KINGDOM OF DREAMS – DUBAI
Located between Saudi Arabia and Oman, the tiny Persian Gulf State of Dubai is an amazing place. It is one of the seven United Arab Emirates and ruled by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Until oil was discovered it was a sleepy little fishing village with 1500 hotel rooms and one paved road. Today, it is a busy international city with 70,000 hotel rooms, 49 malls, a 12 lane highway, a high speed metro train system, and all built in the last ten years. There was no evidence of a recession here, the place was jumping with 90% to 100% occupancy at luxury hotels.
My husband and I flew on Emirates Airlines in business class, 13 hours non stop from San Francisco. Most outstanding journey I have ever had. Fantastic food, service, and a flat bed. Gorgeous china and cutlery both with the Emirates crest on. First class have their own private room, complete with orchids. The new Terminal 3 is just for Emirates flights. By the time we walked thru customs our luggage was already on the carousel. You get VIP service thru customs. We went by limo to the Burj Al Arab, the most luxurious hotel in the town. This is an icon, the tallest hotel in the world built on an island, shaped like a sail. 1800 staff to look after 202 suites. All suites are on two levels, complete with butler. It has the highest atrium in the world, huge waterfalls and aquariums in the lobby. The ultimate transfer from the airport would be to take a helicopter and land on the 27th floor.
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There are lots of luxury hotels in the world with well trained staff but no one can compete with the team at this hotel. No reception in the lobby, just a brigade of people to welcome you upon arrival, incense carrier, hand towel, bouquet, rose water sprinkle, dates, chocolates and then two members to escort you to your suite where your butler is waiting. Our luggage was already in the suite when we arrived. There were eight bouquets of flowers in the suite, seven full size bottles of Hermes products in the bathroom, plus nineteen other amenities . The spa bath was big enough to drown in, and the art work behind the tub was breathtaking. There was a huge desk, comfortable leather office chair, laptop computer, printer and fax, with free internet access. This is a very secure hotel. You cannot get onto the island unless you are a guest or have a reservation at one of their outstanding restaurants. The hotel was full, yet we never saw another sole in the lift or in the lobby. Guests love the privacy and eat a lot of meals in their suites. Each floor has a 24 hour reception desk to open your door for you.
It was our wedding anniversary, and the butler presented me with a huge bouquet of red roses, and brought a colleague into the suite with a guitar. They sang us a love song while we had a glass of champagne. My husband groaned and said “Mo, I will never be able to top this, make the most of it”. Several outstanding restaurants with international celebrity chefs. After a long city tour, I enjoyed room service of a wonderful Japanese dinner in my nightie and robe since I was like a limp lettuce leaf with all the walking around the three souks (markets) gold, textile and spice.
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This is a shoppers paradise. Gold is 50% lower than anywhere else in the world. 49 malls with as many as 1200 shops in them, and I was surprised to see branches of three of my favorite London department stores. Nine championship golf courses and nine more under construction. We went on the Arabian Sundowner tour, a 4 x 4 trip out into the desert over huge sand dunes for a Bedouin barbecue and concert. This is one of the most popular tours. I was fascinated watching them let half the air out of the tires so they could drive on the sand.
Our second property to stay at was Madinat Jumeirah, just next door to Burj Al Arab on the beach. An unusual and exciting place. Gorgeous grounds, with Bourgainvillea, Plumeria, orchids, built on 4 miles of canals. We were in a villa, each with its own pool, lifeguard and two butlers on duty 24 hours a day. You rang and they ordered either a Dhow (wooden boat) or a buggy (golf cart) to take you where you wanted to go. Forty restaurants in the grounds, and the Madinat Souk had 75 shops full of treasures. They gave you a book of vouchers for as much as 30% discount at the restaurants.
You had no need to go outside this property which has a magnificent beach.
I spoke to several European families and they said it was better for them to visit Dubai rather than Disneyworld there was so much to do and see, and the children’s programs were outstanding. A wonderful destination for families. The wives said bargain shopping of high class goods, great spas, and amazing selection of restaurants. Best time to go, October thru April. It was in the 80’s but in the summer months, it can get to as high as 140 degrees.
The business class lounge at Terminal 3 has room for 1500 passengers, lovely couches, armchairs, several free restaurants, even an ice cream bar. First class lounge has accommodation for 800 passengers. Great duty free shopping mall which was mobbed. This is definitely the way to route people going to India, Egypt and beyond. You save a day in travel.
The Dubai Tourism Board ‘s goal is to be the No.l. destination in the world.
Maureen Jones
All Horizons Travel/Frosch
825 Santa Cruz Ave