Want to make the most of a stopover in Dubai? Guest blogger Gen has you covered.
Killing time in airports is not what I would call thrilling, especially when Dubai has much more to offer.
After three and a half months of travelling around Europe, I was excited to return home but not quite ready to come back to reality. I was also so exhausted from my holiday that I needed another holiday. Dubai offered a window of opportunity for that type of holiday and an interlude to my second flight. So naturally, I changed my flights home to include a 48-hour stopover in Dubai.
One of seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, it provides a cityscape like no other and an encounter never to be overlooked. Whether it be shopping, relaxing, pampering, dining or experiencing, Dubai has it covered and believe it or not you can fit each of those glorious activities into 48 hours. To ensure you can do all that is over-the-top in Dubai rather than be overwhelmed in Dubai, a big tip is choosing the right accommodation.
Accommodation
As a quick search on lastminute.com.au reflects, Dubai is a land of plenty when it comes down to quality hotels at reasonable prices. This is certainly beneficial for those like me, who are on the rear end of a holiday with a depleting budget and limited time to seriously indulge or appreciate the ultimate in luxury.
Dubai is also a place where you can deceivingly inflate the extravagance of your stay without inflating the bills on your plastic(s)! Within minutes of sifting through the extensive choice of hotels, I found the perfect choice in Meliá Dubai.
Less than a year-old, this infant of hotels was a one-stop shop for my time poor needs:
• Concierge – check.
• Gym – check.
• Pool – check
• Beauty and day spa – check.
• Beach shuttle bus – check.
• Restaurants and bars – check and check.
• Their own “Melia” signature cocktail – make that a double check?
• Contemporarily designed rooms with all the features of comfort you’d expect – BIG check!
As with the rest of Dubai, everything in the hotel room is impressive; the mere size of the “room” would put shame to some apartments, their towels could suffice as blankets, the king size bed could sleep a family of four, the shower head seems to cover the whole surface area of the roof, the depth of the bath would allow a hippo to sit comfortably, and – my favourite – their special “magic mirror” (a mirror which personally welcomed me and at the press of a button became a TV) is a novelty to brighten even the grumpiest of days.
However, you may need to muster up a great sense of motivation to tear yourself away from the hotel room to experience the rest of Dubai. I am not ashamed to say, the temptation of such fantastic facilities kept me bound to the hotel room for several hours (oops!).
Dubai Mall or Mall of Emirates (choose one and do it well)
If there is one thing Dubai does well, and especially does well for tourists, it’s shopping. Shops, cafes, beauty salons and activity providers in Dubai are like yellow on saffron rice – they’re everywhere. As the mercury rises, the cool air-conditioned halls of endless tax-free shopping are a lure not to be resisted.
The trick to saving time is choosing one spot and doing it well. I would recommend visiting one of two places; Dubai Mall or the Mall of Emirates. Both of these colossal shopping meccas not only house major shops, but also a myriad of ways to amuse your stopover desires.
In my case I chose the Dubai Mall for practical purposes – it was closer to my hotel which meant a reduction in the time travelling to and from the mall and maximising shopping time!
The Dubai Mall, United Arab Emirates
They’re not kidding when they say “if you’re wondering what to do in Dubai, look no further”. This place is the largest shopping destination in the world with over 1200 retailers, two department stores and 160 food outlets.
Providing a labyrinth of electronics and computer shops, high end fashion boutiques, tailors and textiles, beauty spas and more, I am not ashamed to say I spent the whole day there. I definitely spent a great deal of time window shopping in stores such as Ellie Saab, Emilio Pucci, Loewe, Missoni and Oscar de la Renta, but I also was able to satisfy my fashion shopping tastes and budget with retailers like Zara, Pull & Bear, Charles & Keith, and Mango.
Dubai Aquarium
Located inside the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium houses one of the largest tanks in the world. This monstrous piece of glass (32.8 metres wide and 8.3 metres high) is the translucent barrier dividing you and 33,000 marine animals, including sharks and stingrays. The experience feels as if you’re sitting at the bottom of the ocean – talk about up close and personal.
Dubai Fountain
Located just outside the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain provides regular fountain shows throughout the evening. Combining the effects of spectacular water movement, music and lighting, it’s a light-hearted performance elevating a lot of water and your mood! Spend half an hour watching as the water gushes one way and tumbles the next, all complemented by the backdrop of the soaring Burj Khalifa.
Dubai fountain by night
Burj Khalifa
If you have never heard of the Burj Khalifa, you will find it hard to miss – it’s the tallest building in the world! During the night, this gigantic skyscraper pierces into the darkness and flickers with lights as the Dubai Fountain show elaborates.
Souks (the old one)
Located at the core of Deira, the Gold and Spice souks are worth the visit, even if just to admire. Then again, I had no intention of buying any gold and of course I ended up with an 18ct gold chain and pendant in the shape of a chili. However if gold is definitely over your budget, follow your nose next door and buy yourself the gold of all spices, saffron, at the Spice souks. Littered with markets of spices, teas and herbs, you’d be mad to leave without buying something. Costing less than a lunch in Australia, you can buy enough spices, herbs and flavoured teas to last a year.
Desert Safari
You cannot and I repeat cannot go to Dubai without a desert safari adventure. Even if you only have 24 hours in Dubai I would recommend it. One of the most popular ways to experience Dubai, the all-inclusive excursion supplies an afternoon and evening of photo opportunities: think quad bike riding, dune bashing, camel riding, belly dancing, Middle Eastern buffet dinner, henna tattoos, shishas and return transfers to your hotel. Phew!
The gorgeous silky sunset, casts a glow of golden orange across the cascading desert dunes which further enriches the magic of the Arabian Desert and provides one of the most captivating photo opportunities I have ever seen. I was glued to the spot for some time whilst my eyes feasted on the landscape of rolling sand dunes complemented by nature’s artistic expression across the sky.
Still want more?
Other attractions which I will be sure to fit in on my next stopover in Dubai include the Dubai Marina, Atlantis the Palm waterpark, Jumeirah Beach, ladies night out on the town on Wednesday nights, the Ski Dubai at the Mall of Emirates, surfing the artificial Wave Pool, and high tea at the Burj al Arab.
So what are you waiting for?
If you have the short additional time, why not take an extended stopover in Dubai? It is a travel-savvy way to break up a long journey and fit in an additional destination on your itinerary. Besides, with endless options at your doorstep, it is always possible justify your time in Dubai. Do your research, plan your time and you can have the perfect stopover.