should I go to Dubai for 3 days?

[mckenzie]

DH is going to Abu Dhabi for work in december and has suggested that I fly out to meet him and we go to Dubai for a short break. Because of work commitments it would mean just 3 full days in Dubai. I cant decide what to do.
Leave the children at home (with grandparents)and have DH to myself?
Take the children with us?
Not go because it's too far and too much hassle for such a short time?

Any thoughts?

GO! its fab. don't take the kids, go have adult time. Great shopping, restaurants, lots of interesting things to see etc and the weather is brilliant in December. Be warned tho - wear flat shoes for the airport, its VAST. Fly overnight if you can so you get more time - its only 6/7 hours from London tho.

The Fairmont is meant to be fantastic, or break the bank at the Burq al Arab. Or Jumeirah Beach? make sure you go to a traditional Arab restaurant and somewhere fab for a cocktail.

Abu Dhabi is a bit dull tho, don't go there. Its like going to England for the weekend and going to Stoke instead of London...

agree with Meow GO GO GO. Dubai is great, have been lots, ask if you have any questions.

I'm going next week [preen].... er... but to a meeting and its only 30 mins from here so not as FABULOUS. God all your friends'll be GREEN.

Oh and did I mention the duty free? I love the duty free at that airport [misty eyed]

We would be staying at the Jumeirah Beach hotel . I'd leave Heathrow at about 8pm thrusday night and arrive at Abu Dhabi about 7.30am local time. I then have to get to DH's hotel where a car from the hotel will pick us up. Apparently it's about an hours drive to Dubai. Does that sound about right to you?

oh then definitely go, you'll have a fantastic time. Yes sounds about right. Although you'll miss the best duty free

It is a long way to travel with kids for such a short time imo. We went for our honeymoon and were there for around 2 weeks and we wanted to stay longer.

To hot to do anything when we went in aug BUT ideal for chilling out. BUT maybe I'm jealous you have the opportunity to go ..!!

We stayed at the Hilton Jumeriah..beware of building work (it's everywhere BUT didn't affect us as we couldn't hear it etc). Our hotel was on jumeriah beach and around 10 mins drive from the burj..One place you must visit..!! The restaurant was booked up but we settled for afternoon tea which consisted of Champers,Sandwiches, cakes,choc and tea..........such a lovely experience. Such a lovely hotel..wish I was there now...

thanks shhh. Once I've booked it (I about 99% certain I will go and without the children) than i'll be back for ideas please of places to visit etc. It will be just 3 days for chilling out and getting to know DH again as he has been working too much this year so we wont want to be major tourists but cant go all that way without doing somehting a bit cultural though.

I've been there at least 8 times with and without kids just for weekends, have a fab time, you'll enjoy it.

Oh we're going for half term,what's the duty free like ,can I buy alcohol when we get to dubai?

Leave the children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely leave the children. Failing that... tell me the flight number and I'll go!

Jumeirah Beach Hotel does the best breakfast I have ever had in ANY hotel in the world....am jealous!

you acn buy alcohol on arrival at the airport, but only there, nowhere else apart from the hotels.

MABS you can drink alcohol outside of the hotels BUT it's not as widly availabale as it is in spain and greece etc.

Apparently there is an "irish village" which sounds like other "irish community pubs etc" where you are free to drink in that area. We didn't venture out of our hotel as we had enough on offer in our hotel in the sense of meals and drinks. TBH it was just nice to get away and relax.

As I said, the burj is fabulous and expect to pay around £40 for afternoon tea each. BUT well worth it imho.The hotel insides consist mainly of solid gold..everything from the door handles to the toilet handles.Bursting with designer boutiques...!! Chopard..the lot..!!!!

yeah, but as far as i know, unless you have an expat card, you can't buy bottles anywhere outside hotels!? Burj is fab, but Mina a Salam is ALWAYS my fave with or without kids.

So as a visitor ,going to visit my expat friend,can I buy her some alcohol when I get to dubai airport?

yes, defo

Go, leave the children at home

told DH last night that I would like to go please and sorted out the child care today with my DM and MIL.
So, looks like i'll be off to Dubai for some pre-christmas chilling/shopping etc. Thanks for the advice. If i have a crap time, you'll all be the first to know

you'll love it..!!

MABS, no aware of restrictions on buying "booze" for gifts ie bottle of vodka etc BUT you defo can buy alcohol to drink outside of your hotel..ie the Irish village..By this I mean a Vodka and coke or a pint etc..

McK, let us know how you got on..

sshhh - yeah you are totally right, I meant you can't buy bottles of booze in shops. Have a fab time.

oh dear. I go tomorrow and i think I'm in denial. I haven't got anything ready at all.
DH told me just before he left that he was regretting suggesting that I met him in Dubai and he wishes he was coming home straight after the exhibition as he doesn't want to be away from the children for so long (it's been a week for him already).
DD is very poorly, horrid cough and cold, temperature and very clingy.
The onyl one I want to leave is DS who is behaving like a spoilt brat, probably in response to not seeing his dad for a week I know.

So, please remind me why 5 days in Dubai with my husband will be divine?