Any opinions on Dubai please?

Ben Cole said:
That's very true. But that's the opposite of me and it doesn't stop me enjoying the place.

My son doesn't stop going on about Atlantis. It has it's own waterpark and aquarium. He thinks we shouldn't go anywhere else :D
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Atlantis on the Palm is nice to look round for a couple of hours but that's about it.
Dubai in general is a place stuck between two cultures, the original Dubai population and the tourists/social media tramps. While I was there for a few days on layover from a holiday in Singapore, I spoke with a few locals who were taxi drivers and hotel staff, they hate what the place has become.
I've been a few times travelling through while working in Asia and have told the wife that I'm never going back if I have any say in the matter. I've heard Dubai has the nickname "the bleached ******** of the world" and that feels appropriate for what it has become.
I'd much sooner return to Singapore, Cyprus or southern Spain etc but everywhere has it's problems with tourism really.
 
aaronyuri said:
Average high in June of 39°C. That would be bonkers. I haven't been to Dubai, but have experienced 40-45 regularly and there is nothing holiday friendly about it. It's unbearably hot.

Personally, for June, I'd recommend somewhere a bit cooler.
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he'll be alright, walk around go topless, with shorts, have a can of carling, no sunsceen, and Fall asleep in the baking sun for 12 hours.
 
@brendy We've stayed at the Atlantis a couple of times, it's a lovely place to stay. Food options are good, waterpark is fantastic as is the aquarium. The whole family loved it.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it's at the end of the palm so more difficult to get around.
 
A great time can be had there but as others have said, it's built on fakeness and exploitation.
 
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I too, don't see the attraction.

If I want Middle East culture....that is not the place to go, Morocco would be closer, cheaper and more authentic (although it is way less developed in many places but it is more steeped in history IMO).
If I want modern shopping...which honestly, I don't have the money for, let's say I do, I would go to London or Tokyo or one of the many malls in Singapore or Hong Kong.
If I want water sports, a desert isn't a place I think of.
Local Food? again Morocco, Turkey for arabic / med food.
Hot weather? plenty of places with hot weather.

The only reason for me to go is for a layover, 24hrs, go to the tallest building and then just to say I've been to the top of the tallest building and head back to the airport.
 
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Perhaps your length of time is a bit much unless you have the money to spend but I did 6 or 7 days many years ago and really enjoyed it. The souk, river area and old town really are charming, as is the architecture, which is my line of work (there's a Dubai album on my flickr link below). I did an afternoon tea on the burj al Arab and went up the burj khalifa, which we're both fantastic. Also a desert 4x4 tour.

I'm not the type to spend money just eating or drinking in restaurants and hotels, so had no interest or the money to do these things.

If Dubai is an itch you want to scratch, do it. Personally I'm glad to have done it, but don't feel the need to go back anytime soon.
 
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"you look like you would enjoy Dubai" feels like a savage insult.

For that and myriad other reasons I'd pass. There's so so so much of the rest of the world to see.

I mean in June.. anywhere in Italy, France, Spain etc would be gorgeous and warm to the point of being tshirt and shorts but not unbearable scurrying from one mall to the next.

It really boils down to whether you want something with any culture or interest or a giant shopping centre.

Horses for courses but I'm personally very pleased with myself that it's about the last place I'd ever visit, other than Las Vegas, partly because I've had to go for CES and partly because when I saw it it was crap.
 
CaptainRAVE said:
Not as much as Dubai. I had fun in the day, but doubt I’d go back.
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Slaves were themselves considered property under Roman law and had no rights of legal personhood. Unlike Roman citizens, by law they could be subjected to corporal punishment, sexual exploitation, torture, and summary execution.

Yet people love Rome/Italy.

Not that I'm saying Dubai is exactly comparable. Nor am I justifying/excusing Dubai.
 
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sigma said:
Slaves were themselves considered property under Roman law and had no rights of legal personhood. Unlike Roman citizens, by law they could be subjected to corporal punishment, sexual exploitation, torture, and summary execution.

Yet people love Rome/Italy.

Not that I'm saying Dubai is exactly comparable. Nor am I justifying/excusing Dubai.
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Perhaps in 2000 years will look at Dubai the same way.
 
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sigma said:
Slaves were themselves considered property under Roman law and had no rights of legal personhood. Unlike Roman citizens, by law they could be subjected to corporal punishment, sexual exploitation, torture, and summary execution.

Yet people love Rome/Italy.

Not that I'm saying Dubai is exactly comparable. Nor am I justifying/excusing Dubai.
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Not exactly? It's a bizarre comparison.
 
I spent 4 months in Dubai, similar to Vegas - glossy, glitzy, tacky on the outside, very seedy underneath. But, i would say, it's worth a trip to experience the luxury and money the place has. I wouldn't go back.

Hotels, water parks, the Burj, malls etc are fantastic. Things to watch out for are the laws, the heat and everything is a drive. I felt very safe in the areas, but like Vegas, it becomes dangerous when you stray off the main areas.

As for the comments about built on exploitation, part of my job was to understand this. I spoke with TCNs and visited their accommodations many times. It's hard work, but what they earn, they send home and feed and support their families. They couldn't do that in their home countries and are able to give their families a decent standard of living. They showed me their passports, so there isn't some gangmaster holding them hostage and not allowing them to leave.

I'm not saying it's ideal, but they tell me remaining in their home countries is worse.
 
Thanks again for all the replies, we're going to give it a miss this year, our time off work is already booked for June, so we're thinking Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, etc.

We will look again at Dubai next year though, but October through to April instead as it should be more bearable then.
 
I went out for a week last year - half for work and half to see my sister and her family.
Everyone I know through work love the lifestyle and climate. My sister and brother in law moved out for a short stint 5 years ago and show no sign of coming back.
Would definitely visit again as loads to do but does feel very opulent and ostentatious - which can feel uncomfortable for some I’m sure.
 
My brother in law loves it and takes his family out there all the time, whereas I have the same moral objections some others here do l and would never go there.

I know he enrolled his young son in a football training camp thing out there that Wayne Rooney was involved with, that must have cost thousands.

I believe they stay at the Palms
 
Lived there for 4 years. Wouldn't go back personally. It's all Russians and influencers now.

Go to Oman if you want middle Eastern beauty. Better people, better views, better prices, better diving.
 
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