Dubai Accom. Advise

[Limewood]

We have the free EK limo deal back to airport on the Friday.

 

[Nizar]

We have the free EK limo deal back to airport on the Friday.

Flying EK J/F ?
Can you recommend a centre pairing on EK 388 F or any will do?

Cheers and sorry for the thread hijack lol

 

[legroom]

Wife & self be spending near 24 hours in Dubai on way to Europe and 3 nights on return, have no idea where to stay, too many hotels to choose from and Qantas has many, say around AUD$200/$250 night be OK, any advise on accommodation and tours appreciated. And yes Mrs Lime does like to shop!.

We stayed at the Sheraton Dubai (connected with the Dubai Mall).

Large room

Spacious bathroom

Walked into hundreds of high end stores without seeing the sun !

 

[JohnPhelan]

We have the free EK limo deal back to airport on the Friday.

So did I - except the limo didn't turn up! And when the concierge rang EK to find out what was happening, the operator told him it was my fault for not booking the car at least 48 hours before pick-up. Problem was it was booked 5 months ahead! (QF has apologised and confirmed that the car booking was definitely showing; somehow it just got overlooked by EK - but the thing that infuriated me was the EK moron saying it was my fault!!)

Good luck.

 

[LadyC]

We stayed at the Sheraton Dubai (connected with the Dubai Mall).

Large room

Spacious bathroom

Walked into hundreds of high end stores without seeing the sun !

I am looking at booking there later in the year - you would happily recommend? Did you eat there?

 

[legroom]

I am looking at booking there later in the year - you would happily recommend? Did you eat there?

I didn't eat there.

I got more "vibe" from the other mall - Dubai Mall - where it is located in front of the lake.

Nothing wrong with the hotel / Mall of the Emirates per se but somehow I can't see myself going back there (The indoor ski field turned me off with its ostentatious energy wastage).

 

[get me outta here]

I wanted to get a few pieces of fruit to munch on and was intrigued as to what average people in Dubai get in the supermarket. The large one I went into somewhere near the old sector had a huge variety of fruits and veges from all over some obscure places in the world. The prices indicated that all this stuff was well subsidised too. Picked up a few lovely looking dates to nibble too.

If you are interested in the restored wind tower buildings traditional architecture, do a walk through the Batakiah heritage area and look at the Basta Art Cafe for breakfast/lunch then a short stroll to the abra station for the ferry across the creek.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I am looking at booking there later in the year - you would happily recommend? Did you eat there?

I stayed at the Sheraton Mall of the Emirates - rooms are lovely, facilities good, food and drink fine. You are a Metro/taxi ride from the places you'll want to visit, but nothing too off-putting. If it's cool, you can walk to the Burj al Arab and Madinat Jumeriah.

 

[burrco]

Just wondering if those who have stayed at the Sheraton at the Mall can advise on estimated travel time from the airport?
Next week I'm arriving on QF1 at 00.40 and departing at 14.00 to Europe and am trying to choose between just staying at the airport hotel or heading to the Sheraton for the night (note separate bookings so I am not eligible for Dubai Connect).

 

[markis10]

I wanted to get a few pieces of fruit to munch on and was intrigued as to what average people in Dubai get in the supermarket. The large one I went into somewhere near the old sector had a huge variety of fruits and veges from all over some obscure places in the world. The prices indicated that all this stuff was well subsidised too. Picked up a few lovely looking dates to nibble too.

If you are interested in the restored wind tower buildings traditional architecture, do a walk through the Batakiah heritage area and look at the Basta Art Cafe for breakfast/lunch then a short stroll to the abra station for the ferry across the creek.

The souks are worth a visit to see whats on offer for the locals, the spice souk is almost a must do if cooking is of interest.

 

[legroom]

Just wondering if those who have stayed at the Sheraton at the Mall can advise on estimated travel time from the airport?
Next week I'm arriving on QF1 at 00.40 and departing at 14.00 to Europe and am trying to choose between just staying at the airport hotel or heading to the Sheraton for the night (note separate bookings so I am not eligible for Dubai Connect).

I think it was 20 mins max.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Just wondering if those who have stayed at the Sheraton at the Mall can advise on estimated travel time from the airport?
Next week I'm arriving on QF1 at 00.40 and departing at 14.00 to Europe and am trying to choose between just staying at the airport hotel or heading to the Sheraton for the night (note separate bookings so I am not eligible for Dubai Connect).

Between 20 and 30 minutes depending on traffic. For the overnight at the airport hotel (i.e. the one inside the terminal), you will need to either have hand luggage only or have your bags booked through to your final destination - you can't collect them there, as the hotel is airside. If you can check bags all the way through (even if on separate PNRs), then I would recommend the airport hotel for overnight.

 

[markis10]

When driving keep an eye on the other vehicles, you might see a Lion inside one of them unrestrained.



http://www.news.com.au/travel/trave...n-a-car-in-dubai/story-e6frfq80-1226838558469

 

[Jacques Vert]

It might be a bit late; you may have already departed. As a former resident in Dubai I would advise you to avoid airport and old Dubai hotels. Old Dubai is clogged up with traffic and one way systems. It is further to the Dubai Marina, but a long straight 7 lane highway taking no longer to get to than it would old Dubai. The Hilton, Moevenpick, Sofitel, Habtour Grand, all good hotels in the Marina and the Madinat and Jumeirah Beach hotels are also very good and within a $10-$15 taxi rides to the Mall of the Emirates. Avoid hotels on The Palm, they take too long to get to and from unless you want free access to the water park next to the Atlantis.

You MUST book the Burj Khalifa "at the top" trip beforehand or it will cost you 4 times the price on the day, if you can get a ticket. 1730 hours is the best time then stay on a couple of hours later for the Fountain Display.

I was looking at the Crown Plaza on Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Road as I have a few points to burn. I haven't been to Dubai before but looking at the map it seems to be close to but outside of the area you suggest avoiding. Is this the case?

The website says it is 0.5km from Emirates Towers Metro station and has a shuttle to the Dubai Mall. Your comments would be appreciated.

JV

 

[Sprucegoose]

So did I - except the limo didn't turn up! And when the concierge rang EK to find out what was happening, the operator told him it was my fault for not booking the car at least 48 hours before pick-up. Problem was it was booked 5 months ahead! (QF has apologised and confirmed that the car booking was definitely showing; somehow it just got overlooked by EK - but the thing that infuriated me was the EK moron saying it was my fault!!)

Good luck.

agree. I copy all my arrangements so when they suggest it's my fault they get a smack in the face.

 

[markis10]

I was looking at the Crown Plaza on Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Road as I have a few points to burn. I haven't been to Dubai before but looking at the map it seems to be close to but outside of the area you suggest avoiding. Is this the case?

The website says it is 0.5km from Emirates Towers Metro station and has a shuttle to the Dubai Mall. Your comments would be appreciated.

JV

I suspect festival city would be a better choice as it's much newer and closer to the creek where there is a lot to do, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan is not a road in reality, it's like 14 lanes of madness! Deira is the closest to the souks etc.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I suspect festival city would be a better choice as it's much newer and closer to the creek where there is a lot to do, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan is not a road in reality, it's like 14 lanes of madness! Deira is the closest to the souks etc.

Thanks Markis,

The photos on the Downtown Hotel do make it look nice but that may be because they were taken years ago or perhaps they hired a good photographer!

Interesting that the website for CP Festival City says it's 10km from the airport and a taxi takes 50 minutes; google maps says it's 5 km and takes 7 minutes. Their drivers must have trained in London!

I'll have a closer look at the options you suggest.

JV

 

[Dessie]

Just stayed at the CP Festival City last week and can confirm is only about 5 mins from the airport. CP was AUD260 pn for Superior (entry level) and upgraded to King Deluxe with IHG Ambassador membership. Room, hotel and staff in particular were excellent. 'Normal' taxis (marked yellow) were about AUD10 from Dubai Mall. Agree the Burj Khalifa is a must but don't bother if it's morning fog or sky-sandy, unless you've prebooked which of course is the economical option.

Dessie

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks Dessie,

The CP Festival City certainly looks nice on the website but beyond the upper end of my budget; I will have to use points plus pay to stay there. The CP Deira also looks good and a bit less expensive. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Limewood]

After booking award flights on EK via QFF HKG/DXB/VIE thought hey there's about 20 hours until connecting flight to VIE, contacted EK, replied unless flights booked with them Dubai Connect with free nights accom. and meals does no apply, what a pity.