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Prior to this trip, my first to the United Arab Emirates state, I often posed and have been asked the question 'Why Dubai?'. Well now I know. Quite simply, Dubai is unique.

Of course the tiny United Arab Emirates state has many other 'labels' but if superlatives didn't exist, they would have to be invented for Dubai.

We flew to Dubai with the excellent Royal Brunei. A 'dry' airline, they are happy for passengers to take their own alcohol onboard (which we did) and we enjoyed the flight which took just over six and a half hours. Dubai airport is sprawling so expect a bit of a trek to customs and baggage collection.

Once out onto the city 'highways' there is the realisation that this is no ordinary desert state. The buildings are not just towering, they are stunning in design and complexity. And what becomes clear is that there are very distinct areas to Dubai, which we were to discover in depth during our stay.

Our base for the visit would be the luxurious five-star Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi. Located on the pristine Jumeirah Beach shoreline (1200 metres of it exclusive to Westin), the hotel offers sumptuous rooms and suites, four bars and four themed restaurants. Service is as one would expect - courteous, attentive and refined. A very special place.

We were here to experience everything Dubai had to offer and a 4 or 5 night stay is perfect to indulge in the mouthwatering array of sights and experiences on offer. We certainly worked our way through the menu!

Day one and we headed by road (the new monorail system is also now an option) to Atlantis, the Palm. This is a truly epic hotel with 1500 rooms and two of the most incredible suites on the planet. We were lucky enough to be shown around the 'made famous by X Factor' Bridge Suite and even got to sit in 'Dannii Minogue's' chair! At $40,000 a night, it was a bit out of our league - as was the Poseidon Suite - set over 3 floors and instead of windows there are plate glass viewing screens to an awe inspiring display of spectacular marine life. An utterly astounding experience.

I found Atlantis to be ideal for family holidays but for romance it has to be back to the Jumeirah area and the tantalising choice of Madinat Jumeirah or the One & Only Royal Mirage, which is an oasis of tranquility, luxury and Arabian influenced refinement. For me though the Madinat, described as a ‘city within a city’ - a self-contained sanctuary of style, comes out on top. Extending more than 3kms there are waterways connect and intersect at every turn. Traditional waterway taxis deliver guests to a multitude of destinations within ‘the city’. Magical.

Other hotels explored by the beach include the Habtoor Grand which I think is brilliant for families, the elegant Royal Meridien and perhaps most famous (and first landmark hotel), Jumeirah Beach – still a hot favourite for families but also boasting some of the best suites in town overlooking the incomparable Burj al Arab.

Burj Dubai (or the City) is rapidly becoming the hottest spot in town. Hardly surprising, as it now boasts the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai. We enjoyed a tipple in its shadows on the 63rd floor of chic The Address hotel and still had to strain our necks to see the top! Burj Dubai is thrilling at night. Its fountain show now eclipses anything on the planet and a drink on its shores at the atmospheric Palace Hotel is a must.

But Dubai is more than just exquisite hotels and mind-blowing buildings. It’s visitor attractions are world-beating too. How about the biggest shopping mall on earth where it is possible to ‘drop the shopping bags’ and go swimming with sharks! Or what about taking in a Starbucks before hitting a black run (yes, that’s right) at Dubai Ski –the world’s largest indoor ‘real-snow’ arena. You can find a four-person chair, ‘Mountain Restaurant’, ski school – even a mini bobsleigh run. Need I go on?

Perhaps the greatest fun is to be had ‘out of town’ with a spot of ‘dune bashing’. Expert drivers take you for a burn across the desert before spending an evening under the stars enjoying traditional entertainment and food. Smashing.

I've run out of space, but you get the drift. Dubai is a must-see - for everyone! Indeed, I can assist with all aspects of a Dubai holiday whatever your requirements. Call me!