Amazing Dubai

Guy Johnson on 27 April 2016
Last week, I went on a little trip to Dubai!

Flying there with Emirates was an absolute delight. I flew on the A380 aircraft and with the space I had, I could easily have been travelling in business class. Include in that the big screen, and the mammoth entertainment system (with far more to watch or listen to than you could ever sit through even on the longest flights) and the great food, it was a true pleasure to fly. I was even sad when we arrived!

Arriving in Dubai is an experience. Flying over a big expanse of desert is rewarded when you arrive - the skyline is amazing, and with the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world) towering over all the other buildings, you know you have arrived somewhere pretty special.

The airport is no less impressive, and the distances between the gates and baggage reclaim should not be under estimated. We arrived in the evening, so the journey from the airport was in darkness. This gives a great idea of things to come when the sun comes up!

We arrived at the Royal Mirage. What an arrival – the whole resort is massive, spread over three different hotels. The advantage of this is that none of the hotels within the resort feels that big! I stayed at the Arabian court (great for couples and family holidays). My room faced the sea (although I couldn’t see it). The restaurants are amazing, and there is a lovely beach overlooking the Palm. All the sights and sounds of Dubai are close by, around 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel. There is nothing really walkable from the hotel, so it’s best to jump in a cab.

I visited the Burj Khalifa on my first day. This really helped me get my bearings. The structure is very impressive, and nothing will prepare you for the scale of the building. After an ear popping journey up to the observation level (still quite a way from the top) you get the most amazing views, and you can even have a meal at the top. Next door is the Dubai Mall (the largest shopping centre in the world), where there is every conceivable store you could ever want. Prices are a little higher than the UK for home brands, but I would recommend visiting the local brand shops, where you can get some bargains. Take good shoes as it is a massive place - what more would you expect in Dubai? We also went to the Dubai Centre for Cultural Understanding, where I learnt more about culture and lifestyle in the UAE and Dubai specifically. You can ask any questions you like, and they serve a traditional Emirati meal to you - very tasty!

I also got the chance to go on a jeep safari into the desert. About 1 hours’ drive from Dubai, you can jump dunes and unleash your inner Lawrence of Arabia for a few hours. You need a strongish stomach as there is a lot bouncing around, but you are rewarded with a great al fresco meal and some local entertainment. Be warned, you will be asked to participate!

While I was in Dubai, I was also lucky enough to see three other hotels. The One & Only Hotel The Palm, the JA Oasis Beach Tower and the JA Ocean view. The last two are located in the JBR (Jumeirah Beach residence area) of the city. This is a great area for shopping and nightlife, with amazing shops and restaurants. The Beach tower is a tower of apartments, perfect for families with two, three and four bedroom apartments for short or long term rentals. The JA ocean view is a four star hotel, very close to the tower apartments. Perfect for families, with clean, fresh décor and great facilities. The only downside is the size of the pool and the fact it gets little sun.

The One & Only the Palm is amazing. Located on the palm, and a short boat ride from its sister property the Royal Mirage, it is a haven of quiet and dignity. It has a very opulent feel, with subtle understated elegance. They don't really encourage children, so it’s an amazing place for couples. They have an amazing spa, wonderful restaurants serving exquisite food, and nothing is ever too much trouble.

My last stay was at the Atlantis the Palm resort. This was the first hotel to open on the Palm and stands in a commanding position overlooking the entire palm island. It’s a busy hotel with lots of people. Amazing architecture combines with a hug aquarium, countless shops and even Aquaventure, where you can ride some amazing water slides, lay on the beach or simply bob along their lazy river for a while.

If you have dismissed Dubai in the past, have another think. It’s the perfect place for a winter sun break, and you can literally do EVERYTHING, even ski in the morning and sun bathe in the afternoon!