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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Fairmont in Dubai with two children....

8 replies

DiscoDancer · 08/02/2015 22:55

Off to Dubai for hour nights (stopover) with DS aged four and two, in a week or so. Any suggestions as to what is good to do, what can be booked in advance etc. Foodwise where is good to go? We only have breakfast included. Normally i research everything to death but have left DH run with this, hence we have no plan as of yet

OP posts:

bubba2012 · 08/02/2015 23:12

We stopped at the fairmont in September with dd who was 18mths. It's a beautiful hotel.
I would defo recommend going to the Dubai Mall (which has an aquarium and indoor ski slop), and 1500 shops a trip during the day and in the evening is worth it. See the dancing fountains at the foot of the burja kalifa
We did the open bus tour at night just to see all the amazing architecture , it's breath taking.
There are attractions that can be pre booked, like lunch at the Atlantis hotel but there are restrictions on children's ages . Ask the concierge at the hotel they are very helpful .
Taxis are cheap (about the only thing that was) and the metro is across the road.
Have a great time . I'd love to go again , but our dubai surprise was dd2 due to arrive in June

Original poster

DiscoDancer · 09/02/2015 01:36

Thanks bubba, and congratulations!

OP posts:

Original poster

DiscoDancer · 09/02/2015 17:45

Bump. What is the dress code out and about?

OP posts:

ginandtoast · 09/02/2015 18:03

I live in Dubai.

When are you coming exactly? It's half term next week here so very busy with kids around doing things

Dress code depends where you are going really. The older part of Dubai you need to be a lot more conservative but unless you are wearing skimpy shorts and a boob top, it's not a problem really. Beach wear anywhere other than the beach isn't liked at all though.

What sort of things do you like to do? Waterparks? Cultural things? Restaurants? Are you here for a Friday at all? (BRUNCH day!)

Would you like to look round the Juneriah mosque? It's a really good experience, but might be slightly better when your children are a bit older. Ditto desert Safari type tour. Might be better another trip.

Taxis are fine and cheap. You might like to download the Careem app on your phone though if you get a data package abroad. That way you can call a car to come and get you wherever you are or pre book and you can request car seats too. It's linked to your credit card.

MummyDuckAndDuckling · 10/02/2015 22:44

Ginandtoast, maybe you can answer a few Dubai questions I have!

Coming for a week in April with some friends. We are currently booked at the Marriott right next to airport (great deal on friends and family so silly to turn it down). We are worried this is quite far out though but reading that you said taxis are cheap means it's might not be so bad?

ginandtoast · 11/02/2015 05:49

If it's a great deal MummyDuck stick with it and save your money for actually doing things The good news is that taxis will always be willing to take you to and from near the airport (they all know where that is! Not the case everywhere in Dubai...)
There are three types of taxis here. Ultra cheap, official yellow taxis. The drivers drive like a loon and will make you get out and get another taxi if they can't find where you want to go (don't worry, they all know tourist places and main attractions, but the address system here is still nonsensical or non existant), then there are companies like Uber and Careem that you can use on an app. They are more expensive but still good value compared to cities like London. Then there are random lexus' that try and pick up tourists from hotels and malls. They are safe and generally uber or Careem drivers moonlighting I think, but they are the most expensive.
Having said that, it's still not bad value. I got one from ikea to home with two kids and a LOT of shopping across Dubai and it was equivalent of £15. Maybe negotiate before getting into a Lexus though, and at least ask how much. Anything nearing 90-100 dirhams (~£20) and you are paying too much.

Original poster

DiscoDancer · 12/02/2015 17:25

Gin we are coming in half term

I have a 4 year old and 2 year old, staying for four nights as a stopover.

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MummyDuckAndDuckling · 12/02/2015 20:31

Sounds great! We have ended up with another hotel right by the palm as one friend felt it was just too far out. Really can't wait! What's it like, cost wise, for eating out? Any cheaper kinda cafés that are worth a look?

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