Anyone done Dubai?!!

[Debs Hill]

Looking into a holiday in Dubai and have lots of questions for anyone who has been!!

1) Where should we stay? It will be me, husband and 4 yr old son. Dad likes golf, son likes swimming and mum likes luxury and relaxation! Have looked at Jumeirah Beach and Jebel Ali? Please help!

2) How long would you recommend there?

3) What is the shopping like?

4) Did you go to Wadi Wadi waterpark?

5) Anything to avoid?!

Look forward to your help!
debsxx

 

[onlyholly]

..of your questions but did stay at the Jebel Ali Hotel a few times when I worked in Abu Dhabi during the late 80's. At that time it was one of the top hotels but in the middle of nowhere. It may be very different now.....

Holly

 

[vernon]

Like Holly I worked in the Middle East ( Bahrain and Kuwait) in the late 80s . Jumeirah Beach is busier than Jebal Ali and I believe nearer the rest of the action. Friends who've been recently really enjoyed the Wild wadi water park. There is some great golf out. Shopping, do not miss the gold suq (market) if you can do so I think it's worth checking out the airport duty free prices on the way in as I believe it's cheaper than the main town for stuff. Even if you don't buy things then, it will give you an idea of prices for the way out. IMHO a must do is desert bashing in a 4x4 as is a trip out into the desert for an evening dinner show. I would also suggest a visit to the Dubai museum, it's unlikely to take more than an afternoon, but it would give you an insight into an interesting culture and part of the world.

I think Dubai is an excellent destination for 7-10 days.

The only thing I would say avoid is travelling in Ramadan, which is scheduled to be October 15-Nov 14 this year. Unfortunately this is probably one of the best , weather wise, time of year to visit. A lot is done to minimise the effects of Ramadan on tourists, but the rest of the town does go through a bit of a "slow down" for that month. If DH likes rugby the Dubai 7s tournement is one of the best in the world and on Dec 5-7 this year, well worth a visit if you happen to be there at that time.

Here's a link with some information on the city http://www.dubaicityguide.com/main/index.asp

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for your responses so far. Tell me about the heat! Is it bearable? We would probably be looking to travel in the summer months. Is it humid as well as hot, or just hot?!

What is the cost of living like there?
Thanks
Debsx

 

[March Hare]

Hi

We have friends who live there who are in the UK at the moment just to escape the heat! It is regularly in the high 40's during the summer months, and you certainly could not stay out for long periods - thankfully everwhere is airconditioned though.We have visited on several occasions, and even in January to us Brits it can be as hot as a summers day here!

Mark

 

[ALBA]

I visited Dubai in Dec 2002. We stayed at Le Meridien which was great. We visited the Jumeriah Beach Hotel for dinner and a few drinks and if I were to return to Dubai I would definitely stay there. Great location, restaurants, bars and right next to Wild Wadi water park, which is great and a few golf courses nearby.

One thing to bear in mind is that the hotels on Jumeriah Beach are around 30 mins (traffic permitting) outside of the centre of Dubai, but the big shopping centres run shuttle buses to take you to the town and taxis are cheap.

I would agree that 7-10 days is enough. The shopping is great, especially if you like designer items and the gold souq is great, but you need to bargain hard at the souq.

A few recommendations for food and drink & tours:-
1. Boardwalk in Dubai Creek Golf Club - Nice decking area overlooking dubai creek with good food.
2. The Pyramids at Wafi City - Great bars and restaurants. One of the bars does a cocktail night where all cocktails are around £1.50
3. Vu's Bar in Emirates - On the 51st floor so worth a trip for the view but drinks expensive
4. Full Day Desert Safari - Amazing what they can do with those 4x4's and an excellent meal and some belly dancing to finish it off

I believe Jebel Ali is also lovely, but didn't visit.

Andrea

 

[vernon]

The summer is VERY VERY hot, I wouldn't recommend it as unless you've experienced the summer heat in this part of the world you really can't understand it no matter how well someone explains it. Take Florida in July/August and kick it up a couple of notches !!!!. Even in the evenings it is oppressively hot and sticky. In the day time it is very easy to become dehydrated if you spend any time outside int he heat.

IMHO the best times of year to go are November, Feb, March and April. December and January are usually pretty good although you do run a slight risk you'll get the 3 days a year it rains in the Middle East, you have a slight chance of getting what I'd call mild spring UK weather. At a push I'd go in October or May if you're resonably hardy to hot weather and are prepared to drink plenty of NON alcoholic drinks. June, July and August NO THANKS !!! and I'm pretty hardened to hot weather LOL