Holiday Dubai?

[old.user4556]

Any of you been to Dubai for a city / beach break? What's it like? Is it pricey?

I've been looking at holidays for a week away and really fancied going back to NYC for five nights. I don't know what's happened when I last went, but the price has rocketed. I went away in 2010 for five nights and got it for a rather cheap £670 per head for a hotel just off Times Square, but the same hotel want ~£1300 a head no matter how far in advance I book it. I've started looking at other options and can do 6 days in Dubai for around £680-£700 per head, so if you've been then I'd like to hear some opinions.

 

[old.user4556]

FS can't edit out a horrible grammatical error.

 

[DaGaffer]

Never been but the missus has been loads of times. She loves it but says I'd hate it - heat and shopping seem to be pretty much it (apart from the odd desert safari etc.) And yes, its expensive to eat out and do any trip type activities. Also, what time of year? You pretty much have to stay indoors all year round anyway but don't even think about the beach at this time of year (I did Aqaba in Jordan in late September, which is a similar climate, and it was like an oven, but manageable; at least there's no humidity).

Surely somewhere in the EU would be a good bet with the Euro dropping like an anvil off a skyscraper at the moment?

 

[Hawkwind]

I live in Dubai, have done for 10 years! When are you looking at the break?

Summer is damned hot (45 Deg C ++) in Jun/Jul/Aug and Ramadam starts end of July so August would be a bad time. There is lots to do though, sports fishing, diving, water parks, 4 x 4 in the desert and decent shopping. Amazing restaurants and hotels.

 

[Chilly]

Seems like it's massively expensive for what it is - a desert with some nice hotels. There's plenty of cheaper deserts on the sea with hotels.

 

[old.user4556]

Surely somewhere in the EU would be a good bet with the Euro dropping like an anvil off a skyscraper at the moment?

Absolutely, perusing a few options.

Thanks gents.

 

[dysfunction]

Seems like it's massively expensive for what it is - a desert with some nice hotels. There's plenty of cheaper deserts on the sea with hotels.

Yes like Egypt for example

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Yeah never seen the attraction to go there unless you're a WAG.

 

[mycenae]

number of girls from work have been and all raved about it.....

 

[Chilly]

number of girls from work have been and all raved about it.....

Bet they were spending someone else's money.

 

[Job]

It's packed with character and steeped in history with a lovely tolerant population.

 

[cHodAX]

Personally I would do Athens, Rome or Florence. Or for something a bit different, Biarritz down to San Sebastian and maybe on to Bilbao. Some of the best food and drink in the world on that trip, plus some stunning scenery and great towns/cities. It is on my bucket list.

 

[Hawkwind]

number of girls from work have been and all raved about it.....

There is a good club and bar scene. Basically it's just a big vibrant city with great weather for 8-9 months of there year.

 

[Hawkwind]

Yeah never seen the attraction to go there unless you're a WAG.

Twice the UK salary I could earn as a Project Manager tax free, with private education for the kids, medical cover and flights home every year. That's my excuse

 

[Chilly]

Twice the UK salary I could earn as a Project Manager tax free, with private education for the kids, medical cover and flights home every year. That's my excuse

Can't argue with that - but going there on holiday is totally different.

 

[DaGaffer]

Twice the UK salary I could earn as a Project Manager tax free, with private education for the kids, medical cover and flights home every year. That's my excuse

I'd go tomorrow if a decent e-commerce job came up. Got a friend who's working for a Saudi retail chain (but lives in the Emirates) and he's earning a fortune.

 

[rynnor]

As a holiday destination it was popular until the recession then (from a UK perspective) it got a lot more expensive with the relative de-valuation of the pound.

 

[Hawkwind]

Currently at around 5.7 Dhs to 1 GBP that has not changed that much in all the time I have been here. The UAE Dirham like many Middle East Currencies are pegged to the US Dollar through the oil prices.

Dubai has gotten more expensive as it grew. But like any big city you have to know the deals and where to go.

 

[Hawkwind]

As a holiday destination it was popular until the recession then (from a UK perspective) it got a lot more expensive with the relative de-valuation of the pound.

Hotels here run at amazing occupancy rates. Friend of mine runs the Al Aqua and Al Maha resorts and his hotels are fully booked even in the hot summer. So, not sure that is right.

 

[rynnor]

Hotels here run at amazing occupancy rates. Friend of mine runs the Al Aqua and Al Maha resorts and his hotels are fully booked even in the hot summer. So, not sure that is right.

I'ts not a comment on the place just the relative price change to Brits.

 

[rynnor]

No offense, but he just answered that question as simply as anyone could, "Currently at around 5.7 Dhs to 1 GBP that has not changed that much in all the time I have been here. The UAE Dirham like many Middle East Currencies are pegged to the US Dollar through the oil prices.".

I just went based on what my Dad complained about last time he went there in February - he's been going there for about a decade for reference.

 

[rynnor]

Well that's great because Hawkwind is a brit and hes lived there for over a decade ....

You seem familiar - are you the reincarnation of someone formerly banned from here by any chance?

 

[old.user4556]

I was thinking it too, "Thailand" was mentioned far too soon.

Classic .

 

[DaGaffer]

Clue is in the nick I reckon

 

[- English -]

How are you fellas?

I'm sitting by the pool, drinking a few tequilas with stuff I brought back from Singapore duty free. It's 21:33, 29C, I got a client tomorrow early around 11AM so can't drink too much. Will probably make an easy 700quid tax free for a 15minute viewing and e-mailing some paper to the owner.

Picture I took a while ago from the same spot I'm in now (can't do one now it's dark and cameras annoy me)

toast!

So you're selling your body now to Thai ladyboys?

 

[old.user4556]

Great view, nice to see you partying Tony Stark style surrounded by your mates.

Oh wait.