Would you choose Dubai as a holiday destination?

Having spent plenty of time there over the last decade - on extended business trips and multi-day layovers - and having friends who live there because of work, I can't understand why people are suddenly so interested in going, other than 'influencer' nonsense making it trendy.

It's an easy option for Winter Sun, especially if you have young kids. Would I go there as a couple, probably not. But until my kids are under 14 etc...I think it's great. Warm, safe, clean and lots of choice for kids. Europe for city breaks and summer holidays where they can enjoy fresh fish, good culture etc.

Yeah I would like to go, although I didn't know about the modern day slavery stuff.

I find that baffling, that people will travel for a hotel. For me, hotels are just where you stay when you've gone somewhere you really wanted to see. Don't get me wrong, I love nice hotels, but I only ever stay in one because it's somewhere I want to visit. The food in Dubai is a disaster -- nothing much can be grown locally, so everything has to imported, at considerable environmental cost, and the UAE, like Saudi Arabia, has been landgrabbing in developing countries, displacing locals. What 'fresh' produce was in the supermarkets when I lived there was really old, and the high-end restaurants flew in all their produce daily.

6-7 hour flight, incredible hotels at the same price as 3-star hotels in Europe, amazing service, pools, food etc. Don't get me wrong, I would prefer a beach holiday in the med over a beach holiday in Dubai, however for October-May, best place for winter sun, without a doubt.

Been there and found it completely fake. Lots of 'the world's biggest/tallest/highest whatevers'.
At the market I was offered a 'genuine fake Rolex'!
Workers are effectively slaves from Asia, in contrast with the super rich jet set.
Not for me, thanks.

Yes - it's my definition of hell!

That's quite judgemental. Everyone is different.

Definitely not.

Not a long flight, great weather, safe, lots to do. No brainer.

I like the Costa Brava, I also like wild camping and had a second home in Yorkshire. Why wouldn't people who go wild camping like Spain? People are no longer that easily identifiable.

OP, I wouldn't go to Dubai. I have a lot of Nigerian friends whose friends/family have been caught up in modern day slavery and sex trafficked. My sister got the chance to go for free, but because of the campaigning she has done over the years, she would be a hypocrite. So had to decline or be dropped by groups she attended.

Nope

Nope, I am saying that I understand why there is a market for well paid but shitty and or dangerous jobs. And I have sympathy for those that find themselves in that market.

When we went years ago My H said it felt like the blingy bits of Essex or Cheshire but in the desert .

Nope you aren't getting it, are you one of those, people don't earn enough because they don't work hard enough people.

I give up.

DH went and had a great time, with his friend. I was happy not to go and will do a walking holiday in northern Spain later in the year as that's more to my taste.

No.

@CallMeDaphne, I like this expression so much that not only did I find myself using it on another thread, but I have just had a character say it in a novel I'm in the final stages of. So thanks.

I’d rather shove wasps up my arse.

Yup! We go frequently with our 11 and 17 year olds, our friends regularly spend a month there in December and we have spent Christmas there, always had an amazing time. Have also been to Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimeh and Ajman , all lovely, lovely people, feels very safe, loads to do

There are many reasons to go to Dubai and theres a surprising number of things to do.... Ive been once on business and once on holiday, and here are the things we did - desert safari, sandboarding, dune bashing and wonderful traditional meal in the desert with bellydancers, flame eaters, henna painters, hooka lounge, traditional music etc; Atlantis waterpark and aquarium which was huge fun for the kids; trip to the Old Town and Souk; a sunset cruise along the marina to see Dubai from the water; afternoon at rooftop infinity pool at Aura Skybar - this was fantastic as you swim around the perimeter and see views of downtown, the Palm, the city skyline etc; walk along JBR beach with supper and music; etc etc.

On the plus side of the scoresheet as well, the easy safe quick and cheap public transportation and ride share services, the high quality hotels and resorts for every budget, the safety factor which is a big one, the wide variety of meals and eateries at every touchpoint and price point etc etc.

Im not saying that there are not problems in Dubai, but this sneery attitude of questioning why people would want to go there, is really snobby and entitled. many people do, and like all tourists, the money they bring helps people working in the tourist industry.

We loved Dubai. We have booked to return this year.

If I was 20 years younger I would move there. I run my own business that would actually do well out there so I could do quite well. But, I'm nearly 50 and starting to slow down instead.

I don't believe the workers are rounded up in their home countries and shipped out there. They went on their own volition.

There are some places in the world where, if you have a spirit of adventure, you can go and work hard and earn money to secure your future: Dubai, KL, oil rigs, outback mines etc. Some people think it’s worth the hardship, you might say money isn’t everything but without it you are right at the very bottom of the welfare ladder. So if you don’t want people to have those opportunities maybe you should check your privilege

No. Last place I'd think of. It's not my thing. .it tbh looks boring. Not been though just going on the photos shown

I've got to say your post is one of the most disgusting privileged things I've read.

It's truly horrible.