Known as the Pearl of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai contrasts ultra-modern with the traditional, and old with the very new. Even the landscapes are contrasting - from the clear waters and tranquil sands of the Arabian Gulf to phenomenal rolling desert and dramatic mountain landscapes. With some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and year-round sunshine, this really is an ideal destination for both couples and families.
After a 7 hour flight, our arrival in Dubai was very civilised. Despite arriving into a 40 degree heat we were promptly transferred the 25-minute journey by an air-conditioned car to our chosen hotel – the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
Travelling with our two children aged 8 and 10 years, our choice had been swayed to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel for a few reasons. Firstly, with the choice of over 20 restaurants from which to chose, I knew our evening meals would be both varied and good. This is an understatement! I would have liked to have been there for the full 3 weeks in order to have sampled and enjoyed the exceptional variety and selection of restaurants. Each evening we dined at a different speciality restaurant, all serving international cuisine to the very highest standard.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel offers unlimited complimentary access to the Wild Wadi Water Park, located adjacent to the hotel. This proved an absolute hit, not just for our children but for the child in us parents too! Each day we took full advantage of the services and fun available, even if it was just for an hour or two in order to cool off from a very hot visit to Dubai city centre. This we would have been less likely to have done if paying the full entrance fee of approximately £135 per family per day.
The wonderful 36,300 metres of private beach and the fabulous sports centre was another big influencing factor. Not only did we play squash and table tennis, we used the aqua-bikes and kayaks available from the beach sports club – just a selection of the incredible sporting facilities available. Fun for all the family, no matter the age.
Our visits to Dubai city were fascinating. To see skiers riding the ski lifts in minus 3 degree temperatures at Ski Dubai, housed within the Mall of the Emirates, and to stand staring up at the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828 metres tall, are experiences not to be missed. And set on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake at the foot of the Burj Khalifa Tower, the world’s largest dancing fountain, the Dubai Fountain, ‘dances’ in sync with classical, Arabic and world music. The fountain shoots water jets as high as 150 metres, equivalent to that of a 50-storey building. The fountain has five circles of varying sizes and two central arcs and sprays 22,000 gallons of water during its performance. Amazing!
That is the main impression I brought back from the country – they aim high. Whatever they choose to do, the do it well. From the tallest building in the world to the world’s best hotel (Burj Al Arab), from the world’s largest dancing fountain to the world’s largest indoor ski centre, they just do it bigger and better than anyone has done before.
My overall impression of Dubai was that I would love to return. With the wonderful guaranteed weather, to the exemplary service received at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and from the incredible sporting facilities available to the dining experiences, it proved to be a great choice of destination for our family.
Click on the photo to see my other pictures.
For our other blogs scroll down or use the archive on the right.
Contact us via www.travel-stop.co.uk for experienced travel advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment