Gold conference to Dubai

This year’s Travel Counsellor’s GOLD conference was hosted by the Westin Mena Seyahi Hotel in Dubai. Having not been to Dubai for some six years, it was going to be interesting to see how much it had changed. The last time I was there, the Palm project was just rising above sea level and there were literally thousands of cranes on the horizon.

The drive from the airport was very quick and it was noticeable how much the transport infrastructure had been improved with new roads. There was also a distinct lack of cranes – most of the building work has been completed or almost completed.

The Westin is a superb hotel – big and modern but classy inside. The bedrooms are really big and the beds are just divine. We arrived early on the Friday morning, and with our rooms not quite yet ready, we headed up to the presidential suite for coffee and to enjoy the view from the balcony. We were then lucky enough to enjoy the renowned Friday brunch – Bubbalicious – with free flowing champagne, lobster, caviar and lots of other treats. Yum!

That evening we headed to the Armani hotel which is at the base of the Burj Khalifa, for cocktails and canape’s marking the end of a lovely first day.

The following day, a number of us headed out to the Atlantis hotel to enjoy the water park and spend some time on the beach. It is quite awesome and very hot – The sun beds come with individual covers to protect you from the sun.

That evening we headed for a Bedouin feast at the Bab al Shams hotel in the desert. The venue was quite authentic and beautifully laid out like an Arabian market with cooking stations and the food was really excellent. It was a really good evening.

The next day, a small group of us headed out to the luxurious Al Maha hotel in the desert for a site inspection and lunch. I knew this was going to be a real treat and it didn’t disappoint. The hotel is about an hour out of the city and is the only hotel within the vast Dubai Desert conservation area. The lead in room type here is a Bedouin suite which comes with private plunge pool. The usual rate is about £300 per room night – consider then that this is full board with two included activities and it makes it a very reasonable option to combine with a beach stay. We then headed out in the land cruisers for a short game drive. The scenery is mainly dunes with the occasional water hole, and sporadic trees. Midday isn’t the best time to spot game but we did manage to see Oryx and gazelle. After a superb lunch, we headed down to the main pool which is awesome for a quick dip before heading back to the city. This hotel and the location is awesome.

All too soon, it was our last evening and we headed first to the One and Only hotel for cocktails, before heading out to the Atlantis for our gala dinner. The restaurant was beautiful and the food was awesome. After dinner, we managed a quick walk around. This hotel sits very firmly in the 5* bracket. The main attraction is the water park and it would be brilliant for a short break for a family with older children. I have sold it as an add-on to a Middle East cruise for clients looking to swim with the dolphins, and to families looking for a fabulous water park in the winter with guaranteed sun.

Dubai has changed – However I still think it is one of those places that you have to experience at least once in your life! I have been lucky to see it twice!!