Book a sumptuous suite
No city does luxe like Dubai so checking into a lavish hotel is a must.
Mina A'Salam, inspired by old Arabian architecture, has a white sand beach and Madinat Jumeirah's eateries and shops adjacent.
Grosvenor House Dubai is the touchstone for Dubai 'growing up' with stylish rooms and notable restaurants.
One&Only Royal Mirage is romance plus, Moroccan-style.
Shop for style
Looking for chic shoes and accessories, or a whole new wardrobe?
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai's most opulent mall, has hundreds of stores catering to your whims. Can't find what you want? Head to
Harvey Nichols. Shopped out and it's too hot outside? Cinemas, theatre, eateries and ski slope await.
Shop Dubai-style
Historically, Dubai has long been a regional trading hub (we're talking hundreds of years), so it's the perfect place to pick up all things Middle Eastern. Shop in air-conditioned comfort for silky Persian carpets, Iranian Caviar, and fine handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery from Mumbai to Morocco, at
Souk Madinat Jumeirah , a modern spin on the traditional souk.
Go for gold!
Dubai has some of the most inexpensive gold in the world at the atmospheric
Gold Souk. But here's a secret: locals shop at
the Gold and Diamond Park, for, you guessed it, gold, diamonds, pearls, precious gems, and jewellery in elaborate Arabian- and Indian-style settings or contemporary designs.
Invest in art
The cutting-edge art scene in Dubai is buzzing and sometimes bubbling if you score an exhibition opening invite. Buy contemporary art from Dubai, Iran and Middle East at edgy galleries like
The Third Line,
B21 and
XVA, or drop into a
Christie's auction — yes, they now do auctions in Dubai.
Spoil yourself at a spa
Dubai is quite the spa destination, with scores of spas to be pampered at. For the ultimate indulgence opt for over-the-top opulence at
Assawan Spa at Burj Al Arab or for a Middle Eastern experience linger at the Moroccan- and Turkish-style bathhouses at the
One&Only Royal Mirage's Oriental Hammam.
Do Dubai World Cup
Experiences don't come more luxe than the
world's richest horse-racing meet in March. Sure there's no gambling, but the bubbly flows as freely as the prize-money and the frocks on the field make Melbourne Cup fashions look positively tasteful.
Fly Dubai
Dubai's surreal man-made offshore developments, The Palm and The World aren't that impressive from the ground, so get a look at them from a helicopter charter with
HeliDubai, offering several different routes to see Dubai from the air, including taking off from Burj Al Arab's rooftop helipad.
Shaken, not stirred
Dubai does cocktail bars brilliantly and these are the swankiest of the lot.
Cin Cin offers fine cigars, champagnes, excellent wines by the glass, and chilled-out sounds.
Bar 44 offers brilliant views and 44 different types of champagne. Dubai's
Buddha Bar is better than the Paris original, with smooth sounds and lethal cocktails.
Be a VVIP
When it comes to clubbing in Dubai, never stand in line, book a table. While dance clubs come and go in Dubai with monotonous regularity,
360° has the cool al fresco ambiance sewn up, while
The Apartment Lounge+Club serves up R&B, hip hop and house in separate rooms.
Next: 24-hour itinerary
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