Discussion
I am going to Dubai for work. I will have a full day off Sunday and the rest of the day off Monday after a 2.5 hour meeting late Monday morning.
So what to do in my free time, how to get about and and where to stay?
Is a taxi best from the airport bearing in mind I don't arrive until 11pm?
I probably need to be not too far from the financial district for the meeting but see the Metro runs conveniently close so anywhere along the metro within 3 or 4 stops would be good for a hotel?
Should I take a hotel package of food or eat out?
Anything I should avoid doing all all costs to avoid being locked up?
Is the Mall of Emirates a 'must' on a day trip like mine and is it worth getting a hotel near by?
So what to do in my free time, how to get about and and where to stay?
Is a taxi best from the airport bearing in mind I don't arrive until 11pm?
I probably need to be not too far from the financial district for the meeting but see the Metro runs conveniently close so anywhere along the metro within 3 or 4 stops would be good for a hotel?
Should I take a hotel package of food or eat out?
Anything I should avoid doing all all costs to avoid being locked up?
Is the Mall of Emirates a 'must' on a day trip like mine and is it worth getting a hotel near by?
in brief:
taxis are cheap as chips. cheaper than chips at times! metro is ok but can be busy and you have to walk at each end. not good in work attire.
i wouldn't class any of the malls as 'must do' but dubai mall is more interesting for a walk around as it has the aquarium/underwater zoo [well worth the entry fee imo] and the dubai fountain outside.
food and hotels, prob easier just to browse the middle east section of the forums. hotel food on the whole is very good, but there's tons of choice elsewhere too. just remember a non-hotel restaurant won't serve booze.
i've only stayed at the grand millenium in tecom, which is thoroughly decent with a great bar. fits your location requirement too.
you'd be hard pressed to get into trouble here. seriously, what would land you in hot water here would likely be the case anywhere in the world. easiest mistake would to be drunk in public, but the proliferation of cheap taxis kinda negates that.
taxis are cheap as chips. cheaper than chips at times! metro is ok but can be busy and you have to walk at each end. not good in work attire.
i wouldn't class any of the malls as 'must do' but dubai mall is more interesting for a walk around as it has the aquarium/underwater zoo [well worth the entry fee imo] and the dubai fountain outside.
food and hotels, prob easier just to browse the middle east section of the forums. hotel food on the whole is very good, but there's tons of choice elsewhere too. just remember a non-hotel restaurant won't serve booze.
i've only stayed at the grand millenium in tecom, which is thoroughly decent with a great bar. fits your location requirement too.
you'd be hard pressed to get into trouble here. seriously, what would land you in hot water here would likely be the case anywhere in the world. easiest mistake would to be drunk in public, but the proliferation of cheap taxis kinda negates that.
shirt said:
in brief:
taxis are cheap as chips. cheaper than chips at times! metro is ok but can be busy and you have to walk at each end. not good in work attire.
i wouldn't class any of the malls as 'must do' but dubai mall is more interesting for a walk around as it has the aquarium/underwater zoo [well worth the entry fee imo] and the dubai fountain outside.
food and hotels, prob easier just to browse the middle east section of the forums. hotel food on the whole is very good, but there's tons of choice elsewhere too. just remember a non-hotel restaurant won't serve booze.
i've only stayed at the grand millenium in tecom, which is thoroughly decent with a great bar. fits your location requirement too.
you'd be hard pressed to get into trouble here. seriously, what would land you in hot water here would likely be the case anywhere in the world. easiest mistake would to be drunk in public, but the proliferation of cheap taxis kinda negates that.
Great advice. I admit i wasn't looking forward to the trip but my enthusiasm is rising now. I was just unsure about any local laws it was easy to fall prey to.taxis are cheap as chips. cheaper than chips at times! metro is ok but can be busy and you have to walk at each end. not good in work attire.
i wouldn't class any of the malls as 'must do' but dubai mall is more interesting for a walk around as it has the aquarium/underwater zoo [well worth the entry fee imo] and the dubai fountain outside.
food and hotels, prob easier just to browse the middle east section of the forums. hotel food on the whole is very good, but there's tons of choice elsewhere too. just remember a non-hotel restaurant won't serve booze.
i've only stayed at the grand millenium in tecom, which is thoroughly decent with a great bar. fits your location requirement too.
you'd be hard pressed to get into trouble here. seriously, what would land you in hot water here would likely be the case anywhere in the world. easiest mistake would to be drunk in public, but the proliferation of cheap taxis kinda negates that.
That advice is more or less bang on, as is the part about the law there, think of it like this, if you do something you could be arrested for in the UK (drunk and disorderly etc) you can be arrested for it there, only if you are the punishment could and probably will be FAR worse than you imagine.
a couple of guys i know have been picked up for being drunk. it's a night in the cells and no more, designed to set you on the straight and narrow more than anything. 'minor' crimes [petty theft, affray, etc] are dealt with more harshly than the uk, but no more than the right wing bunch on here would wish was the case in britain. i would imagine that you'll not need to change your behaviour at all out here, i haven't in the past 6mths and i'm not exactly squeaky clean. if you think dubai is strict and controlled, go for a pint at the rattlesnake and report back 
oh, swearing in public isn't on. anywhere that serves booze is going to be 99% expats, in which case do as you please.
tuesday night is ladies night at the westin. full of posh milf. friday night at the westin is fast becoming a highlight of my week
looks like there's a PH drinks beng organised for one night next week, where all bets will most definitely be off.
as said, the long termers out here will be a better guide to business hotels, but you'll fair better if you post up in our little sandy area of the forum.
oh, swearing in public isn't on. anywhere that serves booze is going to be 99% expats, in which case do as you please.
tuesday night is ladies night at the westin. full of posh milf. friday night at the westin is fast becoming a highlight of my week
looks like there's a PH drinks beng organised for one night next week, where all bets will most definitely be off.as said, the long termers out here will be a better guide to business hotels, but you'll fair better if you post up in our little sandy area of the forum.
Cogcog said:
I am going to Dubai for work. I will have a full day off Sunday and the rest of the day off Monday after a 2.5 hour meeting late Monday morning.
So what to do in my free time, how to get about and and where to stay?
Is a taxi best from the airport bearing in mind I don't arrive until 11pm?
I probably need to be not too far from the financial district for the meeting but see the Metro runs conveniently close so anywhere along the metro within 3 or 4 stops would be good for a hotel?
Should I take a hotel package of food or eat out?
Anything I should avoid doing all all costs to avoid being locked up?
Is the Mall of Emirates a 'must' on a day trip like mine and is it worth getting a hotel near by?
Stayed there a couple of months ago. Always exotic cars parked out front of the Mall of the Emirates (we went there a bit as we stayed at the Novotel a few minutes walk away) - nice matt blue Merc CLS with the worlds nastiest body kit (my opinion of course).So what to do in my free time, how to get about and and where to stay?
Is a taxi best from the airport bearing in mind I don't arrive until 11pm?
I probably need to be not too far from the financial district for the meeting but see the Metro runs conveniently close so anywhere along the metro within 3 or 4 stops would be good for a hotel?
Should I take a hotel package of food or eat out?
Anything I should avoid doing all all costs to avoid being locked up?
Is the Mall of Emirates a 'must' on a day trip like mine and is it worth getting a hotel near by?
My missus loved the Markets in the old town (groan...). The worlds tallest building is, very tall, and worth a look.
Fancy a hour in a taxi to go down to Ferrari World ? - the females (incl 10 yr daughter) tolerated the idea but ended up liking the experience. I am glad we went as I just can't see how it can stay open with so many staff and so few patrons. Yes, it is tacky in some ways but it was still well worth the visit IMHO...
We have stayed at Le Meridian twice, which is just by the airport.It has its own "Le Meridian Village" with plenty of restaurants,Irish bar and night club.Also not far away is the "Irish Village" its like walking down a road in Ireland,great atmosphere,plenty of bars,good food and outside entertainment.If you stick to places like these,there is no need to go anywhere else.During the day try the Dubai Marina,get a speed boat,or just boat and car watch,£millions & millions of them.
how long has it been since you went to the irish village? i find it's more like walking down a street of chain pubs, complete with fights.
the souk madinat jumeirah is a decent shout for having a lot under one roof. decent eateries, decent bars around the lake at the back. trader vics is slightly tacky but makes up for it by being mainly frequented by stunning south american girls.
marina yacht club is a decent shout for happy hour [6-7:30] but full of poseurs as the office workers clear off home.
the souk madinat jumeirah is a decent shout for having a lot under one roof. decent eateries, decent bars around the lake at the back. trader vics is slightly tacky but makes up for it by being mainly frequented by stunning south american girls.
marina yacht club is a decent shout for happy hour [6-7:30] but full of poseurs as the office workers clear off home.
I usually stay with my brother but have stayed in the Shangri La on Sheik Zayed Rd which was lovely. Havong said that most of the good hotels are lovely so take your pick.
If there for a short time consider the bus tour as that will show you all the sites, as already said the Mall of the Emirates is dated now, although its still impressive to see the indoor ski slope, the new Mall with the fountains is pretty good. Wild Wadi and Atlantis both good. Gold Souk and Spice Souk are vaguely worth seeing.
I think I'd be inclined to do the bus tour getting off at things that interest, and end up at the dubai mall for a meal by the fountain
If there for a short time consider the bus tour as that will show you all the sites, as already said the Mall of the Emirates is dated now, although its still impressive to see the indoor ski slope, the new Mall with the fountains is pretty good. Wild Wadi and Atlantis both good. Gold Souk and Spice Souk are vaguely worth seeing.
I think I'd be inclined to do the bus tour getting off at things that interest, and end up at the dubai mall for a meal by the fountain
Melvin Udall said:
Wild Wadi... Great fun!
Cracking idea for someone with a few hours to kill...weather is perfect for that now...almost!IMO, aviod the Irish Village. The Guiness is s
te and there's too many to$$er's there....it's like a cheap Witherspoons's in Basildon.The Rattlesnake is a MUST.
Chilli said:
Cracking idea for someone with a few hours to kill...weather is perfect for that now...almost!
IMO, aviod the Irish Village. The Guiness is ste and there's too many to$$er's there....it's like a cheap Witherspoons's in Basildon.
The Rattlesnake is a MUST.
Agree about the Irish Village. There is a better Irish bar in there somewhere but I can't put my finger on the name. P. J. O'Reilly's (I think), was the one in Abu Dhabi we used to go to watch to football, bit can't remember tje name of the one we frequented in Dubai. IMO, aviod the Irish Village. The Guiness is s
te and there's too many to$$er's there....it's like a cheap Witherspoons's in Basildon.The Rattlesnake is a MUST.
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