 Dubai hotel
#238949
09/17/13 07:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 447
pammy
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 447 |
Looking for a dubai hotel for 3 nights pre-SPICE. Any suggestions. Would prefer not to be at one of the mega hotels unless it is so fabulous not to be missed. Open to all suggestions. Any thoughts on "not to be missed" sights.
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 Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238955
09/17/13 10:12 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 344
victor
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 344 |
I would highly recommend raffles
and if you have platinum amex even better
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: victor]
#238961
09/18/13 05:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558
TedC
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Made reservations to go up tallest building in world which, of course, is in Dubai,
Without reservations it's hit or miss.
We stayed at Grand Hyatt executive floor - very nice. Several restaurants available with varied cuisines and prices in the hotel. If you're on executive floor limo takes you to airport free - but most flights are late, make a deal with desk so you can check out late.
BEWARE - do not get into a "cab" without a meter! (anywhere)
We bought 2-day HOHO pass, which also includes boat trip - we thought it was worth it.
 "Life is far too serious to be taken seriously."
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238962
09/18/13 05:41 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 447
pammy
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 447 |
thanks, keep the info coming.
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238965
09/18/13 09:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,335
AndreaN
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Posts: 2,335 |
Pam the Grand Hyatt is very nice even though it's huge. Lauri & I are going to try the Park Hyatt before SPICE if we have enough award points.
If you're into it tea at the Burj al Arab is very nice.
Oh, the best thing I did was the desert safari with Platinum Heritage Tours. It's smaller than some of the other ones but is a really great experience. Not so much dune bashing as what some of the other companies offer either. I hope Lauri will want to go so I can do it again.
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238966
09/18/13 11:23 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 256
S&K
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 256 |
We also plan to go into Dubai 3 days early before SPICE. Only ever transited through before, so we're very interested in ideas and suggestions. Like Pam we also prefer smaller boutique hotels with a bit of the flavour of the country but maybe big and grand is the way to go in Dubai.
Sheila and Ken
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238986
09/20/13 07:33 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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Sheila and Pam, I have to go with the others, the Grand Hyatt is great hotel. Nothing bigger and grander than any other, but a few years ago (on CAMEL, Sheila was on but says she only transited thru Dubai) almost all of us stayed there as I remember.
Peteropny (our friend Peter) gave us a link to a great deal at the time. Or maybe it was Suzanne. Anyway, perfect hotel for our group, and we organized one of those desert safaris. Loved it! Dune bashing and all!
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#238987
09/20/13 09:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 256
S&K
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Thanks Olivia, we'll look at the Grand Hyatt....you were correct about CAMEL, we flew in embarkation day as we did the Cairo pre cruise tour, so no time for Dubai.
Plenty of time to make decisions but have to book the flight in November so thinking about how many days would be good to stay pre cruise.
Sheila and Ken
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: S&K]
#242711
10/14/14 11:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 258
Mark and Cheron
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Posts: 258 |
Does anyone have a name and number of a good transfer service from the airport to a hotel in Dubai and then from the hotel to the ship?
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#242712
10/14/14 12:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
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Mark, taxis are readily available and relatively cheap in Dubai, but if you want a private transfer service you probably should check with your hotel. A bunch of us are Staying at the Sheraton Dubai Creek and we'll probably just take taxis--where are you staying?
Peggy
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Re: Dubai hotel
[Re: pammy]
#242717
10/14/14 03:38 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 258
Mark and Cheron
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Thanks Peggy. Are the taxis big enough to hold 2 suitcases and 2 carryons?
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: Mark and Cheron]
#242718
10/14/14 04:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558
TedC
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Make sure a legit taxi with a METER! There are pirates prowling, DO NOT GET in ONE!
"Life is far too serious to be taken seriously."
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: pammy]
#242721
10/14/14 07:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,917
ssclbc
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Andrea and I are at the Grand Hyatt. From what I've read, there are plenty of official taxis available at the airport and are much less expensive than hotel arranged transfers. The Grand Hyatt used to include transfers but now they'll charge you 250 AED. A taxi runs about 30 AED for the same distance.
Does anyone know if the taxis accept credit cards? If not, I guess I'll have to stop by an ATM in the airport to get some cash.
Lauri
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: ssclbc]
#242722
10/14/14 09:37 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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What is tipping policy for taxis?
We get in close to midnight so found a cheap Hilton in Sharjah before going to Waldorf on Palm Jumeirah. This only makes sense with relatively cheap taxis. Does anyone know of an inexpensive but clean hotel at the airport that has a free shuttle? Wondering if that might be a smarter option.
See everyone soon!
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: Marc]
#242723
10/14/14 10:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 256
S&K
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We're staying at the Premier Inn as we arrive 1am. Has free shuttle every half hour I think to the hotel from the airport. Very close and convenient. Has good reviews. Worth checking out.
Sheila and Ken
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: pammy]
#242727
10/15/14 08:48 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,917
ssclbc
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There is a hotel in the airport but I don't know how expensive it is.
You might check which hotels Emirates uses for their long layover passengers. They would be close to the airport and with free or very inexpensive transportation.
Lauri
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: pammy]
#242733
10/15/14 04:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,991
pwolftx
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Marc, to tip the taxi driver, just round up the fare to the nearest five dirhams. Tipping isn't a big deal in Dubai, but I did find this in a blog from someone who is living there:
Waiter /waitress: 10 to 15 per cent of the total bill, if service has been good.
Taxi driver: Round up to the nearest note, if driving was acceptable.
Food delivery man: Round up to nearest note, or AED 5 to 10.
Valet-parking assistant: AED 5 to 10.
Bellboy: AED 5 to 10.
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Peggy
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Re: Dubai cabs
[Re: pwolftx]
#242735
10/15/14 07:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Posts: 6,352 |
Thanks all! We are now at the Holiday Inn Express at the airport.
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