Dubai101_February2012

DUBAI 101

YOUR INSIDER GUIDE TO THE CITY OF GOLD

HOTELS CULTURE SHOPS SIGHTS ACTIVITIES RESTAURANTS

KANOO WORLD TRAVELLER 2012/13

City Slicker Dubai has a winning combination of attributes that make it a world-beater when it comes to welcoming visitors. It’s blessed with blissful weather, filled with extraordinary architecture, serviced by some of the world’s best hotels and is almost unique in offering both beaches and skiing.

But the real draw is the spirit of ambition which drives the city forward and means that every time you visit you’ll find a whole new world of experiences to discover.

About This Guide There are myriad reasons to pay Dubai a visit - but for ease of reference, we’ve selected the top 101, from activities to accommodation, providing a rounded view of the city. Use our tips to plan your perfect trip, whether you’re travelling alone or with your family.

Dubai

Contents 5

Abu Dhabi

The Hotels – find your ideal place to stay while you’re in town.

15 The Shopping – save time on your spree by checking out our pick of the malls.

U.A.E

21 The Restaurants – prepare to enjoy the best food and service in the Gulf.

31 The Culture & Sights – there’s much more to do than just top up your tan

Production in whole or in part without written permission from HOT Media Publishing is strictly prohibited. HOT Media Publishing does not accept liability for omissions or errors in this publication.

on the beach.

37 The Actvities – make every day in town count with our hit list of fun.

Produced by HOT Media Publishing FZ LLC

Dubai 101

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Welcome to Dubai

Your at-a-glance guide to getting there, getting around and settling in Getting There There are dozens of airline routes into Dubai each day, so you’ll always find a suitable time to fly to the city from wherever you’re based in the GCC. For ticketing information, visit your nearest Kanoo Travel or American Express Travel outlet.

Transport The only form of transport that’s difficult in Dubai is the two-legged kind. Taxis are plentiful and simple to flag down, but remember that there’s a minimum charge of 10 UAE Dirhams, no matter what the length of your journey.

A cheaper way to get around is to take the bus. These are spacious, clean and air-conditioned and journeys start at 1.8 UAE Dirhams. That’s the price you’ll also pay for the shortest trip on the Dubai Metro, which ferries you overland to multiple stops. Buy a ‘nol’ card at metro and 2

Dubai 101

petrol stations for 20 UAE Dirhams and you can use it to pay fares on both buses and the metro. If you want to hire a car and drive around the city yourself, however, you’ll find an endless amount of rental firms at the airport. But just be sure to keep your wits about you – Dubai’s drivers can be a little bit inconsiderate – and try to avoid being on the road during the peak traffic times of 7-9am and 6-7pm.

Money The UAE’s official currency is the UAE Dirham. Banknotes are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 dirhams and there are countless ATM machines dotted around the city should you need to withdraw cash. For ease of reference, there is 1 Saudi Riyal to 1 UAE Dirham, 1 Omani Rials to 10 UAE Dirhams, 1 Qatar Riyal to 1 UAE Dirham and 10 Bahrain Dinars to 1 UAE Dirham.

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The number of elevators zipping people up and down the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower.

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The size in acres of lush, green golf course The Montgomerie Dubai, designed by Colin Montgomerie himself.

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The height in metres of the imposing, sail-like and ultraluxurious Burj Al Arab hotel.

2040

The number of steps inside the Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, which help make it the tallest hotel in the world. You’ll see it on Sheikh Zayed Road.

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Big events in the big city..

February

March

April

May

The Dubai Desert Classic, the region’s most exciting golf event, pitches up in town - head to Emirates Golf Club to watch the world’s greatest players in action.

If you only go to one event in Dubai in March, make it The Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, which combines glamour, sporting excitement and high fashion.

Time for classical music, with the Emirates International Peace Music Festival which features performances from the excellent Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The Arabian Travel Market is one of the biggest in the world, and with all those visitors come a flood of concerts, parties and events which everyone can get involved in.

June

July

August

September

Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre plays host to the Dubai Dance Festival, crammed with performances and workshops from dance companies from across the world.

Dubai Summer Surprises grips the city this month - expect big discounts in every shop in town.

After starting in late July, the holy month of Ramadan will go on through most of August: expect to see a quieter, more familyfocused side of the city.

Time for Kalimat, an exhibition that celebrates the beauty of Arabic calligraphy.

October

November

December

January

Calling all label-lovers! Middle East Fashion Days is coming to Dubai this month, with a great selection of catwalk shows and exhibitions by top designers.

Dubai Tennis Stadium is the venue for the ‘Legends Rock Dubai’ tournament, a four day tennis fest which brings stars of yesteryear to play against one another: great fun.

For a day of top sporting action in the sun, surrounded by cheering crowds, it has to be the epic Dubai Rugby Sevens, a mainstay of the Dubai calendar.

It’s time to cheer on the runners (or even take part yourself) as the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon races through the streets of the city.

Dubai 101

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Pullman Mall of the Emirates Dubai Getaway Invitation in a Shopping Hotel

Stay at a hotel directly linked to a world class shopping experience.

Discover 481 rooms and suites featuring trendy amenities.

Indulge in interactive dining experience and chic spa treatments.

Book this offer which includes buffet breakfast and complimentary WI-FI.

New attitude hotels for business travelers.

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For further information and reservation, please contact us: +971 4 702 8000

The Hotels Whether you want to stay in the world’s tallest tower or its only palm-shaped manmade island, whether you prefer beachside getaways or city retreats, Dubai has the perfect place for you to lay your head. Check out our pick of the very finest accommodation...

Symbol of the city, iconic piece of architecture and one of the world’s most highly-reputed hotels, the Burj Al Arab (jumeirah.com) has set the gold standard for accommodation for many years now. It has no rooms, only beautiful suites, each served by their own dedicated team of butlers, on call 24 hours a day for whatever the guest might need. The architecture and décor throughout the hotel are inspirational, with lots of gold-plating, rich materials and sink-in carpets, as well as vertiginous views down to the huge atrium and, in the suites, unbeatable, uncluttered views out over the Gulf. A stay here doesn’t come cheap, but it’s the sort of experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

The Palm Jumeirah is a manmade archipelago shaped, you guessed it, like a palm tree. At the end lies Atlantis, The Palm (atlantisthepalm.com), an enormous hotel boasting 1,373 rooms and 166 suites. As you drive up the Palm’s ‘trunk’, Atlantis looms in the distance like a fairytale palace, salmon pink with a cut-out shaped like the spade in a pack of cards through its middle and little turrets dotted around it. An enormous glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly dominates the lobby, although kids will probably race right past it and dive into the huge Zero Entry Pool before exploring the 1.4km of beach beyond. But the action doesn’t stop there: the hotel is home to waterpark Aquaventure, aquarium The Lost Chambers, swim-withthe-dolphins spot Dolphin Bay, the divine ShuiQi Spa, tennis courts and no fewer than 17 food and beverage outlets. You certainly won’t get bored.

Also on Palm Jumeirah stands the impossibly grand Jumeirah Zabeel Saray (jumeirah.com) Its design was inspired by the lavish palaces of the Ottoman era and, as such, this is as oppulent a hotel as you’re likely to find. Hand-painted frescoes, stunning artworks and

gold columns abound, while you’ll also fall for the great restaurants here which include the uniquely excellent Voi a fine fusion of Vietnamese and French Colonial flavours.

Something else that’s genuinely unique is the Armani Hotel Dubai (dubai.armanihotels.com), located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower. Everything here is as chic as you’d expect from accommodation designed by Giorgio himself, and the rooms are so impressive you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from yours. The pick of the suites is the Armani Dubai Suite, with two bedrooms, private dining room and private study, all decked out in the smartest and most luxurious of materials.

Another only-in-Dubai option is The Meydan Hotel (meydanhotels.com). Fans of horse racing love this luxurious place, which is part of the Meydan racecourse complex, and there’s no better place to stay during the race season, when you’ll be at the heart of the action every day. If you book in to one of the Panoramic suites you’ll never miss a second of the action - even the bathrooms have been designed so you can see the track (with total privacy) from the comfort of your bathtub.

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai (ritzcarlton.com) is a wellestablished favourite in the city. An intimate, 138-room hotel, its interiors feature a very grandiose décor scheme, with sweeping marble staircases and exquisite chandeliers, but it’s outside that the Ritz-Carlton really comes into its own. Stroll through the landscaped gardens and the only sound you’ll hear is birdsong; and while the waterslide, tumbling fountain and 350m of private beach make it a very good choice for families, there’s also an adults-only pool for those craving peace and quiet. The spa is one of Dubai’s finest.

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai’s sister hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai 101

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W O R L D W I D E LO C AT I O N S

:

AFRICA

ASIA

EUROPE

L AT I N A M E R I C A

MIDDLE EAST

NORTH AMERICA

A Landmark in the Making.

Opening in 2012, this landmark hotel is set to become one of the region’s most desirable destinations, offering a spectrum of business and leisure facilities for the most discerning of travellers. Elevated above Dubai’s skyline, on Sheikh Zayed Road, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai resides in the Business Bay area. Spread across two iconic towers, the hotel features luxurious and sleek bedrooms, exceptional event and business facilities, an enticing array of 4 lounges and 9 restaurants, 2 magnificent ballrooms and the sublime Saray Spa and Health Club.

For more information, contact: jwmarquis.dubai@marriott.com or visit, jwmarriottmarquisdubai.com

‘If you’re one for jaw-dropping views, the Address Downtown Dubai is definitely the answer’ Dubai International Financial Centre, is a much more recent addition to the city, but has the same high standards and top levels of service. Book in to the Club Level and you’ll have access to a lounge with round-theclock refreshments and entertainment - a lovely place to end your day.

The Jumeirah beachfront features a number of hotels which may not have their own private beach but are close to a public one. First is the Sofitel Jumeirah Beach (sofitel. com). The brand’s signature French style lends an elegant air to the surroundings, and the lobby is particularly stylish, dominated by an enormous fairy-lit tree. Perhaps because the hotel is slightly set back from the beach, there’s a very cosmopolitan, ‘seaside’ feel to the Sofitel.

Another option just the shortest of strolls from here is Amwaj Rotana (rotana.com), where if you book a Club Rotana room you’ll be treated to complimentary drinks and snacks throughout the day - the afternoon tea is

delightful - private check-in and airport pick up and drop off to boot.

If you’re one for jaw-dropping views, the Address Downtown Dubai (theaddress.com) is the answer. Itself an imposing tower, it is immediately dwarfed when you glance sideways at its next-door neighbour, the Burj Khalifa. To get yourself in the mood for heights, whizz up to 63rd-floor lounge Neos where, despite the abundance of mirrored surfaces and space-age lights, nothing can detract from the sight that awaits at the window.

Elsewhere in the hotel, the décor is more sedate – think modern neutrals kissed with Arabic class – and the infinity pool, which cascades down five tiers with direct views across to the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain, is out of this world.

Ten minutes away by car, the Shangri-La Dubai (shangri-la.com) has a prime position on Sheikh Zayed Road and offers a restful retreat from the hurly burly Dubai 101

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outside. Spread over 43 floors, it has perfected the art of making its guests feel revitalised and relaxed, through a combination of the highest possible levels of comfort and service - and a top flight offering of restaurants (make sure to visit the exquisite Shang Palace) and health and leisure options.

Also on Sheikh Zayed Road is the Crowne Plaza Dubai (ichotelsgroup.com). It’s a firm favourite with regular visitors, not least due to its staff, who make guests feel welcome right from check-in to the moment they walk out of the door. Its third-floor outdoor pool makes the perfect spot for some downtime, although the rooms are pretty relaxing too, employing the brand’s signature snoozeenhancing packages to ensure you get flawless sleep.

Just a short way down the road, the Radisson Royal Hotel, Dubai (radissonblu.com) is a smart tower hotel which offers views of Sheikh Zayed Road (unbeatable, particularly when lit up at night). It’s a well-considered and welcoming place with some lovely quirky touches, including an extraordinary ‘origami meeting room’, shaped like a large piece of intricately folded paper. At its sister property, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown, its all about views. Outsized rooms here look out to the the majestic Burj Khalifa, a stunning vista best enjoyed

Previous page, clockwise from left: Raffles Dubai; Ritz Carlton DIFC; Atlantis, The Palm. This page, top to bottom: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray; Grand Millennium Dubai; JW Marriott Dubai; Shangri-La Dubai.

Dubai 101

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‘Desert Palm Dubai is a fabulous option for those wishing to get away from it all. It enjoys the lush surrounds of polo fields and trees’

from the extreme comfort of one of the hotel’s beautiful Corner Suites.

Located in Deira, the oldest part of the city, the JW Marriott (marriott.com) is a lovely hotel which has built a strong reputation among both business travellers and leisure visitors. It has large, comfortable rooms, a first rate healthclub and a clutch of fantastically-popular restaurants. For a real treat, book in to the Amiri Suite, the Diwan Suite or the breathtaking JW Royal Suite. And should you plan your trip to Dubai for the end of this year, you’ll be able to stay at Marriott’s newest (and most striking to date) abode, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai - though you’ll have to queue behind us to book what promises to be a truly exceptional Penthouse Suite.

Over in Bur Dubai, meanwhile, the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel (staywellgroup.com) offers its guests seriously good value luxury, with smart, modern rooms and all the facilities you can imagine. It’s very well placed too, just a few short steps from a metro stop with a direct link to 10

Dubai 101

the airport, and a brief saunter from BurJuman, one of the city’s best malls. The rooftop swimming pool offers jaw-dropping views out over the city - awesome at sunset.

Another hotel with great access to a top mall is the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates (kempinski.com).

Built with direct access into the mall, it’s the perfect destination for serious shoppers. But the hotel itself has plenty of attractions, including a gorgeous infinity pool, a world-class spa and wonderful rooms. The most unusual of these are the Ski Chalets, which give you views directly out over the snow-filled slopes so you can watch the skiiers at play as you relax in cosy luxury.

Still on the shopping theme, Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates (pullmanhotels.com) is also linked to the mall. Bedrooms are simply yet stylishly decked out with a chocolate brown, muted gold and ivory colour scheme providing a soothing yet luxurious ambience. Come nightfall, shisha-lovers should sit in a poolside majlis and unwind with shisha pipes and aromatic Moroccan tea.

Previous page: Address Downtown Dubai; Oasis Beach Tower. This page, left to right: Desert Palm Dubai; Armani Dubai.

If you’re all about location, location, location the Grand Millennium Dubai (millenniumhotels.com) will position you right in the heart of the city. From its Sheikh Zayed Road location you can be skiing (or visiting real life penguins) at the Mall of the Emirates or teeing off at the Emirates Golf Club; both within minutes. At the hotel itself, meanwhile, you can check-in to one of 352 rooms, none more stylish than the two Penthouses – each one is home to four en-suite bedrooms, a spacious living and dining room and a dedicated butler service – so you won’t have to lift a finger.

Raffles Dubai (raffles.com) is a hugely impressive, pyramid-shaped building, and the Egyptian theme is echoed through the décor. Its Amrita Spa is one of the city’s finest, offering signature treatments in the Raffles Botanical Gardens. Bedrooms all feature a generously sized balcony, and label-lovers will be delighted to learn that the hotel is next door to designer-heavy shopping mall Wafi. Don’t leave here without dining in at least one of its superb restaurants.

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Dubai 101

Desert Palm Dubai (desertpalm.peraquum.com) is a fabulous option for those wishing to get away from it all – but the complex offers something other than sandy landscapes: it also enjoys the lush surrounds of polo fields and trees. In all, there are only 26 suites and villas, each enjoying designer amenities and high-tech appliances, and you’ll eat like a king, especially if you dine at signature restaurant Rare.

Finally, if you prefer to have your own space, with the option to cook for yourself, why not book in to a luxury hotel apartment at the attractive Oasis Beach Tower (jebelali-international.com)? Located overlooking the Jumeirah Beach (you can hit the sand mere seconds from leaving your apartment), the Tower offers top quality two, three and four bedroom apartments, with their own kitchens, a superb swimming pool, great restaurants and direct access to the boutiques and cafes of The Walk, a beachside boulevard. Stay here and you’ll also get access to the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa’s private beach, with regular shuttle services laid on to take you there.

B U S I N E S S T R AVE L O R W E E K E ND GETAWAY

It’s all in The Address

Welcome

to The Address Hotels + Resorts. Located in the most vibrant parts of the city, The Address Hotels + Resorts is defining the global standards of luxury hospitality. From business meetings to social rendezvous.

From absolute relaxation to luxurious indulgences. It’s where world-class services have been recreated to suit discerning tastes. It’s where energy surrounds you the minute you walk in. It’s chic. It’s exciting. It’s all in The Address.

D O W N TO W N D U B A I | D U B A I M A L L | D U B A I M A R I N A M O N T G O M E R I E D U B A I | T H E P A L A C E - T H E O L D TO W N C A L L + 9 7 1 4 4 2 3 8 8 8 8 | S TAY @ T H E A D D R E S S . C O M

The Shopping When it comes to quality and quantity, you’ll find that Dubai’s shopping scene simply can’t be beaten. From souks to megamalls and from local designers to international haute couture brands, you’ll find it all here...

Everything you have heard about Dubai’s amazing shopping options is true. Whether you’re a label-loving high roller or you’re just looking for great value high street brands, you have almost infinite possibilities on offer, with the major added bonus that almost all of your spending can be done under the cover of a blissfully air-conditioned mall, without the need to lug bags around in the heat.

First things first - you’ll no doubt have heard all about it already, but the biggest mall in the city – and, some say, the world – is The Dubai Mall. This place is home to over 1,000 outlets, and you simply have to experience the mall to be able to comprehend its enormity. It’s impossible not to get lost on your first visit to this place – but that’s no bad thing, for around every corner lies a new shopping

opportunity, a new clutch of stores to stop at and explore, and some superb cafes too.

The Dubai Mall houses countless flagship stores, though its crowning glory has got to be Bloomingdale’s – the first outside the USA. As well as a stunning array of fashion, beauty, jewellery, accessories, bridal and eveningwear, there’s a beauty salon, separate home store and interior design studio, and divine food section.

Alongside Bloomingdale’s, The Dubai Mall is also home to the world’s first ever franchise of the Galeries Lafayette department store, transplanted from Paris and filled with French brands that cannot be bought anywhere else in the region. This is a massive coup - Galeries Lafayette has an impeccable reputation in Europe, and has supplied the Dubai 101

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great and the good of France with everything they need for well over a century.

Once you’ve enjoyed the majesty of The Dubai Mall, it’s time for another of the city’s favourites, BurJuman, which is best-known for its extraordinary concentration of designer haunts. Its serene atmosphere, and sprinkling of choice cafes to refuel at mid-shop, makes it a joy to explore. BurJuman’s biggest store, and one which has been attracting a loyal hardcore of wealthy customers for years, is Saks Fifth Avenue. Split over two levels, the department store boasts numerous concessions belonging to some of the biggest names in fashion: Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior and, much to shoe-lovers’ delight, Manolo Blahnik, all have their own dedicated spaces. There’s also a princess-worthy ball-gowns area featuring some of the hottest names in Arabic fashion and an extensive shoe department. But shopping at BurJuman doesn’t stop at Saks: there are over 300 stores in the mall, mainly high-end (think Prada, Versace and Chanel) but with a few high-street stores thrown in for good measure.

Prominently positioned halfway down Sheikh Zayed Road (the highway that runs the length of the city) is

another much-loved shopping centre: the Mall of the Emirates. While its most famous feature is Ski Dubai, an indoor real-snow ski slope with a connecting Kempinski Hotel, which offers rooms with views over the piste, its shopping is not to be sniffed at. For starters, there’s the largest Harvey Nichols store outside the UK. Opened in 2006, the luxury department store offers a plethora of designer names as well as Almaz by Momo, a restaurant that’s very popular in its own right. You could spend at least a day wandering the rest of the mall, which contains 520 shops comprising fashion, lifestyle, sports, furnishing and a large Carrefour hypermarket that’s great for wellpriced electricals.

When you’ve finished your tour of the Mall of the Emirates, think about heading to visit the 430 stores of Mirdif City Centre, the most recent addition to the Dubai shopping scene. Situated in the north of the city, Mirdif City Centre really provides well for youngsters. Playnation incorporates indoor sky-diving centre iFLY Dubai, kids’ edutainment venue Cite’ Des Enfants, a cinema, interactive football attraction Soccer Circus Dubai, a 12-lane bowling alley and gamers’ paradise Magic Planet.

‘BurJuman is best-known for its extraordinary concentration of designer haunts and serene shopping experience’

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Dubai 101

Enjoy.

A contemporary hotel at the heart of the Dubai, located minutes away from The Dubai Mall along with the most inspiring views of the world tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Downtown offers 242 guestrooms including 22 suites, 2 excellent dining venues, 9 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, Free high-speed Internet access and 100% Guest Satisfaction Guarantee. All you need for a stylish stay...

+971 4 450 2000 info.downtown.dubai@radissonblu.com

radissonblu.com/hotel-dubaidowntown

Opening page, left to right: Mall of the Emirates; BurJuman. Previous page: Inside BurJuman. This page: Bloomingdales at The Dubai Mall.

This is great news for parents who want their children to be well-occupied while they cruise the shops, the best of which include department store Debenhams and interior superstore Home Centre.

Those who want a truly unique mall experience, meanwhile, should head to Ibn Battuta Mall. Themed around the explorer of the same name, the emporium is a huge hit with camera-toting visitors, who have a whale of a time snapping each other standing under magnificent domed ceilings and standing next to life-sized model elephants. Divided into ‘courts’ named China, India, Persia, Egypt, Andalusia and Tunisia, the mall has a great selection of high-street stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Topshop, and a handful of boutiques including the awardwinning Ginger and Lace. Ibn Battuta Mall also has an IMAX theatre and great selection of restaurants (the Lime Tree Café sells the world’s most delicious carrot cake).

Those looking for a mall offering a lovely location as well as top-notch shopping should look no further than Festival Centre. Situated on the banks of Dubai Creek, the waterfront complex offers over 400 shops including British favourite Marks & Spencer, which is as much loved

for its food as for its lingerie and home collections. When you get peckish, simply head to Canal Walk, a chic alfresco setting offering 50 restaurants.

Visitors with cash to splash are extremely well catered for at Wafi. The shops lie within a striking pyramid structure, the immaculate interiors of which are brought to life by statues, mosaic floors, stained-glass windows and regular art exhibitions. There are over 350 stores at Wafi, ranging from Desert Rose and Tiger Lily to classic luxury brands like Chanel and Escada. Boutique concept store Salam offers numerous brands including Just Cavalli, GF Ferre and Calvin Klein; Souk Khan Murjan, meanwhile, features beautiful Middle Eastern souvenirs and pieces for the home.

Those seeking designer labels without the designer price tags should make a beeline for Dubai Outlet Mall.

Situated a short distance outside the city, it’s an enormous complex offering over 800 premium fashion brands in 240 stores, with discounts of between 30 and 90 per cent.

If you love a bargain, it’s unmissable.

While its fashion is world class, Dubai is also a very popular destination for those looking to buy gold. As long as you buy from a reputable dealer, you can rest assured that international standards and best practices are adhered to – and remember, if you don’t spot anything that takes your fancy, you can always commission a jeweller to custom-make a piece you’ve designed yourself.

There are two venues that really stand out: Dubai Gold Souk and Dubai Gold & Diamond Park. The former is so comprehensive that some have estimated there are 10 tonnes of gold in the souk at any one time. It has hundreds of retailers offering everything from classic, timeless pieces to spectacular Indian designs. The latter is home to 90 retailers including Damas, ARY and the perennially popular Cara Jewellery, which features photos of its celebrity fans around its walls and is known for offering good-quality, reasonably-priced diamonds.

Dubai 101

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DESERT PALM

Desert Palm by Per AQUUM offers 38 exclusive rooms, suites and private pool villas together with LIME Spa.

Exquisitely

prepared dishes from the show kitchen can be found at Rare Restaurant while Epicure serves all day dining delights in a deli style ambiance next to the inďƒžnity pool.

Watch polo on one of the four championship polo ďƒželds between October and April, enjoy Jewel afternoon tea on the terrace or relax with a signature treatment in LIME.

To book please call the retreat on Tel +971 4 323 8888 email info@desertpalm.ae and visit www.desertpalm.ae

The Restaurants Dubai is a dream destination for gourmets where you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city. To sample the best, make dinner reservations at the following hotspots...

Ever wondered what it might be like to eat on top of the world? At At.mosphere (+971 4 888 3828) on level 122 of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, you can find out. Choose between the chilled-out Lounge area or the more formal Grill, and then prepare to relax and enjoy. At the Lounge they do excellent light foods, including a brilliant high tea every afternoon. At the Grill, meanwhile, you’d be well advised to opt for the tasting menu, which offers a full seven courses of delight. If that sounds too much, order one of their fabulous black angus porterhouse steaks, flame-cooked to perfection.

Staying within the Burj Khalifa, in the beautifully sleek environs of the Armani Dubai hotel you’ll find ace Japanese restaurant Armani / Hashi (+971 4 888 3888).

Here the fish is flown in flappingly fresh each morning, and the resulting delicious sashimi is complemented by wondrous views out over The Dubai Fountain. Make sure to try the floatingly light tempura too, which could lay a convincing claim to be the best in town.

But Armani / Hashi is far from being the only top-level Japanese restaurant in Dubai. At Atlantis, The Palm, you’ll find the legendary Nobu (+971 4 426 2626), an achingly hip space. The black cod is undoubtedly the restaurant’s most famous dish, but you won’t go wrong with the yellowtail starter either.

For a more informal take on Japanese dining, head to Zuma (+971 4 425 5660). Though it’s über-trendy, and perpetually packed with the city’s hippest crowds, the staff never fail to greet you with a friendly smile and are supremely knowledgeable about the restaurant’s excellent menu which, as well as beautiful sushi and sashimi, includes fabulous lobster dishes.

Last but not least in the Japanese stakes, there’s Okku (+971 4 501 8777) at The Monarch Dubai. The first thing that will grab your attention is the backlit cabinet of jellyfish, which glide around almost eerily as the diners come and go. Rock shrimp tempura is a favourite of Dubai 101

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Previous page: Noble House.

This page, clockwise from left: Nobu; Zuma; Hukama.

And if you’d rather be on the water than beside it, make a booking on Bateaux Dubai (+971 4 399 4994) which offers dinner cruises down Dubai Creek. Take your pick from luxurious foie gras or beetroot smoked salmon followed by sirloin beef or lamb, before ascending above deck to take in the views as you glide gracefully through the city.

For seafood, you will find a true gem of a restaurant at the Burj al Arab: Al Mahara (+971 4 301 7600). Here you’ll enjoy the most deliciously fresh fare – try the degustation menu if you really want to make the most of it. The fact that the room is flanked by a huge aquarium filled with exotic fish makes the setting almost as special as the food.

When it comes to big name chefs in the City of Gold, meanwhile, few have a bigger clout than legendary French superchef Pierre Gagnaire. You can enjoy his haute cuisine at the InterContinental Festival City (+971 4 701 1111) at the eponymous Reflets Par Pierre Gagnaire. A meal at this place is expensive - but it’s worth every dirham. Gagnaire brings together unusual ingredients and intriguing 22

Dubai 101

cooking styles like a culinary conductor, creating dishes that true foodies rave about. From the huge spread of palate-twisting amuse-bouches to the blissfully unusual desserts, a meal here - which takes several glorious hours to complete - is one of those experiences you’ll be reminiscing to your friends about for years.

Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes’ first venture into Dubai’s dining scene came in the form of the oh-so-chic Rhodes Mezzanine (+971 4 399 8888). The all-white décor is brought to life with jewel-coloured, baroquestyle chairs and splashes of fluorescent Perspex, but the food needs no such tricks: endless amuse bouches, palate-cleansers and other delicious freebies make perfect accompaniments to the beautiful food on offer here, which focuses on giving British classics a French twist.

Our tip? Go for the lamb – you won’t regret it.

Another huge name comes in the form of legendary London eatery and celeb magnet The Ivy which has established itself at the glittering Jumeirah Emirates Towers (+971 4 319 8767). At lunchtime it’s extremely

MUCH MORE THAN A HOTEL

The ultimate residential sanctuary from where you can discover Dubai.

Enjoy a luxurious stay in one of our endlessly enchanting suites. Inspired by the great pyramids, Raffles Dubai is the epitome of residential elegance and warm Arabian hospitality, setting unrivalled standards of splendor and impeccable comfort.

Located just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport, the financial, restaurant and shopping districts, Raffles Dubai hosts eight restaurants and bars offering a tantalizing spread of international cuisines, spacious state-of-the-art meeting spaces and Raffles Spa for the ultimate in relaxation.

Raffles Dubai presents heartfelt and gracious service so that you can enjoy a first-class business and leisure visit, in an unsurpassed location right in the heart of the city.

RAFFLES DUBAI Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi, P.O.Box 121800 Dubai, United Arab Emirates T +971 4324 8888 F +971 4324 6000 dubai@raffles.com www.raffles.com/dubai

many, and the chef can do almost superhuman things with aubergines, turning what is usually an unassuming vegetable into a caramelised work of genius.

For Indian food, Indego (+971 4 399 8888) is without a doubt the best choice you could make. The brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, the restaurant fuses traditional Indian cooking with unique fusion twists – the chocolate samosas, in particular, are ridiculously decadent.

If Chinese food is more your thing, at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers is Hakkasan (+971 4 384 8484), the wildly successful restaurant chain which has branches in London, Miami and Abu Dhabi. Take a seat out on the terrace (one of the most attractive in the city) and enjoy a true feast - the dim sum are superb, and the Peking duck with caviar is stupendous.

The none-cooler Raffles Dubai is also blessed with a top Chinese restaurant in The Noble House (+971 4 314 9888).

Fiercely chic environs – think black gloss and scarlet hues and you’ll get the right idea – are complemented

by panoramic views of the city as seen from the 17th floor. The menu draws inspiration from the Szechuan and Cantonese styles of cooking to result in a brilliant explosion of flavours.

Another great Chinese restaurant with a brilliant terrace is Hukama at the Address Downtown Dubai (+971 4 436 8888), where the waiting staff are dressed in beautiful authentic clothing, the menu is filled with intriguing possibilities and the wasabi-laced prawns will leave you with a smile on your face a mile wide. And if you like a mix of cuisines, head to Teatro at the Towers Rotana (+971 4 312 2202) where you’ll find an intelligent mix of impeccably-prepared Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Italian cuisine, cooked in a series of show kitchens.

A classic spot for purely Italian cuisine is the oceanside Bussola (+971 4 399 4141) at the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort. Whether you opt for the formal elegance of the ground floor or the relaxed, al fresco pizza lounge upstairs, you’re in for a real treat here.

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popular with the suit and tie set, who swing by for the two course set business lunch with coffee and petit fours.

When evening arrives, the place buzzes with the great and the good from across the city, who meet in the seeand-be-seen dining room to enjoy comforting classics like calamari fritti with caper aioli and sea bass ceviche.

Just nearby, the cash-rich and time-poor denizens of DIFC are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out, with many of the city’s finest restaurants right on their doorstep. One of the best of these is Le Petite Maison (+971 4 439 0505), a brightly-coloured bistrot with fresh design, slick service and superb nicoise food. The dishes are brought out as and when they are ready and are designed for sharing - get stuck in to the likes of beef carpaccio, onion tart with anchovies and, of course, salade nicoise for starters before moving on to pan fried dover sole with a grainy mustard dressing or grilled tiger prawns. Make sure, though, to save room for the house speciality tarte au citron for dessert: delicious.

A similarly great bistro-style experience is on offer at Rivington Grill (+971 4 423 0903). A hot favourite among the city’s British expats, it enjoys a lively vibe, with the odd neon sign jazzing up the otherwise neutral space. Most who try the fish and chips with mushy peas never look back, ordering the same dish time and time again, although the bubble and squeak and, for pudding, the homemade crumble are also pretty special. When the weather’s not too sweltering, make sure you book a table outside on the terrace, which looks over The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa - spectacular.

Carnivores rejoice: if you’re looking for serious steaks, look no further than the wonderful Seafire (+971 4 426 2626) at Atlantis, The Palm. Here, the meat comes from the restaurant’s own grain-fed, cross-breed (including Wagyu) cattle in Australia and is as good as you’ll find in any city in the world. The starter of horseradish-topped carpaccio is an excellent way to sample the quality of it, but eschew the freshly baked bread (if you can) – you simply have to leave enough room for desserts that are to die for.

Elsewhere, West 14th at the Oceana Beach Club on the Palm Jumeirah (+971 4 447 7601), is a New York style steakhouse with a relaxed atmosphere and fantastic Australian steaks. If you fancy a challenge, try the tender 550 gram Tomahawk Steak - delicious.

Previous page: Le Petit Maison.This page, top to bottom: Seafire; The Ivy. Following page, clockwise from left: Reflets Par Pierre Gagnaire; JW’s Steakhouse; Teatro.

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Another meat-focused classic is the much-loved JW’s Steakhouse (+971 4 607 7977) at the JW Marriott. The place has the feel of an old American library, with dark woods, leather wing chairs and gramophones and other paraphernalia giving it a genuinely homely vibe. JW’s isn’t about quirkiness or needless ‘twists’: this is a restaurant that stands up for what it believes in, and that’s the bestquality meat money can buy served up with no-nonsense baked potatoes and a good peppercorn sauce.

Equally steak-centric and successful is a more recent launch, Center Cut, located at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (+971 4 372 2323). It’s been garnering rave reviews and plenty of attention since it opened, and with good reason - the steaks here are cooked to perfection and served with fabulous sides including tempura onion rings, home-made fries with truffle and parmesan, asparagus with Persian feta and wondrously smooth Paris mash. For dessert, the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla bean ice cream and the masterfully-composed Centre Cut Cheese Plate are unbeatable.

Over at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort + Spa,

‘Center Cut has been garnering rave reviews and plenty of attention since it opened’

meanwhile, there’s a celeb chef take on steak on offer at Rhodes Twenty10, a superb modern steakhouse and grill launched by Gary Rhodes. Here you can enjoy US and Australian prime rib, fillet, sirloin and T-bone, as well as the obligatory wagyu beef. Chunky chips, imaginative salads and a punchy bearnaise sauce complete the winning mix. And when it comes to desserts, you won’t go far wrong with a rich vanilla rice pudding served with raspberry compote or a marvellous baked chocolate and banana creation, served with lashings of chocolate sauce.

Finally, you mustn’t leave town without a night of Arabic food. Our top recommendation is Khan Murjan (+971 4 327 9795). Set in a souk, the space is atmospherically surrounded by arches and intricate Islamic art; all the usual favourites are on offer but they tend to far outshine those at rival restaurants: the lamb tagine in particular is outstanding.

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The Sights and Culture There’s enough art, culture and sightseeing in Dubai for ten holidays - allow us to introduce you to the pick of the bunch...

When it comes to sightseeing in Dubai, the key place to tick off your list is the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which towers over the city at an awe-inspiring height of 828m. It’s great to head right to the top, but it’s equally impressive seen from outside - make your way to one of the string of restaurants and cafes which have terraces overlooking The Dubai Fountain, and you can drink in the tower as a choreographed light and water show designed by the team behind Las Vegas’s Bellagio fountains plays away in the foreground.

You’ll also want to make sure to see the Palm Jumeirah, a palm-shaped manmade development which stretches out into the Gulf. Its trunk and fronds are lined with glamorous residential complexes, while at the top of the tree stands the super resort of Atlantis The Palm, which looms in the distance like a magical palace. Atlantis is not alone on the Palm - stay anywhere here and you’ll fill a memory card to bursting with the photos you take of the wonderful views of Dubai Marina, particularly at night.

Sitting alongside the Burj Khalifa in the iconic buildings stakes is the picturesque Burj Al Arab. Crafted to look like a giant ship’s sail, the Burj Al Arab is the home of a worldfamous hotel frequented by the rich and famous, where they have access to the best of everything, including round-the-clock butler service. If you’re not staying in one of the Burj’s superb suites, you can at least book in for afternoon tea served in Sahn Eddar, a lounge that sits gracefully at the bottom of the world’s tallest atrium. Just rolling up the causeway on your way to tea is a memory you’ll keep with you forever.

For a slice of historical Dubai, meanwhile, Bastakiya won’t disappoint. A peaceful complex of small stone wind-tower dwellings built in the 1890s along the Creek, the area is also home to the Local House Restaurant, one of the only places in Dubai that actually serves

Emirati food, and XVA, which features a tranquil internal courtyard shaded by a giant tree. Sitting quietly here with a book and a mint lemonade is a blissful way to spend an afternoon.

To really acquaint yourself with Dubai’s history, you simply have to check out the Dubai Museum. Constructed in 1787, the building was once a defensive fort and now features colourful life-sized dioramas depicting what everyday life was like before the drills hit oil. Once you understand what the city has grown from, the incredible commitment of Dubai’s founding fathers to developing the emirate becomes apparent, so it’s fitting to pay homage by visiting Sheikh Saeed House. The former dwelling of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (ruler of Dubai from 1912 until 1958 ), the elegant building now houses rare historic photographs, coins, stamps and other intriguing documents for your perusal.

Further south along the coast lies Jumeirah Mosque. It is Dubai’s most well-known place of worship and is a truly beautiful building constructed in the medieval Fatima style. For a guided tour in which the intricacies of the architecture and practices of the mosque are explained, head there by 10am on a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday.

Also in Jumeirah is the popular family destination of Dubai Zoo. The oldest zoo in the Arabian Gulf, it used to house a fairly limited collection of monkeys and big cats, but thanks to a continuing regeneration programme, you can now see Arabian wolves, which are extinct in the wild, Gordon’s wildcat and the world’s only captive breeding colony of Socotra cormorants. Kids will also be riveted by the Bengal tigers, hyenas, gorillas, chimpanzees, flamingos, gazelles, snakes, vultures and a huge aviary housing many regional birds of prey. What’s more, entrance costs only Dhs2.

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There’s a thriving arts scene in Dubai, and if you fancy seeing a play or concert while you’re in town, there are multiple options available. For performances by international companies, the Madinat Theatre is your best bet. Nestled in the gorgeous, maze-like Madinat complex, the theatre has a very comfortable 432-seat auditorium and routinely plays host to productions that fuse actors from London’s West End with the best of local talent. And if it’s local talent that you’d specifically like to see, it enjoys a very welcoming home at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre, more commonly known as DUCTAC. As well as excellently produced plays and concerts, the centre, which is based at the Mall of the Emirates, often 32

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plays host to art exhibitions and workshops and is a real hub for Dubai’s artistic community.

However, the local arts scene doesn’t stop there. A wealth of edgy galleries have sprung up around the city, notably in the industrial zone of Al Quoz. Traffic is run by Emirati expert Rami Farook, whose own collection of over 200 pieces sits alongside works by local and international artists in the modern space. As well as the exhibitions, there’s a shop selling art books, prints and quirky gifts.

At nearby gallery The Jam Jar, meanwhile, they host regular shows of local art and have a studio where you can pay a fee, get kitted out with canvas and paints, and create your own masterpiece.

Previous page: Burj Khalifa. This page, clockwise from left: Burj Al Arab; Bastakiya; Madinat Theatre; Jumeirah Mosque.

‘Jumeirah Mosque is a truly beautiful building constructed in the medieval Fatima style’

Also in Al Quoz, The Third Line has a very urban feel, with corrugated ceilings and concrete floors. The gallery’s aim is to promote Middle Eastern artists and its dedicated team focuses strongly on non-profit, charitable activities, often holding events to encourage the public to get involved with art in a hands-on capacity. Recent artists to have exhibited at the Third Line include Ala Ebtekar, Babak Golkar and Izdeyar Setna, and the in-house bookshop is a real gem for those interested in learning more about the rapidly developing field of contemporary Middle Eastern art.

Back up north in Bastakiya lies another Dubai treasure: The Majlis Gallery. Founded by an expat, her husband, 34

Dubai 101

two Iranian tea importers and an Egyptian curtain-maker way back in 1978, the bohemian-feeling home has played host to many an artistic soul in its 33 years. Meanwhile a strongly contrasting – but no less impressive – artistic experience awaits within the sleek environs of DIFC. Art Nights @ Gate Village was formed in reaction to the heavily corporate world of Dubai’s banking elite, who are housed at DIFC, and every month it hosts a fresh combination of art, film, fashion, design and cuisine, inviting members of the public to engage through a variety of free indoor and outdoor activities. Here there’s are also the lovely ArtSpace gallery, which has carved out a niche as a leader in Middle East Contemporary Art.

The Activities Whether you want to zoom down real snow on indoor ski slopes, drive race cars or just relax at the spa, you’ll find your perfect activity in Dubai

Activities and Adventure

While it’s true that Dubai is great for shopping and Another great opportunity for learning comes in the Malaysia dream for adventurous types andStillfamilies who lounging on the beach, there’sis soamuch moredestination to the form of Dubai’s two aquariums. in The Dubai Mall is want tothat.To get out about tothe enjoyDubai the great outdoors.

There hundreds city’s activities scene than get and your visit off to Aquarium (+971 4 448 5200),are which boasts theof to choose from: here’s our pick ofworld’s the country... perfect start, youwonderous should get yourexpeditions bearings by taking a trip Guinness World Record for the largest acrylic up the world’s tallest building, the majestic Burj Khalifa. panel (that is, the huge pane that allows the mall’s Book in to the AtOne The of Top, Khalifa (+971 888 8888) to see aquarium’s theBurj biggest names for4families visiting shoppersseries ofthe excellent rubberinhabitants). ring rides. Measuring experience and you’ll raceisup the building’s 124 an floors in drive in at 32.88 Further metres wide 8.3 metres high, offers a Malaysia Genting Highlands, hour’s southby in Melaka, you’ll finditthe A’Famosa a high-speed elevator before emerging to a This sensational staggering viewAs ofwell its 33,000 residents, comprise northeast of Kuala Lumpur. place is the king of resort. as having top golf which facilities and a spectacle. Up on resorts the Observation you will 140 species including sharks and rays. Ifisyou want and can beDeck accessed via get the lofty Genting super-fun waterpark, A’Famosa famed fortoitsget a panoramic vistaSkyway of the city’s to the action, you can take the world’s most cable iconic car. It’sdevelopments, home to three separate even closer animal attractions, notably the Animal World including the Palm Jumeirah, financial district andanthe surreal glass-bottomed ride,atry spot of150 cagetheme parks,the including a water park, outdoor Safari. Here youboat can take tripa around Dubai Fountain –theme and the surrounding skyscrapers willtheme park, snorkelling or even go shark-diving. park and the first world indoor beautiful acres and see zebras, tigers, camels, look like tiny bungalows.

It’s are thestacked ultimatetoway orient Chambers (+971 4 426 based inover all of which the to rafters with brilliantThe Lost giraffes, elephants and lions,0000) beforeispopping yourself and do all your sightseeing inYou onecould go. spend a good few Atlantis The Palm and its to theme youprimates. guessedYou it, the rides and attractions. to Monkey Island meetis,the canlost After seeing Dubai an eagle eye’s view, this it’s time of Atlantis.

Guests can loserabbits themselves days from working your way around place, so beunderwater alsocity let your little ones pet camels, and to head across tocertain The Dubai Mall, boasts a great in the maze-like assortment of passageways andthere’s tunnels, not to misswhich out on key rides, like the Rolling ponies. In Teluk Sengat in the south east, an spread of family-friendly first port of callFlume is Ride coming face-to-face with seaFarm, creatures from the Thunder activities.

Mine Train,Your the Sungai Rejang incredible Crocodile where overalla over thousand the indoor themeand park SEGA Republic (+971 4 448 8484), world, sharks to jellyfish. touch feed the fabulously fun Bumper Boats.

The resort is from toothsome beauties areYou on can show.

Takestarfish, a tour and which combines aalso host of thrilling rides and virtual games. stingrayswatch or even special back-of-house home to five performance areas, which host thebook crocsabeing fedguided fish and whole chickens, If you’re a thrill-seeker, then you’ll want to get on board tour. fantastic concerts – check in advance to see what’s before picking up a baby snapper – if you dare.

Spin Gear, a 380-metre rollercoaster Adjacent to the Lost Chambers is Aquaventure (+971 on during your visit…that spins riders Nearby, another wonderworld for animal fans is around; elsewhere competitive types can battle out ondrive 4 426 0000), Dubai’s biggest water park. Race to where the Meanwhile, just a quarter of anit hour’s the brilliant Ostrich Farm in Sungai Rengit, the skateboarding-themed Halfpipe Canyon, which is a Park, lot top of the 28-metre-tall Ziggurat andbeing plunge down outside of Kuala Lumpur is Desa Water you can view baby ostriches tended bythe their trickier to masterathan might realise.pleasures.

If that all Bring near-vertical LeapMeanwhile, of Faith, the tunnel of which shoots you mini onlookers city devoted to aquatic parents. over in Sabah in Malaysian sounds a bit too exciting, don’t worry - there alsoa day 150 beingstraight through a shark-infested lagoon; alternatively, your swimming costume and are spend Borneo, there are jaw-dropping sights on offer computer gamesknocked to enjoy.about by the Shock Wave, zipping along take a ride on Shark Attack, travels through the in at the Sepilok Orangwhich Utan Sanctuary.

Located Dubai’s youngest visitors can’t failchilling to loveout Kidzania pool at aSandakan far more out leisurely you to observe on the Super Tube, in the Bubble Pool on thepace, east allowing coast, this place allows (+971 4 448 5222).

A screaming kiddie-sized replica real city of sharks aswith theythe lazily circleorange around and your headof offaas you descend the five species you to get up close majestic complete with roads, buildings and the centre you… If you prefer yourare leisure minus there’s a white Action River and thecars, legendary Thunderbolt, Asia’s beasts, which looked afterfins, as part of Malaysia’s enables little oneslongest to pretend that they’ve their Petani in the sand beach as well as a programme.

2km lazy river and action-packed Master Blaster.

Upgot in Sungai eco-protection dream job, be it anorth firefighter, teachergreat or a doctor.

They ‘splashers’ area for tiny tots. there’saanother – although somewhat If smaller – but equally cute – creatures are more engage in role play and even get to don uniform, which while has a Dubai’s other great water park is Wild Wadi (+971 smaller – waterpark, TheaCarnivall, your thing, head to the Penang Butterfly Farm in also learning about what the job entails. The fact that 4 348 4444). Located just down the road next to the the learning is disguised beneath fun means that both Jumeirah Beach Hotel, its repertoire of rides expanded Malaysia 101 21 children and parents feel the day has been well spent. a year ago with the opening of Tantrum Alley, in which Malaysia 101_activities.indd 21

Dubai 101 37 10/28/2010 10:50:40 AM

guests share a four-seater tube and spin through tornadoes, and Burj Surj, during which riders are hurled into bowls and spun around at breakneck speed. The Wipeout and Riptide Flowriders allow you to try your hand at body-boarding and knee-boarding in the face of seven tonnes of water per second.

Away from the sun lie two infinitely chillier options.

First is Dubai Ice Rink (+971 4 448 5111), an Olympic-sized rink that enjoys an unusual location in the middle of The Dubai Mall. Kids and adults can glide around to their hearts’ content, knowing they’re in the safe hands of the rink’s highly trained supervisors, before feeding up at one of the mall’s 150-plus food outlets.

If ice-skating in the desert sounds outlandish, skiing must sound insane – but anything is possible in Dubai and so, when you see a huge, sloped tin box attached to the side of Mall of the Emirates, rest assured that it is actually Ski Dubai (+971 4 409 4000). The real-snow slope features the world’s only indoor black run and offers toboganning, tubing and bobsled rides. Clothes are 38

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provided (though you’ll need to buy your own gloves and hat).

As well as the unlikely arena of winter sports, Dubai excels itself when it comes to golf. Its year-round sunshine makes it the ideal place to play, which is reflected in the number of courses dotted around the city. The Montgomerie Dubai (+971 4 390 5600) is set in the luxurious Emirates Hills neighbourhood. The 265-acre course was designed by Colin Montgomerie and Desmond Muirhead, and while its 14 lakes make it stunning, don’t let them distract you: this is a serious course with some pretty tricky holes. The most whimsical has got to be the par 3 thirteenth, which is in the shape of the UAE (Emiratis are nothing if not patriotic); the toughest however is probably the par 5 eighteenth which stands at 656 yards and has water protecting the front of the green – very challenging indeed.

Ernie Els’ Els Club (+971 4 425 1010) is an entirely different beast. A part of Dubai’s Sports City, it really embraces its desert setting, with native plants and sand

Opposite page, from left: Aquaventure; Ski Dubai.

This page, clockwise from left: Skydiving; Dubai Autodrome; Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo.

‘Ski Dubai has a real-snow slope, has the world’s only indoor black run and offers toboganning, tubing and bobsled rides’

dunes beautifully incorporated into the 18-hole course. It stretches 7,538 yards and offers four sets of tees. Hole 9 is among the trickiest – as well as being the longest shot on the fairway, a tree also stands between you and your target.

The Majlis course at Emirates Golf Club (+971 4 380 2222) was recently voted one of the top 100 courses outside the US by Golf Digest – and it’s not surprising when you consider its design (which comes complete with a majlis) and unusual quirks, such as playing up-hill.

The Faldo, the club’s second course, was redesigned by Nick Faldo and reopened in 2006, proving very popular for its rugged terrain and the natural wadi (valley) running through it.

The par 71 course at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club (+971 4 380 1234) is a water-lover’s dream, with several artificial lakes complementing the views of the shimmering Dubai Creek. A tense end to your game is provided by the two par 4 closing holes. The 17th and 18th are flanked on one side by the Creek and the 18th is made

even more challenging by a long bunker on the right – and guess what, there’s water on the other side of that too. Definitely one for the confident golfer.

If you’re looking for a desert oasis, you’ll find it at Al Badia Golf Club (+971 4 285 5772). World-famous golf course architect Robert Trent Jones II is behind this divine setting, which leads players around lakes, waterfalls, ponds and ‘sand rivers’, placed to give players a break from all that pesky water. Four sets of tees are provided on each hole, so professionals can tackle the full 7,303 yards while newbies can stick to 5,398 yards.

Away from the fairway, the Big Bus Tour (+971 4 340 7709) is the perfect solution if you want to explore. You can hop-on and hop-off whenever you like, and audio commentary is available in eight languages. Prepare to be dazzled by Dubai’s most spectacular and historically significant landmarks, from the Burj Al Arab to the traditional souks. The ticketing system is very flexible: choose between 24 hours and 48 hours, beach and city, and day and night.

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‘If you book an aerial city tour of Dubai you’ll take in landmarks from the Burj Khalifa to the Palm Jumeirah’

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Opposite page, top to bottom: The Montgomerie Dubai; Wild Wadi. This Page, left to right: Skydiving. This page, left to right: Balloon ride; SEGA Republic.

To see the city from a slightly different perspective, however, get airborne. Book an aerial city tour with Seawings (+971 4 883 2999) and you’ll take in landmarks from the Burj Khalifa to the Palm Jumeirah in a seaplane – a hugely thrilling experience. If you’d rather view endless miles of undulating terracotta-coloured sand dunes, you simply can’t beat hot-air ballooning. Balloon Adventures Emirates (+971 4 285 4949) will whisk you off to the desert where you can enjoy a magic carpet ride and take in the majestic beauty of the scenery, which is interrupted only by oases, gazelles and the odd camel.

Another supremely popular way of experiencing the desert is by going on a desert safari (+971 4 262 9993).

After spiriting you away into the desert, your probablyslightly-crazy 4x4 driver will embark on a white-knuckle ride over, around, up and down the sand dunes, normally at breakneck speed. You are then led into a camp where there is belly dancing, a delicious Arabic feast, henna tattoos and endless shisha. It’s a must-do.

Are adrenaline-laced sports your thing? Then head to Dubai Autodrome (+971 4 367 8700), where you can drive an Audi R8 V10 Thriller, an F1-style single-seater and all manner of other fast cars on their track, as well as karting in the Kartdrome and running around and

shooting your friends in the Laserdrome. Very silly and very fun.

A more natural way of satisfying your need for speed can be found in Dubai’s equestrian centres. Horse-riding is huge in the UAE and large centres such as Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club (+971 4 361 8111) will offer stable tours, riding lessons and desert hacks, a sure-fire ticket to a pinch-yourself moment.

Dubai looks just as spectacular from the sea as it does from the air – and taking a boat trip such as those offered by Dusail (+971 4 398 9146) is a truly luxurious way to spend some time. Cruises depart from the Dubai International Marine Club and take guests along the coast and around the famous Palm Jumeirah. A particularly romantic experience is to be had on the sunset trip. The company also offers fishing trips – and what could be more rewarding than catching your own dinner?

If you prefer swimming with fish to reeling them out of the sea, you’re in luck: the UAE offers fantastic scubadiving opportunities. If you need tuition, Al Boom Diving (+971 4 342 2993) runs PADI courses. While Dubai isn’t short of shipwrecks or marine life – the Arabian Gulf is home to turtles, parrotfish, rays and reef sharks to name but a few – for the best visibility, do a day trip to Fujairah Dubai 101

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Left: Kidzania. Below: Jetskiing.

‘Young visitors can’t fail to love Kidzania, a kiddie-sized replica of a real city’

or Musandam. The former is only 90 minutes away and boasts the quirky Snoopy Rock (thus named because it looks like the silhouette of the cartoon dog lying on his back). While Musandam is slightly further away and necessitates passing through the Oman border, you’re almost guaranteed to see dolphins there so it’s well worth the early start.

You’ll also get to see dolphins - and have the opportuinty to swim with them - at Dubai Dolphinarium (+971 4 336 9773). Here you’ll also get to enjoy the spectacle of dolphins and seals performing spills and thrills in the water, while kids can also learn all about the mammals and their natural habitat.

The beaches of Dubai also provide a wide range of fantastic watersports to enjoy. From banana boating to parasailing to being swung out of control on a donut, if it’s high-octane thrills you’re after, this is the destination for you. Several companies operate from the open beach at JBR. It’s a fabulous spot if you’re looking for the ‘city beach’ experience, with skyscrapers running along the entire stretch of coastline and numerous cafés on the promenade.

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Another activity that the JBR beach offers is skydiving with Skydive Dubai (+971 50 153 3222). Doing a dive in this area of the city offers you some truly breathtaking views: think the Palm Jumeirah, the World islands and Dubai Marina and you’ll get the picture.

After all that action, even a marathon runner would fancy some downtime in a spa and again, Dubai is the perfect place for that, with more spas per capita than any other city in the world. Talise Spa & Wellness (+971 4 366 6818) at the Madinat Jumeirah provides a total reprieve from the city and the minute you enter the green, tranquil gardens and wander towards your treatment room, you will feel the stresses of the outside world melt away. The Talise rituals combine guided stretching, massage and facial to leave you feeling on top of the world.

At Atlantis, The Palm, meanwhile, ShuiQi Spa & Fitness (+971 426 2000) is an astoundingly peaceful space.

Spread over two floors, the gentle lapping of water features soothes the soul. The sublime treatments range from deep cleansing back massages for men to the four hour Japanese ritual, designed to fully prepare female visitors for wherever their evening may take them.

THE GOLDEN AGE HAS RETURNED

Located on the beachfront of the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, this majestic resort is stunning in every detail. Marvel at the magnificent Ottoman inspired decor, savour an array of international flavours at our restaurants, unwind in elegant guest rooms, or simply refresh mind, body and soul in one of the region’s largest spas and Turkish hammams, Talise Ottoman Spa.

For more information and bookings please contact Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Tel: +971 4 4530000, visit www.jumeirah.com or call your travel professional.