Burj Al Arab
The self-styled 'seven star' hotel, the Arabian Tower, is Dubai's most iconic symbol — at least until the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, is completed. Indeed, when Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed commissioned the project, his brief to the architects was to create a structure as memorable as the Sydney Opera House and Eiffel Tower, an outline so strikingly simple a child could draw it. And what's not to love about the sleek sail-shaped exterior architecture?
Step inside, however, and you'll swear the interior designer was on acid. To call it gaudy is an insult to things truly gaudy — let's call it vulgar, with liberal use of every colour under the sun and extravagant application of gold.
If you do want to experience this Arabian nouveau riche nightmare, the only way to get a look (unless you're staying of course) is to pay for a voucher that can be redeemed at any of the hotel's shops, bars or cafes. Classy. If you must, redeem your voucher at the cocktail bar where the views of the Jumeirah coast are spectacular on a clear day. The drink prices, of course, are equally breathtaking, the snacks are very average, and the decor reaches a spectacular new low — it's even worse up here than it is downstairs.
You're better off giving the interior of the Burj a miss and using the dirhams you'd pay inside on a good bottle of white at the nearby Bahri Bar at Madinat Jumeirah, where you can settle into a comfy cane sofa on the big veranda and enjoy the stunning views of the Burj Al Arab's sexy exterior.
Dubai's souks in the morning
A visit to Dubai's lively souks — Middle Eastern-style bazaars — is a must. But avoid them in the morning when they're stinking hot and lacking atmosphere. After a couple of hours of the midday sun, the stallholders shut up shop and head for a feed and a sleep — a wise decision.
You'd be wise to do the same and spend the heat of the day relaxing by the hotel swimming pool, lingering over lunch, hitting the cool slopes at Ski Dubai or shopping indoors at Dubai's swish air-conditioned malls. Leave the souks for a post-sunset stroll, when the city comes alive again as the temperature drops and the atmosphere builds.
The smaller malls
There are plenty of smaller malls in Dubai, but most of them don't really have what visitors are looking for. Don't let your taxi driver drop you off at any old generic mall. If you're on the Deira side of the city,
Deira City Centre is your pick.
BurJuman in Bur Dubai is great for designer fashion,
Madinat Jumeirah is a fantastic modern, air-conditioned souk, while
Mall of the Emirates is arguably the best mall in the Middle East and
Ibn Battuta Mall is the kitschiest, but with quality shops.
Dubai in July and August
Really. We know it's cheap at this time of the year, that hotel prices are their lowest, and there's a shopping festival called Summer Surprises, but if you accidentally step outside you'll melt into the pavement. It's
that hot. Trust us.
Next: Near the beaten track
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