Holiday in Dubai - Recommendations?

[bulldoze]

Hi Everybody

Me the missus and the baby (20 months) are off to Dubai in April but are unsure about where to stay as we have never been before, anyone been? where did you stay?

We are aware of the incredibly high prices of drinks and meals so are trying for a half board option to get the costs down.

We have been looking at the Atlantis and the Jumeirah Beach but cannot decide between the two. Any input is much appreciated.

 

[andy_k]

go somewhere else?

 

[Meldrew2]

go somewhere else?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[bulldoze]

Well yes, but where?

I am sure you know the way it works anyway, the missus has heard from her work colleagues that Dubai is fantastic and great for kids, so thats that, I would have to pull somewhere pretty spectacular out of the bag to convince her to try something else!

 

[pupsi]

Dubai is a nice place and i would advise going there now before the bubble 'bursts'.

If you stay at the Jumeirah, which i have and its a brilliant hotel, you get access to the water park just round the corner and even the on site facilities are great.

It is a nice family hotel. Try to get half board though, and you'll find you will rarely need to need to leave the hotel!

 

[wobbly]

I have visited Dubai five times in the past eight years, Its a fantastic place to holiday.

I have never found the meals expensive, maybe Im just used to high prices around where I live. I dont drink, so cannot comment on drinks prices.

Most of the main hotels are of the highest standard, with great facilities, and excellent service.

Wild Wadi water park is a great day out for old and young, and a trip out to the dessert wadi bashing is fun.

 

[bulldoze]

I have never found the meals expensive, maybe Im just used to high prices around where I live. I dont drink, so cannot comment on drinks prices.

From what I have heard it will be difficult to get dinner each night for less than £150 at a restaurant (not the buffets) and as for drinks £10 a glass of beer? sounds pretty expensive to me!

 

[Aardvark]

Dubai Holiday

We've been 3 times and each time stayed at the Jumeirah. It is an excellent family hotel; we haven't been since the Atlantis has been completed though. My suggestion would be to go for the Premium Leisure room which is the family equivlant of executive. The additional cost gives you a slightly nicer room, complimentary limousine (A8, 750i or S Class) transfer from and to the airport, afternoon snacks and canapes. It also includes breakfast buffets to die for and use of the executive facilities and pool. Well worth the additional cost with unsurpassed service. Southtravels.com are usually good for good/competitive room rates.

 

[pupsi]

Theres really only two of you eating and im pretty sure we never spent £150 at a restaurant for five of us!
Except for at the Meat and Wine Company i think.

You've got loads of american chain restaurants which are nice, like chilis etc and indian restaurants, gazebo etc and we never topped £150 for five of us.

 

[aziz]

my mum & dad r going Dubai tomorow and they got 1 bed apartment ... and they drink and smoke but he was very hapy with deal he have....

 

[imadoofus]

Other than the water park, what exactly makes Dubai 'great for kids'?

 

[st4]

Other than the water park, what exactly makes Dubai 'great for kids'?

Bragging rights @ school.

Nothing wrong with a holiday in the cotswolds. Did me no harm.

 

[wobbly]

From what I have heard it will be difficult to get dinner each night for less than £150 at a restaurant (not the buffets) and as for drinks £10 a glass of beer? sounds pretty expensive to me!

Five years ago I ate in a restaurant in the Burj Al Arab which is the seven star hotel, that looks like a sail. This is classed as one of the worlds best hotels, dinner for two 160 quid.

Usually pay about 50 for dinner for two at most places like Blue Elephant thai restaurant.

Cafe bars, like Dome, pay about 25 for two.

Buffets are much better than the buffets in UK, try the one at the Al Dawar revolving restaurant in the Regency Hyatt Hotel.

 

[carnut]

The bottom line here is that its likely to be expensive so go for a once in a life time experience...yes I know some others have done this many times and probably on expenses, but if you are set ( or your wife is) on doing this, bite the bullet and do it properly...take the limo, have a niice meal, but stay grounded on the avoidable unneccessary expenses

Enjoy..only one life!

 

[Satch]

You might be able to pick up a bargin or two. Long drive home though.....

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/the_gulf/article5663618.ece

 

[hash]

hi just back from dubai, wanted to saty at the jumeriah beach but was full, so we stayed at the le meriden mina seyahai.

Fabulous hotel in all respects, lots of pools, resturants, also can all the facilities of westin next door.

Hilton at jumeriah is also very nice, not the creek.

Get something near water, so much nicer

Meals are expensive if you want a nice place, we regualry paid £200 for 2 adults and 13 + 10 years old kids, including a botel of wine.

The malls are great, but EVERYTHING is more than in the uk, fancied a new watch while i was there and most decent watches were over £1000 more than here.


cheers

Hash

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

atlantis really not great. abu dhabi is a better bet in my mind and experience.

 

[verytalldave]

Bragging rights @ school.

Nothing wrong with a holiday in the cotswolds. Did me no harm.

Spot on.

Kids (and I had 3), all they REALLY want is for Mum and Dad to spend real quality time with them. Do silly things and play silly games. Go rock pooling. Fly kites. Roller skates. Hire Bikes. Eat nice home cooked food in nice country pubs. Go on bouncy castles.
THATS what kids want.
Not be faced with a plate of rice and curried camel that cost the best part of £50 and drinking Pepsi at £10 a bottle.
In my limited experience, kids dont measure things like adults do. IE-expensive equals good. Their minds dont work that way (at least not until they get to their teens).
You can have a damn good family holiday at somewhere like Bournemouth or Great Yarmouth (given reasonable weather). And without breaking the bank.
And not forgetting, a 20 month old toddler will HATE the sun and overbearing heat.

Have you ever travelled abroad and flown with a baby/toddler before?
Because if you havent, then you have a treat in store.
Those that have, will know EXACTLY what I mean.

Just my 2p's worth............

However, whatever you do end up doing, and wherever you end up staying, I hope you all have a lovely holiday.

.

 

[VB123]

Yeah! Abu Dhabi is great.......Stay in Dubai, but AD is a 1hour drive south, and is a lot nicer in many aspects. Pints at the pub are about £4 bye the way.

It is a GREAT place to live too!!!

 

[bulldoze]

Spot on.

Kids (and I had 3), all they REALLY want is for Mum and Dad to spend real quality time with them. Do silly things and play silly games. Go rock pooling. Fly kites. Roller skates. Hire Bikes. Eat nice home cooked food in nice country pubs. Go on bouncy castles.
THATS what kids want.
Not be faced with a plate of rice and curried camel that cost the best part of £50 and drinking Pepsi at £10 a bottle.
In my limited experience, kids dont measure things like adults do. IE-expensive equals good. Their minds dont work that way (at least not until they get to their teens).
You can have a damn good family holiday at somewhere like Bournemouth or Great Yarmouth (given reasonable weather). And without breaking the bank.
And not forgetting, a 20 month old toddler will HATE the sun and overbearing heat.

Have you ever travelled abroad and flown with a baby/toddler before?
Because if you havent, then you have a treat in store.
Those that have, will know EXACTLY what I mean.

Just my 2p's worth............

However, whatever you do end up doing, and wherever you end up staying, I hope you all have a lovely holiday.

.

Well good weather will be tricky at the start of April in the UK!

The Holiday is for all of us. My wife has worked very hard over the last few months working very long hours and most weekends as well. My little boy travels fine (touch wood!) we flew to Cyprus last year and he was good as gold and absolutely loved the beach and sea.