( CNN ) -- It may be a time of fasting , but the Muslim holy month of Ramadan can also be a time of indulgence . ( Ramadan begins this year on June 28 or 29 , depending on which part of the world is observing . ) In several countries , there 's a tendency toward overeating as the traditional light dawn meal , the suhoor , and post-fast iftar get super-sized . In Dubai , health warnings are issued -- cases of diabetes and chronic indigestion have been known to spiral . For those who can control their appetites and savor the experience , there 's a lavish world to be enjoyed in Bedouin-like tents laid on by luxury hotels in the United Arab Emirates . These elaborately decorated pool , beach or desert-side pitches compete with each other for Ramadan tent wow factor . Some mega-tents seat hundreds . Live cooking stations and superstar Lebanese performers are all part of the fasting-to-feasting scene . So are shisha parlors -- where revelers smoke multi-flavored tobacco with the hookah or hubble bubble water pipe . These are some of the best under-canvas candidates . Kempinski Hotel Palm Jumeirah ( Dubai ) Despite the luxury location on Dubai 's palm tree-shaped island , this is less of a glittery taste-fest and more a traditional at-home celebration . Albeit in a very swanky home . Diners can recline in the tiered Ottoman-style seating areas or swan about the terrace with garden glimpses over the lagoon . Energy-rich substances dominate the Ramadan menu including assafiri , a sweet crepe filled with an Arabic cream . Dried fruits and nuts also take center stage . Dates are Ramadan royalty , with some 400 varieties eaten during the festivities -- molded by chefs into pyramids and other eye-catching culinary arrangements . Kempinski Palm Jumeirah , Crescent West , Palm Jumeirah ; +971 4 444 2501 ; open to hotel guests only . Atlantis The Palm ( Dubai ) Tahina addicts take note : a showpiece of the white billowy-walled Asateer Tent at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah is a fountain from which the sesame paste flows like Niagara Falls . Big enough for 900 eaters , the tent spreads along the beachfront and features a mod Oriental decor of strawberry sofas and oval lights . Chocolate-coated dates , macaroons and other iftar treats peer from alcoves of minaret-shaped cake displays . A towering construction of Turkish delight , nougat , Emirati dates and baklava tops off the sweet intake . Jumbo-sized Arabic coffee pots loom over mosaic-patterned brass cooking stations where chefs whip up lamb with spiced rice , and fish with caramelized onions . Those who manage to tear themselves away from the food can dabble with PlayStation consoles , traditional Arabic board games and free Wi-Fi . Atlantis The Palm , Crescent Road , Palm Jumeirah ; +971 4 426 0800 . Madinat Jumeirah ( Dubai ) It 's a less family-oriented affair at the Arabian coastal resort of Madinat Jumeirah 's Al Majilis tent . No one under 21 years old is allowed in . Beneath a massive shimmering star chandelier , dripping with hundreds of diamond-cut crystal beads , the tent 's creamy fixtures are set within golden Moorish arches and Jali latticework . Around the walls , more intimate raised seating areas are soft lit with pendant lights . The suhoor experience is particularly chilled out . Crisply presented mezze and salads of crumbled Lebanese cheese balls , onion , olive oil and parsley are delivered by waiters in red fez hats . Fresh tamarind drinks and beverages are made from fermented barley , vegetable juices and warm infusions of rosemary , fennel and mint to ward off indigestion . Al Majilis , Madinat Jumeirah , Jumeirah Beach Road ; +971 366 6730 . World Trade Center ( Dubai ) This elegant Arabesque venue is a world away from the fashionable hotel crowd who talk of `` apres Iftar '' lounging on beachfront hotel sofas . Here the contemporary souk atmosphere of carved trellis tables , white sofas and golden brass lanterns is crowned by a constellation of ceiling lights , casting a blue night light over the gazebo . The award-winning buffet of 50-plus dishes includes Ramadan staples such as kibbeh meatballs in yogurt sauce , vegetarian potato kibbeh , grilled meats and halloumi cheese infused with fresh thyme . This iftar is considered reasonably priced at $ 38 compared to the standard $ 50-60 charged by luxury hotels . The WTC also offers mini majlises for private celebrations . Ramadan Majilis , Sheikh Saeed Hall 3 , World Trade Centre ; +971 4 308 6322 . Emirates Palace ( Abu Dhabi ) This is the UAE 's largest tent , housing 730 guests and serving up to 1,200 diners per day in its 25,833 square foot ( 2,400 square meters ) beachfront pavilion . The Mega Tent 's menu takes three months to prepare and 150 chefs to deliver . As the sun sets , fasters descend on the marquee to graze on hot and cold mezze , goat with Oriental rice , kebab with saffron and herbs and the energy-bolstering apricot Ramadan drink Qamar al Din . Many iftar essentials are super sweet . Kunafa is a cream-filled pastry drowned with pistachios and sugar syrup ; qatayef , sometimes called Arabian pancakes , are filled with walnuts or white cheese and then fried and dipped in orange blossom syrup . Mega Tent , Emirates Palace , W. Corniche Road , Abu Dhabi ; +971 2 690 9000 . Bab Al Shams Desert Resort ( Dubai ) A Disneyesque version of the true Arabian tent experience can be found in the sand dunes . No matter if July temperatures rise toward their usual 108 F ( 42 C ) , this tent is climate controlled . Food from the dune-side cooking stations might be spicy but the hotel says guests can `` chill '' inside , entertained by musicians and whirling Sufi-style Tanoura dancers . Out in a courtyard resembling an Arabian fort and decked out with palms , flickering candles and stained glass lanterns , a gang of cooks whips up regional specialties including barbecued meats , grilled fish , chicken , hot breads and baklava . On the rooftop lounge overlooking the desert , guests can watch belly dancers , Arabian horse shows and camel caravans fading into the desert haze . Bab Al Shams Desert Resort , Dubai ; +971 4 809 6194 . Community tents and Ramadan bazaars . Beyond the hotels there are numerous convivial public iftar events organized by city councils , religious associations and embassies . Abu Dhabi 's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque feeds up to 15,000 people every night with platters spread out on carpets in its parking lot . The Emirates Red Crescent dishes up 800,000 free iftar meals in 112 tents across the UAE during Ramadan . The charitable tents are open to non-Muslims , non-fasters and passersby .
Lavish Bedouin-like tents are laid on by luxury hotels in the United Arab Emirates . The UAE is a major player in the Middle East and has been for some time. At Bab Al Shams Desert Resort in Dubai , guests watch belly dancers and Arabian horse shows .