I was lucky to be invited to Dubai in June 2007, as a guest of Starwood Properties and The Dubai Government's Department of Tourism. It was a wonderful introduction to a marvelous city that we have returned to twice, catching up with friends made, enjoying the ambiance of the desert and relishing our good fortune in having such a warm initial entrance.
Central to the rest of the world this burgeoning hub of excellence in all things is attracting attention and acclaim.
With recent expansion plans creating ambitious new horizons in design and living concepts and a attraction factor that is hard to beat for developing technology businesses, established media centres, education centres and medical practise and research Dubai is presenting itself to the world as a centre of the advancement of all things.
Yet all this would seem meaningless if Dubai was just another urban centre professing to house the latest and greatest. Dubai is about as far from urban sprawl as you can get and this is what makes it such an attractive destination.
Set against the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf and girded by the golden dunes of the desert, Dubai is a shining oasis of creative brilliance, a dream come true. Guided into being by the late His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Muhammed, it was his foresight and incisive direction that brought Dubai into the 21st century. With a combination of futuristic ambition and adoration of tradition, Dubai offers everyone a taste of success.
One of the first things you are aware of in Dubai is friendliness. There is courtesy and genuine welcome. As the majority of residents in Dubai are from elsewhere conversation is meaningful and interesting, when it is inquired of you “Where do you come from?” it is easy to ask the same question without appearing impolite.
Everywhere we met the same ‘happy to be meeting you’ attitude and before long we felt like we were joining a global family. From the Swedish PR lady to the boat navigator of Chinese and African descent, from a charming host from the Lebanon to a Nepali masseuse, from the German Artistic Director of the UAE Philharmonic to the Filipino sales assistant we were charmed by the delightful welcomes.
The global family atmosphere also adds to the overall ambience of Dubai. Completely safe but never boring Dubai provides excitement without danger, enchantment without cynicism and an opportunity to enjoy life in a great big embrace of healthy pursuits, indulgent leisure, opulent shopping and sophisticated socialising.
Dubai offers you life lived out loud; what ever your pleasure Dubai has it with style.
For us at Villa and Yachts Dubai has non-stop stop over appeal, there is nothing we don’t love about it and with our own particular needs in mind we made the most of the outdoor lifestyle, the water, the yachting and the desert, as well as falling under the spell of some enchanting spas, finding culture and art, and dining in the most magical restaurants on heavenly food.
Sailing at the Mina Seyahi
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi is a newly completed resort set on the stunning Arabian coast hugging Jumeirah Beach. A conversation with the Le Meridian Mina Seyahi Hotel GM Mike Scully reveals an exciting program of sporting activities that he is obviously dedicated to. It was refreshing to meet someone with such a natural enthusiasm. I came away with the feeling that here is one GM who will be participating in as many of the activities as he able. One thing that has remained unique about Dubai is the Arabian Sea. Perfect all year round the sailing opportunities are endless for any level of sportsmanship. While the emphasis in Dubai has always been on sport this new approach is one that has enormous appeal to all types of visitors. From a gentle introduction to the sport of sailing to the adrenaline pump of competition sailing at America’s Cup standards the choices are designed to suit everyone. Imagine the thrill of taking your children out on a sailing adventure where they get to learn the basics of sailing under the guidance of a qualified UAE Marine Sports Federation instructor. Travelling adults, conference participants and business groups, can really advance team building during a two day America’s Cup Experience that can then culminate in a competition match race on the open seas! Imagine the exhilaration of competition amongst a group of friends or associates, it really gets people working together and forging new dynamics. Amongst the other sports on offer there are polo games, desert riding and dressage, game fishing, tennis and golf, but Villa and Yachts had our eyes firmly fixed on the ocean from sun up to sundown.
Sunset and Spa Splendour
After a day in the waves to submit oneself, body and soul to the soothing treatments at The Retreat, the Grosvenor House Spa is a blessing. The beautiful spa is ambient with gentle lighting, dark woods and soothing colours. The treatments echo this with therapies like the Rasul that includes seven types of body mud; there are deep tissue and gentle pressure massages and steam rooms to totally permeate the benefits of your treatment. After a day on the water the level of pampering is divine and every muscle in your body thanks you. After winding down, wrapped in thick towels you are led to lie on heated reclining beds, here you sip on herbal tea and watch as the dusk infuses the daylight and the stars begin to twinkle in the deep blue night sky.
Slipping back into your clothes there are two more must stops before bringing on the night proper. The N-Bar and Jet Set: The N-Bar nail bar is a gloriously chic stop for toe to fingertip frivolity and Jet Set attends to your hair so that you step from The Retreat renewed and ready to step into the sophisticated nightlife of Dubai.
Begin with an evening cocktail at the Skyview Bar of the Burj-Al Arab for a true taste of the highlife!
Nighttimes Delights
For an unusual dining experience Lejla Charif of the Burj-Al Arab recommended Magnolia, a restaurant within the “Venice of Dubai” Al-Qasr resort. It is purely vegetarian and offers a menu of biodynamic and organic dishes in an opulent setting.
Arrived at by gondola, Magnolia is a deeply comfortable space of warm red and amber lights that despite the heat of the night create tranquillity. The menu is the creation of head chef Gabrielle Kurz who works with flavours and textures to concoct the most satisfying and delicious dishes imaginable. Delicate essences are accompanied by robust flavours, such as the Spinach Pimento risotto with roasted asparagus, morels, deep fried parsley leaves and parmesan sauce, or the Spelt and sunflower seed stuffed cabbage leaves served with a lemongrass and coconut foam which wakens the palate to new sensations. The wine list is dreamy, lovely organics from all over the world including a chardonnay from the Clare Valley, a Rhone Valley red and an Alsace Pinot Blanc.
The biodynamic champagnes and the elegant cocktails all concur to imbue the diner with health giving vitality. This is intelligent dining where the food is given the attention it deserves, and it is wickedly good for you. How could an organic iced cardamom coffee cream served with fresh figs in vanilla grapefruit syrup be bad?
For entertainment Dubai is known for hosting the cream of International artists but for a truly UAE experience find out where the UAE Philharmonic is performing. This unusual orchestra performs classical music and popular favourites as well as Arabian and Indian music; orchestras do not usually perform this style of music so you are in for a treat.
A day onshore
If you can tear yourself away from the ocean for half a day visit Old Dubai and the port area. You’ll still be close to the water and will gain a sense of the history of Dubai, once just a fishing port. XVA Gallery is in the Old City of Dubai and showcases a collection of contemporary works from all over the Gulf region. Be prepared to loose you heart to the deeply moving expressions of life through art within the cool low galleries of this very valuable art space. Get a feel for the artist’s work as they tell histories on canvas, in images and sculptures, of love, of struggle, of joy, in ways that echo shared human emotions.
For a lunchtime feast visit Sammach at the Jumeirah Beach Centre and sit down amongst friends you haven’t met yet to get a real taste of family dining. Huge platters of hummus, glistening with richly gold olive oil, baba ganoush, silvery smoked egg plant dip, tabouleh and cucumber are delivered by fast paced waiters who spin and twist around the space like samba dancers. Menus are whisked to you in a pirouette and no sooner have you ordered than the parade of food begins, the velvet soft hummus and the delicate flaking breads enter stage left. All the while the main act is in the wings, its flavours and smells tempting you as you try to hold back and leave plenty of room. The waiters clear the table and place before you an enormous fish. Crispy on the outside, gleaming white inside and a steaming succulence that defies description. Forks poised you abandon all decorum and devour. Conversations take place between mouthfuls, watermelon juices arrive and you sit back a moment to take it all in. A picnic of pleasure: Sammach also happens to be a great place to watch the family life of regular Dubai residents, that is if you can tear yourself away from your food. After your lunch you’ll want to get back to the water so head out to
Bristol Middle East, at The Marina. They arrange every style of on-water activity including luxury charters on a 21 metre catamaran for sunset cruising, a traditional Arabian dhow tour for one hour as well as wake boarding or water skiing trips. Villa and Yachts were tempted by the “Escape” package aboard the three bedroomed Mediterranee 50 and thought a trip to Oman would be rather adventurous. With crew at your bidding and great diving and fishing on the way it makes for the perfect holiday. With lifestyle choices like these we felt we could never say goodbye to Dubai, and so, in our last moments, we decided to take a sunset drive into the desert and see what all the fuss was about.
Desert Adventures Tourism picked us up in the late afternoon; we clambered aboard a comfy four-wheel drive and took a smooth road out of town. Passing the great developments that promise Dubai will only get more exciting, we exited the tarmac about forty minutes later and were ushered to buy soft drinks and souvenirs as our drivers deflated the air of the tyres. I had not read the brochure and was under the impression we were taking a drive into the dunes for sunset, when in actual fact we were preparing for an on land version of ocean sailing. The cars formed convoys as we lurched forward, and en masse we scaled waves of sand dunes and came sliding down their faces, drivers wrestled with the motors as we fishtailed and slalomed across the burning golden sand. Glissando movements in a four-wheel drive! In the confines of the car I was beginning to wish I chosen a camel ride when we came to a halt at our oasis of entertainment. It was worth it, just to enjoy the relief of plumping down onto thick full cushions to drink mint tea under the setting sun. I let the desert’s beauty wash over me and calm was restored. Our last night was spent fittingly under a sliver of desert moon with a chorus of Arabian music and a feast of fine food.
Other highlights: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa Jumeirah Beach
The Spa at Le Royal Meridian La Caracalla has highly trained masseuses who can deliver specific treatments to suit you personally. Le Royal Meridian is a fantastic family and business hotel, it has the largest and most comprehensive breakfast menu I have ever seen and I recommend the hotel for its very pleasant staff and lovely beach and poolside areas.
Dubai Decorum
Dress well but don’t worry too much, casual dress is accepted as long as it is not revealing or disrespectful to the culture of Dubai. Meaning, simply, be aware of how others dress, people in Dubai are really polite so they won’t comment, but it is important to maintain a good standard of dress.
Dubai is safe and has no street crime or threatening areas, there is no consumption of alcohol in public places, only in hotels, and during the month or Ramadan visitors are requested to refrain from eating and drinking in public.
Contacts:
LE MÉRIDIEN MINA SEYAHI BEACH RESORT & MARINA
Phone: (971)(4) 399 3333
THE GROSVENOR HOUSE HOTEL
Phone : (971) 4 399 8888
BURJ-AL ARAB
Phone : (971) 4 301 7777
Email: BAAinfo@jumeirah.com
LE ROYAL MERIDIEN BEACH RESORT AND SPA
Phone: (971) 4399 5555
XVA Gallery
Old City, Dubai
Bristol Middle East Yacht Solution
Marina Walk, Dubai Marina
SAMMACH
Phone: (971) 4 3494140
Jumeirah Beach Centre
Creek Side, Dubai
DESERT ADVENTURES TOURISM
Phone (971) 4 22 42 800