Dubai all booked - Burj and Madinat - Any views?

Hi

My wifes 40th in February, so as a special treat have booked 8 nights in Dubai. The surprise is that the 1st 2 nights are at the ultra (ostentatious, opulent and over the top) expensive Burj Al Arab and the rest at the Madinat, Dar Al Masaf resort.

Has anyone been to either of these, or have any views/ideas what to expect, tours etc.?

Appreciate all comments, and can't wait now, especially to see her face when we pull up to the Burj!

Thanks!

IMHO the most romantic hotel in that area has to be The Residence @ The Royal Mirage. Small, intimate and extremely private (if you are not staying at The Residence you are not entitled to even use the pool). It's my home from home but gets booked up really quickly - as most top end hotels in Dubai do for Feb (it is their high season).

I have stayed at the Burj and did not like it (full of prostitutes at the bar - and got hasseled from them most evenings in the bars (can't they tell I am gay !?)) and also stayed at Ritz Carlton which is lovely but a bit near the construction work at the moment. Have dined at The Madinet and the retuarants we used where of a very high standard indeed but it is a very large hotel/complex so not our cup of tea to stay there. However, it is very close to Mall of the Emarites (best Mall in Dubai in my opinion) and Wild Wadi for a fun few hours.

I hope you enjoy your time - I am sure you will !!

Hi Ian, you'll love Dar Al Masyaf...superb, been there three times [y] Click on my profile, then look at the photos I've posted...there are numerous ones of Dar Al Masyaf..enjoy!

James

The Madinat is a great complex but is rather large for my liking (Stayed at the Al Qasr), plus if you are staying at the Burj for the first couple of nights you'll then be staring back (it's next door) at potentially the place you preferred for its 'luxury' (ISTBC).

The Royal Mirage is my preference, though the Arabian Court as it is quite calm and personal (vs The Palace) but not quite so 'away from it' as The Residence. Having eaten at the Residence Dining Room I would definately recommend it, alongside Eau Zone (Arabian Court) and Celebrities (The Palace).

Friends tell me the Ritz Carlton is also a great place to stay.

Have you considered a trip out to stay at the Al Maha in the desert? I'd love to try that!

Good review of the Burj here from Highflyer: Burj Review.

Friday Brunch at the Madinat is a must, either at Mina Al Salam or Al Qasr - see my mini review in the hotel & dining reviews section.

Regards

Pat

Ianflies

wish you were my husband, your wife will be absolutely thrilled with this trip. I haven't stayed at either hotel, but have been to Dubai, the Madinat complex is wonderful, and by all accounts Dar Al Masaf the best of the lot, we took a tour round on the abras and it looked amazing. As for the Burj I'm sure it is over the top but isn't that what you go there for. If you want some good advice re Dubai, go on the Trip Advisor Dubai forum, they are a really helpful group of people and know everything about Dubai. There's an amazing report by someone who took her friend as a surprise to The Burj, it brings a tear to your eyes. Take your wife diamond shopping at the gold and diamond park, she'll love it!

Whilst we were there one of the best things we did was the safari with Arabian Adventures, it was brilliant, highly recommend it. We did a private tour which was great, as the other tours did have a lot of cars in them. You can also do a romantic sunset tour, where you stop for a drink in the middle of nowhere. Also if you are going in Feb the weather will be just right, not too hot but really pleasant.

The Burj is def on my list of places to stay, even its only for 1 night, probably all I can not afford anyway. Feel as if some of the replies on here have been a bit negative, you will have a great time, you have picked two of the best hotels to stay in, hope you have a great time

Originally posted by hackneyguy
I have stayed at the Burj and did not like it (full of prostitutes at the bar - and got hasseled from them most evenings in the bars (can't they tell I am gay !?))

Hi sailor! That was me waving to you at the bar!!! [:X] Me love you long time...

GJ

Wot GJ ?? I didn't recognise you East European accent (together with the leggy attire !) LOL

Originally posted by billybob
Ianflies

wish you were my husband, your wife will be absolutely thrilled with this trip. I haven't stayed at either hotel, but have been to Dubai, the Madinat complex is wonderful, and by all accounts Dar Al Masaf the best of the lot, we took a tour round on the abras and it looked amazing. As for the Burj I'm sure it is over the top but isn't that what you go there for. If you want some good advice re Dubai, go on the Trip Advisor Dubai forum, they are a really helpful group of people and know everything about Dubai. There's an amazing report by someone who took her friend as a surprise to The Burj, it brings a tear to your eyes. Take your wife diamond shopping at the gold and diamond park, she'll love it!

Whilst we were there one of the best things we did was the safari with Arabian Adventures, it was brilliant, highly recommend it. We did a private tour which was great, as the other tours did have a lot of cars in them. You can also do a romantic sunset tour, where you stop for a drink in the middle of nowhere. Also if you are going in Feb the weather will be just right, not too hot but really pleasant.

The Burj is def on my list of places to stay, even its only for 1 night, probably all I can not afford anyway. Feel as if some of the replies on here have been a bit negative, you will have a great time, you have picked two of the best hotels to stay in, hope you have a great time

Thanks for that! If my wife refuses, you have first dibs on the Burj!! You are quite right saying it is over the top, but that is what I am going for. Surprised at the bit of negative reviews, but from my point of view, it is an iconic hotel, I won't be going over there again for a good few years, it is anoter tick in the box and I think to go to Dubai and NOT stay there would be wrong!! But yes, it is expensive. Thanks for all the tips and hints, appreciated, well, all except the Diamond shopping - she can't have everything!!!

Thanks also to the other replies and links - I will look them up and the photos as well Vegascrazy, thanks, - amazing and love the views of the waterway from the bedroom! Can't wait now.

Cheers for all the input.

The Burj Al Arab is an architectural marvel - enjoy it! I think you'll also be amazed by the Burj Dubai - visible from the Burj Al Arab on a clear day - that building is TALL!

Spent one night at the Burj for my 40th birthday. I personally did not like it as I found the service far too intrusive. We left the room to go to the ATM in the lobby and by the time we got back to the room (about 7 mins tops) there was a squad of cleaners in the room plumping up the cushions and topping up the mini bar.
Now if you are comfortable with that level of service then you will be amazed by the Burj. As you are going for 2 nights you will probably chill into the Burj experience,make sure you you get a full briefing from the butler on the operation of the remote control as you will need it to open the door remotely etc. Best aspect of the room for me was the James Bond style remote controlled curtains which made you feel like some evil SPECTRE villain. [:D]
Hope you enjoy the Burj.

[RichardMannion]

We're just back from DXB - The Madinat resort does look very good, plenty to do. My concern is around it being a bit like a Disney Resort hotel - there are lots of visitors to the Madinat resort in general, using the restaurants and the shops.

I've heard really good reviews of the Madinat accomodations, but it depends on what you want - if you want to be away from it all then I would strongly recommend the Park Hyatt. We went there as a group for a meal, and stunning is an understatement. You can still visit the Madinat though like we did for lunch on a couple of occasions.