5 Nights in Dubai

We had just spent 3 weeks exploring Vietnam and myself and Danielle, my 16 year old daughter, decided to stop in Dubai to experience the destination and complete 12 hotel site inspections. We had an absolute ball and loved Dubai, totally different from Vietnam but they do share a similarity in the level of customer service and food are second to none. We stayed at JA Ocean View which is situated in a perfect position right on Dubai Marina, within walking distance of lots of shops and restaurants and the perfect beach. If you do use the beach though there is quite a steep charge to use any of the sunbeds or parasols. The hotel is a very good 4* standard with a lovely restaurant and rooftop pool overlooks the marina and Jumeirah Palm. A good choice for those who are on a limited budget but still want to be near to the beach and marina. Our first hotel inspection was at the Grosvenor House Hotel followed by sister hotel Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa. Again both of these hotels are situated on Dubai Marina and within walking distance of lots of restaurants and shops and the lovely beach. The Grosvenor House stands tall in two towers with a roof top pool and Le Royal Meridien has a prime position right on the beach with beautifully landscaped gardens, multiple swimming pools and direct access to a private beach. Both hotels feature a spa and award winning restaurants. The following morning we ventured over to the Palm to visit 5* Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, wow, what a fantastic property nestled on the quiet west crescent of the Palm. As a sister hotel of all the other Jumeirah hotels, you are able to have full use of all the restaurants if on a Half Board basis plus access to Wadi Wadi Waterpark. I would definitely recommend upgrading to a Club Room at this property along with Half Board basis. We then spend the remainder of the day at the Ritz Carlton lazing by one of the free-form swimming pools, the hotel again has a prime position with direct access to a private beach within the Marina area. In the evening we dined at Palm Grill restaurant which is situated on the beach - a fantastic experience and one I would definitely recommend. Again I would definitely recommend half board basis at this hotel with an upgrade to a Club Room so that you can take advantage of the Ritz Carlton Club Lounge. Two inspections on Jumeirah Palm followed the next day with a quick informal inspection at Anantara The Palm, a 5* property offering pool access rooms and rooms large enough to take families in 2-bedrooms suites. The rest of the morning and afternoon spent at the iconic Atlantic The Palm hotel and water park. This hotel really does have the wow factor, we turned up to find no less than 6 Ferraris parked outside the hotel, the hotel inspection was equally impressive with a full range of rooms catering to all customers and budgets. If staying at the hotel then all guests have free unlimited access to the waterpark on site. On our penultimate day, we drove off to the airport to see Jumeirah Creekside, an airport hotel owned by the Jumeirah group, a fantastic option for customers on a short stopover. We then proceeded to Jumeirah Beach Resort, a fantastic hotel situated right on Jumeirah Beach with fantastic views of Burj al Arab Hotel and Jumeirah Marina. Again this is a fantastic 5* hotel and I would definitely recommend half board basis with an upgrade to Club Room if budget allows as this will give you access to all the Jumeirah properties, 2 of which are within walking distance to this hotel.

Our final day saw us back on the Palm at The One & Only the Palm - what can I say.....this hotel is for customers who like complete privacy, located on a private peninsula of Palm Island with a stunning secluded beach and privileged views of the Dubai skyline. It really is the ultimate luxury. We finished our stay in Dubai with a tour on the Yellow Boats, for 90 minutes we were taken around the Marina, the Jumeirah Palm, Buri Al Arab, and Dubai skyline - a fantastic end to a memorable 5 days in Dubai.