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!)

I’ve been to Egypt many times and, touch wood, never had holiday tummy. But what is Dubai like in that respect? I know it’s entirely possible to get food poisoning in Norwich…

Make up your own mind, both seem like huge shitholes with expensive handbags and digital billboards to me.

Well said...its actually breathtaking and sad that some people value other people's lives as such a low priority!

How about flying to Dubai and then heading to a different emirate. Ras Al Khaimah is a great choice for hotels and beach holiday. Probably not much further north from DXB than the palm would be driving south. Or even better - hire a car and drive over the mountains to Fujairah. It's not a long drive. I think around 1.5 hours. That's on the Indian Ocean side of the Arabian peninsula rather than the gulf so a bit different. More like Oman, in fact it's in between 2 the 2 bits of Oman. You would need to check which border crossings can be used by non GCC residents though if you want to cross, and hire car insurance, not all can. Dibba area is famous for snorkelling/scuba diving.

Both those emirates are so much more relaxed than Dubai and you can always do a day there at beginning or end to go up the Burj Khalifa etc.

You don't need to understand. She is going on holiday and asking for recommendations, that's all

If I’m honest I find it incomprehensible that people give this much thought and angst to everyday things like going on holiday.
I’m trying to get some sun in October half term, not taking a Philosophy degree!
I didn’t know the staff were effectively slaves. How would I?
I don’t know what the debate is between Israel and Palestine- something to do with land that they both want I think. There’s obviously 2 sides to that so no right answer.
I knew that UAE, being an Arabic country they weren’t great with women’s rights and I knew that I would have to cover up a bit in Mosques and the souk. I knew it’s fairly Westernised and you can drink in the big hotels.
Shall we just chat about holidays now and calm the fuck down?

Oh OP, you were always going to need padded pants on this thread.

Fwiw - a lot of the naysayers are just parroting second hand experience. I have spent a lot of time in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and enjoy both.

Yes there are social issues, a dangerous and punitive bureaucracy and minorities dont have the same protections as they do in the UK. The difference is that the UAE make no excuses about it. Travel is about learning from real experience (like actually visiting a place) - it's good to see all different ways and walks of life.

Societal norms in the UAE are different but there is depth and texture and sometimes acceptance that things are different in other parts of the world. The desert is amazing, the hotels and beaches great, the service sublime (not a chain or handcuff in sight).

Unless you are planning a cocaine fuelled public orgy - you should be personally safe. With respect to workers rights - you might be surprised to find that a lot of hospitality workers love their jobs and the ability to support their families.

Don't let the opinions (many based on no real experience) put you off.

Can I ask where you are finding that deal? Whenever I look for hols in Dubai they are always so so expensive but im never sure im using the right travel agent. I also feel unsure of where the best area to stay would be
Im torn about Dubai. Part of me is interested part of me isn't sure I would enjoy it....

Anybody read up on new laws ...

https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-laws-and-regulations-in-the-private-sector#:~:text=Working%20in%20the%20private%20sector,-Federal%20Decree%20Law&text=The%20law%20became%20effective%20on,rights%20in%20a%20balanced%20manner.

Places can progress and change.

Ask Boris, Theresa, Liz and Rishi

Emirates holidays

with all due respect, OP if you are a teacher and you teach students from the UAE, I urge you to read up on the Israel Palestine conflict (and the illegal and systematic occupation of Palestinian land and homes.)

😂 I teach them a very specific skill set, no discussion of wider issues.

My bad.

I hope wherever you choose works out to be a lovely holiday.

Muscat

Ryanair do Marrakech too from Manchester- nasty flight time though!!

I wouldn't pick Dubai myself ( to be fair my son enjoyed it , H hated it) as I'm not big into shopping or water parks but to be honest it's not a bad option , same applies with Israel- I don't like the politics or ethics much in either - but it is what it is.

You couldn't pay me to go to either

I'd rather a wet week in friggin Scarborough

Oh but op needs a week in the sun

It's absurd to assert that most "staff" in the Middle East are slaves ffs. Most of them are here by choice and come back year after year

Yes, things are different here. Yes, there could be vast improvements. But people act like all the women are chained up at home and all the foreign workers are being abused. It's not the case at all. And I live in the "worse" country next door. The millennial and younger generations here are fantastic. Open, educated, determined - hopefully they will drive change in a complex part of the world. Do people forget that the USA still has the death penalty?

OP it depends what sort of holiday you're after, truly. I wouldn't go to Dubai for a beach holiday personally but there's loads of activities around there and Abu Dhabi. Theme parks, water parks, desert trips, skiing, Burj Khalifa and Arab, sky diving...

Oman is a different vibe entirely. Doesn't have the glitz (but plenty of lovely hotels), less contrived, but also less "stuff" more nature. Lovely wadis to swim in and explore, nice beaches, mountains, traditional feel.

Jordan is fantastic for historical sights.

Wouldn't bother with Bahrain/Kuwait/Qatar.

I have been to both many times for work and truly cannot understand why anyone would want to go for a holiday. On the whole both are completely soulless.

You'd have to ask the people of Palestine if Israel is an ethical alternative. I think I'd land on the "no" side, personally.

Lebanon is also fab but possibly dodgy at the min? I'm not up to date.

Why doesn’t Egypt get the same hate, their FGM rate is shocking?

Les Jardins De La Medina is very nice in Marrakesh. Keep it in mind for next time.

Royal meridian is nice so is Hilton, both at Jumeriah

Enjoy then