‘Love Island’ Star Lucinda Strafford Soaks Up Sun In Abu Dhabi With Boyfriend Sean Stone, Sparking Engagement Rumors

Love Island star Lucinda Strafford has been enjoying a sun-soaked getaway in Abu Dhabi with boyfriend Sean Stone, and her vacation photos have fans convinced there may be more to the trip than sunshine.

Strafford, who turned 27 on Nov. 4, shared a carousel of snaps from the couple’s trip to the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Instagram.

“The Abu Dhabi camera roll 🌴🥹 sunshine, sunsets & making the best memories with my favorite person. wish we could do it all over again 💕♡,” she wrote in the caption.

The photos quickly sparked engagement rumors after eagle-eyed followers noticed Strafford kept her left hand hidden in several shots. In one photo, she enjoyed room service at the couple’s hotel with her left hand tucked behind her plate, leading some fans to suspect Stone may have popped the question during the trip.

Neither Strafford nor Stone has addressed the rumors.

The pair met on the third series of Love Island: All Stars earlier this year, where Strafford entered the villa as a bombshell, and the couple went on to finish in fourth place. Since leaving the villa, they have shared a steady stream of travel content, including trips to Rome, Greece and Ibiza. The couple previously got matching red-ink tattoos, with Strafford declaring, “It is official. We’re locked in.”

Strafford also invited fans along for the ride on Snapchat, sharing a video captioned “come to Abu Dhabi with Sean and me!!!”

The Brighton native, a former British Airways flight attendant who runs her own online fashion boutique, is no stranger to globe-trotting. She has appeared on four different versions of the Love Island franchise, including the U.K. and Australian series and Love Island Games.

Strafford and Stone timed their trip well. November marks the start of Abu Dhabi’s peak travel season, when the scorching summer heat gives way to warm, sunny days, making it one of the most popular winter sun destinations for travelers from the U.K. and Europe.

Visitors can explore the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, known for its white marble domes and massive crystal chandeliers. Culture lovers can head to Saadiyat Island, home of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, along with pristine white-sand beaches and luxury resorts.

Thrill-seekers can visit Yas Island, home to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld, as well as the Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix each year. For a more relaxed day, the city’s Corniche offers miles of waterfront paths and beaches with views of the skyline.

The best time to visit Abu Dhabi is from November through March, when daytime temperatures typically sit in the 70s and 80s. Travelers from the U.S. can fly nonstop to Zayed International Airport from several major cities, including New York.