Have your summer plans gone awry and now you’re annoyed that you’re “stuck” in Kuwait? Do you feel upset over the fact that your vacation is only destined to turn into a “staycation”?
Rather than sulk over the fact that you don’t have enough time to take off of work, or that your group of friends weren’t proactive enough to help you plan a great escape this summer, take advantage of your time off spent at home, and “staycate” in style. Kuwait is a hot country – we get it, but with the right tools, summer over here can be enjoyable! Don’t believe us? We have a bunch of ideas to convince you otherwise.
Private Beach Clubs
Yes, the fees are hefty, but they’re well worth it. Also, if you join one now, you’ll likely be getting a year-long membership and full access to a relaxing place to call your home away from home. Most of these private beach clubs include a fully equipped gym where you could work out your woes and whip yourself into shape, a strip of Kuwait’s gorgeous coastline and access to a private beach, swimming pools, childcare, on-site dining, and sometimes, spas! Whether you’re an exercise fanatic or you just want to find a place to tan in peace, joining one of Kuwait’s beach clubs is a great investment to make.
But remember, not all of these clubs actually have a beach. Some just have a pool – which is still more than enough to keep you fit and cool all summer!
Beach Club Suggestions: Radisson SAS, Corniche, Palms, Symphony Style Hotel, C Club, Holiday Inn, Hilton Mangaf.
Mall Walking
This is an actual thing. Because malls in Kuwait tend to be vast in space, people make a habit out of lacing up their comfiest trainers and powerwalking through the highly air conditioned domes of Kuwait’s many malls. Yes, it can be distracting with all the tempting merchandise peeking out of your favorite stores’ big glass windows, not to mention the scent of decadent goodies wafting out of delicious cafes and eateries, but it’s a great way to get your cardio up to prep you for a lovely treat afterwards: whether that be a yummy meal, or an equally yummy new outfit. Another perk of mall-walking besides getting your heart rate up, is that it can help you make better decisions when it comes to shopping! You can use part of your mall-walking experience to stride through each of the stores you frequent and browse their collection a few times, treating this as an actual “lap.” Then, once you’ve done different laps around the mall, you’ll know if something is still on your mind and if it’s worth trying on. Give it a try! But be warned, just because the temperatures outside are scorching, malls are quite freezing. A light sweater, and for the more serious, a bottle of water, might be a good idea.
Mall Walking Suggestions: Marina Mall and Crescent, The Avenues, 360 Mall, Gate Mall, The Promenade.
Kuwait on Ice
There are two options to enjoy this long-loved frosty activity. Brace yourselves for surprise, people: Kuwait’s previous sole ice-skating rink off of Soor Street in Kuwait City is still open. You all remember the one with the weirdly good hot dogs and uncomfortable rentable skates that we’d always go to for field trips in elementary school. It could be worth a visit if you don’t mind keeping it old-school, casual and low maintenance. For a more pristine experience, why not check out the newly established skating rink at The Promenade? The perks of visiting the Promenade means that you’ll be able to grab some lunch in the mall or stroll around after or during ice skating. It also leaves more flexibility for those travelling in a large group. Either way, summertime in Kuwait is the ideal time to skate, and it’s the coolest way to beat the heat.
The Kuwait Ice Skating Rink is located in Kuwait City, off the 1st ring road. For more information you can call them on 2241 1151 or 2241 1152. Promenade Ice is located in The Promenade, opposite Qadsiya on the 3rd Ring Road.
Chalet Getaway
Why don’t you and a couple of those closest to you get away for a little bit? If you know someone who has a chalet (beach house) outside of the metropolis, then venture out for a day (or weekend) of hanging surfside, away from Kuwait’s hustle and bustle. Chalets are ideal for barbecues, jet skiing, speed boating, and general chilling, and they offer a lot of peace and quiet. Take advantage if you can!
A Great Escape
For those who want to take their adventures to the great blue sea, consider renting a yacht with a couple of your friends and wander aimlessly around the gorgeous waters of the gulf. You could commission them to take you to one of Kuwait’s beautiful islands, or even stop in the middle of the sea for you to jump off and swim around to your hearts’ content. Be sure to consider hitting up the infamous Failaka Island for the day to swim in clear waters and explore the historic city, and its remnants of ruins from ancient historical milestones.
Stand up Paddle boarding
For the adventurous soul who can’t think of a better way to spend the hot summer days than on the water – or in the water, Kuwait has introduced the concept of stand up paddle boarding to the yacht-loving nation. Ditch the jet ski and opt for a relaxing yet exhilarating experience on this environmentally friendly surfboard-meets-kayak contraption. Terrified yet intrigued? Have no idea where to start? Red Paddle Company boards have brought us Alex Gribble, instructor extraordinaire, to paddle you through your first time on the ‘board. Soon, you’ll be (paddle) boarding like a pro!
Alex Gribble of Red Paddle offers KD25 sessions around the Messila area. Contact Alex on Whatsapp on 9442 2593.
Ice Cream Frenzy
What better way to polish off a day of heat-beating activity? Cooling down further with an icy, tasty treat! Why not spend the summer treating yourself to ice cream from a new place in Kuwait every weekend? Whether it be sit-down dessert spots like Chocolate Bar or Choco Cuisine that offer decadent sundaes, to quick pop-in-for-a-cup places like Marble Slab or Baskin Robbins, or a place where you could get both and then some like Sloan’s in the Promenade—the country is filled to the brim with great ice cream options. Don’t forget to chase down the OG of ice cream in Kuwait, the men maneuvering the little ice cream truck/bicycle hybrids. There’s always one in every governorate at this time of year, and their iceboxes are exploding with goodies like Silver, Lulu, the orange push-pops and more.
For more information on these great places, check out the Beyond the Food section of our 2016 Dining Guide, available online!
