Indulge in Dubai’s affordable luxuries

The sleek, modern interiors of the low-lit Armani/SPA ooze luxury – plus it's located in the famed Burj Khalifa. Take advantage of the spa's Couple's Celebration, a 50-minute weekday experience that takes place in a private treatment room. It includes a scrub, wrap and massage for just AED693 per couple. Remember, many spas across Dubai host regular promotions, so it's worth calling ahead to see what deals are on at your favourite pampering spots.

Helmed by executive chef Alexander Stumpf, BB Social dining is a homegrown concept that has been making culinary waves in the city thanks to its menu inspired by multicultural medleys. Take advantage of the eatery's weekday 4B offer, with classics starting from only AED30 from 12pm-4pm. The focus is on Eastern cuisine – where baos, bowls and grills influenced by Pan-Asian and Middle Eastern flavours shine. Other high-end eateries also offer set-price lunch menus at a fraction of their usual a la carte costs, so it's worth signing up for daytime dining.

More expensive per ounce than gold, the fiery-hued saffron spice derives from the purple crocus flower. Its hefty price tag is due to the laborious nature of the harvesting process, and relative scarcity in the global market. However, at Dubai’s own Spice Souk, by the Creek in Deira, you'll find that saffron is very affordable. Here, haggling is not only welcome, but expected, and you can buy high-quality saffron for anywhere between AED10 and AED30 per gram. There are plenty of other exotic ingredients to discover here too, including dried flowers, tangy Arabian sumac and more.