Dubai - Jebel Ali

[Easty-5]

I am off to Dubai next Thursday for a work jaunt and staying at the Jebel-Ali Resort. Has anybody stayed here before? Just looking for some reviews and is there anything to do within close proximity? Shopping etc?

[Mattt]

It's a nice resort, little dated on the outside - not been inside the hotel itself, but used to pop into the Yacht club occasionally for a drink on the terrace.

Golfing looks decent.

Aside from the facilities there, there is a karting track outside which is cheap. But that's it really.

You'll need to get a taxi to go anywhere from there, Dubai Marina is probably 10-15 minutes with no holdups and then onwards into town IIRC.

[martinmac]

I used to be captain of a motor yacht in the Marina. Its very nice but expensive when you have to live there.

[Mattt]

There were a few nice ones in the Marina, I remember one had it's name lit up in red.

[pushthebutton]

I spent Christmas/New Year there in 2008.

It's a quiet hotel. Most of the local entertainment is on the complex. If you want something external you're looking at 30 minute taxi ride. I probably split my time evenly between the hotel and traveling into Dubai and I enjoyed both.

There was/is a load of building work going on so it may have changed.

[Easty-5]

Thanks for the info guys.

So what is the resort itself like? As nice as the website makes it out to be? I will be working through the day so will just have the evenings to myself. Are the pools nice? Is the pool bar open in the evening aswell? (Always wanted to go somewhere with a pool bar.)

Is there anything inparticular to avoid at the resort and anything that is a must do?

Lastly, how are drink prices?

[pushthebutton]

The resort is nice if you want a peaceful recuperating holiday. The evenings entertainment is mostly focused around eating. The golf is good and the sports facilities are all worth using. Drinks and food are expensive. It's all of high quality, but you pay accordingly. If it's on expenses then great.

My stepdad likes it because it is quiet and away from the hustle and noise of downtown Dubai. That said, he is in his 70's.

I'm in my 30's and I think that I'd be getting a taxi into Dubai most evenings to have a look around. For shopping etc I'd go into Dubai as well, although it's all more expensive than the UK. To be honest I had a look in the main malls and they're great to look around, but I found prices well in excess of UK prices from clothes through to watches.

To summarise, if you want to relax, stay in resort. If you want to explore go into Dubai and budget for taxis. Walking around is pretty difficult from what I remember. If it's the latter, is changing hotel a possibility?

Hope that helps.

Edited by pushthebutton on Thursday 27th January 12:24

[Easty-5]

pushthebutton said:

The resort is nice if you want a peaceful recuperating holiday. The evenings entertainment is mostly focused around eating. The golf is good and the sports facilities are all worth using. Drinks and food are expensive. It's all of high quality, but you pay accordingly. If it's on expenses then great.

My stepdad likes it because it is quiet and away from the hustle and noise of downtown Dubai. That said, he is in his 70's.

I'm in my 30's and I think that I'd be getting a taxi into Dubai most evenings to have a look around. For shopping etc I'd go into Dubai as well, although it's all more expensive than the UK. To be honest I had a look in the main malls and they're great to look around, but I found prices well in excess of UK prices from clothes through to watches.

To summarise, if you want to relax, stay in resort. If you want to explore go into Dubai and budget for taxis. Walking around is pretty difficult from what I remember. If it's the latter, is changing hotel a possibility?

Hope that helps.

Edited by pushthebutton on Thursday 27th January 12:24

Thanks for the info. I will be working 10-12 hour shifts so really I will only have a few hours in the evenings so by the sounds of thing I will probably just make the most of the weather and the pools. Food and (some) drinks will be on expenses so thats not too bad then.

Unfortunetly changing hotels isn't an option, my first choice was the Radisson but it's fully booked and we are working in Jebel Ali so city centre is too far to travel each morning. We will no doubt be out with clients a few nights so I assume I will be in the city centre then.

First trip to Dubai, lets hope its a bit nicer than Al Khor in Qatar.

[pushthebutton]

Let me know what you think afterwards.

Thanks