There were some hotly contested categories in this year’s Best in Dubai awards, with fewer than 20 votes separating the winners and losers in some categories. Between Meydan’s horseracing mega event, the Dubai World Cup, and Rugby Sevens, happening this weekend, there was a mere 13-vote difference! Dany Neville, DJ Bliss and Smokin’ Groove were neck and neck up until the final hours of voting, and there were just five votes between first and second place in Best Spa and Best TV show.
Winners were ecstatic, gathering on stage for a victory photo at the end of the ceremony, and sporting runners-up were gracious in showing their support. Of course, there are no real losers among the Best in Dubai nominees – to be shortlisted is an accolade in itself, so congratulations to all of the nominees from everyone at Ahlan!.
Here we present the winners and second and third place nominees from the Best in Dubai 2011 awards.
Best Sporting Event: Dubai World Cup
2nd place: Rugby Sevens
3rd place: Dubai Tennis Championships
Best Sporting Club: Contender MMA Dubai
2nd place: The Aviation Club
3rd place: Al Wasl Football Club
Best Blog: Huda Beauty (www.hudabeauty.com)
2nd place: FooDiva (www.foodiva.net)
3rd place: Last Nite in Dubai (www.lastniteindubai.com)
Best Spa: SensAsia Urban Spa
2nd place: Thai Privilege Spa Dubai, Al Wasl Road
3rd place: Talise, Madinat
Best Hotel: Atlantis, The Palm
2nd place: One&Only Royal Mirage
3rd place: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, Dubai Marina
Best Tourist Attraction: Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
2nd place: The Dubai Fountains, Downtown Dubai
3rd place: KidZania, The Dubai Mall
Best Shopping Mall: The Dubai Mall
2nd place: Mirdif City Centre
3rd place: Mall of the Emirates
Best Bar: Barasti, Mina Seyahi
2nd place: The Irish Village
3rd place: 360, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Best Ladies' Night: Mingle at Leftbank, Souq Al Bahar (Wednesday)
2nd place: Horizon Lounge, Habtoor Grand (Tuesday)
3rd place: Rock Bottom, Ramee Rose Tecom (Tuesday)
Best Nightclub: Nasimi Beach, Atlantis The Palm
2nd place: Republique, The Address Dubai Mall
3rd place: Armani/Prive, Armani Hotel and XL Beach Club, Habtoor Grand
Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Okku, The Monarch Hotel
2nd place: Zuma, DIFC
3rd place: Nobu, Atlantis The Palm
Best Casual Dining Restaurant: More Café, various locations
2nd place: Burger Fuel, various locations
3rd place: Bateel, various locations
Best Concert / Music Event: Usher, DONE Events, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (March 2011)
2nd place: Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, Dubai Media City (Feb 2011)
3rd place: Maroon 5, Dubai World Trade Centre (April 2011)
Best DJ: Dany Neville
2nd place: DJ Bliss
3rd place: Smokin' Groove
Best TV Presenter: Layne Redman, Out and About, Dubai One
2nd place: Saoud Alkahbi, Dubai TV
3rd place: Uma Ghosh Deshpande, High Life Dubai, Sony TV
Best Radio Show: Kris Fade, Virgin Radio (104.4FM)
2nd place: The One Breakfast with Danny C, Radio 1 (104.1FM)
3rd place: Tom & Dan Show, Dubai 92 (92.0FM)
Best TV Programme: Out and About, Dubai One
2nd place: Studio one, Dubai One
3rd place: Freej, Cartoon Network Arabic
Best Radio Station: Virgin Radio 104.4FM
2nd place: Dubai 92
3rd place: City 101.6
Personality of the Year: Saher Shaikh, charity campaigner for Adopt-a-Camp
2nd place: Bong Guerrero, Managing Partner of Brag
3rd place: Mohammed Sultan Al Habtoor, Founder of House of Glamo
