Dubai / Burj -- tourist questions

the Burj is too gaudy, too glitzy, and too busy for my taste.. try the Park Hyatt. much quieter, more spaced out, more relaxing. look for the white F430 in the parking lot

you might want to go to the Autodrome and see if they have any openings for a drive on the track.

 

Yeah the burj is pathetic. Epitome of bad taste, wonder where they saw 7 stars. In fact just a Hilton with bigger rooms (did I already mention the bad taste ?).
Many people say the O&O is fine, but since i've never been there...

 

I would recommend the Jumeirah Beach Hotel...........just opposite the Burj. It's a great 5 star hotel with lots of entertainment and a beautiful beach. It's where I stay.

The Burj is an impressive structure, but I don't think you will like it's interior.

 

Yup, Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a nice fun place to stay.

Motorsports - Dubai autodrome, and you might be able to find out about car-related events from the Ferrari/exotic car dealer.

 

Burj Al Arab is a unique hotel. It's a great experiance staying there.
Jumeriah Beach hotel does not compare in terms of luxury or overall experiance. Jumeriah beach is a more family orientated hotel.
You can use all the facilities at Jumeriah Beach Hotel while staying at the Burj.

For local motorsport related activities check www.dubaiautodrome.com
They have track driving experiences and information on local motorsport events.

Lots of stuff to do in the desert from ATV's to 4x4 desert safaris.

 

If you want a proper "Resort" style holiday, stay at the Dar Al Masyaf in Madinat Jumeirah, or the Royal Mirage. Overall, all the beach side hotels in the Jumeirah area are good.

 

Dar Al Masyaf is also great..........excellent restaurants.

 

Personally, I wouldn't go to Dubai at all... I've been there a dozen times, literally, and each time the traffic is worse. I much prefer Bahrain, Oman, or Qatar...

But, if you have to go to Dubai, there are great hotels that are nice to stay in...I agree that the Burj is WAY too over the top...unless you like that sort of thing...

But, just to reiterate... the traffic is the worst...and I've driven in Cairo, Amman, and Baghdad...

Mike in Kuwait

 

i hardly believe the TRAFFIC should dissuade anyone from going to see a great city like dubai

 

+1...........and the traffic isn't that bad either. It's mostly downtown in the evening during weekends and rush hours due to the build of the monorail.

 

-1

To me it's neither really a city more a pile up of buildings that always look better from the distance, nor is there anything great that I could find.
Shopping is maybe fun for Kazakhs/Chechens that don't get a Visa to get to Moscow/Europe/Asia or for some Ghana rulers, but otherwise, it wasn't impressed. At all. As for nightlife, any midsize city is better than that (But then again compared to Riyadh or Jeddah it's big big fun, wow some streets even have curves built in !).
And for the big cars lineup, there's more to see in B. Hills, Hong kong, Geneva, Monaco or for the matter (mushtandroid will enjoy that one...) Moscow, and anyway, who'd travel somewhere just to see cars ? It's beyond my understanding.
There is no great food either, and the beaches remind more of sandpits full of frying russians...
Zero culture, zero authenticity, zero appeal. But again, that's only my opinion.

And frankly, the Burj Al Rabbi' is really the icing on that cake.

 

Nightlife = boring

 

the clubs are good there.. try 400 and trilogy..

Buddha bar is also very nice

 

Since I have lived in Dubai for the past 4 years here's my opinion. There are numerous sites to experience, nightclubs to party and beautiful "people" to view. While many say the Burj is over the top, its a marvel to behold. Staying at any of the Beach Hotels will more than satisfy you with their service, restaurants and overall comfort. Clubs are everywhere, especially at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Madinat Jumeirah. Remember, this is Dubai and everything has to be the biggest and the best. Mentioning Qatar and Kuwait in the same breath as Dubai is funny. Try bringing a female to your hotel room in one of those countries!!! Come and enjoy...seeing is believing.

 

It is what you make of it. If you go there expecting it to have the character and history of a city like London, you will be disappointed. It's a young, small city-state, with a lot of things going on. Take a boat trip both in the creek and out on the ocean, go for a desert safari, see if you can get in on some track event, take in a golf tournament or horse racing or soccer or cricket match if it's going on, or better yet, go golfing or horse riding yourself. There is also the beach, skiing, etc. Not too cheap for shopping, unless you are used to London prices.

Enjoy the hotels and restaurants and take in the sights.