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Here’s my 2025 list of pools in Kuwait that offer day passes. This list is strictly “singles friendly,” except for two pools that have ladies-only days or families-only access on weekends.

Arabella Beach Hotel
Telephone: 22277744
Timings: 10am to 7pm
Weekdays 25KD
Weekends Not Available

Argan Al Bida’a Club
Telephone: 22263115
Timings: 8am to 8pm
Weekdays 30KD
Weekends 35KD (Families Only)

Copthorne Al Jahra Hotel & Resort
Telephone: 24590000
Timings: 9am to 7pm
Weekdays/Weekends 10KD

Crowne Plaza
Telephone: 1848111
Timings: 6am to 10pm
Weekdays/Weekends 20KD

Four Seasons Hotel
Telephone: 22006000
Timings: 8am to 6pm
Weekdays/Weekends 40KD (70KD Couple)

Holiday Inn & Suites
Telephone: 25760000
Timings: 6:30am to Midnight
Weekdays 20KD
Weekend 29KD

Hyatt Regency Al Kout Mall
Telephone: 23931234
Timings: 8am to 8pm
Weekdays/Weekends 25KD
(Ladies only days on Mondays and Wednesdays)

Marina Hotel
Telephone: 22230030
Timings: 9am to 6pm
Weekdays 35KD
Weekends 40KD

Millennium Hotel
Telephone: 22050505
Timings: 9am to 6pm
Weekdays/Weekends 25KD

Mövenpick Hotel Resort AlBidaa
Telephone: 22253100
Timings: 8am to 8pm
Weekdays 25KD
Weekends 30KD

Park Inn by Radisson
Telephone: 22068500
Timings: 8am to 8pm
Weekdays/Weekends 15KD

Radisson Blu (member invite required)
Telephone: 25673000
Timings: 6am to 11pm
Weekdays 20KD
Weekends 30KD

SVN Club (member invite required)
Telephone: 1876777
Timings: 6am to Midnight
Weekdays 30KD
Weekends 40KD

Symphony Style Hotel
Telephone: 25770000
Timings: 9am to 5pm
Weekdays 20KD
Weekends 25KD

Waldorf Astoria
Telephone: 24774444
Timings: 10am to 6pm
Weekdays/Weekends 45KD (includes 15KD food voucher)

OLE Coffee, the local independent coffee roasters, just opened their 45th branch at Kuwait Airport’s Terminal 4.

The terminal was long overdue for a specialty coffee spot, so I’m glad that OLE Coffee stepped in. They’re known for using high-grade beans that are freshly roasted in Kuwait and ethically sourced directly from farmers. They’re also committed to sustainability. On top of that, they also serve exceptional ceremonial-grade matcha imported from Japan.

The new OLE Coffee branch is located near the arrivals area at T4, so you can grab a coffee before checking in or while waiting for someone to land. Find out more over at @theolecoffee.

I didn’t think much would be happening this weekend, but turns out there’s quite a bit going on. As always, double-check the details with the event organizers.

Thursday, May 29
Matilda the Musical
Kuwait Int Outdoor Expo
The Avenues Summer Edition
Movie Night at Barba
965 Outlet Expo
Literary Open Mic

Friday, May 30
Matilda the Musical
Kuwait Int Outdoor Expo
The Avenues Summer Edition
965 Outlet Expo
Bawa Incubator: Altersal
Gulf Universities Championship

Saturday, May 31
Matilda the Musical
Kuwait Int Outdoor Expo
The Avenues Summer Edition
A Women’s Circle
965 Outlet Expo
Gulf Universities Championship

I came across these images of the Kuwait National Assembly by accident. I had recommended a friend buy a book called “Jørn Utzon Logbook Vol. IV: Kuwait National Assembly“, which covers its construction but she told me it was sold out. I started searching for a copy for her online when I stumbled across images of the National Assembly I hadn’t seen before, not even in his book on the project.

If you aren’t familiar, the Kuwait National Assembly was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the same architect behind the iconic Sydney Opera House. His design was well thought out. He organized the main building complex in a way inspired by traditional Arabian bazaars. All the departments (offices, meeting rooms, reception areas, the library, Assembly Hall, and more) are arranged along a central street, similar to the layout of a bazaar. Each department is made up of modules of varying sizes built around small patios or courtyards, all connected to the central street by side alleys. The complex was designed to be expandable at any time by adding new modules, allowing it to grow outward continuously similar to bazaars.

The canopy, or tent-like shade at the entrance that gives the building its distinctive look, came to him after seeing a photo of two Arabs fishing on the shore under a small sail from their boat. The sail was stretched between two poles with a beam across the top, creating a simple shaded area. He loved the way the shadow looked and thought it would be a beautiful idea to use in the building.

Jørn’s Logbook Vol. IV focuses on the Kuwait National Assembly project and includes behind-the-scenes documents, original drawings, stories, and photos of the construction. It was published in 2008, and copies were still available as recently as 2019, but they seem to have sold out since then.

Majority of the photos I’ve shared in this post were taken from the Utzon Archive, the rest are from my copy of the book. If you want to check them all out and get access to the hi-res images, click here.

The photo above is the one I think inspired him since it was included inside his book.

The video above is also from their archive, I like it because if you forward around 2 minutes in you get to see a full 360 of the city from above. I think the video was shot from the old Kuwait Airways building.

© Utzon Archives / Aalborg University & Utzon Center.

Spa Time and Men Time were the first specialized luxury spas to open in Kuwait. Known for focusing on traditional healing techniques and body care, they’ve recently introduced two new treatments: a healing massage designed for Office Syndrome and another for tension in the lower legs and feet.

Office Syndrome is a growing health issue caused by poor posture, repetitive movements, and extended periods of inactivity, usually from long hours spent working at a desk or in front of a computer.

Some common symptoms of Office Syndrome include:

• Muscle stiffness and body pain
• Headaches or migraines
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the limbs
• Eye strain
• Poor circulation and fatigue

I relate to all of the above since I spend so much time sitting in front of a computer. This specialized treatment is actually recommended for people like me, as well as office workers, students, and even gamers.

The second treatment they’ve introduced, which you might also find interesting, is called Tired Leg & Foot Massage. This targeted therapy is designed to relieve fatigue, heaviness, and tension in the lower legs and feet. It’s ideal for people who stand or walk for long periods, travel frequently, or experience poor circulation and swelling in their legs. Sounds like the perfect treatment after a trip that involved a lot of walking.

I’m actually considering trying the Office Syndrome treatment myself, so if any of them also sound like something you’d be into, check them out. They have 7 branches around Kuwait, including in Al Muhallab, Avenues, Al Kout Mall, and Kipco Tower, so chances are there’s one near you. You can find out more on their website here.

The Scientific Center is opening its new expansion today, but I managed to get an early tour yesterday afternoon. First impression, wow, the view is incredible. I was there around 4PM, and the light was coming through the large glass wall surrounding the new area was casting beautiful shadows all over the interior. I wouldn’t be surprised if people went there just for the view.

The new expansion is massive, and I was given a tour of all the areas that are currently open. Some sections are still closed, with openings being staggered over the next year. The first area to launch is the World of Science, which spans three floors and features the following exhibits:

• Kuwait, Earth & Universe Exhibit
• Engineering Our World
• Robosapiens Exhibit

There are plenty of interactive displays for both kids and adults that are fun and educational. The most fun for me was probably the paper plane building area, where you make a plane, load it into a machine, and launch it. My favorite section overall though was the Robosapiens Exhibit, which explores how humans and technology have evolved together. It had several displays that demonstrated the interface between technology and the human body, which I’ve personally always been fascinated by since I was a kid (I used to love the 80s cartoon Bionic Six).

I’d estimate the new expansion would take around two hours to fully explore with your kids, especially if they play and interact with all the different exhibits.

If you want to visit the Scientific Center, they’re initially limiting the number of visitors per day so it doesn’t get overcrowded. There are two ticket options, KD 5 and KD 6. Both give you access to everything, including the original Scientific Center and the new expansion. The KD 6 ticket also includes entry to the IMAX theater. Children under 2 enter for free. For more info, you can head over to their website tsck.org.kw

To check out more photos and videos, head over to my instagram @248am

If you’ve been craving something sweet, December Bakery has a deal that makes it even harder to resist. For a limited time, and exclusively on Jahez, when you order their Molten, Vanilla Cake, or 2 Cup Cakes, you’ll get a free coffee with it.

Perfect pairing? Absolutely. Just open the Jahez app, search for December Bakery, and make your pick. @decemberbakery_kw

This coming Tuesday, the Scientific Center will finally open its doors to its new expansion, “World of Science.” The opening also marks the center’s 25-year anniversary since first launching in 2000 as the region’s first scientific center.

The new area includes the following exhibits:

Kuwait, Earth & Universe Exhibit
Showcases the history of Kuwait and its current development, as well as a section showcasing Earth, the other planets, and natural forces.

Robosapiens Exhibit
This exhibit explores how humans and technology have developed throughout the years, from robotics to bioengineering.

Engineering Our World
This section makes physics and engineering interactive and fun, which is great for curious minds of all ages.

There are a few more exhibits that haven’t opened yet but will be launching soon. The “Power of Play” exhibit is coming next month, while the “Children’s Museum” is set to open in 2026. The Children’s Museum will be a fun, hands-on space where kids can explore planets, animals, water, energy, and more. Another upcoming exhibit, “Ecosystem,” will showcase different environments from around the world.

As a longtime fan of the Scientific Center, I’ve been looking forward to this new expansion ever since it was first announced 10 years ago. The new area will officially open to the public this coming Tuesday, May 27, and tickets are already available on their website.

There will be a limited number of daily tickets available at first, so if you want to be among the first to explore the new space, head to tsck.org.kw and grab your tickets ASAP.

Deboned is my go-to spot when I want to eat clean or healthy. Their grilled chicken is packed with flavor, and since they have branches near my home and office, delivery is always quick.

One of the reasons I like their chicken so much is the special marination they use, and now they’ve introduced a new flavor for a limited time, Loumi. The flavor is inspired by the tangy depth of black lime, and it’s perfect for summer when you’re craving something light but tasty.

The new Loumi flavor is available across all their chicken dishes, including Shawarma, Chicken Wings, and of course, the Half Chicken and Whole Chicken options (with or without rice).

I didn’t realize this until I got their press release, but Deboned isn’t just in Kuwait anymore. They’ve also expanded to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which explains why I’ve been seeing them pop up more online.

If you’ve never tried Deboned before, or if you want to check out the new flavor, head over to their Instagram page for more info @deboned.kw

I just read that the legendary Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado has sadly passed away. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest documentary photographers of our time.

In 1991, just after the Gulf War, Salgado documented one of the most devastating environmental disasters of the 20th century, the oil fires. His powerful black-and-white photographs of firefighters battling huge flames and smoke-filled skies. became iconic and captured the true cost of the war.

The images he captured in Kuwait continue to define how the world remembers the impact of the Gulf War. He published a book featuring those photos titled Kuwait: A Desert on Fire. To explore more of his work, visit his Instagram @sebastiaosalgadooficial.

This week I started watching a bunch of shows:

Bad Thoughts
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace
Toast of London
Zero Day

Darkplace and Toast of London both star Matt Berry. Darkplace is hilarious, the whole thing is shot and acted like a cheap old tv show and I love it. Bad Thoughts was fine, most of the funny stuff I had already watched as TikTok clips. Zero Day I’m two episodes in and don’t really like it but trying to stick to it.

I also started rewatching Transparent again, used to really love the series and it still holds up really well. Super easy to binge watch as well.

Have you watched anything interesting lately? Let us know in the comments.

Movies at the Cinemas
The English movies below are now showing at the local cinemas:

New This Week:
Lilo & Stitch (7.3)
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (7.6)

Other Movies Showing:
A Few Good Men (Classic) (7.7)
A Minecraft Movie (6.0)
A Working Man (6.8)
Heart Eyes (6.1)
Home Sweet Home: Rebirth (4.7)
Hurry Up Tomorrow (5.9)
Final Destination: Bloodlines (7.1)
Pet Investigators (6.1)
Sinners (8.0)
The Accountant 2 (7.2)
Thunderbolts* (7.8)
Valiant One (5.2)
Until Dawn (6.0)

The numbers in brackets refer to the IMDB rating at the time of publishing.

Below are my favorite events happening this weekend. Always double-check the details by visiting the organizer’s account.

Thursday, May 22
Matilda the Musical
23rd Gold & Jewelry Exhibition
Sadu Immersive Experience
Mozart & Vivaldi Live Orchestra

Friday, May 23
Matilda the Musical
23rd Gold & Jewelry Exhibition
Mozart & Vivaldi Live Orchestra
Qaroh Island Cleanup
Cocktail Non-imported Music

Saturday, May 24
Matilda the Musical
23rd Gold & Jewelry Exhibition
Tango of the Heart
DAI Story Time at Amricani

The other day I published Switch 2 prices in Kuwait, and I have some updates.

Firstly, 3R Store (3roodq8) started the pre-order on the Nintendo Switch 2 console and they’ve currently got the cheapest price in Kuwait. They’re selling the console (not the bundle) for KD170, so 10KD cheaper than everyone else. Link

Secondly, Best, Eureka and Xcite are all offering additional things with their bundles. Best are including 1-year of Nintendo Online with their offer, Eureka are offering screen protectors, and Xcite are including headphones.

Finally, a reader let me know you can pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2 from the Amazon.fr store and they’ll ship it straight to Kuwait. The Switch 2 + Mario Kart Bundle will cost 183KD shipped to Kuwait including customs. So around 15KD cheaper than Kuwait prices plus you have the benefit of getting it before the shops in Kuwait.

On a side note, I was checking to see if Amazon.ae carried the Switch 2, they don’t, but I did find the new Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones for sale. They have a pre-order offer now where they’ll include the Sony ULT10 portable speaker for free if you order before the June 17th regional launch date. Total price shipped to Kuwait is KD153. Amazon.com price is KD137 not including tax and shipping plus you don’t get the portable speaker.

If you regularly send money abroad, there’s now an easier and cheaper way to do it in Kuwait. Al Ansari Exchange recently launched a new app that lets you transfer money internationally directly from your phone, and based on what I’ve seen so far, it works really well.

You’ll need a Kuwait Civil ID and a local number to sign up, and the process took me less than 3 minutes to get started. Once registered, you can send money to countries like the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada using market exchange rates. The fees are low with transfers starting at 3KD with no hidden charges, and no sketchy buy/sell currency conversion margins.

The app allows bank-to-bank transfers for GBP, Euro, USD, and CAD, which is perfect for summer travel. You can even top up your Visa card from the app too. The app is really easy to use and it’s available in seven languages, including English, Arabic, Filipino, Hindi, Malayan, Tamil, and Telugu.

If you don’t want to use the app or don’t have a Civil ID, you can still visit one of Al Ansari’s 39 branches in Kuwait and transfer from there. With their recent $200 million acquisition of Bahrain Financing Company, they’ll soon have 80+ branches across the country.

Whether you’re sending money back home or moving funds for travel, it’s worth checking out. To find out more you can head to alansariexchange.com.kw

Main image by double a studio

Last night, as part of AlSadu Society’s celebrations marking Kuwait City’s designation as a World Craft City for Sadu weaving, a new temporary immersive experience was launched at Sadu House.

The immersive experience is set up in the inner courtyard and features a large temporary room surrounded by LCD panels that blend Sadu heritage with modern technology.

The experience is open to the public starting today and runs until Thursday (May 20–22). If you’d like to check it out, visit anytime between 6:30PM and 9:30PM. Entry is free. @saduhouse