My best friend and I are going to a wedding in Egypt. We have decided to stay in the UAE for 5 days since we have a layover there anyway. I am confused about if we want to stay in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. I don't think I want to stay at the Al Burj, but maybe one night? What is there to do there? Should we go to Oman for a desert tour?
We also did a tour with Platinum Heritage and I liked it. The desert was beautiful and it was fun to get out of the city. We did the whole package with dinner and a show, and I'd recommend just doing the tour. The dinner wasn't anything special and you're stuck out there, so you can't leave early.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. Mark Twain
I would stay in Dubai, not Abu Dhabi. I don't think I would value stating in the Burj Al Arab enough to do it, I would rather put that money toward other fun things on the trip. I live in Dubai, so I haven't stayed many places here, but there are plenty of great hotels in JBR, Palm Jumeirah, downtown, or on the beach road (like Madinat Jumeirah). Any of those neighborhoods would be good depending on what you are looking for (beachy vs city).
You do not need to go to Oman for a desert safari, there are plenty of options right outside of Dubai. If you want to do something more 'grand', visit the Empty Quarter and stay at one of the resorts in Liwa. This is probably the most spectacular desert area in the region.
Post by jennybee1018 on Mar 16, 2015 0:57:35 GMT -5
Another vote for Dubai! There is a lot more to do there for sure. Although I would recommend going to Abu Dhabi for the day to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is amazing! You can take a bus/taxi to get there and back.
As for Dubai, there is lots to do! I tend to spend most of my day in the malls, but there is lots to do and see. There are two water parks, if it's not too crazy hot (Wild Wadi and the one at Atlantis), in addition to the souq, beaches, etc. If you're there on a Friday, you could experience a boozy brunch - it's quite the adventure :-) I also really like Barasti - it's a bar on the beach, connected to the Westin Hotel in the Marina. Check out The Walk on JBR - there are lots of restaurants and shops, sort of like an outdoor mall and the beach is just across the street.
I like to stay downtown, just because you're so close to everything! I live in Doha, and fly to Dubai often for a quick weekend getaway.
If I were going to stay downtown, I'd do the Sofitel or JW Marriot Marquis :-) If you wanted to really break the budget, you could stay at The Address - it's connected to Dubai Mall.
On the opposite end of the price scale, my favorite low budget hotel is definitely Ibis - Mall of the Emirates. It's a no frills hotel usually under 100 bucks a night. I like that they have an empty fridge in your room, so I can grab some snacks to leave in there for when I get hungry (or pick up some bubbly at duty free on my way out of the airport)! You can also walk to the MOE from here (it's the one with the ski slope). If you need other recommendations, let me know :-)
Agreed with Brit - you don't need to go to Oman to do a desert safari. Many companies organize a day trip to the desert for you, including dinner, shisha, dune bashing, etc. I'd recommend it!
Post by thebulldog on Mar 16, 2015 14:13:20 GMT -5
We did a week in Dubai with a day trip to Abu Dhabi to see the mosque mentioned previously. We had a great trip (i posted three lengthy reviews in oct/nov 2013 time frame...i can dig them up). We did not stay at Burj al Arab but had brunch there bc i wanted to go inside.
We love big cities so really enjoyed ourselves.
The desert safari is not to be missed. Dune bashing and camel riding was awesome..plus i have never seen a real desert like that.
I have been to Dubai 3 times. I recommend staying there and then you can just take a day trip if you really want to Abu Dhabi.
The like previous poster said, you don't have to stay at the Burj to see it. I have had high tea and dinner there. The high tea is the less expensive option - it was around $125 USD pp when I did it about 10 years ago.
I went to Oman on a day trip but we went snorkeling in the Straits of Hormuz. I honestly don't know if I would go back. It was amazing to drive there and see what the UAE is outside of Dubai and see what Oman is like -- we passed a Bedoin tribal woman and wow, amazing. But there was not a lot to see there and with everything going in in the world I am not sure I would feel comfortable going to Oman. You can take lots of desert tours in Dubai.
We took a desert tour in Dubai and did camel riding, sand boarding and we also rented 4 wheels and went out to the desert -- that was amazing but not for the faint -- the sand dunes are HUGE and you literally feel like you are going up them at a 90 degree angle.
Also, in Dubai there is so much to see and do -- your time will pass quickly. The Gold Souks are amazing if you are shopping for gold. Also, the malls are incredible -- just to walk around in and "people watch".
The nicest hotel we ever stayed in was Al Quasr in Dubai -- right next to the Burj. Amazing and beautiful -- but again 10 years ago, I have no idea how it's changes.
I definitely recommend going to the Mosque to learn about it -- Dubai has one that is open to the public and then the huge and beautifully ornate one in Abu Dhabi is also a sight to see. Make sure you bring a head scarf with you to wear in the mosques.
Oh and the food, amazing. We had some incredible lebanese and Iraq food that was awesome.