Dubai - Ramadan

[Thingamebobwotsit]

Looking for the Wisdom of Mumsnet... We are thinking of doing a couple of nights stop over in Dubai at Easter on the way to another destination, but I think the dates will coincide with Ramadan. Is there anything we need to know before booking? It is mainly a quick rest and relaxation stop over so any tips for hotels etc also appreciated. Thanks 🙂

Life within the hotels is generally the same all year around. Night activities can be very busy in ramadhan - for example the mall is usually quiet during the day but very busy after sunset. Same with restaurants etc. During the day, you can't eat on public roads etc ... not that you necessarily would anyway. You could still go in to a restaurant and eat as you would ordinarily but not in 'open spaces' if that makes sense. In some places, they may not play music on certain nights as a mark of respect but that's quite uncommon.

Dubai is not my thing but we have done a 1 night stop over twice. We stayed at a jumeirah hotel the first time at Eid. The rate included water park access which is how we spent our afternoon.
The second time we stayed in a club room at Raffles hotel and it was phenomenal- the afternoon tea, evening drinks and canopes meant we didn’t spend anything (and got pretty tipsy!) The breakfast was truly the best I have seen anywhere in the world. I couldn’t even count the varieties of honey!

We've been twice during Ramadan. Day times everywhere is empty. We went to Legoland (which also has a water park) and we saw literally less than 10 people the whole day we were there.

In the hotel, everything was the same. The only noticeable thing was restaurants were sort of screened off, even in the malls, all the restaurants are open but have huge curtains around them. So you can eat in them, but from the outside you can't see people eating.

There are signs everywhere reminding you not to eat or drink in public. It was a while ago we went but I seem to remember smaller shops and cafes being closed completely until after sunset. But the hotel was no different, possibly quieter than they would be usually.

Thanks @Wherehas2023gone @loveulotslikejellytots @reasoningwithstupidity

Much appreciated. Sounds like of we pick the right hotel it might work for a quiet couple of days.

I was in Dubai (for work) during Ramadan and was at the pool, it was boiling. My friend took a sip of her Diet Coke and the lifeguard went bananas. I'm not sure I'd pay to go in Ramadan

Amazing.
Read: Unveiling Dubai: The Best Vacation Destinations of 2024 Top 6 Places to Visit

Most independent restaurants, cafes etc won't open until after sunset, this is even the case in some areas of the U.K. where they are Muslim owned. You can't as much as sip water in public nor carry a water bottle (unless hidden). I personally would avoid that time having had issues myself

We've been during Ramadan. No restrictions in the main Jumeirah area tourist hotels. You are still given water to drink around the pool however we were mindful of doing so so just sipped under a towel or scarf etc. I'd be very surprised if any staff, lifeguard or otherwise, would object to a guest in the hotel drinking a soft drink by the pool.

In the mall the majority of shops were open with sectioned off areas in the restaurants to eat in. We chose not to eat but did nip in the loos for a drink of water.

These days it’s pretty normal during Ramadan. Everything in malls is open as normal. They don’t use the curtains to hide restaurants anymore.

Certainly in hotels you wouldn’t know any different. Those commenting about not being able to drink by the pool must have visited a while ago. The last 3/4 years things have very much relaxed.

I wouldn’t worry about visiting during Ramadan at all.

I second the points above- we live in UAE and there are few restrictions now. My Muslim friends and colleagues say they are preparing food for their family anyway and don't hide away.