More than just resorts/sun/booze

I love Dubai and have been there many many times now. Only a couple of things bother me.....the first is the amount of sunburned tourists from the UK walking around like bloated lobsters in sloppy casual gear (usually with their swimwear underneath). This is acceptable in a resort, but not in glam shopping malls such as Mall of the Emirates, Wafi or BurJuman. Quite funny when the Emirati people (and other Arabs) strive to look so stylish, well groomed and elegant!! After reading a lot of these Yahoo Travel reviews it seems that lying by hotel pools and guzzling alcohol have become national obsessions. Sad really, because there is so much to do and see in the UAE. My complaint number 2.....is relating to Russians. A few of my family members work in Dubai, I have made plenty of friends who work in Dubai - and yet NONE of them work with any Russians or have met any Russians in business dealings. So what are they all doing there? Very sleazy indeed. Anyway.....if you are a tourist who wants to be immersed in the fascinating culture of Arabia, it is still possible to do so. There is still plenty of the 'old Dubai' remaining to explore and there are also emerging Emirati Art, Fashion and Music scenes. Drive 20 minutes past the airport (away from the coast) and you start seeing camels in the hundreds....keep driving and the desert becomes mountains....keep driving and the mountains meet clear blue waters (with no tourists in sight!). I could go on and on :-) Yes, ok Dubai is becoming plastic and disney-like......but scratch the surface and it is more than just resorts/sun/booze.

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, History/Culture, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: May 2007

3 June 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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A great family holiday

We have been 4 times and are off again on Wednesday. Its great, guaranteed weather, loads of shopping and fantastic hotels. Booze is rather expensive but we stay with family so dont have to worry too much about that. Try and take some time to see the historical sites and go into 'old' Dubai.

Great for: Beaches, History/Culture, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: March 2007

9 March 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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Amazing!

Really enjoy Dubai. Exciting place - lots of new things to do. Very cosmopolitan - many nationalities in one place which makes for a nice atmosphere. Great food, many inexpensive restaurants, but you need to know where to look. Not the first time we've been to Dubai and the rate at which the city is developing is absolutely amazing, so many new projects popping up al over the place - only downside of this is that there are a lot of tower cranes around at the moment.

Last Visit: December 2006

10 January 2007 | A Yahoo! User

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No Good

I live in dubai and I can say that these positive posts are made here just beacuse u were here for a few days visit. Daily life here is too bad. Main problem is the traffic here. I office is just 7 minutes drive and it takes more than 1 1/2hrs for me to reach my office. to reach at 8 i have to start before 6:30am. luckly my office is closer so i can reach with 1 1/2hrs. there are so many people who take more than 2 hrs to reach office. evening also it is very bad. after 6pm all the roads are tightly packed. whole day there is heavy traffic. small kids start at 6am to reach school at 8am. while on the way to office i can see nursery kids sleeping in the hands of their mothers waiting for school bus. feel bad. the worst thing is that the authorities are not doing anything. next thing is that dubai is good for upper class people only. not good for low class and middle class. people are not treated equally and has no voice too. rent is toooo high. and the negative sides go on like that. positive side is that dubai is very safe. good for shopping and show off for rich people. a good place to start business.

11 December 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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We wanna go again!

We went to dubai on our way back from pakistan. satayed for 10 nights. and beleive me when I say that EVERYTHING about that place lived up to my expectations!! shaik zayed roas was like wow!!!!!!!!!! especially at night time!! We went to the wild wadi park, and the kids loved it there. great place to keep cool. Also don't miss the deira city shopping centre. I picked up lots of bargains there! Oh oh oh and you have got to go on the dessert drive and the creek cruise!! I defo wanna go again........and we are planning to stay at the jumeirah beach hotel next time! don't be put off by the negative posts!

Great for: Beaches, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: May 2005

10 December 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Great!

A must visit...very modern, stylish, exciting. Amount of construction going on is amazing - there are some HUGE projects being built here. Really loved Dubai and can't wait to go back. Selection of places to eat is second to no other city I've visited. Huge range of different cuisines. It also seems a really safe city. Nightlife is also so amazing - clubs open all night! Something I wasn't expecting, but such a nice surprise! Rivals any major world city.

Great for: Beaches, Nightlife

9 August 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Proceed with caution

I wrote a review to this place some time ago, but this now seems to have disappeared. I visit Dubai around five or six times a year, thankfully on buisness. I think it has a lot of good points as in terms of climate and choice. Would I take a holiday there, definately not. It is a developing city, and therefore littered with building sites. Its not cheap, by any means. However, everyones idea of a holiday will vary. For sun worshippers its ideal. If your looking for the sights etc, forget it. There are some of note but you will do most in a day, If you like to stay in your hotel, book the Jumeriah Beach location, as these tend to maintain standards and decency. Dont book the hotels in Bur Dubai, as these are normally frequented by Chinese and Russian prostitutes. So definately not for families. Dubai will enable you to buy any "label" available, but the genuine article here usually sells for top price. On a positive note the airport has one of the worlds best duty free areas.

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling

Last Visit: march 2006

15 May 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Top beach vocation

Beautiful beaches, excellent resorts, great city. The only negative thing is overbuild

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: April 2005

13 April 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Excellent

What can I say - great beaches, service, shopping, nighlife. Can't wait to go back in 2006!

Great for: Beaches, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: June 2004

24 March 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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Please ignore the bitter posts

Before you read my post, have a trawl through and read the bitter, negative comments people have put on here about Dubai. You'll notice it is about religion, people, and Dubai as a 'eastern' place. The mere over emphasis on particular differences is evident. You know what this tells me? The people who leave these comments have not been there or have a chip on their shoulder to comment without even seeing themselves. Too hot? Of course, it's the warmest of arabian weathers. Too many of 'their' locals? well, if your from Britain go to Ibiza, sure to find 'your' own locals there. Too many buildings? Well my friend, this is Dubai in the making, you could of hired a camel and set out for the Dunes surrounding the city. Dubai is beauty in everyway, it stands firm with their islamic foundations, I respect this, you'll see countries/people trying hard to act western in order of acceptance of western tourists, then look what happens, you've left your country to be in the same enviroment again. Dubai is clean? that's because you don't have drunks kicking things over, puking, and causing trouble. I really hope dubai keeps it up and does not change because people feel home sick of the crap they leave behind. Thank you and good day.

Great for: Beaches, Scuba/Snorkeling, Skiing/Snowboarding, Hiking/Camping, History/Culture, Nightlife, Family Holidays

Last Visit: January 2006

14 March 2006 | A Yahoo! User

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