Dubai stopovers

[BuntingintheSunshine]

We're planning a trip back to the UK from Aus (Perth) next year, we've done Singapore twice now, and DS would like to see the Burj, so we're thinking on travelling via Dubai, despite the poor reviews of Emirates' 777 comfort levels. DS will be 12 - what other stuff should we aim to see/do? I have so far thought of the Souks, Mall, Dubai Fountain, Aquarium, Jumeirah Mosque, taxi boat, maybe 4wd/sand surfing (although in May might it be far too hot for that?), the Miracle Garden, Children City (for the sciencey stuff). We're not interested in the ski or water parks.

And hotels - I am an unashamed 5* fan (albeit not with an unlimited budget), we don't need kids clubs or anything, and the thought of organised activities around the pool makes me break out in hives - any areas to concentrate on or avoid? I presume we can travel easily via Metro?

Options are to do 3 nights on the way out, or 2 nights at each end - is it a faff getting to/from the airport?

Any suggestions/hints or tips?

Raffles every time

It's not touristy like the jumeirah hotels. Staff are amazing.
It's between airport and City so very convenient, taxis are cheap but the metro is next to the hotel

If you're there on a Friday do a Friday brunch (Al qasr is the best)
Burj khalifa is great and I really enjoyed the mosque talk.
You could ski or snowboard in the mall

Try arranging your Emirates flights so you are on the A380, comfort and space in economy is excellent and they use these on so many routes

Thanks Mozz, we'd love the A380 for both legs but Emirates from Perth only offers the 17" wide seats of the 777 (!!??) One option is to hop up to Singapore then A380 from there to Dubai but it relies on Scoot or somesuch budget airline giving us a killer deal and then actually getting us there on time, not sure my heart can cope with that.

I'd take the 777 then ?? rather than some dodgy airline inbetween

I know it's not a popular opinion on here but I love dubai
I've been twice and have just booked my third trip

Yes, I was rather hesitating to press post!

Hmmm, Raffles looks lovely, but might be a stretch, it's on the Stopovers list so will try and find out if it's a good rate in May. DH has found the Millennium Plaza which includes half board but TripAdvisor isn't wholly impressed.

You can get a better rate if you haggle via email
Or try booking.com

We are paying £230 per night in a club room (basically full board with evening drinks)

Now you're talking! I loved the club rooms in the Inter Continental Singapore. And that's a good price, it's not each is it?

No that's per night, they are pretty good at price matching.
You get breakfast, afternoon tea and canapés and drinks in the evening, we rarely ate out as there was no need

Ooh - Dubai stopover. You lucky thing.
Definitely do the Burj - you can book it now, on line as it is very popular and busy.
The dancing fountains are fabulous and you can see them at ground level then again form the Burj.

The desert safari is good - as is the aquarium, malls, souks.
Sand surfing can be uncomfortably hot - especially for DC.

Could you manage one night in the Atlantis? The aquarium there is amazing and you can add in a special international buffet dinner. I know you said you don't like water parks - neither did I, but I loved the one at the Atlantis.

Could you not fly on the A380? Fantastic plane and very comfortable.

Sorry - I got so excited for you that I didn't read the whole thread.
Busy cooking dinner so didn't refresh the page.

The metro is fine to take although you cannot go from the airport as they do not allow suitcases. However taxis are very cheap. The metro is often a better bet during peak times as the traffic around dubai can be pretty dire.

(No idea about hotels I am afraid as always stay with family.)

Give Miracle gardens a miss... It's not very good. Think 500 petunia's planted in an old car.

Kidzania in Dubai Mall is fantastic.

Go and have dinner at one of the restauramts around the fountains one evening. Lots to choose; from TGIF, Wafi Gourmet (Lebanse food) to fancy Thai at the Palace Hotel.

May is rather hot and can very humid which is what makes it very unpleasant so stick to mainly indoor activities.

Hope you will have a great time!

500 petunias planted in an old car. Sounds, erm, delightful... So not Singapore's Gardens by the Bay then?

Thanks for the responses. Another thought, we might stop over on the way back as well (to prepare ourselves for the godawful 17" seats) - would it be utterly daft to opt for, say a desert hotel as something "different" - bearing in mind it would be mid/late June? Or just stop somewhere handy for the airport fr 24hrs to gird our loins for returning to the Perth winter and to work (and probably another 2 years without a holiday (or actually any time off!), sniff, sniff..)

Although it appears to be the start of Ramadan when we're coming back (end June). We're not planning on doing much, but how does that affect tourists? Obviously no eating in public etc but are the malls open?

Ramadan is quite tough as you cannot eat/drink in public which is tough when it is hot. (I have been known to gulp water in the toilets or crouching down in the back of a car.)

Lots of things are shut or do different hours and if open don't serve alcohol. Hotels are open and will serve food and drink but sometimes won't serve it outside. The malls are open but often stay open late into the evening but shut more during the day. There is also lots of traffic at sunset as they all try and get home and because they are often tired and hungry there are lots of crashes.

That said, I have still enjoyed myself during Ramadan but would avoid it if I could. Eid (the end of Ramadan) is a really nice time to be there as there is a big party atmosphere and lots going on.

The Ramadan portion is only one night on our way back so won't be a huge issue. Would it be worth going for a desert hotel for something a bit different or would late June make it rather a trial by fire?

Help again? Can't decide between a hotel in the city or on the Palm for our 3 night stay. We'll be doing touristy things, as per above, is it (as seems obvious) better being closeish by, or out on the Palm in ?peace and quiet?