house reef ideal for snorkelling, and the serene Hideaway Spa, where Maldivian-inspired treatments draw on island botanicals. There’s also a PADI dive centre, tennis courts, and a generous Kids’ Club, making it as family-friendly as it is romantic.

Mauritius — Constance Prince Maurice

Hidden on Mauritius’s northeast coast, Constance Prince Maurice is all hushed luxury and thoughtful detail. Suites line the shores of a protected lagoon, with larger villa options ideal for those who need more space.

The resort features two pools, a tranquil beach setting, and access to championship golf at Constance Belle Mare Plage. Its floating restaurant, Le Barachois, is one of the Indian Ocean’s most distinctive dining experiences, complemented by refined cuisine at Archipel. The Constance Spa focuses on personalised wellness, from aromatherapy massages to Ayurvedic rituals.

It’s a refined choice for Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays: elegant, intimate, and quietly distinctive.

Mauritius — LUX Grand Baie*

For something more contemporary, LUX* Grand Baie brings a fresh, design-led energy to Mauritius. Interiors are sleek and residential in feel, with spacious suites and multi-bedroom residences ideal for longer stays or families.

A standout rooftop infinity pool overlooks the bay, complemented by a beach club atmosphere and multiple dining venues, including modern Asian at Ai KISU and Mediterranean-inspired Beach Rouge. The expansive LUX Me Spa* focuses on innovative wellness, from hydrothermal experiences to personalised treatments.

As the closing note of Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays, it delivers a stylish, modern take on island living.

The Art of Pairing

The secret to exceptional travel often lies in contrast — movement followed by stillness, spectacle softened by simplicity. Middle East and Indian Ocean multi centre holidays capture this balance beautifully, blending culture, architecture, desert landscapes, and ocean serenity into one seamless journey.

Whether you begin among Dubai’s glittering skyline or Oman’s mountain air, and end suspended above a Maldivian lagoon or along Mauritius’s gentle shores, these pairings turn a holiday into something far richer: a story told in chapters, each more compelling than the last.

 Explore All Multi-Centre Options 

Top Tips for Multi-Centre Holidays

1. Take the scenic pause – On a Dubai to Maldives transfer, consider a stopover in Abu Dhabi or Muscat for a private culinary experience. A brief interlude makes the journey feel like part of the holiday, not just transit.
2. Mix transport modes – Swap a helicopter or seaplane transfer for a yacht or small-ship cruise between island stops. It adds a slow-luxury layer and gives everyone a “wow” moment between destinations.
3. Cultural micro-adventures – Book small immersive experiences in each location: a calligraphy lesson in Dubai, a guided coral restoration in the Maldives, or a cooking masterclass in Mauritius. They’re short, memorable, and low-effort additions to a multi-centre holiday.
4. Take “zero days” – Between destinations, schedule a full day with nothing planned: stretch by the pool, watch the tides, or just sip cocktails in peace. These pauses make multi-centre holidays feel indulgent rather than exhausting.