Dubai....if you've been, can you....

[Eggybreadwithnuts]

DH and I fancy going to...

See what the hype is about
Stay in a gorgeous hotel, be pampered
Shop in the malls
Just taste abit of luxuary

Where is best to stay, the area?
What hotel would you recommend?

Recently stayed at Marriott on The Palm- great especially if you get half board in M Club rooms which make it basically all inclusive due to access to a lounge

Just come back from my first trip and I’ll definitely be going back. We stayed at royal meridian resort and spa in the marina area very close to JBR. Would thoroughly recommend it.

@VanCleefArpels who did you book with and what did you do whilst there?

@DixiePeach who did you book with? JBR is this the beach area?

How many days/nights would you recommend staying?

Sorry dont know much about it at all!!!

We also stayed in JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) area. Not as expensive as the Palm but close to it, plenty of restaurants etc in the area. Beach right on your doorstep. There are apartments to rent as well as hotels.

Do NOT go up the Burj !! it was one huge long queue - even once you got to the top everyone was then going straight into a queue to get down!!

TBH it wasn’t somewhere I would rush back.

We also stayed in JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) area. Not as expensive as the Palm but close to it, plenty of restaurants etc in the area. Beach right on your doorstep. There are apartments to rent as well as hotels.

Do NOT go up the Burj !! it was one huge long queue - even once you got to the top everyone was then going straight into a queue to get down!!

TBH it wasn’t somewhere I would rush back.

We are going for the first time later this year and staying at Sofitel The Palm so looking for ideas too 😀

Booked with Destination2, considerably cheaper than other package operators, great service all round

Ubers are dirt cheap to get you around.

recommend the Sky Pool, Dubai Frame, Dubai Wheel and general loafing about!

Fab, just want to chill, loaf around as you say @VanCleefArpels how many days would you recommend or how many is enough. Is August a decent time to go?

@Pootle40 who did you book with? Tbat hotel is on Secret escapes looks great

You’d be mental to go in August - close to 50 degree heat you won’t be able to do anything outdoors. Jan/Feb is a great time to go. 5 days plenty

@Eggybreadwithnutswe just booked direct as it’s a few days stop on way to Australia. So we booked flights and then direct with Sofitel. We wanted to be somewhere that was a nice hotel and near aquaventure without paying the Atlantis hotel prices, especially as the Sofitel actually looks a nicer hotel tbh.

I stayed in the Sofitel around 10 years ago. Got such a good deal bet it's increased in price loads now.

The marina area looks fab.

@VanCleefArpels Feb is probably bettee as it's our 25th wedd anniversary too

You went there in the height of summer when it’s 50 degrees Celsius? I know there’s aircon everywhere but not outside.

August terrible, but Jan Feb can be quite cold in the evening and the sea will be cold. IMO best time is May as it has heated up a bit, or October / November as still very warm and sea is gorgeous

Have stayed at both Sofitel and Waldorf Astoria on the Palm (although both pre COVID) Sofitel edged it for me in terms of room, food and staff. We didn’t actually do much other than a trip to Legoland and a couple of trips to the malls to as we had a preschooler with us. Went in Jan/Feb both times and was plenty warm enough, did need a cardigan though for evenings and the malls (aircon is freezing!)

Why don't you get on the internet and do some research?

I would say, that’s exactly what she’s doing.

Placemarking, would love to go and would like some recommendations too.

I’ve been to Dubai 6 times I love it- depends on
your budget but my faves are One and only royal mirage, jumeirah al naseem or jumeirah al qasr.

def go half board and make sure the hotel offers free water around the pool or it becomes very expensive

unless you have young children avoid the Atlantis and jumeirah beach hotel

I usually book through emirates but have just booked through virgin and was much cheaper but with emirates flights

i would stay 7 nights for a first trip so you can do the tourist bits - burj khalifa, the fountains, waterparks, the Atlantis etc

Just remember it is expensive there, drinks especially, that luxury doesn’t come cheap. The malls have many of the same shops are prices may be higher - research what you actually want to see. I have relatives in Oman which has a lot more history and interesting things to see plus is cheaper

We stayed in the Anantara on the palm in a swim up room, half board. Booked through Trailfinders. It's not a high rise which we prefer and has a more resort feel to it. In fairness we didn't leave the hotel as had a 5 month old with us but it was fabulous and so relaxing. The spa was excellent and the best massage I've had. Food was also really good with enough choice of restaurants for our 6 night stay.

It was unseasonably cool - 38 degrees. It was quite doable. It did go up to 41 when we left.

I live in Dubai and would consider Mina A’Salam, Al Qasr or if you want to be on The Palm, Zabeel Zaray or The One & Only.

August is too hot to be enjoyable - you’ll only last outside for more than 30 seconds if you’re jumping in a swimming pool. The sea will be way too warm to swim in and at night, the humidity is really high.

Jumeirah hotels lovely but £££.

Anatara on the palm is lovely but not near much, good if you just want to flop and relax. If you want to explore then I’d stay somewhere on the trunk of the palm for easier exit/less traffic.

The Westin could work, it has some transport links to marina and palm if it’s not too hot.

personally I avoid JBR apart from a couple of specific restaurants but people do like it. I think March/April best for weather. August is no fun unless you want to be inside/shopping and eating.