Things to do in Dubai and hotel query

[hal55]

In May next year I'll be travelling to London with stopovers in Singapore and Dubai. Singapore is a bit of a known quantity but Dubai isn't. Arrive 5.00am and leave 2.15 the next day.
Any suggestions as to the best way to spend the time? I'd certainly like to visit a more traditional type of market than just the "mega malls" and is it possible to visit the cafes or bars at the Burj Al Arab? As photography buffs, both my wife and I would be after locations that offer great shots.
Being in our 50s the water park thing is not of interest.
Any reasonably priced hotels that are recommended and, being May, what sort of temperatures are we likely to hit?

Thanks,

Hal55

 

[zig]

In May next year I'll be travelling to London with stopovers in Singapore and Dubai. Singapore is a bit of a known quantity but Dubai isn't. Arrive 5.00am and leave 2.15 the next day.
Any suggestions as to the best way to spend the time? I'd certainly like to visit a more traditional type of market than just the "mega malls" and is it possible to visit the cafes or bars at the Burj Al Arab? As photography buffs, both my wife and I would be after locations that offer great shots.
Being in our 50s the water park thing is not of interest.
Any reasonably priced hotels that are recommended and, being May, what sort of temperatures are we likely to hit?

Thanks,

Hal55

The only way to get into Burj Al Arab is if you have a booking already made at one of the bars / cafe's. We went for afternoon tea simply to be able to get in and see the hotel and have a wander around. Menus and prices etc for the various bars etc are on their website. Bookings are checked via phone from the front gate when you arrive, once you are confirmed the gates open and the taxi is allowed to take you up to the entrance.
The gold souk is certainly worth seeing along with some of the other traditional markets.
I stayed at Traders Hotel which was comfortable and reasonably priced and not that far from the airport.
Travel around Dubai is in taxi's which fortunately given the horrendous traffic, are cheap.

 

[serfty]

I had 36 hours in 2006 and employed a 'tour' bus.

• Big Bus - Dubai Sightseeing Tours

I did the trip out to Jumariah from Diera City Center and then looped back and transferred to the other bus to do the Dubai Creek area.

(Back then it was AED110, but I see it's now AED200)

There are some godd suggestions/ideas here:

• Dubai travel guide - Wikitravel

 

[Snowmoo]

The Gold Souk's are an ok visit. Although be prepared to get hassled by people trying to sell you cough in the mall area. We did follow one of them an ended up with cheap imitation handbags and watches which to this day still work fine.

Go the Emirates mall, have a walk around and go indoor skiing. I did the indoor ski thing and loved it.

We stayed at the Burj and loved it. It was THE experience. From the Rolls pickup at the airport to drinks at the skybar at the top. Simply spectacular.

 

[Snowmoo]

Oh and i almost forgot. You can do a sand dune safari in 4wd's. They burn out through the sand dunes in pajero's and then you end up at a desert camp where you get fed and treated to a belly dance. That was great fun.

 

[Zulaiha]

May is HOT, but still is not that humid (compared to August). The temp can be vary from 35 to 40 Cel.

Dubai is quite relax with clothings, although if you try to wears minimun, be prepared to be stared.

 

[hal55]

Is Dubai ok for electronics, mainly photographic, purchases? Research on the net is a touch contradictory with some sites saying it's good while others say it's not nearly what it used to be. Could be interested in getting a video camera or pro grade camera lens while there since these have become very expensive in Australia.
At the moment leaning towards just a city tour, probably including a trip on the water and either an indoor market or mall depending on how hot it is. The dune bashing thing sounded like fun till I saw a site that warned people who get carsick easily not to do it, 20 years ago my wife and I might have considered it but we're happy to slow down a bit now. If the Godolphin stables are still doing the breakfast tour that would be really interesting but I think it may have ceased.
As a ballpark figure, what is a light lunch or afternoon tea at the Burj going to set me back? For that matter, what would dinner at the Burj set me back or what would be a good place for an evening meal and admire the lights and cityscape of Dubai?

Hal55

 

[zig]

Afternoon tea a couple of years ago in the Skyview Bar was about A$70 per person.

World Class Dining at Burj Al Arab - Jumeirah

 

[TonyB]

I had 36 hours in 2006 and employed a 'tour' bus.

• Big Bus - Dubai Sightseeing Tours

I did the trip out to Jumariah from Diera City Center and then looped back and transferred to the other bus to do the Dubai Creek area.

(Back then it was AED110, but I see it's now AED200)

There are some godd suggestions/ideas here:

• Dubai travel guide - Wikitravel

I did the Big Bus tour a couple of weeks ago when I had a full day stopover in Dubai and it was well worth it. I only did the red route which takes you through the city sites (gold souk etc) and you get a free trip up the river on one of the old boats which was well worth it (if you do the boat trip get there early so you can be one of the first on the boat and therefore get seat under cover on the top deck, everyone else has to sit in the sun unless you are below deck but that is not as much fun as lounging around on big cushions up stairs). You can also do the Blue route for free which takes you to the 'beach' sites like Burj Al Arab, Mall of the emirates etc but it is a huge day if you do both Red and Blue on the one day. We also found that you don't really get much time to get off and walk around although a bus comes past every 30 minutes if you do decide to get off and have a walk around. My suggestion is to do the tour as soon as you get there and then work out which places you want to go back to specifically when you have more time. A friend of mine also did the 4WD tour and said it was fantastic.

 

[Zulaiha]

Is Dubai ok for electronics, mainly photographic, purchases? Research on the net is a touch contradictory with some sites saying it's good while others say it's not nearly what it used to be. Could be interested in getting a video camera or pro grade camera lens while there since these have become very expensive in Australia.
At the moment leaning towards just a city tour, probably including a trip on the water and either an indoor market or mall depending on how hot it is. The dune bashing thing sounded like fun till I saw a site that warned people who get carsick easily not to do it, 20 years ago my wife and I might have considered it but we're happy to slow down a bit now. If the Godolphin stables are still doing the breakfast tour that would be really interesting but I think it may have ceased.
As a ballpark figure, what is a light lunch or afternoon tea at the Burj going to set me back? For that matter, what would dinner at the Burj set me back or what would be a good place for an evening meal and admire the lights and cityscape of Dubai?

Hal55

Compared to Saudi, Dubai is expensive, but if I compare Dubai vs Australia, I would say Dubai is cheaper, but the range will never be as good as Australia especially for a specialize items like photography things.


PS:

Ooops, having said the above, I noticed that I've forgotten about the current exchange rate factor. Mid East money is lock against US, with current trend of falling AUD, you might have to do the calculation further.

 

[Febs]

The only way to get into Burj Al Arab is if you have a booking already made at one of the bars / cafe's.

Not completely true...if you're staying at another Jumeirah property there are 3 timeslots (each ~2hrs I think) where you can visit the Burj al Arab for free. One of them is 1am-3am (or thereabouts), which is great for late night drinks in the bar up the top.

Just hail one of the electric buggies, show them your Jumeirah Beach or Souk Madinat room key and in you go.

(When we left at around 2:30am, the buggies weren't around so instead of making us wait for one, they gave us a lift back to the JBH in one of the many 750iL's sitting around waiting. Service!!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[zig]

Not completely true...if you're staying at another Jumeirah property there are 3 timeslots (each ~2hrs I think) where you can visit the Burj al Ar. ab for free

You are quite correct. I'm not sure that Jumeriah Beach Hotel would be classified a 'reasonably priced accomodation' though

 

[Febs]

Not completely true...if you're staying at another Jumeirah property there are 3 timeslots (each ~2hrs I think) where you can visit the Burj al Ar. ab for free

You are quite correct. I'm not sure that Jumeriah Beach Hotel would be classified a 'reasonably priced accomodation' though

True. I managed to get it for about $350/night (fully refundable) on our corporate rate for a holiday recently. Not exactly cheap, but split two ways it wasn't too bad, especially given the location and access to other Jumeirah properties. We were considering other hotels on Sheikh Zayed Rd but after seeing where they were, compared to JBH, we were very glad we paid the slight premium. The facilities at JBH are excellent too.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

Dubai.

I'm not sure why anyone would go there, except to change planes (and that's a hassle) or to buy/sell oil.

It's such a lovely place when sandstorms blow in.

How do I know? I've experienced it a few times... and I'm not rushing back.

And don't show affection to anyone of the opposite sex (same sex is OK) or you may well be arrested (as certain Brits were recently).

 

[drron]

We stayed at the Hilton Dubai creek and thought the position really was good-close to the old town,gold souk,a mall and the big bus.We had a deluxe plus room which is magnificent-problem is its price has gone through the roof.Has a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
As to the Burj and JBH you forgot the oldest trick in the book-know someone who works there.So although as diamond was denied lounge access at the Hilton i was able to have it at JBH.Certainly the complex of 3 hotels there is magnificent but I preferred being on the Creek.

 

[Febs]

Dubai.

I'm not sure why anyone would go there, except to change planes (and that's a hassle) or to buy/sell oil.

It's such a lovely place when sandstorms blow in.

How do I know? I've experienced it a few times... and I'm not rushing back.

And don't show affection to anyone of the opposite sex (same sex is OK) or you may well be arrested (as certain Brits were recently).

To each their own. I found it an amazing place and can't wait to go back next Sept. At the moment I think you only need 3-4 nights to do pretty much everything, but that will change as it grows.

..and of course you should be careful being overly affectionate with the opposite sex, that's taken for granted! Just like you wouldn't wander around the streets with a beer in your hand. Duh!

 

[zig]

True. I managed to get it for about $350/night (fully refundable) on our corporate rate for a holiday recently. Not exactly cheap, but split two ways it wasn't too bad, especially given the location and access to other Jumeirah properties. We were considering other hotels on Sheikh Zayed Rd but after seeing where they were, compared to JBH, we were very glad we paid the slight premium. The facilities at JBH are excellent too.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Great rate, for that price I would certainly stay there as well, it did look like a lovely property.