Dubai Hints & Tips! (Merged)

Weesimba

https://www.timeoutdubai.com

fatboyonadiet

Just had a good read about all the restaurants in my hotel!!!

fatboyonadiet

Another post asks about jabs, do we need them? Someone has said we don't, does anyone know or have they had them?

fatboyonadiet

Spoke to my Dr's who advised to get the jabs.

khizman

Weesimba wrote:

https://www.timeoutdubai.com

deals dont seem that cheap to me?
100dhspp = 17 pounds - which is way more that i would ever pay even in the uk!

khizman

fatboyonadiet wrote:

Just had a good read about all the restaurants in my hotel!!!

i wouldnt advise eating from or drinking from a hotel - they are VERY expensive.

fatboyonadiet

It's half board, don't think I would bother otherwise

bigup

Questions if i may:

1. Anyone recommend some good places to eat at in the town?

2. Where do you guys get money changed from? do you change some before u go to pay for tips or taxis and then change the rest when you get there?

3. Is dress code a problem? i mean are 3/4 length jeans etc with T-shirts the norm or will i be gawked at by the locals and thrown tomatoes at?

4. I read somewhere that two days of the week the beaches are reserved for ladies only on Jumeriah....does this mean i cant go on them and have to find something else to do? or is it just a certain section and i can go to other parts?? how do i find out about this.

5. And finally as its the summer period, i assume shops will not open normal hours...what times do the shops usually open in the summer months?

Many Thanks for any info.

(only one week to go )

Shadow_2

We stayed at the Jumeirah Beach in February and had 3 nights at the Burj Al Arab (special wedding anniv treat!). For kids (and any one under 50) this hotel was awful and we found it grossly over rated having watched many different tv programmes on it. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel for families is fantastic - def. in need of re-decorating in places, but the staff are superb with kids and ignore you to talk to the children. Yes, it was pricey, but has a lot more character than the Madinat, which is very dark and full of Morroccan style decor. There is a great little shopping mall and some good restaurants at the Madinat though (Madinat Souk) if you fancy a trip there for an afternoon. The food is expensive yes, but kids eat free at the Sinbad's Kids Clubs at both the Jumeirah Beach Hotel (JBH) and Madinat, and 5 year old upwards they'll look after f.o.c from 8am to 9pm if you wanted!

We booked with Best@Dubai (London I think) and they were definitely the cheapest place to book back in January/February. People with Kuoni had paid £2500 (true!) on top of our price - yes we kept quiet....!!

To everyone going, its a great family orientated place to take the children and I felt 100% safe there. The gold souk is worth a visit and I think they finish building The Mall of Emirates around September time - needless to say the size of the construction was immense so expect top quality finishing/gold glitz and 3 days worth of a mall to get around in 1 day! T-shirts and skirt/longer shorts was fine for the souk area, we'd dressed appropriately but many other Europeans hadn't and weren't bothered by anyone. Electrical goods prices were disappointing. Had gone armed to buy a Nikon D70 but absolutely no cheaper than home, so not the bargain shopping we expected. The airport (Dubai) was also same price as shops in city, so don't always wait if you do find anything. Only 1 camera area inside airport.

This all said, best holiday ever for friendliness, cleanliness etc etc, superb beaches and extremely relaxing.If you stay at the Jumeirah Beach upgrade to "Premium Leisure Club" as you get breakfast (all you can eat) overlooking Wild Wadi and afternoon tea and a later tea with all you can drink champagne/beers/cocktails thrown in. You'll definitely get your money's worth out of this and if you have kids, a free tea for them at 4pm. WE CAN'T WAIT TO RETURN!!! Have a great time everyone who's going, am envious - lol!!!!

fatboyonadiet

bigup wrote:

Questions if i may:

1. Anyone recommend some good places to eat at in the town?

2. Where do you guys get money changed from? do you change some before u go to pay for tips or taxis and then change the rest when you get there?

Read Martin's article on spending abroad, I'm taking my card when I go, if you want to change money here cheapest way is with www.travelex.co.uk online is better then in their stores and you can pick it up from the airport. In my Lonely Planet guide it suggests exchanging at the airport for a good rate. The £ is strong so exchanging abroad will normally give you a better rate then here.

Try reading the Time Out Dubai website for suggestions on where to eat.