You've heard about it all -- the 7-star hotel, the gourmet restaurants, the pulsing nightlife, the world's tallest building, the insane shopping -- but seeing is believing, and we've captured some of the best on film.
Click to launch full slideshow
Burj al Arab at sunset
This self-acclaimed 7-star hotel has long been a representative for Dubai, and despite all the new projects developing (the Palm and World islands, Burj Dubai, etc), the Burj al Arab (www.burj-al-arab.com) continues to draw curious visitors with its architecture, super-luxe decor, service, and over-the-top amenities. The hotel might not be for everyone (we can't all afford $1,500 a night), but you can make a reservation for afternoon tea or dinner, or just head to Jumeirah Beach with the locals and get a beautiful view that encompasses the Arabian Gulf and this iconic structure.
Jumeirah Mosque
You'll likely hear the mosques before you see them -- the call to prayer can be heard softly in the morning as the sun makes its way through the window to your hotel room -- and it's worth stopping by the Jumeirah Mosque, the only mosque in Dubai open to non-Muslims. Run by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (www.cultures.ae), the mosque hosts tours at 10am every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday; arrive early to sign up (get there by about 9:30am to ensure you get in). The 1½ hour tour teaches visitors about Islam and the local culture. Be sure to dress modestly.
Ritz-Carlton Dubai
The 6-story Ritz-Carlton (www.ritz-carlton.com) pales in size comparison to the skyscrapers popping up all around the marina, and though those buildings likely have great views of the Gulf, the Ritz has a front-row seat. The resort folds out onto the soft sands along the water, and guests can spend time between lounging by the pools or spreading a towel on the beach. The Ritz is known for its afternoon tea, served in the Lobby Lounge, and its outdoor Middle Eastern restaurant, Amaseena, has more than 100 flavors of shisha. The beach resort is a marriage of classic European and Arabic design, and the beds might be the most comfortable you've ever slept on. Every room has a balcony overlooking the resort, the Gulf, and the Palm islands and Burj al Arab in the distance. Seating areas in rooms are bigger than what you'll find at the hotels along Sheikh Zayed Road, but the focus here is on unwinding rather than working, though there are amenities for both: the Balinese-inspired spa offers a variety of treatments including the Degrees Hot Stone Massage, and the Club Level rooms and lounge cater to those who need to stay on top of business. Service here is impeccable and personal.
Madinat Jumeirah
In the heat of summer, the air-conditioned walkways of the Souk Madinat Jumeirah (www.madinatjumeirah.com/shopping) are a welcome respite, but this is a must-see no matter what time of year. Yes, the stores are overpriced, so you shouldn't save all your shopping for here, but nothing beats the ambience--a traditional Middle Eastern souk fused with the romantic waterways of Venice. After you've spent time browsing through high-end housewares and designer watches, head to the restaurant Al Makan. Ask for a patio seat, order some light fare and shisha, and take in the sunset and the sail of the Burj al Arab.
Cin Cin
If the Fairmont Dubai's (www.fairmont.com) overall decor is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Gulf (a huge water fountain in the lobby; carpet with wave-like designs; and a silver, blue, and green color palette), the chic Cin Cin wine bar's ambience could signal proximity to Miami's South Beach. White and black interplay to create a chic, modern, and minimalist environment with creative wine displays and intimate seating areas, and the wine menu has more than 250 global labels. In sharp contrast, The Cigar Bar next door features a wall-length humidor, dark wood, and rich burgundy seating. If your version of indulgence is more about massages than merlot, the Willow Stream Spa has a full menu of treatments ranging from body scrubs and wraps to facials. The Romanesque-style spa, like the hotel, is influenced by the water, with sunrise and sunset pools, marine-based treatments and products, and water features including hammam-style steam rooms, ice showers, and foot baths.
Sheikh Zayed Road
Photo courtesy of Dubai Department of Tourism
There's a lot happening on Sheikh Zayed Road, the longest road in the UAE, which runs from Abu Dhabi to Ras Al Khaimah. In Dubai, traffic is gridlocked most of the day (a 10-minute journey can often times take 2 hours), and the development of a new metro system that runs parallel is hoping to alleviate some of the congestion. This local version of Gotham City hosts the emirate's major business hotels and conference center, as well as Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. Staying at any of the amazing hotels here is ideal for those looking to taxi between older sections of Dubai such as Deira and the beach and marina.
Pool at Shangri-La
Shangri-La was a fictional paradise created by author James Hilton in his 1933 novel Lost Horizon, but at Shangri-La Dubai (www.shangri-la.com), the luxurious and pampering experience is all fact. About 70% of guests are here on business (full-size writing desks in the rooms and the executive Horizon Club are just a few draws), but vacationers will find plenty to their liking here, too. There are numerous dining options, including the seafood restaurant Amwaj, where silver and blue create an underwater ambience for a menu that focuses on fresh fish, an extensive selection of Iranian caviar, and rich accompaniments such as a creamy lobster risotto; save time for the Chocolate Box dessert (it's self-explanatory and decadent). After dinner head down to the hotel's Balcony Bar, a cozy, somewhat hidden space that draws locals and guests who like the friendly faces at the bar, the intimate seating areas, and the cigar selection. If the weather's cool and cooperative, the hotel hosts ikandy, a poolside event from 6pm onward with music, drinks, food, and shisha. It's a nice way to ease into your long night of partying or, if you're staying at the hotel, a final chill-out spot before bed. Tip: If you're hungry after hours and perusing the room service menu, go for the paneer.
Dubai Creek
New Dubai might be stealing the limelight, but Old Dubai is where you'll find much of the culture. Traditional dhows float up and down Dubai Creek (dinner cruises are popular), and nearby, shops hawking bright-yellow 22-karat gold create a maze that's the gold souk, and colorful fabrics draped over mannequins fill the windows at the textile souk (aka Meena Bazaar); pop into a few shops even if you're not buying, and be sure to bargain if you are.
Raffles Exterior
Some people liken Dubai to Las Vegas, so it should come as no surprise that the emirate has its own pyramid-shaped hotel, Raffles Dubai (www.dubai.raffles.com). The hotel focuses on creating a residential feel with common areas, closet space, and square footage (the rooms are among the largest in Dubai), and all rooms also have a balcony with a view of the city, including the Burj Dubai in the distance. In keeping with the home-away-from-home feel, guests have access to everything including shopping (the hotel is connected to the Wafi City Mall), a large hotel library, and a 2.5-acre landscaped garden. Dining and nightlife options abound. Fire & Ice, the hotel's signature restaurant, serves European food with Japanese touches in an elegant and handsome space; the sommelier can help you pair your dishes with the perfect wines. After-dinner drinks can be had at the Balinese Crossroads Cocktail Bar, followed by a night of dancing, champagne, and cigars at the New Asia Bar & Club and China Moon Champagne Bar, located at the top of the pyramid and offering stunning views of the city's glittering lights.
Global Village
Emiratis love to shop, and Dubai offers plenty of opportunities to spend your money. The best time of year for shopaholics remains the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (www.mydsf.com), held annually from late January to February. Stores participate in major sales and giveaways, and special events, such as the Global Village (www.globalvillage.ae), round out the festivities. Locals line up about an hour before the doors to the Global Village open (4pm), hoping to pick up something from Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, or any of the other countries represented at the outdoor shopping fair. Don't miss out on the international cuisine, carnival rides, cultural performances, or the creatively designed pavilions (India's pretty impressive).
ATVs in the desert
Dubai might not have gnarly waves, but you can still surf the sands over the red dunes about an hour's drive away. You can ride a camel, bash the dunes on an ATV or in a Land Rover, or spend an evening under the stars at a Bedouin camp. Arabian Adventures (tel. 4/303-4888; www.arabian-adventures.com) offers a morning camel-ride/sand-surfing tour Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday October to April for AED235 ($64) per person. Net Tours (tel. 4/266-6655; www.nettoursdubai.com) offers a sand-skiing tour for AED190 ($52) adults and AED165 ($45) kids.
Pearl (Business Class) on Etihad
Photo courtesy of Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways' (www.etihadairways.com) place in the airline business is much like the UAE's view on growth and development: while others are scaling back, it's pulling out all the stops. The national airline for Abu Dhabi flies directly from New York (12 hours; $821-$9,803) and London (7 hours; $557-$3,874) to Abu Dhabi International Airport, about 1½ hour's drive to Dubai's financial center on Sheikh Zayed Road and a 20-minute drive to the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The Pearl-class (business) was recognized for "the world's leading flatbed" by the World Travel Awards, and the airline recently rolled out its Inspired Service for Pearl and Diamond (first) class passengers, which allows them to order meals any time during the flight from a set or a la carte menu, and gives them access to an onboard concierge for wine recommendations and itinerary suggestions for the trip. The ambience and decor in all three classes deserves mention, as it uses a soft color palette and ambient lighting to mimic the time in Abu Dhabi to help battle jetlag. Entertainment on demand (movies from Hollywood and beyond) and a menu that can include anything from roasted red salmon bisque with fennel pesto croutes and curried jalfrazi vegetables to Arabian meze and a cinnamon hazelnut cinnamon bun make it pretty hard to have a less than satisfying journey, no matter what class you fly.
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque
Photo courtesy of Abu Dhabi Tourism AuthorityThe Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi is giving the Taj Mahal a run for its money.The third largest mosque in the world has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records three times since it opened its doors in January 2008, having the largest carpet (77 sq. ft.), the biggest chandelier (33 ft. around and 49 ft. high), and the largest dome (105 ft. around and 230 ft. high) of its kind in the world. The palatial mosque is bedecked in white marble inlaid with intricate floral patterns; a giant handmade Iranian carpet (it took a year and hundreds of artisans to make); enough gold and silver to make a jeweler jealous; and seven massive Swarovski chandeliers that employ more than one million crystals. The mosque can accommodate 41,000 worshippers at once, and offers guided 60- to 90-minute tours at 10am Sunday to Thursday (zayedmosquetour@adta.ae). Be sure to take your camera and dress modestly (if you aren't, the ladies near the shoe lockers will be happy to loan you something).
Mosque and sand castle
The Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in the distance and a sand replica at the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi, which sits just across the water from the mosque.
Shangri-La Abu Dhabi Bar
The Shangri-La Abu Dhabi (www.shangri-la.com) shares the same superb service and amenities that the Shangri-La Dubai has, only the setting is a departure from the chain's usual Asian-influenced decor. Based on an Arabic fort, the hotel features latticed archways, large fortress-like doors made from local wood, and Venetian-like canals that will transport guests between the hotel, spa, souk, and Trader's Hotel (the company's business hotel outlet), which will be completed before the end of this year. One of the best things about this place is its view of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque, which can be seen from the Al Hanah Bar (pictured), the pool, and all the rooms and suites. The hotel's four restaurants include Shangri-La's signature Shang's Palace, which focuses on Cantonese cuisine served in an elegant setting of cream, black, and red. Menu favorites include spring rolls, mushroom dumplings, crispy duck pancakes (you can see the ducks roasting in a small window when you walk in), and noodles with giant shrimp.
Hammam at Anantara Spa
During a visit to the Emirates Palace (www.emiratespalace.com) in January 2008, fellow guests included President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, which, if the palatial surroundings don't give it away, tells you this isn't your average hotel. The size of the hotel can be intimidating to some (it's easy to get lost here), but everywhere you turn there's someone to point you in the right direction. Upon check-in, a butler arrives at your room to explain everything from the complimentary minibar and Internet service to the in-room entertainment and lighting systems. Rooms are swathed in buttery wood and heavy brocaded duvets, and balconies offer various views, including the 1.3km (.8 mile) hotel beach, outfitted with imported Algerian sand. The hotel, with its 114 mosaic tile-covered domes, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and gold-plated lobby is gorgeous, and the Anantara Spa is just as impressive. The decor might be influenced by Morocco, with arched walkways and bright mosaic-tile work, but it fulfills the expectation for what an Arabic experience should be. The crown jewel of the spa is its signature Gateway to Arabia treatment (195 min; $310), which includes a traditional Moroccan hammam. The hammam itself is a beautiful space, a domed room with a large heated marble bed in the middle and Jacuzzis and steam rooms surrounding it. The tiny metal tiles in the hammam are lit with a warm blue hue, so as you lie on the marble bed and look up, the twinkling tiles look like stars. The treatment is decadent, and includes intervals of body scrubbing and massage with black olive soap, time in the steam room, and a relaxing soak in the Jacuzzi with tea and notably delicious cookies. With the help of the therapist (because you won't be able to walk straight you'll be so relaxed), you make your way to one of the spa's seven treatment rooms for a massage of your choice. The treatment rooms, like the rest of the spa, are so beautiful you won't want to close your eyes during the massage.
