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Dubai

As the liberal, tax-free transit lounge between Europe and Asia, Dubai attracts visitors as diverse as Lebanese entrepreneurs, jellaba-wearing Saudi princes and sunburnt British tourists with a penchant for partying. Among the sprawling construction sites are some of the finest spas and hotels in the Arabian Gulf, including the landmark Burj al Arab. The best time to visit is between November and May, unless you enjoy 40C heat.
 

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Essentials

01 Arabic is the official language in Dubai but English is the most widely spoken.
02 Friday/Saturday is the weekend. Don't plan on doing any business on a Friday, it is a day for rest and prayer.
03 During the holy month of Ramadan those who are not fasting should be prepared to eat behind curtains.
04 Don't photograph local women unless you have permission.
05 Taxis are easy to come by, particularly at hotels and malls.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Jumeirah Emirates Towers 
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 319 8732
jumeirah.com

Dependable chain
Shangri-La
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8888
shangri-la.com

Premium
Desert Palm
Al Awir Road
+ 971 4 323 8888
desertpalm.ae

03
Dining

Fast breakfast
More Cafe
Al Murooj, Doha Street
+ 971 4 343 3779
morecafe.biz

Business breakfast
The Glasshouse
Hilton Dubai Creek
+ 971 4 212 7551
hilton.com

Mid-morning coffee
Shakespeare's
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 331 1751

Working lunch with colleagues
Al Nafoorah
Jumeirah Emirates Towers,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 319 8088

jumeirah.com

Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Zuma
Building 8
DIFC, Gate Village
+ 971 4 425 5660
zumarestaurant.com 

Lunch on your own
Almaz by Momo
Harvey Nichols
Mall of the Emirates,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 409 8877

malloftheemirates.com

Afternoon tea
Sahn Eddar 
Burj Al Arab
+ 971 4 301 7777
burj-al-arab.com

Dinner with colleagues
Teatro
Towers Rotana Hotel
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 343 8000
rotana.com

Private dinner
Rivington Grill 
Souk Al Bahar,
Old Town Downtown Burj Dubai
+ 971 4 423 0903
rivingtongrill.ae

Big dinner with partner/clients
Asado
The Palace Hotel,
Old Town Downtown Burj Dubai
+ 971 4 428 7971
thepalace-dubai.com

Drink after dinner
360º
Jumeirah Beach Hotel,
Umm Suqeim
+ 971 4 406 8769
jumeirahbeachhotel.com

Late bite
Mosaico
Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 319 8088
jumeirahemirates towers.com

On the tiles
Boudoir
Marine Beach Resort,
Jumeirah Beach Road
+ 971 4 345 5995
myboudoir.com

Reading

Bookshop

Kinokuniya
The Dubai Mall
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 434 0011
kinokuniya.com


Thank yous

Dates and delicacies
Bateel
Burjuman Shopping Mall, Bur Dubai
+ 971 4 355 2853
bateel.ae


Shopping

Something you can't get anywhere else
Mosque alarm clock
Classic City, Satwa
+ 971 4 349 1012

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Paul Smith
Burjuman, Bur Dubai
+ 971 4 352 0222
burjuman.com

Something for the kids
Camel dolls by The Camel Company 
Shop 137, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
+ 971 4 366 8888
madinatjumeirah.com

Two-hour tour

01

Gate Village 
DIFC, The Gate
+ 971 4 362 2222 

02
Bastakiya Historical District
Old courtyard houses and windtowers.
Bur Dubai
dubaitourism.ae

03
Aerial city tour
Seawings, Jebel Ali
The only way to get your head around Dubai is from the sky.
+ 971 4 883 2999
seawings.ae


Transport
Opt for taxis rather than renting cars. Some hotels provide guests with transport to and from the airport in addition to their own limousine services. Still, there are 15 rental companies located in the arrivals hall of the airport.

Fitness
Good gym
Quantum Health Club
The Monarch Hotel,
Sheikh Zayed Road
+ 971 4 334 2966

themonarchdubai.com

Alternative diversion
Dolphin Bay
Atlantis Hotel, The Palm
+ 971 4 426 1030
atlantisthepalm.com