Christmas Market and Festive Brunch at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate

Christmas is here! 

Can you feel it? Smell it? Taste it? Hahah! I finally did last weekend at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate! Ed and I went there to visit the hotel's first ever Christmas Bazaar and to welcome the jolly season with a festive brunch. 

This December, every Friday, Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate hosts a plethora of Christmas activities for everyone to enjoy. At the lobby, we were greeted with a life-size gingerbread house and the tallest Santa Claus to ever walk on earth! :) 

Movenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate

Gigantic Moroccan lamps adorn the brunch venue

The halls of Al Bahou was turned into a lively Festive Friday Brunch venue. The air was filled with holiday cheer, especially when the school kids serenaded us with well-loved Christmas carols! I never thought that the fine Arabian atmosphere of the hotel can harmoniously blend with the Christmas spirit. 

Food carts line the huge venue. For starters, there are plenty of dishes to choose from; from sushi to seafood to healthy canapes!

appetizers in an Arabic cart

a delicious seafood dish of mussels and veg

More seafood!!!

healthy options

I spotted some Friday brunch staples; a rack of juicy roast beef served with Yorkshire pudding, freshly-made pasta and pizza, and pan-seared salmon. The highlight for me is definitely the turkey with all the trimmings. But I wouldn't deny that I was also drawn into the secluded pork section! I got some roasted knuckles, sausage, and bacon from there. Oh yummm!   

Turkey! This Christmas dinner staple is also available for takeaway! 

Indian dishes

The freshest pasta!

Pork section

roasted knuckles and pork sausage

The dessert section is a long walk from where we were seated. Boohoo for the personal inconvenience but on a brighter side,  it's a woohoo for having to walk and create an ample space in the tummy for sweet treats. 

Sweet and fruity! 

Got my tiramisu! 

The Christmas Market is a wonderful addition to Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate's annual Festive Brunch. The stalls brimmed with lovely gift ideas. I found cute trinkets for the girls, paperbacks for the bookworm, and Himalayan Salt Lamps for our health-conscious friends.   

Christmas Market

Cute handcrafted trinkets

Himalayan Salt Lamps and Dresses

Books and more cute stuff!

Overall, I can say that the festive happenings at Movenpick Ibn Battuta Gate is a good addition to the limited Christmas traditions we have in Dubai. It is evokes the spirit of the season; a wonderful place for merry-making and last-minute Christmas shopping!

Friday Brunch with a Twist at Al Bahou

Movenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate

Dubai, UAE

Timings and Prices:

Every Friday of December, 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm

AED 340 with soft beverages

AED 445 with house beverages

AED 630 with Champagne package

AED 165 for children 7 to 12

AED 50 for children 3 to 6

Location Map: