Anyone been to Dubai during Ramadan?

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We ve booked to go in May half term. Prices were super cheap and obviously that's because it's hot and it's Ramadan.

I am now having second thoughts about having booked it. I have read about the rules online and reviews from trip advisor etc. Some say the hotel, Sofitel on the palm, is stricter than other hotels, others say they were serving food and drinks around the pool as usual. The holiday providers website says some restaurants might be closed and some foods not served.

I spoke to a friend who goes regularly during Ramadan and she says I won't tell any difference.

I have emailed the hotel and our holiday provider but was wondering if anyone had experience of this? Particularly at this hotel.

We also went to go to the mall, the highest building, water parks and legoland. Will this be stricter than the privacy of the hotel?

Lived there 10 years.

Yes you'll notice the difference. Many places won't be serving around the pool and certainly not alcohol until sunset. Many places won't serve alcohol at all during Ramadan.

I stayed at Sofitel during Ramadan about 4 years ago, there was nothing served by oool during day. Although kids could get water.

Mall will have screened off area for eating.

Approach to Ramadan varies year to year. Sometimes it's been very strict, sometimes not so much. Doesn't follow a pattern.

Thanks Dublin

Makes it hard to know what it will be like then if it changes so much.

I don't like the idea of having to eat behind a screen I must admit. Will it be like this at legoland and the water park too?

We re not bothered by drinking. We went last March and I didn't drink all week because of the prices and wasn't bothered really. DH is trying not to drink anyway due to his health so that will suit him too.

Mmmm not keen on no food or drink by the pool. Although we might want to go inside to eat if it's so bloody hot.

Will all restaurants in the Sofitel inside be open and serving as usual?

I’ve been to Dubai during Ramadan before but I’m not a big drinker so can’t say I noticed anything but just wanted to say I’ve been to the Sofitel a few times - it’s great!

Not during Ramadan (we actually flew to another destination the day it began by chance) but my god was it hot in Dubai in May. I loved it it was amazing but I will never go back in there off peak again because of the temps

Not Dubai but been to Marrakesh and Tunisia through Ramadan and within hotels you cannot tell the difference , it's only out on the street that you see more of a difference , expect most places will be the same , I can't say it affected our trip as we were out and about but don't drink alcohol through daytime and only a few at the bar in our hotel during evening

I went last year and it was fine. Lots of places open to eat discreetly closed off but still very busy.
I also found lots of restaurants open around hotel areas with great discounts on food. I was really worried when I found out after I booked but found it no problem at all

Another thing to be aware of though is even though it's incredibly hot, if you leave the hotel complex to go sightseeing/ shopping/ etc, you can't sip from bottles of water. Nothing to touch your lips at all.

There's also a limit on entertainment during the evening, so if you do a sand dune safari thingy that ends in a Bedouin festival of food and belly dancing - you'll get the food and taped music. No live music or dance.

Check with your hotel about what's available and what's restricted.

Thanks everyone. I am
Waiting to hear back from virgin and the hotel about the situation at the hotel.

Yes, I read about the water. I am assuming we can go behind one of the screens or somewhere discreet if we did want to sip water? Read this doesn't apply to young children either.

It's just the trips to legoland and the water park I am worrying about most. Assume areas will be cornered off to eat/drink there?

We went to Dubai in May half term last year, which was during Ramadan, although didn’t stay at the Sofitel. In our hotel, there were no restrictions and neither were there at Legoland, Wild Wadi or Aquaventure. Motion gate was literally deserted, restaurants were open. In the other more public areas, restaurants were screened, hth

Yes, thank you. Hoping we can get a deal to go into the parks because of it. They are stupidly expensive. Not keen on sitting behind a screen to eat but guess it's not the end of the world. Bit worried about not being able to drink water in such hot temps. But I am assuming it's ok to go behind a screen or tree to have a discreet drink.

What time counts as after sunset? Don't want to be eating too late with the kids. Was hoping to eat at the highest tower one day. Will they still be serving lunch during that time?

yes, we were at the big jumeriah one, Dar al Masayaf. No pool service, not even water available. Even the non muslim staff were not allowed to eat during the day and in the lounge I walked into the kitchen to see them descending on the buffet as the curfew ended.

But then went to the Grosvenor house- and they used the beach at another hotel and the al maha and they had a full service.

Been to Oman during ramadam. They remove alcohol on the 1st day but then it is back- no issues with drinks.

Been to Oman during ramadam. They remove alcohol on the 1st day but then it is back- no issues with drinks.

It depends where you are. We went to Oman and Abu Dhabi during Ramadan this year and found Oman to be the stricter of the two about drinking. It was fine in the hotel (screened off area of the dining room during the day so as not to offend the many Muslim guests, but it was ok to drink water by the pool or in the gym), but it wasn't acceptable to drink water when walking around the city.

We went during Ramadan. The hotel was OK (Altlantis the Palm) with eating areas behind screens but in the Mall no eateries were open at all except a Subway. When we asked the armed security guards they said we 'might' be OK eating in the car but to make sure we don't get seen!! We weren't allowed to drink visibly either and at 45 degrees that was harsh! But their country their rules. I just wouldn't rush back.

This sounds like madness, btw.

I've not been to Dubai but I've been to other Middle Eastern Islamic countries. The fast ends at sunset - you can work it the time in Dubai from this website:

www.timeanddate.com/sun/united-arab-emirates/dubai?month=5

Just in case either of you are smokers - you are not allowed to smoke in public during the fast period either.

Sunset will be around 6.30.
The malls and hotels in Dubai are not very conservative. You will, at least, be able to eat and drink in a restaurant which will be screened off. It's not like you have to go behind a screen, just the restaurant will not be visable from the outside.
Children below puberty do not have to fast and can eat and drink openly.