Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Hotels/Areas in Dubai to stay in for up to 3 weeks with a 4-6 week old baby

84 replies

roundtable · 14/09/2011 15:00

Hi, I originally posted this in travel but it was suggested that I repost in this topic for the attention of people who live Dubai.

Found out that my DH will most likely have to go to Dubai for work, possibly for up to three weeks at the end of October. I am currently 39+3 weeks pregnant so when he goes our baby will still be quite young.

I'm debating whether or not to go with him but wondered if anyone had any experience of travelling with a young baby and staying in a hotel. Is it practical so soon after birth? (He would be between 4 and 6 weeks old) Am I deluding myself and should I just stay at home? I would rather go with him and he would rather I came with him too.

What do you think? Any advice would be great.

OP posts:
wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 15:07

It's currently very hot and humid here.It should cool down in October but last year it was still baking hot (meaning a. Five min walk is very uncomfortable) until November.

they do have apart hotels for weekly rent which would probably be better than a hotel..but personally I'd be staying at home.

wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 15:10

Where area will he be working in?

mateysmum · 14/09/2011 15:24

Hmmm. Living in a hotel, in a strange country whilst DH is at work all day with a tiny baby is not going to be easy. Although you can buy everything you need in Dubai, you'll still end up taking an amazing amount of "stuff" for the little one and will struggle to get GOOD babysitting for such a young baby. I would say stay at home where you probably have more of a support network.

If you do decide to go, where to stay will depend what you want. If you want to be able to access room service, restaurants and a nice pool, you might be better in a hotel, in which case you will most likely be around the strip by the Jumeirah Walk which has loads of shops/restaurants etc. But a hotel will be much more restrictive for baby.
There are also serviced apartments - lots of them in the Marina area which might work and also you will probably find apart hotels there which may combine the best of both worlds.
End of Oct the weather will be starting to cool down but will still be mid 30's, so you won't be walking far, nor will you want baby outside whilst you sunbathe - still waaay too hot.

Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 15:32

Hi thanks for replies.

He's going to be working at the airport. He doesn't mind travelling in on the Metro. We've been looking at apart/hotels because of the space and the kitchen etc which would be more practical.

I went to stay with him for a week in Abu Dhabi last year at the end of October and to be honest I didn't go down to the pool until late afternoon and somedays I stayed in my room and read/worked. I'm not really a big sunbather.

I'm not too bothered about having a babysitter as long as the hotel apart had onsite restaurant and shop incase I got caught short with anything.

Some interesting thoughts, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 15:41

Also, is Duabi friendlier as a whole than Abu Dhabi? Although the hotel I stayed at was lovely, I found it impossible to get served by the pool, pool men would stand in front of me sweeping over and over in the same place whilst staring, found it difficult to buy a drink if I wasn't with my husband. In short, unless I was with my husband the atmosphere was distinctly uncomfortable and is the only place I've ever experienced this.

I figured it might be different if I had a baby with me though and Dubai seems to be more eclectic than Abu Dhabi when I visited.

OP posts:
wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 15:41

sod the metro .. Cabs are one of the few things that are cheap here !

Jbr and the Marina are the wrong side of Dubai for the airport so it would be a good half hour prob more like 40 min commute to there.

but Marina apartments or possibly the Palm could work ( both have supermarkets) if you really feel you HAVE to come.

wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 15:46

X post

Tbh I think it depends on the person, you can't really generalise a whole emirate ! Abu Dhabi is certainly more conservative. I've been to a restaurant in Dubai where the waitress would happily top up dh's glass and then completely overlook mine, the next time we were there with a different waiter my glass was topped up after each sip

my male gardener will never acknowledge me if I'm in the swimming pool, but "properly" dressed is all smiles and chats away.

LIZS · 14/09/2011 15:51

We visted latter part of October and it was still very hot, with little respite at night. Also even though we wer ein a htoel I (blonde and afir) felt a bit conspicuous and can't imagine feeling comfortable bf on demand in that culture. tbh I wouldn't plan on going , or perhaps just for a much shorter trip. You'd have the hassle of getting a passport in time too.

Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 15:55

I know! He can be funny like that even though it'll be covered by expenses! He doesn't mind commuting. He's been there several times on extended trips so you'd think he's know better. He also has a reputation for booking cheap hotels, the others that he works with won't let him book them if he's going with them.

A couple of months ago we were staying by the Paris airport and he booked us into what could only be a youth hostel. You could touch the room with your arms outstretched. No bathroom either, a wet room. As I was 7 months pregnant and knew I'd be spending the days entertaining myself and would spend a significant time in the hotel room (which I don't mind doing) I burst into tears and he had to find another hotel to check us into quick! I don't know why he does it, that's why I'm going to look for the hotel if we go!

Are there any other hotels/apartments areas closer to the airport?

Thanks for this!

OP posts:
Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 16:02

Hmmmm LIZS I didn't think about bf out about, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that at all, I think most of my time would be spent at the hotel so it really would need to be in the heart of amenities and have everything onsite so that I can nip back to my room whenever I needed to.

words - I understand about the generalising, some of the waiters were very attentive, others less so. I'll have to give it some thought I think when the baby is born as I won't really know how I'm feeling until then. I just wanted to get a head start on some details so I wasn't make a split decision.

OP posts:
LaLaLaLayla · 14/09/2011 16:07

There is a Rotana near the airport. It has some lovely (and not too expensive) restaurants.

wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 16:12

I've only really been to the airport-areas to catch a plane so not much help on that I'm afraid. I'd imagine there are some pretty big chain hotels around there but possibly more business orientated.

I'd possibly go downtown/ old town ( near the Dubai Mall/ Burj)

But when I had my first I spent the next month on the sofa speeddialing dominos pizza ..contemplating long haul would not have been an option

Barmcake · 14/09/2011 16:12

on that side of town there is the Intercontinental at Festival City, shopping mall right on the doorstep, haven't been in the hotel myself so not sure what it is like, also the Grand Hyatt has apartments and closer to the airport, the Al Bustan Rotana and Le Meridian are on the road to the airport but no where near the beach but all have swimming pools.

As the others have said last year was very hot until November,

Good luck with your decision

wordsonapage · 14/09/2011 16:15

Rotana s are generally good...

have stayed at the cove rotana at Rak and that was lovely.

Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 16:15

Thanks LaLa, I've had a look, the hotel looks nice, it might be better to be closer to the airport and it seems to have a shopping mall nearby which would be better than an outdoor avenue. :)

OP posts:
barbie1 · 14/09/2011 16:19

Hi roundtable, jumping in late but there are really nice serviced apartments next to festival city, un sure of the name but can find out for you.

Good luck with what ever you decided.

Bunbaker · 14/09/2011 16:20

Can you hold off booking flights until after the baby is born? You might feel completely different about taking a small baby to Dubai. Also if you stryggle with breastfeeding, how will you be able to make up formula in a hotel?

Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 16:24

X post - thank you everyone. It certainly gives me a starting points. I don't think I'm bothered about the beach. I wouldn't be that bothered on my own, but the thought of going down on my own with a teeny baby would be too much for me!

I think looking at the airport hotels/apartments near malls would probably be my best option if I do go. I don't have to book anything yet and you never know I might decide Dominos is a much better option!

I'm very nervous at the thought of being left on my own when the baby is so young, especially at night. I'm always hearing phantom noises etc so I was thinking for my own sanity it might be better to go with him. My DH is also a bit upset about having to leave so quickly after the baby's born, so it would be nice for him as well. He might well change his mind after 4 weeks of newborn crying and me too from reading threads on here and abn me from coming with him!

Thanks all :)

OP posts:
Original poster
roundtable · 14/09/2011 16:27

Yes Bunbaker, I woun't be booking anything until the baby is at least 2 weeks old. If I'm not a jibbering wreck then I'll go, if I am, I might move into my mum and dad's for a bit!!

Thank you barbie, I'll have a look for those.

OP posts:
FemaleEuknickers · 14/09/2011 16:35

Flying will be the easy bit. I'd be worried that you would be a bit lonely and, if this is your PFB a bit worried being away from medical care that you can trust.

mumofsoontobelawstudent · 14/09/2011 22:38

Friends of mine regularly stay at the Fraser suites which is very close to the Mall of the Emirates and they highly recommend it and try to go every couple of months. It has (I think) a rooftop pool and room service as well as the usual facilities of an apartment and also a kids playroom although that won't be much use to you.
We will definitely try it next time we go to buy, sick of paying ridiculous prices at some of the hotels there.

TheBride · 15/09/2011 12:39

As someone who used to live in Dubai, and can remember what life is like with a 6wk old (DS is just 1), I have to say that I think you should stay in the Uk.

-You won't be able to go outside for most of the day- it'll be too hot for the baby
-You won't be able to go for walks- there aren't any pavements- you'll end up walking the malls which is frikkin' soul destroying
-You won't know anyone. You'll just be alone all day.

  • I've never seen anyone bf in public (not sure if that's an issue or not)

If you really want to go, stay at the Address in Old Town. It's the right end of town for the airport and at least you can go to the Dubai Mall and look at the Aquarium.

Original poster
roundtable · 15/09/2011 15:27

Thanks for all the advice! Don't know what to do, but good to hear from people with experience :)

OP posts:
LaLaLaLayla · 15/09/2011 15:37

TheBride, your post is typical of people who don't live here anymore. Yeah, it's hot and boring at times, but there is loads that she can do apart from walking around malls. Apart from anything else, she'll get to spend the evenings with her DH and DS as a family.

roundtable, I think you should come. There are loads of Mumsnetters in Dubai, maybe we should have a meet up, you might make some friends?

marcopront · 15/09/2011 15:39

Will you be able to get a passport in time?
What about check ups for you and the baby?
What about vaccinations?
What about medical insurance?

My daughter was born in Kenya and by the time she was 4 had lived in 4 countries but I would advice against it.