Dubai or Abu Dhabi

[HalfasleepChrisintheMorning]

Anyone been? Any hotel recommendations?
Thinking of a week from Manchester in October.
( I’m hoping not to have to discuss the politics!)

Yes, it was but we know better now. What a ridiculous argument. So by your "logic" should we also continue to encourage men to abuse and take advantage of women because that's how the film industry works? Should we just give up trying to improve the world and vulnerable people's lives?

Exactly .It is constantly being referenced , apologised for and that’s after it was abolished 200 years ago.

Why should slavery be considered ok now?

Especially when it’s only for a holiday that can be taken anywhere in the world ( and certainly support the locals if chosen wisely).

I would like specific suggestions of where to go that you approve of then!
It needs to be direct flights from Manchester, 21-28th October, 5 star hotel, sunny and with lots to do. Not Florida (just got back)
I will take my money elsewhere if I can think of where else to go.

Having every whim catered for by slaves? Not for me thanks, but if you do go be sure to be respectful and cover your arms and show no cleavage when out in public.

Mexico. Mayan Riviera. Absolutely beautiful.

Jordan would get my vote. Their behaviour in the face of a massive refugee crisis has been amazing. Great country LOADS to do and see.

@Modda I would pick Los Angeles and Santa Monica - took our son when aged 11- although it's not a beach holiday as such (although SM has a great beach) or as you say I would go to canaries. Depends though what you mean by lots to do!! Personally you can have great weather still and lots to do in Benidorm for way way less and best hotel in town and I don't see the difference skyline wise- Benidorm has a much better beach though - Im a snob on many things and have been to all above including Abu and Dubai and preferred Benidorm at half the cost if you want a great beach and lots to do. I cannot think why people spend a mint to go to Dubai apart from guaranteed good weather and very flash accommodation. I do accept we are all different though

Israel
Singapore
Turkey

Go to Oman...so much nicer, lovely people, not all plastic and high rise blocks, I went to Dubai to visit a friend working out there and changed flight and went to Muscat after only 3 days. Lots of very chavvy rich ex pat wives made my life hell in the local sports club, in Dubai, with the outdoor pool, they were so vile and rude because I have a london accent. never go back.!!

Costa Rica

No direct flights to Jordan from Manchester- I looked there and Egypt first as they were my no 1 option. No direct flights to Luxor either. Israel May be an option- we want a luxury beach hotel and then a few interesting days out- is this doable from Tel Aviv? I don’t know anything about Israel. I thought it was considered dodgy too…

LA, Cancun, Singapore- I have been to all of these and it’s too far for a week. Dubai is 7 hours and that’s about as far as I want to go. If I wanted a long flight or indirect I would go to the Maldives!

Turkey is cold in October.

I actually had the idea of the UAE because I looked through the list of destinations from Manchester and there are loads of flights a day. I knew nothing at all about any slavery! but I was aware their women’s rights were dubious. I teach loads of students from UAE and they are all lovely and speak excellent English.

I know lots of people who have been to Dubai on holiday- even ethical vegetarian Labour voting types 😂- and loved it. These opinions only seem to reside on MN. But I tend to agree with MN on lots of things, eg sex matters, so I will look wider.

I was hoping for more specific than just a list of countries though.

Thailand? You can fly to Phuket from Manchester although it is a long flight! Incredible beaches and hotels and great value for money. October is the tail end of the rainy season as far as I know although we've often gone to Thailand in peak rainy season with no issues.

For what it's worth I think you should go where you want. Be careful with 5 star hotels in Dubai though, especially if they seem like an incredible deal. Our 5 star hotel was like a regular 3-4 star hotel here in Ireland, it was fine but definitely not a luxury experience. I heard the same from several people since. I was also very surprised to see someone on this thread describe Dubai beaches as amazing, they're extremely average at best and completely overcrowded with people (as is everywhere in Dubai). I feel like Dubai is best suited to a short 2-3 day stopover to break up a long journey from another better destination. So many flights transition through Dubai airport that it's often a convenient place to stop.

If you want 7!hours then Dubai is indeed probably your best bet for that kind of holiday along with canaries- Egypt- you would have to pay me- we ended up with amoebic dysentry!!

Israel- def possible, again depending on whether the ethics bother you much

How about Marrakech?? I really really enjoyed that- not beachy but can be poolside and some very lovely hotels and lots to do - fantastic food too . Sofitel there is lovely

I enjoyed Marbella too at that time of year for about 1/3,of your budget and the weather was very very good- better actually than canaries

We are going to Southern Spain already this year- So would prefer not Marbella.

I will look at Marrakech.

Does Israel have slaves too? I try to remain as ignorant as possible about anything depressing! It helps me cope with life, as well as numerous vitamin D promoting holidays. I know there’s conflict between Israel and Palestine- is that the worry? What side are we supposed to be on?

Thanks all

EasyJet do Marrakech from Manchester. We stayed at Sofitel but there are many 5 star hotels- this one is very central and we popped in- very nice

There is also the luxury palmerai resort around 3 miles out the main town- that's quite Dubai like -but very very nice -

I liked Marrakech much more than Dubai- food way better- not the feeling of subservience and much much cheaper - however no great big malls if you like all that- lovely trip to Riff mountains and a fantastic old square- it feels far more authentic- some love it and some don't- but I loved it

https://www.booking.com/hotel/ma/hivernage-spa.en-gb.html?aid=304142&label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdICVgEaFCIAQKYAQm4AQfIAQ3YAQHoAQH4AQKIAgGoAgO4AuOU76IGwAIB0gIkN2QyMDEyZWItYjQwMC00NTExLTk0MzYtZGU2OWZkMTRmNWVm2AIF4AIB&sid=35fca65a36786f8794533bab8aa6a708&allsrrblocks=9856101127028976624110;checkin=2023-10-20;checkout=2023-10-27;destid=98208;destttype=hotel;dist=0;groupadults=2;grouppchildren=0;hapos=17;highlightedblocks=9856101112702897622410;hpos=17;matchinggblockid=9856101112702897622410;nflt=class%3D5;noorooms=1;reqadults=2;reqqchildren=0;room1=A%2CA;sbpriceetype=total;srorder=classsandprice;srrpriblocks=98561011127028976224100_129920;srepoch=1683737359;srpvid=9593763226d100c3;type=total;ucfs=1&

Not going for malls.
Looking for lovely hotel, food, pool
and sunshine. A few interesting sights. DS fancied Burj Khalifa and the Museum of the Future but I could get him excited about somewhere else.

You could say that about anyone who works in the hospitality industry from Thailand to Barbados.

However I DO agree that these buildings were all built on continuing slave labour !

I know there’s conflict between Israel and Palestine- is that the worry? What side are we supposed to be on?

You cannot be serious???

We stayed at Rove La Mer in Dubai and it was the perfect beach holiday. La Mer itself is very resort like, and the beaches were lovely. Also quite western and relaxed in that it was Ramadan and plenty of women were walking around in bikinis without issue.

We did a few trips out to other parts of Dubai and said if we were going again we wouldn’t even consider another hotel.

We are going to Abu Dhabi this year though for something different and mostly for the theme parks.

Unfortunately there are no flights left in the Saturday to Marrakech, which is a shame because it looked nice.

So Israel then as apparently more ethical than UAE? Tell me more

I will look at this, thank you for the helpful reply with an actual recommendation

Israel is totally doable, it is very westernised. You stay in one of the many hotels in Tel Aviv. Lots right on the beach. Weather is perfect in October too - not the high peak heat of summer but lovely and warm still. The med is still warm enough to swim in. Food is amazing, I wouldn’t want an AI in Israel because there is so much incredible food to eat, not just Middle Eastern. Day trips to Jerusalem and other places also possible (Jerusalem is about 1 hour from TA by road). Lots or organised tours available too. Not dodgy at all unless you plan to visit unsafe areas, or drive - it’s not for the faint hearted. Very unlikely that there’ll be any trouble when you’re there.

And boring to boot.

I’ve only been to Dubai out of the two
options and I really enjoyed it, there’s a lot to do. The first time I went with my DC for four nights and the second with my DH for five nights. I stayed at Atlantis the Palm both times, it’s the only hotel I’ve ever gone back to.
We went out about most days, the taxis weren’t too expensive.