Dubai

[fidelcastro]

Has anyone been?

It may be part of my holiday next year, so I just want to hear people's experiences of a place I've never visited.

Thanks in advance.

[claret2018]

Never been to Dubai but have been to the Trafford Centre which looks very similar

[Burnley1989]

Brother in law lives there, I’m not sure he will ever come back, loves the place

[bobinho]

Only the airport for a stop off and refuel.

Didn’t buy owt… couldn’t afford owt.

[clarethomer]

Stopped in the airport whilst transiting through and it was bloody warm in the middle of the night.

Not quite enought experience for a full review of the place though ha ha.

It's a place I have fancied visiting though.

[4midable]

Only the airport for a stop off and refuel.

Didn’t buy owt… couldn’t afford owt.

Where was your final destination? Taiwan?

[Tinribs]

Have family there so visit once a year,fantastic place but I’d recommend you go late October onwards otherwise it’s far too hot to enjoy.
Drinking is not the big no no that people think but very expensive
Get on the brunch deals you will pay about £70 for 3-4 hours all you can drink and eat.
Outside of the brunch you are paying about £12 a pint.
We usually stay around the Marina you can get decent rooms around there and your pretty well placed there for getting around.
I’m going over again at Christmas and can’t wait

[Fretters]

Went on my honeymoon and really enjoyed it. It was only a three-day trip, though, so we spent hardly any time outside. You're either in air-conditioned taxis (as everything is bloody miles away) or in super-sized shopping centres that have giant aquariums in the middle. All stunning to look at, though!

[CoolClaret]

Decent if you’re into soulless tat

Crap if you’re not

[1989_claret]

Went September 2019. Was 40+ degrees every day. It’s very expensive for everything but had a great time.

Did jet skiing and then a buggy in the desert at sunset which both were great. Rest of the time was on the beach and round the pool.

Food is great everywhere. Beer very expensive.

[Quicknick]

The airport is enough for me.

[Flixtonclaret1]

Been about 8 times …. some great things to do and see and play golf if that’s your bag. Expensive - paid nearly £14 for a pint of Stella on Jumeirah Beach . Most hotels do weekend brunches which give you an all in good and drink package for about 4 hours.

These used to be on a Friday but have been moved to Saturdays.
Usual attractions of the Malls ( air conditioned) - a trip to Atlantis on the monorail is a good afternoon trip.

You can go on desert safari and even camp out if that floats yer boat.

A great place to go but it’s just not real!!!

[Nonayforever]

Been a couple of times.
Played golf in the morning, skied in the afternoon and had a meal & drink on the 43rd floor of a skyscraper overlooking the city in the evening, amazing place.
Lovely beaches, warm clear sea. Some of the best hotels in the world.
Go in the winter months, far to hot in summer.
It's got everything but as other posters have said , it's not 'real".

[durhamclaret]

Great if you’re a premier league footballer, been there once, never again, totally false and ridiculously priced alcohol, much better places to visit in the world IMO

[bobinho]

Where was your final destination? Taiwan?

Singapore. Was off to Malaysia for work.

[Dark Cloud]

Everyone should visit if possible imo, even though it's definitely not going to be everybody's cup of tea. It's like you've been asleep for 500 years and woken up way into the future. Bizarre place in every sense and they're so awash with cash they're basically dreaming up the most outlandish ideas and then setting about building them.... because they can and because they can afford to. A local guide I spoke to said they know nothing is forever and other civilisations have "had their day in the sun" throughout history. They are enjoying there's right now and accept one day the world will move on. They are looking for more long term sustainability away from simple oil revenues by going heavily into tourism and again as pointed out by the guide, nothing really needs to make economic sense and getting returns on investments isn't necessarily that important. Things can (and do) lose money hand over fist, but If they look amazing then it's all fine!!
As I say, ok for a reasonably short visit, but I'm not dashing back.

[Buxtonclaret]

Never been to Dubai but have been to the Trafford Centre which looks very similar

[Bosscat]

Everyone should visit if possible imo, even though it's definitely not going to be everybody's cup of tea. It's like you've been asleep for 500 years and woken up way into the future. Bizarre place in every sense and they're so awash with cash they're basically dreaming up the most outlandish ideas and then setting about building them.... because they can and because they can afford to. A local guide I spoke to said they know nothing is forever and other civilisations have "had their day in the sun" throughout history. They are enjoying there's right now and accept one day the world will move on. They are looking for more long term sustainability away from simple oil revenues by going heavily into tourism and again as pointed out by the guide, nothing really needs to make economic sense and getting returns on investments isn't necessarily that important. Things can (and do) lose money hand over fist, but If they look amazing then it's all fine!!
As I say, ok for a reasonably short visit, but I'm not dashing back.

this

We visited whilst on a Gulf Cruise a few years ago ... after the Burj Khalifa, Huge Mall (complete with Skiing centre) and Monorail ... it all gets a bit samey ... OK for a couple of days 3 at the most.

Very interesting night-time drive from Airport (flight to Manchester delayed 24 hrs due to engine problems) to hotel ... with all the lights and Glass Skyscrapers creating a rather colourful experience ... mind you the highlight was arriving at our hotel and finding Brighton v Burnley on Big Screen in the bar ... A 3-1 away win for the Clarets then arriving back into Manchester and claiming £1300 from Virgin Atlantic a few weeks later ...

[tarkys_ears]

What are you after?

I went after COVID was it was the only place open. Stayed at the Ritz and Atlantis.

Not bad if you wanna eat in malls and hotels - I just literally spent all day in the pool and chilled out at night

Get a "club" room so you get some breakfast free and evening canapes and beer/wine/fizz free for a few hours -

Oh and you can get 4 litres of duty free spirits PP, I'd recommend buying 8 litres if there's 2 of you for two weeks - £15 a pint gets expensive.

I did my drinking by the pool when it was happy hour then a beer or two if we were in a drinking place - if not it's be a coke and back to the room for a few gins on the balcony.

[karatekid]

£15 a pint
and i thought New York was expensive at £10 a pint. Although I did find a bar in Hells Kitchen charging a fiver a pint.

[tarkys_ears]

Yeah £15... but I was reading - I think they've got rid of the tax or something on it now so it should be down to about a tenner.

[Tribesmen]

Spent six days there only meet a local once in that time .

Plastic place really not for me and would never go again

[CoolClaret]

Everyone should visit if possible imo, even though it's definitely not going to be everybody's cup of tea. It's like you've been asleep for 500 years and woken up way into the future. Bizarre place in every sense and they're so awash with cash they're basically dreaming up the most outlandish ideas and then setting about building them.... because they can and because they can afford to. A local guide I spoke to said they know nothing is forever and other civilisations have "had their day in the sun" throughout history. They are enjoying there's right now and accept one day the world will move on. They are looking for more long term sustainability away from simple oil revenues by going heavily into tourism and again as pointed out by the guide, nothing really needs to make economic sense and getting returns on investments isn't necessarily that important. Things can (and do) lose money hand over fist, but If they look amazing then it's all fine!!
As I say, ok for a reasonably short visit, but I'm not dashing back.

Or they could do something meaningful with their hoardes of wealth by actually developing a functioning country instead of building mindless crap (which has been built on explorative labour) for rich idiots to fawn over?

Similar with the Qatar and Saudi stuff, it’s all an attempt to gain influence and standing in the world with their ass backwards ruling class & law of the land.

I think going there legitimises it
I detest everything about tha part

[Hapag Lloyd]

Or they could do something meaningful with their hoardes of wealth by actually developing a functioning country instead of building mindless crap (which has been built on explorative labour) for rich idiots to fawn over?

Similar with the Qatar and Saudi stuff, it’s all an attempt to gain influence and standing in the world with their ass backwards ruling class & law of the land.

I think going there legitimises it
I detest everything about tha part

Here we go

[CoolClaret]

Here we go

It’s facts though - the place is abhorrent.

Things we take for granted here that took years and years to achieve. Their treatment of workers from the sub continent is beyond abhorrent.

Some people actually have a conscience you know, and these are important things to air views over.

[Big Vinny K]

Alongside Shadsworth one of the places in the world I’d least like to visit.
Absolute morally bankrupt hell hole of a place - and Dubai is not much better.

[Bfcis4me]

Dubai? It's the best little city on earth!!!

How do I know?

I’ve been everywhere else. I’m here now, right on the family patch and I miss it.

I’m the only man in history of mankind that’s swum across the Dubai Creek, to avoid the police.

Nobody’s ever done it before, not because of the currents, nothing like that; it’s sharks. Not shark-infested but none of the locals go paddling or swimming.

Sharks’ll have a look at me and think yeah I know how to do them, you punch them right in the earhole and they swim off.

So yeah go, it's bit boring but alright at times.

[Garnerssoap]

It’s a funny old place and a bit pointless.
The tip to get a club room is a good one though

[Tinribs]

It’s facts though - the place is abhorrent.

Things we take for granted here that took years and years to achieve. Their treatment of workers from the sub continent is beyond abhorrent.

Some people actually have a conscience you know, and these are important things to air views over.

So Booking.com need to put a “conscience” option on their filters when looking for holidays then.
Zzzzzz
Enjoy Clacton

[CaptJohn]

I lived in the UAE for 10 years so know it pretty well. I was always impressed with the way they went about their business in a "can do" attitude. It's a system of benevolent dictatorship that worked so well. Dubai is great for a short break but go in the winter months as it is hot. The sporting events "Desert Classic" (Golf) and Dubai Duty Free (Tennis) are well worth visiting as tickets are reasonable and there aren't too many problems getting them. Alcohol is freely available but expensive as are prostitutes, such is the "two faced" nature of the authorities. I'd recommend going for a package hotel in one of the "Club" rooms as previously metioned on the thread as you can get all the alcohol you want included. For a real treat go to "Bubbly Friday" at the Meridien in Deira.(Near the airport) You'll have a hoot as the food and wine flow and you can watch the antics people get up to when heat and booze are combined

[Clovius Boofus]

You'll have a hoot as the food and wine flow and you can watch the antics people get up to when heat and booze are combined

You can do that in Magaluf.

[Marney&Mee]

Lived there for 5 years and went for a week recently. Things to do;

Go up Burj Khalifa
Desert safari
Visit Dubai Mall.
Eat outside at Carluccios Dubai Mall and watch the fountain display
Ski-ing at Mall of the Emirates
Get an abra across the Creek
Lie on the beach (or tell the truth)
Eat at Buddha Bar in the Marina
Go out on a boat around Atlantis and The Palm

Don't go between the end of May and mid October. Just too hot

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

A very apt topic as I am halfway through an interview process for a job out there!

[JohnMcGreal]

Has anyone been?

It may be part of my holiday next year, so I just want to hear people's experiences of a place I've never visited.

Thanks in advance.

It's a gaudy, soulless hellhole. Spend your money somewhere else.

[Rileybobs]

From the comments I think it’s fair to say it’s a bit marmite. I’ve never been, must admit it doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest and can only imagine I’d visit if it was a stopover on the way to somewhere else.

[CaptJohn]

A very apt topic as I am halfway through an interview process for a job out there!

Quick tip. Always get accomodation, utilities and if possible a car included in your deal. Don't make the mistake of getting an allowance to cover these items unless you're incredibly disciplined, otherwise you'll end up paying a large proportion of your salary for living costs in addition to the allowance.
It's a while ago since I was there but I hear the Russians have fled the USSR and Dubai has welcomed them and their zillions, so prices have gone crazy.

[HB Claret]

A very apt topic as I am halfway through an interview process for a job out there!

Another quick tip - if you want the job dont be checking The Beehole End during the interview process !

[Hapag Lloyd]

Quick tip. Always get accomodation, utilities and if possible a car included in your deal. Don't make the mistake of getting an allowance to cover these items unless you're incredibly disciplined, otherwise you'll end up paying a large proportion of your salary for living costs in addition to the allowance.
It's a while ago since I was there but I hear the Russians have fled the USSR and Dubai has welcomed them and their zillions, so prices have gone crazy.

This

[karatekid]

Lived there for 5 years and went for a week recently. Things to do;

Go up Burj Khalifa
Desert safari
Visit Dubai Mall.
Eat outside at Carluccios Dubai Mall and watch the fountain display
Ski-ing at Mall of the Emirates
Get an abra across the Creek
Lie on the beach (or tell the truth)
Eat at Buddha Bar in the Marina
Go out on a boat around Atlantis and The Palm

Don't go between the end of May and mid October. Just too hot

Top of the list should be 'Get a Bank Loan'.

[AfloatinClaret]

...local guide I spoke to said they know nothing is forever and other civilisations have "had their day in the sun" throughout history. They are enjoying there's right now and accept one day the world will move on...

A wise man; that's something that the residents of the Western European (which includes the USA, it is a colony after all) Empire are struggling to come to terms with in the 21st Century.

[tarkys_ears]

Dubai? It's the best little city on earth!!!

How do I know?

I’ve been everywhere else. I’m here now, right on the family patch and I miss it.

I’m the only man in history of mankind that’s swum across the Dubai Creek, to avoid the police.

Nobody’s ever done it before, not because of the currents, nothing like that; it’s sharks. Not shark-infested but none of the locals go paddling or swimming.

Sharks’ll have a look at me and think yeah I know how to do them, you punch them right in the earhole and they swim off.

So yeah go, it's bit boring but alright at times.

You sound such a wonderful citizen, the council are gonna give yer a house!

[FCBurnley]

Amazing that the price of a pint of beer seems to be a deal breaker for many on here. Just stay home and go to the Miners. Problem solved

[tarkys_ears]

Amazing that the price of a pint of beer seems to be a deal breaker for many on here. Just stay home and go to the Miners. Problem solved

...or just leave others to their discussion?

[FCBurnley]

...or just leave others to their discussion?

or heed your own advice !

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

Another quick tip - if you want the job dont be checking The Beehole End during the interview process !

it's a four stage interview process over a month. Two down, a presentation to give next week then potentially a psychometric test to go.

[Marney&Mee]

it's a four stage interview process over a month. Two down, a presentation to give next week then potentially a psychometric test to go.

What job are you going for?

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

What job are you going for?

It's with dnata group

[Alanstevensonsgloves]

Quick tip. Always get accomodation, utilities and if possible a car included in your deal. Don't make the mistake of getting an allowance to cover these items unless you're incredibly disciplined, otherwise you'll end up paying a large proportion of your salary for living costs in addition to the allowance.
It's a while ago since I was there but I hear the Russians have fled the USSR and Dubai has welcomed them and their zillions, so prices have gone crazy.

Great info Capt John. The package is basic salary plus accomm and transport allowance. What you don't spend you keep. No choice in the matter unfortunately.

It's with dnata so very generous benefits on flights with Emirates too