I'm flying to Dubai with Lufthansa a couple of days before Christmas - just over £300, booked via http://www.justtheflight.co.uk/.

I've not seen that website before- must check it out! Have a lovely time in Dubai

Thanks Fiona, I'm sure that I shall!

Regards,

Baldur

i am off to dubai next year, we are travelling as a family 2 adults and 2 kids, i understand that there will be fast food places etc, but i wondered how much i would be looking at approx for a meal for 4 of us in some of the hotels eg the hyatt regency (revolving restaurant) and others that i have seen mentioned on this forum. i was talking to a lady last week who ate at the burj and a meal for 2 was around £210! however i am hoping that this is unusual and maybe not the norm. hoping for some ideas , thanks

Don't worry the Burj has a luxury reputation and prices to match - you don't need to spend that much!

You can spend as much or as little as you like in Dubai. Restaurants tend to get busy late on so many have early diner offers, set menus, etc (one of my faves is Spectrum on One with 40% off food before 8pm).

I've no children so can't comment on the cost there but i have seen childrens menus on offer and on my last visit Al Dawaar allowed children to eat free (with paying adult). Al Dawaar as i remember is well under £20 per head before drinks. It is drinks that will push up any bill as a bottle of house wine in Dubai comes in around £20, £30+ for a decent bottle.

If you acquire a copy of the Dubai 'Time Out' magazine (picked mine up for 5 AE Dirhams at a Spinneys supermarket) you will find lots of current information about restaurants by type of cuisine, including those offering special menus/prices/brunches, etc.

I was staying with relatives, but meals are available at a wide range of prices. I paid from a total of 51 Dirhams (around £7.10) including a litre of mineral water for 3 adults & a 4-year-old at a local Indian/Chinese 'eat all you like' buffet near Safa, to 815 Dirhams (around £113.50) for 4 x main courses plus 4 x alcoholic drinks at the Madinat Jumeirah.

Baldur

we are thinking of honeymooning in Duabi 2.9.07 for 1 week would like to stay somewhere really nice (and as cheap as poss as money is an issue) anyone have any suggestions

Lookin to go to Dubai next easter (2008) for a couple of weeks with a friend, how safe is Dubai?

Went to Tunisia a couple of years ago and felt really intimidated by the locals, is Dubai the same?

Dubai is nothing like Tunisia. We were in Tunisia about 5 years ago and did not enjoy being out and about due to being pestered and stared at.I did not like it at all. In Dubai you will not get any of that. If you go to the souks you will get some of them trying to sell you fake bags, watches etc. but as soon as you say No Thankyou, they just leave you alone. There are lots of huge shopping malls if you don't wnt to venture to the souks but you cannot go to Dubai and not visit the gold souk. This place is amazing and you will find the prices about 3 times cheaper than the UK and the gold is far superior. Dubai is one of the most safest countries in the world. Crime is virtually non-existant and I can say that I would be happy to walk around on my own, something I would never do normally when on holiday. Dubai in my opinion is a lot safer than it is here. You will love Dubai. In fact I would say it is one of the best destinations for a holiday in the world.

I would look at Madinat Jumeirah as there are so many great restaurants and bars, lovely waterways and a fantastic beach. Any hotel in that complex would suit - Mina A Salam, Dar Al Masyaf or Al Qasr.
If they are out of your budget you could look at one of the older beach hotels like Oasis Beach or a city hotel like Arabian Courtyard (their deluxe rooms have a great view of the museum and creek).

Thanks for your reply. I still have a few reservations as i imagine Dubai to be quite strict and dangerous place to be.

Don't worry as the previous post states Dubai is a very safe place to be! I don't know what you mean by strict, are you thinking about it being a muslim country? If so you've no worries Dubai is very chilled out and relaxed, especially around the tourist areas.

I live in Qatar in the Gulf both here and Dubai are safer than the town I used to live in in the UK,and more than likely safer than where you live.

Hi Guys, going for very first time to Dubai 01 March for 6 days, can someone give me a quick run down on money, ok to take Dirhams in cash? or any other currency used ?
ok to get airport taxi to Hilton Jumeirah Beach, how much? how far ? any tips ?
how strict are the dress codes? opinions vary.

anything else you think i should know ??

thks

Hi, i'm sure you'll have a great time - the weather is excellent this time of year

Yes you'll be fine with dirhams though most places accept credit cards too (incase you overdo the shopping!).

It's pretty easy to get a taxi - there's a taxi queue just outside arrivals. I'm not sure how much it will cost to Hilton Jumeirah as that's a bit further out than i've ever stayed but taxis are v reasonable compared to uk. If you call the hotel they can probably give you more idea.

Dress codes are not too strict at all, Dubai is a muslim country but with lots of tourists and expats it's quite laid back. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in at the hotels (within reason!) but i wouldn't reveal too much flesh if you're heading for the Souks/city - though the worst that would happen there is you might get stared at by the locals!

Hi

I am so jealous !!! We are looking at a week in Dubai at Easter and I can't wait. We went for the first time in August 2004 on our honeymoon. Its a fantastic place and you will be bowled over by the luxurious resorts and how well you are treated. You will be fine with Dirhams, although we just used the credit card as everything you buy in the hotel goes on tab and is cleared at the end of your stay.

We had a transfer included in our package from the Airport, however, from my recollection of the airport, you wont struggle for a taxi - even there luxurious !

We stayed in the Jumeriah Beach hotel and they had no strict dress codes. For dinner at night my husband wore his jeans and a shirt and I just wore a dress. The only restriction was no swimwear indoors. My husband treated me to dinner in the Burj Al Arab (7* hotel) - now that had serious dress restrictions and made me feel uncomfortable ! but hey thats what we expected.

The beaches are great and the sea is like a bath of warm water. The food is also excellent. The drink can be a little expensive but thats what you expect in a muslim country.

Have a great time.

Hi there, I've been told by a friend that in Dubia you have to pay to use the beach, can anyone tell me if this is true.
Thanks Suzie

Yes and no!

There's an area of Jumeirah beach that is free to use (near the Burj al Arab) and though it's a pleasant beach has no facilities.

If you want a beach with sunbeds to hire, cafe, toilets, etc then you should visit Jumeirah Beach Park - they do charge here but a very small amount (can't remember exactly how much but around 10 dirhams pp).

Or i believe some hotels will allow you to use their private beach/facilities for a fee.

We Just got back from Dubai, and also stayed at the Hilton Jumeirah. Taxi from the airport was about 70 dirhams, which was pretty cheap. Traffic was a bit heavy and it took about half an hour to get there. Got taxis to and from everywhere - it's certainly the most convenient and cheapest way to go. Apparently the taxi drivers don't expect tips, but I always gave about 5 dirhams which is, let's face it, less than a quid!!

The hotel is good, I would recommend the Bice restaurant as the food was excellent.

I would also recommend the sundowner desert safari. There is a booking desk in the foyer of the hotel - great fun.

Weather was fantastic, sunny and between 75 and 80 degrees.

Don't worry about what you wear, as long as you're not planning to walk around without a shirt, which is a no-no.

All in all, Dubai was fantastic and I will definitely return. Enjoy!!