V-Flyer

So after a fabulous week at Le Meridien Al Aqah it was time to come home. Even though the hotel is located in another emirate (Fujariah), 2 hours from Dubai, I would definitely go again. VH lay on a private transfer in a rather nice BMW 5 series and we were whisked away in air conditioned comfort.

I also quite like to see a bit of the country, although it is rather barren we saw goats and camels grazing (if that's what they do?!) and lots of local towns, shops, mosques etc. I really love the Middle East, the standards of service are fantastic. The food at the hotel was outstanding and I thought the whole holiday represented excellent value for money.

We did go back into Dubai for the day, we hired a car and driver for what they called a ten hour transfer. He picked us up, took us to the Atlantis Waterpark (which was great fun) then drove us to see various sights, then on to Karama for a little shopping. I managed to find a rather lovely handbag which looked a little like a Hermes Birkin

Anyway, the time came to take the return transfer back to the airport. Our car was due to pick us up at 0500.

So me being me, was up at 0400 generally flapping and panicking about having packed everything and doing my level best to make sure my Birkin didn't end up in an incinerator at Dubai airport police station.

Phone rang at 0420 - broken English, sorry ma'am, your car is going to be a little late.

Oh, oh dear, what a shame I got up at 0400 for what was now going to be a 0530 pick up.

Anyway the poor Emirati driver arrived at 0528 in a very flustered state with a broken fuel cap in his hand and proceeded to tell us at a thousand miles an hour how he had gone to fuel up and the electrics on the car had failed, he was then instructed by his boss to fuel the car by any means necessary, in this case, busting the fuel cap off. His boss ended the call by telling him that if his guests (us) were unhappy with the delay he should just bring the car back to the office and go home with his marching orders!

We reassured him that it really wasn't a problem and as it was we arrived at the airport at 0715 for the 1005 flight, so no issues at all. The driver was a lovely guy but he did insist on showing me photos of the royal family whilst travelling at 100kmph down the six lane highway. He had recently spotted a princess whilst out on his travels and had called out to her that he loved her, she called back she loved him too and then he duly took the photo which he is clearly going to cherish for eternity - very sweet.

Anyway, check in and security were a breeze. We then had a wander round the vast departures area before buying a few last minute souvenirs, we boarded Diamond Girl on time and again had the extra leg room seats. This time we had the touch screen entertainment system with gate to gate accessibility, this is excellent for getting the seven year old in my life settled and happy for the flight home. The captain gave the flight time as 7.5 hours.

This time the food was excellent, it really was very nice. I am afraid that I can't find the menu but from memory it was something like:

Greek salad

Chicken curry, pilau rice
Beef stew, mash and veg
Mushroom pasta

Berry mousse.

I had the beef stew which was lovely, the lady next to me had the chicken curry which looked (and smelled) delicious and my son and husband had the pasta which they said was very nice.

Now, it was a fairly uneventful flight apart from the amount of children vomiting!

I don't know whether it was just that I noticed it more being sat with more people in Y but it did seem to be rife, as we exited the plane a poor little soul threw up on the air bridge and as I looked around there were a couple of kids sat nursing paper bags. I didn't feel it was a particularly turbulent flight. Poor little things.

Our luggage came out quickly and we made the short walk to the valet parking pick up, we were out of the airport and on the M4 within 55 minutes of landing.

Now to get the washing done before our next jaunt to Cape Verde (on Thomsons - bluergh!) in seven weeks time.

Thank you for your TR. We are regular travellers to Dubai and have travelled there with VS in UC, PE and Y. We have found the best most attentive service we receive has always been from the cabin crew in economy. If you like the Middle East take a look at VH Hilton Resort and Spa in Ras Al Khaimah exceptional value for money and a great hotel.

Hi Daffodil

When choosing this holiday it was a toss up between Le Meridien and the Hilton RAK. The only reason I went for LM was because I got chatting to a family on holiday last year who had stayed there and rated it highly. Thanks for the advice.

"A bag that looked a little like a Hermes Birkin" lol nice
Like your style
Thanks for posting. Felt really sorry for the kids who were sick. I was one of those kids when I was their age.

Brilliant TR - thank you for posting!

Although I know it's annoying to be waiting for your car transfer ... that poor chauffeur! Not an understanding boss!

Thanks for your trip report. We did the same routes as you in Sept/Oct and I wonder if we had the same transfer driver as we too were shown pics of the royal family whilst driving at the same speed and the princess story rings a bell. We stayed at the Royal Meriden Resort & Spa in Dubai also with VH.

Leanne, lol - how brilliant!