Dubai - where to stay

[Pushka2]

Hello

We're considering going to Dubai for half term for about 4/5 days. Any recommendations on where is good to stay and what to do? I know nothing about Dubai really

Thanks

We've just come back for the second time.

We stayed both times in the same hotel. Its a small hotel by Dubai standards but was really friendly which is what made us go back there. Its called Le Meridien Mina Seyahi and its near the Marina. Very handy to get about Dubai from there as there is a Tram stop right outside the hotel which connects to the Metro system or you can obviously get a cab very easily.

Ooh, I'm looking at going in November (grown ups only) any Hotel recommendations, I like the look of the Atlantis or the al qasr near the berj...

But I haven't been for years so opinions welcome please

Bump....

We stayed at the marina apartment hotel. We had a huge apartment with great facilities including a kitchen with all appliances, cookery, cutlery etc.

The bedrooms were serviced in the same way as a hotel but it gave us much more privacy and flexibility.

I'd be wary of staying at al qasr at the moment. It's a fabulous hotel, but there's loads of building work dr the extension to the mask at going on and they keep having to drain the canals. Prices are still the same though!

Depends what you want from the holiday. Atlantis is fab but you'll probably be just in the hotel itself. There's nothing around to wander to.

If you like having a walk out from the hotel, I'd suggest staying at JBR. There's a few hotels down there, including the Hilton as a 'proper' hotel and the doubletree by Hilton as serviced apartments (there's building work opposite the doubletree too, but significantly cheaper than Al qasr and doesn't take away one of the main features of the hotel!). Those two hiltons are good, and there's loads to wander around on the beach, different places to eat etc.

We loved the Atlantis for a four day stopover - the terrace family suites are fantastic, and were in a special offer.

Totally glitzy, OTT hotel, but we loved it for a few days. Water park was brilliant, and the early access suited us. Loved the aquarium too.

We stayed at the Conrad, which was near a train station, and a reasonable taxi ride to most places. The pool area was great, for a city hotel. We had a club room, which gives you access to the club lounge (but no kids under 12) where you get breakfast, soft drinks all day, snacky stuff including amazing cakes, then hors d'oevures and two hours of free alcoholic drinks between 6 and 8. Soooo civilised, I was devastated to have to leave for the airport just before 6pm on the last day!

As regards what to do - the Dubai Mall is just amazing. I am very much not a shopper, but the sheer scale and opulence of the place was jaw dropping, really - they have electric taxis inside the mall...

What sort of things are you interested in? Old stuff, wet stuff, sandy stuff?

I've stayed at Raffles 3 times and wouldn't stay anywhere else
It's pure luxury
I'm not interested in the beach or children when I'm away without mine

Yes, second Raffles. Not the best if you want beach or kids clubs etc, but great service and the club suites are not to be missed.