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Dubai

As the liberal, tax-free transit lounge between Europe and Asia, Dubai attracts visitors as diverse as Lebanese entrepreneurs, jellaba-wearing Saudi princes and sunburnt British tourists with a penchant for partying. The first Arab capital to build an urban rail network, Dubai is home to some of the Gulf’s finest hotels, including the landmark Burj al Arab and Burj Kahlifa. The best time to visit is between November and May, unless you enjoy 40C heat.
 

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Essentials

01 It is prohibited to chew gum and carry take-away food or drinks on the metro.
02 Don’t photograph local women unless you have permission.
03 Friday/Saturday is the weekend. Don’t plan on doing any business on a Friday, it’s a day for rest and prayer.
04 When introduced to a Muslim woman, wait for her to offer her hand. Some prefer not to.
05 Don’t reject an offer of tea or coffee and always have more than one cup.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Bonnington
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
+ 971 4 356 0000
bonningtontower.com

Dependable chain
Shangri-La
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8888
shangri-la.com

Premium
Desert Palm
Al Awir Road
+ 971 4 323 8888
desertpalm.ae

03
Dining

Fast breakfast
More Cafe
Mall of Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 395 0967
morecafe.biz

Business breakfast
The Glasshouse
Hilton Dubai Creek
+ 971 4 212 7551
hilton.com

Mid-morning coffee
XVA Cafe
Bastakiya Historical District
+ 971 4 353 5383
xvahotel.com
Working lunch with colleagues
Al Nafoorah
Jumeirah Emirates Towers,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 319 8088
jumeirah.com

Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Zuma
Building 8
DIFC, Gate Village
+ 971 4 425 5660
zumarestaurant.com 

Lunch on your own
Almaz by Momo
Harvey Nichols
Mall of the Emirates,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 409 8877
malloftheemirates.com

Afternoon tea
Sahn Eddar 
Burj Al Arab
+ 971 4 301 7777
burj-al-arab.com

Dinner with colleagues
Teatro
Towers Rotana Hotel
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8000
rotana.com

Private dinner
Rivington Grill 
Souk Al Bahar,
Old Town Downtown Burj Dubai
+ 971 4 423 0903
rivingtongrill.ae

Big dinner with partner/clients
Asado
The Palace Hotel,
Old Town Downtown Burj Dubai
+ 971 4 428 7971
thepalace-dubai.com

Drink after dinner
360º
Jumeirah Beach Hotel,
Umm Suqeim
+ 971 4 406 8769
jumeirahbeachhotel.com

Late bite
RED Lounge. Terrace
Raffles Dubai
Sheikh Rashid Road
+ 971 4 324 8888
raffles.com

On the tiles
Armani Prive Club
Burj Khalifa
Dubai Mall
+ 971 4 888 3308
armanihotels.com

Reading

Bookshop
Kinokuniya
The Dubai Mall
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 434 0011
kinokuniya.com


Thank yous

Dates and delicacies
Bateel
Burjuman Shopping Mall, Bur Dubai
+ 971 4 355 2853
bateel.ae


Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else
Mosque alarm clock
Classic City, Satwa
+ 971 4 349 1012

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Paul Smith
Burjuman, Bur Dubai
+ 971 4 359 0099
burjuman.com


Something for the kids
Camel dolls by The Camel Company 
Shop 137, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
+ 971 4 368 6048
madinatjumeirah.com


Something for someone you love
Artisan foodie supplies and fresh treats from the deli counter at Gourmet Lafayette
The Dubai Mall
+ 971 4 339 9933
thedubaimall.com

Something for yourself
Suit up with the help of Dubai's oldest tailoring dynasty, the Parmar family
Bespoke
DIFC, The Gate
+ 971 4 363 7237
bespoke.ae


Transport
Opt for taxis rather than renting cars. Some hotels provide guests with airport transfers in addition to their own services. Use the metro whenever possible, especially in Dubai's notoriously gridlocked rush hour

Good Gym
Quantum Health Club
Quantum Health Club
The Monarch Hotel
Sheikh Zayed Road
+971 4 501 8260
themonarchdubai.com

Two-hour tour

01
Gate Village 
DIFC, The Gate
+ 971 4 362 2222 

02
Bastakiya Historical District
Old courtyard houses and windtowers.
Bur Dubai
dubaitourism.ae

03
Aerial city tour
Seawings, Jebel Ali
The only way to get your head around Dubai is from the sky.
+ 971 4 883 2999
seawings.ae


Transport
Opt for taxis rather than renting cars. Some hotels provide guests with transport to and from the airport in addition to their own limousine services. Still, there are 15 rental companies located in the arrivals hall of the airport.

Fitness
Good gym
Quantum Health Club
The Monarch Hotel,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 334 2966
themonarchdubai.com

Alternative diversion
Dolphin Bay
Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
+ 971 4 426 1030
atlantisthepalm.com

Credits

Writer: Yvonne Courtney

25/25

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