Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the 5-star Le Meridien Dubai is situated just minutes from the city's famous shopping and commercial dis... Read More
Dubai is one of the world's foremost playgrounds not only for the rich and famous but for tourists and travelers from every corner of the globe wanting to experience the magic for which it is so famous. The Dubai UAE hotel culture is amongst the most sought after internationally as if offers modern and sophisticated architecture and accommodation, exquisite dining and entertainment and state of the art facilities and amenities.
Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, and also the main city of the emirate. It is the second largest emirate in the federation after Abu Dhabi. Whereas most members of the UAE are primarily reliant on oil production to underpin their economies, Dubai's oil income (at only 10% of its GDP) gives it more diversity as a place to do business and holiday.
The majority of the emirate's revenue comes from trade, real estate and financial services and now, increasingly, from tourism. Dubai is fast becoming one of the world's leading business hubs. The construction of some of the world's most impressive buildings, innovative real estate projects, sports events, shopping festivals and conferences makes it a popular destination for tourists and business people from all over the globe. The number and quality of Dubai hotels has swelled in recent years to meet the demand created by its position as a major tourist destination.
Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert which accounts for the hot and humid climate for part of the year, with many months recording temperatures of over 40°C. Rainfall is generally light with most of it falling during the winter months between January and March and is sufficient to nurture wild grasses and date palms. It is also a paradise for bird watches as Dubai forms a passageway between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory birds pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. Fishermen are also well catered for as the waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish.
The Dubai museum, film festivals (the famous Dubai film festival) and performing arts centres give Dubai a cultural scene. The city is a shopper's delight, hosting the annually held month long Dubai Shopping Festival.
A great variety of hotels are to be found in Dubai, leaving the visitor spoilt for choice. Dubai hotels offer something for everyone, be it the business person looking for modern communication or conference facilities, or a tourist in search of luxurious living, fine dining and stunning entertainment.
Such is the majesty of the Dubai UAE hotel culture that it has assured itself a place in the annals of architectural history. Architectural styles include masterpieces of steel and glass to structures inspired by the great pyramids of Egypt. Hotels range from boutique and 2 star hotels to the luxurious and opulent. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel with its own private beach is located, as its name suggests, on the premier Jumeirah Beach area in Dubai. Other hotels are located in the Business District with the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in the centre of Dubai's commercial Business District. This hotel offers an entire floor dedicated to ladies with lavish amenities and luxurious products.
The new Atlantis on the Palm is a magnificent oceanic tribute to a bygone era as it rises from the coastline of the largest man-made island in the world, the Palm Jumeirah. Other ecotourism resorts are situated outside the city for those visitors with a spirit of adventure who want to experience the wonders of the Arabian Desert, camel riding, sand skiing and traditional Bedouin activities such as falconry.
Hotels offer guest rooms and suites, from the comfortable and well equipped that give a feeling of being home while away from home, to lavishly decorated interiors which include tented ceilings and handcrafted furniture and antiques. Some hotels have chosen an opulent blend of Middle Eastern and Asian décor styles while yet others blend old world elegance with the best of the new. Multilingual staff, porters and bellhops are always on hand to answer all questions and give tour advice.
The sport enthusiast is well catered for with an abundance of golf courses and driving ranges for those with less time on their hands. For the fitness fanatics or those looking for a leisurely stroll, there are running tracks and paths as well as horse riding. Those looking for water sports will not be disappointed as many hotels offer scuba diving trips, fishing expeditions, water skiing, windsurfing, boating and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Indoor facilities that the guests can make use of include fitness centres, saunas and fully equipped gyms. Hair salons, coffee shops and baby-sitting facilities are available to ensure the guests every whim is taken care of. Facilities provided within rooms include hairdryers, coffee tea making facilities, minibars, electronic in room safe, satellite TV and VCR. Ballrooms and boardroom style meeting rooms are available in all top hotels with IT amenities, interactive television and 24 hr technical assistance.
The cosmopolitan nature of the Dubai society is reflected in the diversity of the cuisine. Arab food, south Asian and Chinese food are very popular everywhere but it is the Dubai hotels that offer fine dining and haute cuisine in their many restaurants. Here one can sample Gulf and Middle Eastern cuisine including Moroccan, Iranian and Lebanese and most top hotels in the city have at least one restaurant serving some form of international cuisine - Italian, Japanese, Indian.
The sale of alcoholic beverages is limited but is available in all bars and restaurants in four or five star hotels. Dubai is well known for its night life with clubs and bars found mostly in hotels due to the liquor laws. The New York Times listed Dubai as its travel choice for partying in 2008.
Dubai hotels are icons which will endure for decades to come. Their magnificent and diverse architectural styles, the attention to detail and faultless five star service, the skilful blending of old world heritage with New World opulence and with every requirement for both the corporate individual and the traveller taking care of has ensured that Dubai will remain the premier international destination .
