V-Flyer

We are planning another trip to Atlantis on the palm. We loved it last year and want to return with our son.
We are looking at the 2nd week of June as he gets 2 weeks for half term. A great time to travel as most other schools are back by then.
However I have just realised that Ramadan fall during this period. I have read that most hotels operate fairly normally other than no alcohol during daylight (no big problem for us)
We are not planning to leave the resort much as we did lots of touristy stuff last year. Might just pop to the malls.
Anyone have any experience of Dubai during Ramadan , specifically in the hotels ?
There are great rates for the dates we want.
Only fly in ointment is no reward availability for outbound, but we might just go for combo fare in PE (cash on way out) and UC (miles) on way back. Hubby is FC gold so we should be able to use the clubhouse
Thanks
L2H

Have stayed at Hilton on The Walk (Dubai Marina) and the in-room info book had a section on Ramadan (even though we were not there during the Holy month).

Hilton policy is no food or drink during daylight hours. Not even a "screened off" restaurant like some hotels do. If you want food / drink in daylight hours, it's room service only (& obviously no alcohol served in daylight).

I know someone who lived in Dubai & they had a friend who left his apartment, went to the lift & down to the underground carpark (so not really "in public" as such) whilst eating a slice of toast. It was in Ramadan - someone saw him & reported him to the Police and he got a day in jail for the slice of toast.

Whilst Dubai in Ramadan has many restrictions, I know many people say it is one of the best times to visit as you experience more of the "real" Dubai than the manufactured touristy bits. The Iftar banquets for breaking the fast in the evening are supposed to be something else. It's also a known fact that food consumption actually increases during the month of Ramadan too - odd but true. Clearly people who are fasting eat a lot in the hours of darkness when they can eat to see them through the day.

Also worth mentioning to L2H that children are generally exempt from the fast during Ramadan - as long as they are fairly young (say under 10 - and look it). You'd get away with allowing them to eat / drink very discreetly in public.

I've stayed at madinat jumeirah many times during Ramadan. Apart from no alcohol or live music you would not know the difference.

It's a good time to visit, lots going on

I have also stayed in the madinat jumeriah- dar al masyaf- awful- couldn't even get water at the pool. Generally the 1st few days are strictest. The staff tend to be tired- staff told me that Jumeriah make all their staff fast not only Muslims. I recall in the lounge seeing the Easter European staff falling on the food as the time passed (I had popped into the serving area to ask for something as no staff visible).

I think no drinks at the pool was hotel wide? but it was about 5 years ago.

We then went to al maha and back to grosvenor house/their beach partner hotel and found it very different there from jumeriah- much more relaxed.

We are usually in a muslim country during ramadan- varies by country and hotel. Tends to be a cheap time to travel. In Oman there is no alcohol at all on the 1st day and after that non in the daytime (mini bars are emptied etc)

The Atlantis has screened off areas during daylight hours in Ramadan for those wanting to eat/drink (no alcohol till after 8pm though). Even in the malls last year was the first time I saw screened off areas in the food courts. Take advantage of the excellent prices as it really will not be any real disadvantage to your stay. The evening Iftar meals are excellent as well. One note, it will be hot as hell +40-45c,

Iain

Thanks everyone, useful info. I think it sounds do-able and I have read that Aquaventure will be less busy too as those fasting avoid visiting.
We experienced the high temps last year we also went in June, but to be honest we will just be sticking to the pools and water park, and indoor cooled areas so should be fine. I am also keen to experience the evening celebrations.

Now to check with FC on availability and Atlantis for rates

Thanks again

iforres1 wrote: One note, it will be hot as hell +40-45c,

Iain

Not wrong there! I went to Dubai in August 2013 and it was way too hot (45C). At Aquaventure, you could not walk on the block paving path that leads from the pools to the entrance / changing rooms after about Noon in bare feet as the pathway is in the sunshine & not cooled by water. Your feet just burned. The paths within Aquaventure were mostly OK as they were cooled by water mist / water dripping off peoples swimwear.

The waterparks should be quieter in Ramadan as L2H says, people who are fasting will generally not swim, as there is the risk of inadvertently swallowing some water.

sleep in the day & do everything at night.
problem solved ^_^