I just got back from Dubai and, while everything is still fresh in my mind, I thought I'd write about my trip! Anyway, if your interested in travelling to Dubai on vacation or are in need of inspiration on your next holiday, then read on! :)
Dubai in general
✈ Dubai is in the UAE, United Arab Emirates, and from Heathrow (London) takes roughly 6 to 7 hours to get too. There's a plus 3 hour time difference.
✈ Climate averages at 40 degrees and the hottest time of the day is 1-4pm. June, July and August are the hottest months with rest still hot but not as much. Perhaps a little more bearable.
The hotel we stayed at was Atlantis, The Palm which as the name suggests is located on the man made palm-tree-shaped island. It's surreal. You could literally live in this hotel and it's probably one of the best I've ever been too. Just google the hotel and you'll be amazed.
They have a massive swimming pool with sun loungers literally built into the water. It's also built next to a water park called Aquaventure which is free for hotel guests or paid for for non-guests. The water park itself is amazing and you could literally spent all day there - I wouldn't recommend that if your a hotel guest as it can get a little too hot and there is hardly any shade there.
I'm picky with food but there is so much variety. We had breakfast at Kolidascope and dinner either at Rostang, a French resturant and Saffron, a buffet. It was really good, especially the French one!
Oh and I nearly forgot that the hotel has it's own beach which is at least two miles long and covers the whole hotel. We were told not go to far into the water because of jellyfish!!! I didn't really go down their much because of the heat. Even though the temperature by the pool is the same as by the beach, a somewhat weird physcological factor makes you feel the heat 10x more! It's nice to have the option though, and it's perfect for extreme tanners!
There are so many shops inside the hotel too: newsagents, gift store, rather expensive jewlery stores which, if your in the market for, is convenient because of the *small* discount.
All of the hotel is based around the myth of the lost city of Atlantis and you can definately see that by the structure and design of the hotel. Everywhere is so clean which is understandable concidering the hotel only opened 7 years ago and is in a newly built location.
Last bit about the hotel... everyone is so freaking lovely! Everyone from the cleaners to the lifeguards to the waiters to the cashiers are just super nice, always saying good morning/evening, asking how your day is etc when they see you wondering around. It's really nice to have that frendliness as some hotels I've been to everyone just seems pissed off that they're working that day (*cough* New York *cough*)!
I took these photos below on my iPhone at around 7.30am before hardly anyone was in the pool!
I could write so much more about the hotel but I won't so check out their website if your interested in going to Atlantis. Love.
If like me you love shopping then omg, Dubai is your ideal place to go. All of their "malls" (shopping centers) are inside which you'll greatly appreciate when you first visit Dubai. The two main ones are The Emirates Mall and The Mall of Dubai.
The latter is the biggest mall IN THE WORLD. It's huge. If you're a serious shopper you'll need the whole day, no joke. It's so big it has an aquarium inside that literally takes an hour to go around if you're walking fast that is. This is my favourite of the two. It has losts of "typical" American stores that we Brits crave to visit such as Sephora, Bath and Body Works and Bloomingdales. The Emirates Mall is also extremely big and also has an inside ski slope with real snow. In a 40 degree country. I didn't go to The Emirates Mall this time but I did on my last visit to Dubai and it was so much fun.
Due to the size of Dubai city everywhere is pretty easy to get too. It took us around half hour to get to the malls and just over half hour to the airport!
Arab countries can be strict when it comes to dress code and various clothing regulations. There are signs plastered on walls of all the shopping centres talking about what's appropriate to wear and it's important to know when you're packing to go to Dubai or any other middle eastern country. The main regulation is that shoulders and knees are covered so no shorts or tank tops! You won't get punished or kicked out for not obliging however it is respectful to follow their rules concidering you are in their country. Just remember to bring a cardigan with you and a pair of leggings or jeans just incase you want to visit a public area.
Advice: When I went it was Ramadan which for them is a month of fasting. It lasts for a month so it depends when in the year you go. If you do visit during Ramadan there are things you need to be aware of. They can't eat or drink from dawn to sunset therefore the majority of food and drink establishments are closed during these hours. So bring water with you in a bag! Sometimes this effects hotel stores as well. At your hotel I wouldn't recommend going to dinner as soon as the sun goes down. People celebrating Ramadan will obvs be starving so will want to eat and drink as soon as possible! Therefore it can get a little busy depending on where you are. And that's it for Ranadan, everything else is pretty normal!
I really hope you enjoyed my post and have a fun summer holiday :) Xoxo
Disclaimer: I promise to baby Jesus that this post isn't sponsored, I just love the Atlantis and Dubai haha! We paid for everything ourselves ("we" being my family).
