Dubai - WOW !

I know that a few of you are off to DBX soon so thought it rude not to feedback on our trip there..

We both thought Dubai was fantastic.
We stayed at The Jumeirah Beach hotel and had booked a private transfer from the airport. We were picked up in an Audi A8 stretch version, given cold towels and a bottle of cold mineral water. A welcome surprise after a 3 hour overnight flight from India.
We arrived at the hotel at about 8.30am (checkin is at 2pm) but we were given a free breaksfast and access to all the facilities until our room was ready. We were given a mobile phone so that they could let us know. We didn't have to wait long as our room on the 12th floor was ready just after 10am.

We were escorted up to our room after a whistlestop tour of the hotel. Wow , what a view of The Burj, the Palm Jumeirah and even a glimpse of 'The World' development in the distance.

Must do's :
4x4 Desert safari (Wadi bashing)
Drinks at the Sky View bar at The Burj al Arab
Shopping/Ski-ing at The Mall of the Emirates
Wild Wadi (open for Jumeirah hotel guests only first thing)
A trip to the Gold Souk ££££££££££££££££
A boat trip on the creek
Dubai museum for anyone interested in the history

Plus lots more.

We are definitely going back one day and we are saving up to stay at The Burj flying VA next time. Having said that Emirates are really good too !

[HighFlyer]

Thank-you so much for this! Im off there in 4 days time and your hints and feedback are much appreciated!

What wa the trip to the desert like? Have pondered doing that myself.

As for your other pointers, a few of those will be on the tick list for sure! The jury is still out on Wild Wadi though

Thanks,
Sarah

That all sounds wonderful - thanks for the review! I've been toying with the idea of trying Dubai as well, so always good to get some real feedback.

I know what you mean about Wild Wadi, we only went as it was free.
I am not a water baby and wasn't keen but was very surprised at how much I enjoyed floating around. Some of the more thrilling rides are good too.
Best to go first thing when its not so busy if you fancy it. We don't have kids but still enjoyed it ourselves. It wasn't on our list of must do's but we are glad we went.
I felt like a kid again and its great to cool down in such hot weather.

We booked our 4x4 desert trip through Arabian adventures. Highly recommend it. There were 6 passengers in the car (felt very comfy and safe). We were driven out to the desert , about 45mins out of Jumeirah. The ride over the dunes was scarey but brilliant. We also visited a Camel farm (how cute are camels!), watched the sunset and had a short camel ride. If you do this be prepared for the camel getting up suddenly....very alarming but funny.

We were then taken to a 'desert camp' where we were fed. Also entertained by a belly dancer, with an authentic belly !!!
Didn't think much of this bit, but the rest was great.

Hope that helps, enjoy your trip. Lucky you !
L2H

[HighFlyer]

Thanks L2H!

I'll contemplate Wild Wadi further, if its free entry i guess there is no harm in checking it out! Im not a water baby, and it took me many a try to actually go and do the 'Leap of Faith' at Atlantis.

Desert, now that sounds good, so i might investigate that option with the company you mentioned. I can ride a Camel no problem but dont get on too well with them after one spat at me when i was a nipper, but baby Camels will be cool.

Not keen on the Belly Dancers myself either. After may trips to Egypt i see them as nothing but a tourist thing as technically they would be frowned apon by most Moselm and Bedouin.

Thanks again, oh, and if you have any hints/tips/must-do's/must-not's for the Jumeriah Beach Hotel i would also be really appreciative

Thanks
Sarah

[Bazz]

Great insight lovetoholiday, seems like Dubai will have to be pushed up our wish-list a few places!

Originally posted by lovetoholiday
...Also entertained by a belly dancer, with an authentic belly !!!
...

Err, he wasn't there was he, I didn't see it in his itinerary [:p][}:)];)

[cough]If you are referring to me, I'l have you know I have lost a stone in the past few weeks. [ahem!]

Originally posted by lovetoholiday


We were then taken to a 'desert camp' where we were fed. Also entertained by a belly dancer, with an authentic belly !!!

I think me and Mcuth could have a little business opportunity here [:o)]!!

Regards

John

I've been to Dubai once before and I've found it to be a great place my wife love the Gold Souk thinking of going back now that I'll earn miles.

I went there in Feb with BA unfortunately but did make £125 each for changing flights due to overbooking, which was good as I didnt want to go home anyway..

The place itself though was great, had a fantastic time. We did however have two days of rain (the first in over year so the locals told us).

Afternoon Tea at the top of the Burj is good for those who do not want to splash out on a full dinner there. I think it was about £35 each. We also went into the desert with some ex pats who live out there. Its a long story but we got lost in Oman which was erm interesting.

Although I didnt go to Wild Wadi you might not know that the park uses entirely fresh water, no recycled chlorinated water apparently!

Either way its a great city, i loved it and shall certainly be saving for an UCS trip there next year.

L2H,

thanks for the tips on what to do and see. As we will be there slightly longer than the rest of the bunch I am sure we will try most of what you recommended.

One slight concern is that Mrs F travel visa has not arrived yet[:?]
If not i could be on my own with a divorce pending on my return
Does anyone know if we can get a visa on arrival[:w]

Iain

Im not a water baby, and it took me many a try to actually go and do the 'Leap of Faith' at Atlantis.

There is a very similar slide at Sun city,we had hours of fun watching as it ripped various swiming cosies off:D.