THE Q80 MIX

A Kuwaiti Blog For News, Tips and Reviews (and other interesting stuff!)

The big buzz here in Kuwait this week has of course been the opening of the 360 Mall  (we all like it when a new mall opens, let’s be honest). I’ve heard and read different things and its seems that most are talking negative, so I decided to go Friday morning when it would be at its quietest.

Getting There

Pretty easy. Coming on the Fahaheel expressway turn off at the 6th ring road and head towards Farwaniya. The mall is on your right hand side before you approach the turning for Dhajeej. There are a few square maroon signs pointing to the mall and there is a side road a bit like the Avenues.

Outside the Mall

As you can see its very green with fountains - a nice fresh tropical look.

Parking

I heard so many horror stories about the parking situation. People were saying that the car park was tiny, its uncovered, having to park illegally etc. But when I got there I thought the car park was pretty big, but not as large as Avenues. OK the uncovered part is small but there is a 3 level covered car park attached to the Mall. One thing I didn’t like was having to pay for the covered car park. We are all used to free parking in malls. Cost is 100 fils for the 1st hour, 50 fils for every hour after that.

The Mall Design

Beautifully designed, with no expense spared on the marble and wood decor. There are some wonderful touches like the beautiful round fountain with the rolling marble ball. Also there’s a section of the mall called The Gardens  covered with indoor flowers and plants. 360 is big, but not enormous, so it maintains a warmer feel. It is so different to Avenues. Avenues design is minimalistic with clean lines and white wide open spaces. Mall 360 is smaller, uses the spaces in the middle more and and expensive carved wood.  Its a modern Italian design with some Arabian influences.

The mall has four levels (five if you include the supermarket on the lower ground floor). Very few shops have opened. M&S is already open as is the supermarket Geant. As for cafe’s there’s a  Caribou tucked in a great location and a Coffee Republic open. Interestingly I couldn’t spot a single shop or restaurant from the Shaya group. A bowling alley near the multi screen cinema will open soon so in terms of entertainment, they’ve covered all bases.

Geant

This was the only shop I really checked out. Its on the lower ground floor and has one of the nicest looking Dunkin’ Donuts I have ever seen opposite it. People are comparing Geant to Carrefour but they really shouldn’t. Carrefour is twice the size and has three times the choice. Geant is a standard supermarket with an electronics section. Worth picking up some essentials if you are already there but not worth the special trip.

Overall 1st impression

A sophisticated mall dominated by designer boutiques which are opening soon. In terms of design, by far the most stunning yet in Kuwait. A mall which is great to meet up for a coffee or meal or if you are looking to buy a particular designer piece. Shopping wise I think its likely to appeal more to the Avenue Phase 2/Arraya Center crowd ?

For a full list of all the shops in Mall 360, check out the interactive Mall Directory by clicking [here].

UPDATE :

I have now added photos of the mall which you can see by clicking [here]