Although Dubai wasn’t on our ‘list’ we had 2 weeks holiday and as Mexico was now off the cards we decided to give it a whirl and get some much needed sunshine.
A fairly quick and boozy 6.5 hour flight from Manchester and a short taxi ride later we arrived at Le Royal Meridien hotel on JBR, it was however 2am so after a round of room service we headed to our comfy bed in what was a gorgeous room thanks to a free upgrade!
Next morning we were keen to get the lay of the land and pottered around the extensive grounds which included 3 pools and a private beach. After a slightly chaotic but tasty breakfast we settled on our loungers by one of the pools, very happy to be soaking up some rays.
The hotel is surrounded by skyscrapers which intermittently cast shade so after enjoying afternoon tea, one of the room upgrade perks, we headed to the beach for the rest of the afternoon. The days are quite short this time of year and the temperature does drop off so as the sun started to go down we had a walk along the beach and enjoyed the beautiful sunset which gave everything the most glorious dusky pink glow. We then pottered back along ‘The Walk’ which is a promenade of shops and restaurants before getting ready for the evening. First stop was the 2 hour free bar, another upgrade perk, and a very welcome one given how expensive drinks are here!
After several cocktails and slightly tipsy we headed to Maya, the Mexican restaurant, the food was incredible and there was bloody loads of it. We were half board and somehow ended up with 2 rounds of starters plus mains and deserts and were absolutely stuffed! In an effort to try and walk some of it off we did a loop of the Marina which is lined with restaurants, bars and plenty of yachts.
Next morning after breakfast we headed straight for the beach and spent the day chilling out with a short interlude at the main pool and swim up bar for a beer of course. Late afternoon we grabbed a taxi downtown for a trip up the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world! Unfortunately it had gone a little cloudy so the sunset wasn’t as good as the night before but still a great view of the city and we stayed there as the city lights started to twinkle and we caught the first show of the famous mall fountains from above. A quick dash down and through the mall to see the next show from the ground before a taxi back just in time for some more free fizz before dinner in the brasserie.
The next day we were bound for the famous Atlantis hotel right on the edge of the palm and it’s waterpark. After a round on the river rapids we were straight onto the main water slides, most of them you can do in a 2 person rubber ring which is fun and some of them are not for faint hearted! After a couple of hours we needed a break so had some lunch and a welcome sit down. Once the food settled Dan braved the near vertical ‘leap of faith’ which shoots you through a huge tank full of stingrays and sharks! After a few more rides we then went to the Lost Chambers Aquarium which was mesmerising. That evening we stayed with the fish theme and chose the hotel’s seafood restaurant which unfortunately was a little disappointing.
Last full day and we were booked into one of the many Friday bottomless brunches. We went for Summersalt beach club which is part of the Jumeriah Al Naseem hotel. This place was gorgeous and we picked a sunny table right next to the beach with an epic view of the iconic Burj Al Arab. Our waiter was awesome and the drinks flowed all afternoon as well as the delicious food including sea bass and steak, although the star of the show was the truffle pizza. By the end we were predictably rather drunk and while I slept it off on a sunbed Dan frolicked in the sea.
As the sun was setting we walked along the pristine white sandy beach and into the hotel which is all set around lovely little canals, you can even take a boat ride. The hotel also has a Souk, which may not be authentic but is a nice place to wander. Pretty shattered by this point we headed home and skipped the free drinks instead opting for the Indian restaurant which was really tasty and then an early night.
Last day was a final breakfast and an hour or 2 by the pool before leaving for the airport. So all in all a whistle stop tour but lovely to get some sun with lots a great food and drinks, and feel very lucky to have been to get away from the madness of the year… bring on 2021.
If you like Piña Coladas... 