Jenny Nichlson owns and runs Jenny Rose, a maternity-wear boutique, which has stores in the Mall of the Emirates and Burjuman. For a weekend away from Dubai, I love Al Maha (@email:www.al-maha.com). It's such a welcome respite from the fast pace of Dubai and a chance for a romantic escape with my husband. With three children and two very busy careers, it's sometimes quite a challenge for us to spend quality time together. Having said that, we always end up talking business.
We're spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants in Dubai. I'm a real foodie and adore my oysters at the Beach Bar & Grill at the One & Only, Royal Mirage (@email:www.oneandonlyresorts.com). Another favourite is Miyako at the Hyatt Regency (www.dubai.regency.hyatt.com), which does simply the best sushi and sashimi in Dubai. The Noodle House at Madinat Jumeirah (04 366 6730) is a firm favourite with my husband and our three children; it has great food and a relaxed atmosphere for families.
The Rooftop at the One & Only Royal Mirage plays fantastic chillout music and is always a great place to meet with friends. In the warmer months, I've always had an amazing evening at Buddha Bar. The energy and vibrancy is intoxicating. Trader Vics at Madinat Jumeirah is great too, and I have been known to salsa there. Because I have boutiques in Mall of the Emirates and Burjuman I can usually be found wandering from shop to shop, eagerly awaiting the latest collections. I love to mix and match and like nothing better than a white Gap T-shirt with a well-cut pair of Prada or Marni pants and a nice pair of pumps.
We've just bought a gorgeous holiday house in a small village on the Aegean coast in Turkey, overlooking the Greek island of Kos. There's this place half a kilometre away in Gümüslük called Limon (+252 394 40 44). You can sit in an old arm chair working your way through the organic meze and watching the sun go down over the ancient city of Mindos. George from Hair Lounge in Green Community, Dubai (04 885 3700) understands my hair like no other and makes me feel ready to face the world. For manicures and pedicures I like N Bar next door to Hair Lounge (04 885 3434). They do the most gorgeous paraffin treatments.
For coffee, there is nothing quite like the Blue Duck in Cottesloe, Perth, Australia (@email:www.blueduck.com.au). You rise early for a brisk walk along the Cottesloe beach before a chilling dip in the ocean and a quick shower. Then you can watch the world wake up and do what you have just done, over coffee. Dubai is pretty hard to beat as a city; we're so lucky with everything it has to offer. New York and Paris are special for me too, though. The energy and pace in New York is like the measles - you catch it. I usually stay at the Ritz Carlton on Central Park (www.ritzcarlton.com). The service and the complimentary Maybach car is hard to beat. Knowing my love of oysters, my sister recommended the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant (www.oysterbarny.com). They must have more than 20 varieties there and I'm proud to say I've eaten every one of them. I always make it a point to dine there at least twice, usually on my first and last day.
Paris is all about meandering down alleys and finding what you're least expecting. Shakespeare & Co (@email:www.shakespeareco.org) is the most amazing bookstore I have ever been in. When I stumbled across it I didn't know its history, but you can feel it as soon as you enter. Rumour has it that there are 13 beds upstairs and avid readers can read all day and night on the condition they make their beds and read at least one book a day.
Cottesloe beach in Perth was my old stomping ground. I went to boarding school in Mosman Park and my girlfriends and I would spend days at the beach. In Dubai, I work out at the Polo Club (@email:www.poloclubdubai.com). If you choose the right time you can be the only person there. I love collecting beautiful, handmade silk caftans. I'm currently really into vintage Japanese kimono-style ones and have just found some gorgeous ones in Turkey. My husband refers to it as an obsession. I'm working on a range at the moment, after receiving so many compliments from girlfriends.
