Going on holiday to Dubai - need advice?

Question

I am hoping to go on holiday to Dubai in early December for about six days - I have been looking on some travel websites and it always seems to say the hotels are, for example, six kilometres from a beach, or five km from some major shopping area. My question is - is there no "downtown" in Dubai where I can get a hotel that is very near both the beach and the shops? Admittedly I've never been to the region so I have no idea how it works in terms of getting around - I don't have a drivers license so I won't be renting a car - will this put me at a disadvantage for getting around? If anyone has any advice (or knows of a website that has this kind of info) it would be much appreciated.

Also, how much is it on average to eat out in Dubai? I won't be eating at michelin stared restaurants, but I won't be eating in a dump either - what is middle of the road?

Answer 1

Taxis are cheap here so getting around won't be a problem. Dubai is quite spread out but shopping malls are quite close to the major beach hotels and a lot of the otels have shuttle bus services to Malls and the like. Eating out can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. A shawarma is about 2 or 3 USD and very filling (shaved meat with tahina - and sometimes french fries! - in an arabic bread wrap) - there are lots of cafe type places that are not as expensive as the 5 star hotels. Enjoy!

Answer 2

You'll be able to get around easily by taxi - lots sit outside hotels or your reception can order one for you and they are not expensive.  Minibuses run from the hotels too and they are free, you just have to book the night before.  Would you consider half-board in a hotel?  The Oasis Beach is a nice hotel and middle of the road price wise.  Then you'd just have to pick up some lunch.  The food is good there.  It's right on it's own beach too.  There are no real 'half-way hotels' so it's a straight choice really.  You can eat in any of the hotels or choose a restaurant - hotels will be more expensive if you aren't on a board basis.  We went last December for the second time - stayed at Grosvenor House Hotel and got a deal on the internet for half-board - beyond fabulous with a minibus to it's sister hotel on the beach.  We had nice lunches out and they weren't any dearer than UK or Europe.

Answer 3

I suggest you stay in new Dubai and not the old part of Dubai.  Majority of the hotels have bus services to the malls.  Taxis are cheap and plentiful as well.  Mall of the Emirates is where there are loads of shops, cinema, ski slope, bars, but there isn't anything out of the ordinary with regard to shopping.  Its just mainly high street shops like Zara, Ted Baker, Mango.  Deria which is the old part of Dubai where the old Gold Souke is based is good for picking up stuff but aware of fakes.  If you want fake stuff then Krama is the place for you to go to.  I moved over to Dubai from the UK about a year ago so if you need any more info email me.  If not have a great holiday.

Answer 4

Kempenski hotel is built in with Emirates Mall..but idk if its close to the beach..i know that the hotel Jumeirah Beach is located near the beach..and is also beside the water park Wild Wadi ..[[if ur staying at jumeirah,u get free tickets to wild wadi ]]..ive stayed at both and enjoyed them a lot ;] another great hotel ive stayed in is Grand Hyatt ..its not beside the beach but is beside the mall AL Wafi..

i hope ive helped

Answer 5

There are many hotels right on the beach and only a ten minute drive to some great shopping.  Look for ones on Jumeirah beach.  Downtown hotels are not near the beach.  Trust me, you won't go wrong with one on Jumeirah beach.  There are many including, The Westin (just opened last month), the One and Only, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Sheraton, La Meridian.  The Atlantis on the Palm is opening in September and looks fantastic so far.  Taxi's are surprisingly cheap.

Eating out will run you about $100 for a nice dinner for two.  You can go cheaper or higher, but I did an average nice meal with a glass of wine.

Answer 6

I went to Dubai and was a little bored not really one for the shops.

One of the guys who worked in the hotel we stayed at said we should of gone to Morocco.

He also laughed when I said I was bored and said wot do you expect your in a Desert lmao.

Link to were I stayed plenty of places to eat, I think it was just too hot as we went in July.

Answer 7

jumeirah beach is where most of the beach front hotels are in dubai, the down town area is just a big city.  

nothing in dubai is particularly cheap, so i doubt eating out will be either.

taxies are easy to come by.

some of the hotels have their own shopping.  dubai is all about the beach and the shopping, its easy to do both.

enjoy