Dubai or Abu Dhabi

[Trixiebell06]

Hi we would like to spend Xmas 22 in Dubai , would you stay in Dubai or Abu Dhabi ?
I’m also looking for hotel recommendations, I doubt we can afford a 5 star but really just somewhere that is clean and comfortable

It depends a lot on what you want to do its also relatively quick and easy to day trip between the two cities. Prices do go up over the Christmas period but a decent 4 or 5* ought to be relatively affordable.
Abu Dhabi is more laid back and probably has more culturally. It is also a bit more focused. There are tourist hotels in 4 main areas, the Corniche good for city access, the creek at the end of Abu Dhabi island then Yas by the F1 circuit and Saadiyat which are a way from the city but closer to Yas Mall Ferrari world etc.
Dubai is more frantic and spread out greater number of Malls etc.
Late December probably isn't swim in the sea lay on the beach hot though there should be some nice days.

Neither. Have you researched human rights abuses in the construction of what is a fully man made destination?

^
This

I’ve been to both and preferred Abu Dhabi as it was a bit more laid back and less try-Hardy than Dubai. The palace is really interesting and beautiful to visit, and the F1 circuit is good to though we are both F1 fans. We stayed on the Corniche.

Who is "we"? Are kids going or just adults?

For Christmas I would suggest Abu Dhabi - more relaxing, less busy

@FingChristmasFamily

^ This

My people. The cognitive dissonance is strong, isn't it?

For a short break i would favour Dubai as it's where most of the UAE's tourist attractions are. It's easy to get around and everything is close by.

Look at staying around the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. There are a lot of hotels there right on the beach. There are a couple of Hilton's, Sheraton and a few others.

@Fritilleries

Neither. Have you researched human rights abuses in the construction of what is a fully man made destination?

If one only went to cities that weren't built on slave labour it would be a very short list.

We spent last Christmas in Dubai. We didn’t go to Abu Dhabi because of the covid testing requirements between the emirates but hopefully things will have changed for the better in 2022.

We stayed in Downtown Dubai in a Sheraton hotel. It was ok (nothing super fancy). Quite far away from lots of things but taxis are easy to get and Uber is very reliable there. The weather was around 28 degrees so very pleasant, we were able to have a beach day and swim in the sea. We loved it!

You can do both very easily. Abu Dhabi has a Louvre Museum, Ferrari World theme park and a fantastic mosque to visit but it is otherwise quite boring. Dubai is, well, Dubai. It gets a bad rap on Mumsnet, often from people living in places built from the profits of slave labour so make up your own mind.

Their Covid rules are surprisingly different from one another as well so watch out for it if it is still relevant (obv hope not!)

Neither.