Dubai advice please

I went there last November and from what I remember/my experience no you don't have to cover up in public areas. I can say though that every time I went into a shopping center I found that the aircon was on maximum and I was freezing so brought a sweatshirt everywhere...

I used Dirhams and did not bring any dollars, used cashpoints to get money out.

As for the hotel, sorry don't remember where it is.

things to do and see... well I pretty much just went shopping, skiing, more shopping, out for drinks etc. I was there visiting a friend and I am not really into sightseeing so there may be things but I don't know about them. What I did notice is that there were lots of events on, we went to for example rugby 7's world cup, boat racing, etc.

When are you going and for how long?

No -it's not Saudi - Dress as you would at home.

We stay at RM quite often - go round 2/3 times a year there.

We do walk over to the Marina & have walked up to the Burj - City is a taxi ride away.

At RM - charge back to the room & use ATM when out & about or debit cards , as you would at home.

Button is the one you need to look out for - she lives over in Dubai and always offers a wealth of advice when it comes to what to do, where to go and what to see. She'll be forever in my debt! ?

We got married in Dubai and stayed at the RM. It is quite a way out, so yes, you'll need taxis. But they're dirt cheap.

As for covering up, as long as you have your legs and shoulders covered when not on the beach/pool, you can't go wrong.

Dollars / credit cards

Must go wadi bashing. Great, great fun. Eat at Spice World/City (oh heck, what was the name of it Button?) .. it's a restaurant in a hotel and was fab.

Waaaahh .. just re-read that. Got a brain freeze. Will Button be in my debt, or me in hers?!?!

When are you going? (too hot to walk very far right now and it's Ramadan)

Already? I thought it was October/November?

It changes according to when the (is it 13th ? not sure on that one) moon appears (or something like that) so it changes from year to year.

Sorry to hijack but is August/Spetember a bad time to go to Dubai? We are considering it for honeymoon next year but I'm not sure I could stand the heat.

Ah ok, like our Easter. I should have realised. Thanks!

It's hot - 40'c, but not unbearable if you just lazying in the pool all day - it's hot at night though.

Ramadan next year will fall around Aug 21st - Sept 19th.

Each year it falls to the new moon in the previous month. So 2010 it will start in July

Thanks Mrs JMP. OH has been eyeing up that new Atlantis hotel, I don't think he'd want to venture outside of there anyway ?

What effect would Ramadan have? Is alchohol still available in hotels etc?

I've never known the difference.

We are going to nosey around Atlantis in Oct , so will let you know - did see it in June, but was not finished.

Do you want a themed style hotel or a luxury one?

Worth also looking at the East coast of Emirates resorts that are opening too - good deals there.

A monorail opens in April & that will be easier to get around, think it links the Metro train by September '09.

Dubai has gone a bit Disney I will say, but I still love it there

Thanks, I shall also be keeping an eye on Trip Advisor once it's opened. I'm not sure on themed or luxury, a bit of both maybe ? Just something with enough in to keep us entertained, especially if it's too hot to do much exploring.

Thanks for your help

I will say though - shop around for prices & don't use a high st agent to book with, as they set the prices now for next year & if the hotel you opt for does a deal , it's the small agents who get the deals.

Funny thing - A friend of ours phoned the other night to say that they have booked the Atlantis over NY - got a good deal, so are paying for his IL's to go too. 4Adults & 2 Children. £2,500 5 nts.

Lovely I said - Did they tell you about the Gala dinner you have to pay for regardless if you eat there on the 31st. No he said.

It's £400 per person.

Ouch ?

I've just had a look at the Atlantis website and two weeks accomodation next Aug starts from around £2k for 2 adults.

Thank you so much everyone! I feel so much better now.

Apologies for my delay in responding.

We arrive on 29th Sept so the last 2 days of Ramadan. I was a bit worried about not being able to drink/eat in public (more for dehydration purposes!) but have been assured that hotels cater well for tourists.

I assume it would be easier to jump in a taxi anyway rather than slog around in the heat!

Wadi bashing is on the list, looks brilliant! H has also booked afternoon tea at the Burj followed by drinks and dinner so that should be nice. Looking forward to the souks too. H is going to dabble with some golf as long as it's not too hot and might give the ski place a go too.

I am getting excited now...can you tell ?

I work for a travel agents, and funnily enough we had clients of ours call today as we have booked them into the Atlantis but there has just been a fire there! Apparently it's still opening on schedule though.

Are you staying at RM?

Yes...I can't remember which part though ?

Sia - just seen this - we re-located to Dubai a couple of months ago so might be able to help a bit.

Like others have said its not like saudi so no need to cover up completely but you do need to remember that Dubai is a muslim country. bikinis etc are fine round the pool on the beach but its not really acceptable to go around in hotpants and vest tops away from the beach. I tend to cover legs or shoulders and sometimes both - I feel most comfortable doing this and like others have said the air-con is freezing so you're never too hot! I find if I have a shawl with me it helps. Also people do tend to dress more conservatively during ramadam - although obviously there are exceptions to the rule!

Ramadam will impact on your stay - although hotels will prob have restaurants open behind closed curtains - literally! Nowhere is able to serve booze before 7.30pm though. Also I guess you may be here for Eid around the 31st/1st - this is a big celebration and will be a public holiday - which may mean things are closed.

I hope you enjoy your trip - do shout if you want anymore info - we love it here!

Also taxis are cheap and v easy to get!

Ohhhhh SC so jealous! I'd love for H an I to relocate.

Thanks for the rec on clothes away from pool/beach. Think I will go and purchase some knee length linen skirts. I have got a few pashminas so will take those too.

That's probably a good idea not being able to get alcohol before 7.30pm ?

Thank you all, so looking forward to it! ?

We spent three nights in Dubai for our honeymoon and it was fab!

We went Wadi bashing, afternoon tea at the Burj, dinner cruise up the creek and to the Wild Wadi Water park. We loved Dubai and could have easily have spent a week there! But decided to go to maldives afterwards instead!

I did find anywhere inside bloody freezing with the air con. So do take pashminas etc. We went at end of april, so temperture very different from end of sept. I do recall wearing strappy tops with longer skirts, but nearly always had something wrapped round my shoulders, either because of the air con or to keep cool from the heat.

I am very jealous your going and we do aim to go back ina few years time. Especially once Dubailand has opened! They were building the monorail in april, cant believe it has finished, looked a long way off! But they do build things quick out there!!