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Dubai - Liz Mc HenryAMERICAN EXPRESS VACATIONS - TOP ACHIEVERS TRIP . – FEB 06DUBAI. Dubai is a unique destination and offers the traveling public a different experience, you can stay in the ultimate luxury at Jumeriah Beach resorts and relax at the beach or around the large free form pools or enjoy shopping in the souks and stay in the many luxurious city hotels. It takes about 45 min by taxi to the souks in town from Jumeriah Beach so if they want the whole Arabian experience and mainly want to shop they are better placed in town. There is a lot of construction in Dubai at present and the traffic is shocking it doesn’t really matter where you stay it is visible everywhere. Jumeriah Beach is well suited as a family destination as well as a stopover, you can easily access good shopping at the malls, or you can ski in Wild Wadi Water Park and the panoramic looks of Palm Island, the first man-made island in the UAE. Dubai also offers modern facilities for sports, and recreation from golf, snow skiing and water sports to desert safaris, and dhow cruises. I can highly recommend the desert safaris, this is a must but not for the faint hearted, you travel out to the dunes via 4 wheel drive and then have an Arabian barbeque dinner, with belly dancing, camel riding, henna wax tattoos and pipe smoking. HOTELS. Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa Hotel. The Habtoor Grand Resort is newly renovated, previously named the Metropole Hotel, This is a 5 star resort located at Jumeirah Beach and only 25 minutes from the airport. This resort represents value for money in an overly expensive area, the resort is well suited to families with an excellent Junior Jungle Kids Club staffed by qualified minders, a dedicated pool area, playground and all restaurants feature menus for kids as well. Maximum 4 hours a day, open from 9.00am -12.00noon and 2.30pm – 5.30pm, set daily activities are organized for age groups 1-12 yrs with evening activities for 10-15yr olds. Rooms: 442 spacious guest rooms. The original garden rooms have now all been renovated and are the ideal location for families; the two towers are new and have sea facing aspects Facilities: 14 themed bars and restaurants, Spa and health club, Water Sports, Racquet Sports, 2 swimming pools within the gardens and an Infinity pool on the mezzanine level of the towers, private beach, Kids Club and business centre. The Hotel is still undergoing renovations out the front but this does not affect the ambience once inside the resort. Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina. This 5 star resort is a small boutique hotel situated at Jumeriah Beach and boasts a 1200m private beach only 35 minutes from the airport. The hotel has a 238 berth marina with an excellent water sports centre. Clientele is 50% corporate and 50% leisure; the hotel is currently undergoing new development which will over double the current capacity. Rooms: 211 and 300 currently under construction. Existing rooms are small in comparison to other hotels of similar standard; however the new rooms will be larger. All sea view rooms are smaller to accommodate a balcony. Facilities: Penguin Club for kids, 8 restaurants and bars, golf, tennis, lap pool, gym, all water sports non and motorized, large free form pool in lush tropical garden surrounds. One & Only Royal Mirage This is a luxurious and majestic resort with three distinctive environments, The Palace, Arabian Court and the Residence & Spa. The Royal Mirage has a kilometer of private beach with 60 acres of landscaped gardens. The Palace is the largest of the three displaying traditional old Arabia architecture, the Arabian court is smaller and more intimate and very enchanting all rooms have private balconies. The Residence and Spa is an exclusively intimate accommodation with private access to the pool, Dining room and library. The resort has a wonderful atmosphere and caters to the most discerning guests. Children are welcome but there is a limited amount Rooms: The Palace 248 rooms 20 suites all deluxe rooms with balcony, no family rooms only 50 inter-connecting available. The Arabian Court 170 rooms 10 suites all with balcony The Residence and Spa 53 room’s suites and Royal villa. Facilities: 8 Restaurants 5 bars, night club, hairdresser, business centre, pool, fitness centre, Givenchy Spa, sauna, Jacuzzi, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, water skiing, jet skiing, and sailing. Moroccan Steam Bath, which may be accessed by all guests. Liz McHenry Senior Travel Consultant |
