Winter sun / fun - Dubai
Discussion
Looking at getting away end of feb begin march for a 2 week recharge, looked at egypt but thats out now (to much unrest apparently)
So looking at Abu Dhabi / Dubai now, lots to do and some nice temps, not much culture but we can live with that if theres plenty of other things to do, maybe more days in Abu is it looks a bit cheaper.
Thing is budget, premium economy flights and a 4 star hotel with a hire car looks ok price wise and will eat up about 3k (2 people)
But reading reviews its says everything to see and eat is pretty expensive, we tend to visit local supermarkets on this kinda holiday and stock the room up with stuff (might go apartment as theres quite a few on offer). Probably eat out once a day though, either lunch or dinner.
So what sort of spending cash have you guys got through out there? Considering the above..
So looking at Abu Dhabi / Dubai now, lots to do and some nice temps, not much culture but we can live with that if theres plenty of other things to do, maybe more days in Abu is it looks a bit cheaper.
Thing is budget, premium economy flights and a 4 star hotel with a hire car looks ok price wise and will eat up about 3k (2 people)
But reading reviews its says everything to see and eat is pretty expensive, we tend to visit local supermarkets on this kinda holiday and stock the room up with stuff (might go apartment as theres quite a few on offer). Probably eat out once a day though, either lunch or dinner.
So what sort of spending cash have you guys got through out there? Considering the above..
Looking at the Sheraton in Abu Dhabi and their price includes breakfast for £100 a night, will see if theres a half board option, if not much extra it could be worth having, sort of stops you eating lunch or dinner out though if youve paid for it already (umless a dirt cheap addition)
Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 15th January 20:53
Pvapour said:
Looking at the Sheraton in Abu Dhabi and their price includes breakfast for £100 a night, will see if theres a half board option, if not much extra it could be worth having, sort of stops you eating lunch or dinner out though if youve paid for it already (umless a dirt cheap addition)
Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
Can't help with the Sheraton I'm afraid, we've only ever stayed at the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and the Burj in Dubai. Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 15th January 20:53
Pvapour said:
Looking at the Sheraton in Abu Dhabi and their price includes breakfast for £100 a night, will see if theres a half board option, if not much extra it could be worth having, sort of stops you eating lunch or dinner out though if youve paid for it already (umless a dirt cheap addition)
Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
I stayed at the Sheraton A. D for a couple of nights back in August whilst on a business trip to the region. Anyone been to the Sheraton? TA rates it as pretty good.
Edited by Pvapour on Sunday 15th January 20:53
It's OK. The pool's quite nice and there's a little beach that opens out into a dock area where you can swim in the sea. Breakfast is the usual buffet affair. The Mexican restaurant was OK. The air on unit in my first room leaked and creaked and rattled so I asked to move for the second night. There's not much round it (although, to be fair, I arrived at midnight, spent the next day in meetings, had dinner with clients and then left at 0530, so I didn't get much of chance to look around the area). My abiding impression was it could do with a refurb. Overall, I'd give it a 5.5/10
Freds said:
Can't help with the Sheraton I'm afraid, we've only ever stayed at the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and the Burj in Dubai.
What were they like in your view? Will take a look on TA etc schmalex said:
I stayed at the Sheraton A. D for a couple of nights back in August whilst on a business trip to the region.
It's OK. The pool's quite nice and there's a little beach that opens out into a dock area where you can swim in the sea. Breakfast is the usual buffet affair. The Mexican restaurant was OK. The air on unit in my first room leaked and creaked and rattled so I asked to move for the second night. There's not much round it (although, to be fair, I arrived at midnight, spent the next day in meetings, had dinner with clients and then left at 0530, so I didn't get much of chance to look around the area). My abiding impression was it could do with a refurb. Overall, I'd give it a 5.5/10
Thanks for the detail, one thingI dont like is a hotel feeling tired tbh, i guess you get what you pay for and as a short stay bsiness option it'd be ok, doesnt sound very holiday material though, imediate surrounding area sounds like its worth a closer look but we'll be off doing stuff most of the time so not massively important, the corniche walks of bars and cafes attracted us, maybe theyre tired to though... thanks again It's OK. The pool's quite nice and there's a little beach that opens out into a dock area where you can swim in the sea. Breakfast is the usual buffet affair. The Mexican restaurant was OK. The air on unit in my first room leaked and creaked and rattled so I asked to move for the second night. There's not much round it (although, to be fair, I arrived at midnight, spent the next day in meetings, had dinner with clients and then left at 0530, so I didn't get much of chance to look around the area). My abiding impression was it could do with a refurb. Overall, I'd give it a 5.5/10
Whenever I've stayed in Dubai I've use The Hilton on "The Walk". Great location and loads of food options along the walk itself now. I have never felt prices were excessive but I don't tend to drink when away as SWMBO is tea total. For good value food you can't beat the shopping malls, especially the restaurants that look over the ski dome in Mall of the Emirates. It is very easy to hire a car and get to AD, although somewhat more difficult to get it filled up with fuel given the queues at the pumps and the local addiction to leaving the car at the pump and then going off for a coffee and a natter with each other in the attached shop. Should be just as easy to do the same thing if you stay in AD and if you come over to Dubai you can park in the marina area and then use the train to go to the shopping malls and the creek area.
Overall I like the area and whilst I agree there isn't much culture locally you can get trips up into the hills and desert 4x4 trips including birds of prey demos easy enough. Weather is 99% guaranteed to be sunny and it is very easy to get about in cheap taxis if you don't want to hire a car.
Overall I like the area and whilst I agree there isn't much culture locally you can get trips up into the hills and desert 4x4 trips including birds of prey demos easy enough. Weather is 99% guaranteed to be sunny and it is very easy to get about in cheap taxis if you don't want to hire a car.
Pvapour said:
Looking at getting away end of feb begin march for a 2 week recharge, looked at egypt but thats out now (to much unrest apparently)
So looking at Abu Dhabi / Dubai now, lots to do and some nice temps, not much culture but we can live with that if theres plenty of other things to do, maybe more days in Abu is it looks a bit cheaper.
Thing is budget, premium economy flights and a 4 star hotel with a hire car looks ok price wise and will eat up about 3k (2 people)
But reading reviews its says everything to see and eat is pretty expensive, we tend to visit local supermarkets on this kinda holiday and stock the room up with stuff (might go apartment as theres quite a few on offer). Probably eat out once a day though, either lunch or dinner.
So what sort of spending cash have you guys got through out there? Considering the above..
I've stayed at the Grosvenor House twice, the last time for a week in December (just gone). For the wife and I, it cost £3k for 7 nights and BA PE return flights, booked via BA. This is for a Premier Room. That's the key - if you have a Premier Room you get access to a lounge that serves really nice food and includes free alcoholic drinks for a couple of hours in the evening. It's all buffet (but excellent quality and only a small number of people, so very relaxed). Lunch is the biggest meal of the day (served until 4pm iirc), whereas the 6-8pm service is labelled as pre-dinner snacks. Believe me though, there is plenty to tuck into! Oh, and it does breakfast do, or you can go to the main hotel restaurant. Effectively all-inclusive, with limitations on time.So looking at Abu Dhabi / Dubai now, lots to do and some nice temps, not much culture but we can live with that if theres plenty of other things to do, maybe more days in Abu is it looks a bit cheaper.
Thing is budget, premium economy flights and a 4 star hotel with a hire car looks ok price wise and will eat up about 3k (2 people)
But reading reviews its says everything to see and eat is pretty expensive, we tend to visit local supermarkets on this kinda holiday and stock the room up with stuff (might go apartment as theres quite a few on offer). Probably eat out once a day though, either lunch or dinner.
So what sort of spending cash have you guys got through out there? Considering the above..
It's a fantastic 5* hotel, was number 3 on trip advisor last time I looked, and I honestly couldn't recommend it highly enough. If you don't want to, you could easily not spend a penny on paying for food 'outside'. The rooms are brilliantly comfortable and you often get upgraded at check-in (has happened to us both times). If you book on the Starwood website, you get a free transfer each way in a BMW 7-series - but check prices, we saved four figures booking through BA on the second occasion.
It's located in the Marina, which is a nice place to stroll and has a good choice of restaurants, with a free shuttle bus to it's sister hotel (Le Royal Meridien) on JBR Walk for the private beach.
We were there in October & stayed at Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeriah. Hotel & location were stunning but you do feel kind of trapped on the Palm & thus expenditure increases due to having to eat/drink in the hotel.
Any hotel around Jumeriah Beach including a favourite of mine being the Hilton Jumeriah are well located as you have plenty of dining options outside the hotel which brings costs down considerably.
Only other thing to add is the Monorail network is fantastic & so fast, clean & easy to get around from key points so both Malls are within very quick & easy reach from Jumeriah.
Any hotel around Jumeriah Beach including a favourite of mine being the Hilton Jumeriah are well located as you have plenty of dining options outside the hotel which brings costs down considerably.
Only other thing to add is the Monorail network is fantastic & so fast, clean & easy to get around from key points so both Malls are within very quick & easy reach from Jumeriah.
W8PMC said:
We were there in October & stayed at Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeriah. Hotel & location were stunning but you do feel kind of trapped on the Palm & thus expenditure increases due to having to eat/drink in the hotel.
Any hotel around Jumeriah Beach including a favourite of mine being the Hilton Jumeriah are well located as you have plenty of dining options outside the hotel which brings costs down considerably.
Only other thing to add is the Monorail network is fantastic & so fast, clean & easy to get around from key points so both Malls are within very quick & easy reach from Jumeriah.
I disagree, car rental every time for me.Any hotel around Jumeriah Beach including a favourite of mine being the Hilton Jumeriah are well located as you have plenty of dining options outside the hotel which brings costs down considerably.
Only other thing to add is the Monorail network is fantastic & so fast, clean & easy to get around from key points so both Malls are within very quick & easy reach from Jumeriah.
It's quicker than a train door to door, probbably cheaper too. The city is built around cars.
Anywhere on the Palm will need car/taxi to get to the fun places. Also, check there is no construction next-door! IMO the best location is the Marina area, or Al Barsha near Mall of the Emirates if you don't need to be next to a beach. Most hotels have free parking so you can park a rental car too. We stayed at the Wyndham Hawthorn Suites a week ago - get a room with a sea view and its the same as the (twice the price in early Jan) beachfront hotels. Nice bit of public beach with good facilities, but certainly not quiet there.
If you're looking for a nice resort then try flying LHR > Muscat and the Chedi, Al Bustan Palace or Shangri-la. Different world to Dubai - so much more peaceful.
If you're looking for a nice resort then try flying LHR > Muscat and the Chedi, Al Bustan Palace or Shangri-la. Different world to Dubai - so much more peaceful.
Pvapour said:
Freds said:
Can't help with the Sheraton I'm afraid, we've only ever stayed at the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and the Burj in Dubai.
What were they like in your view? Will take a look on TA etc schmalex said:
I stayed at the Sheraton A. D for a couple of nights back in August whilst on a business trip to the region.
It's OK. The pool's quite nice and there's a little beach that opens out into a dock area where you can swim in the sea. Breakfast is the usual buffet affair. The Mexican restaurant was OK. The air on unit in my first room leaked and creaked and rattled so I asked to move for the second night. There's not much round it (although, to be fair, I arrived at midnight, spent the next day in meetings, had dinner with clients and then left at 0530, so I didn't get much of chance to look around the area). My abiding impression was it could do with a refurb. Overall, I'd give it a 5.5/10
Thanks for the detail, one thingI dont like is a hotel feeling tired tbh, i guess you get what you pay for and as a short stay bsiness option it'd be ok, doesnt sound very holiday material though, imediate surrounding area sounds like its worth a closer look but we'll be off doing stuff most of the time so not massively important, the corniche walks of bars and cafes attracted us, maybe theyre tired to though... thanks again It's OK. The pool's quite nice and there's a little beach that opens out into a dock area where you can swim in the sea. Breakfast is the usual buffet affair. The Mexican restaurant was OK. The air on unit in my first room leaked and creaked and rattled so I asked to move for the second night. There's not much round it (although, to be fair, I arrived at midnight, spent the next day in meetings, had dinner with clients and then left at 0530, so I didn't get much of chance to look around the area). My abiding impression was it could do with a refurb. Overall, I'd give it a 5.5/10
Freds said:
The Yas is very nice, we've stayed twice overlooking the track, we cycled the track on both occasions, it's a bit of good fun. The accommodation is very good, obviously it doesn't have the opulence of the Burj which is something else, we've been there several times, we went in June for the youngests' 21st , a knock came at the door and in walked a band singing happy birthday along with presents and a cake !, we had no idea they were coming. Should just mention we always use Kuoni and a travel advisor called Sue Brown, her service has always been second to non, she's worth e-mailing if you've not committed to anything yet, mention you're a friend / associate of Fred from Littondale . susan.brown@kuoni.co.uk
I doubt kuoni will be cheaper than just booking a flight and hotel online, happy to be proven wrong though!Found this 5* within budget Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan By Rotana, its right at the end of corniche street, near the marina (have i got the right marina?)
Eta: the sister hotel to the grosvenor you mentioned, the royal miridien comes in on budget to...
Eta: the sister hotel to the grosvenor you mentioned, the royal miridien comes in on budget to...
Edited by Pvapour on Tuesday 17th January 19:13
No. The marina they are referring to is the Dubai Marina.
Be under no illusions, though. The Marina is not a small place with some halyards clinking in the late evening breeze. It's another high rise complex, full of skyscrapers..!
My sister used to live in The Greens, so I've spent enough time in the UAE with that and work to know it well enough to not want to go there on holiday!
Be under no illusions, though. The Marina is not a small place with some halyards clinking in the late evening breeze. It's another high rise complex, full of skyscrapers..!
My sister used to live in The Greens, so I've spent enough time in the UAE with that and work to know it well enough to not want to go there on holiday!
Pvapour said:
Not booked yet, sometime over the next couple of weeks, i know i wont be booking the grosvenor though £350 a night!
Needs to be under 1/2 that.
Seems a little steep, so just ran a quick quote on BA. Needs to be under 1/2 that.
2 economy flights + 10 nights starting 23 Feb (randomly picked, might or might not be the cheapest) came in at £2931. That's deluxe room + breakfast. Another £870 for the premier room in tower two (bigger I think and includes the extra food and alcohol that I mentioned).
Good luck with your choice though, Dubai is full of great hotels. As mentioned above, the marina is surrounded by high rise, but it is a nice waterside stroll all the same.
PS. Pistonheads reason for staying there (which will apply to many hotels perhaps) - you'll see Ferraris, Lambos, Astons, McLarens parked outside the door every day.
ETA - realised you were (sensibly) looking for premium economy flights, so it wasn't as "in-budget" as I thought, although still well below £350 per night.
Edited by Equilibrium25 on Wednesday 18th January 09:52
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff