Dubai: My First Time Experience

After my first visit to Abu Dhabi (you can read that post here), we concluded our trip with a quick Dubai getaway. We only stayed here for a couple of days and made the most our of our visit. (Do not worry, I have full post coming later this week about our family vacation to the UAE where we did A LOT more)!

Dubai is only about an hour away from Abu Dhabi. It is definitely worth the road trip to explore, if possible.  If you can travel to two Emirates while in the UAE, go for it! So after spending about a week in Abu Dhabi, Roy and I packed up his car and headed to the Golden City. I was so excited to experience what this place had to offer. However, I also knew there was only so much we could do in less than 48 hours; so we decided to hit the highlights.

Places to Stay

There are few key places to stay in Dubai: Jumeriah for beaches and luxury; Dubai Marina for great dining and nightlife; or Downtown Dubai where a lot of the action happens. This city offers a plethora of other places, but I say stay where the fun is and close to the places you will be experiencing.

There are many gorgeous hotels to stay at in hotel for all price ranges. I have listed a few below:

Luxury Hotels: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai; Burj Al Arab Jumeirah; Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah; Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah; Armani Hotel Dubai (located within the Burj Khalifa); Atlantis The Palm Dubai; Ritz Carlton Dubai International Finance Centre; and Shangri-la Hotel, Dubai.

Mid range Hotels: Doubletree by Hilton Dubai; ME Dubai by Meliã; and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai.

Budget Hotels: Four Points Sheraton Downtown Dubai; Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Towers Dubai; and Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Waterfront are all budget friendly options.

Where We Stayed:

We stayed in a suite at the Meliã Dubai in Old Dubai after receiving a hotel credit from a previous vacation (clutch, right?!). Our experience was pleasant and the rooftop bar was a lot of fun. However, our mission was to discover Dubai, not the hotel lol.

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Getting Around

Taxi/Car

There is A LOT of traffic in Dubai and people drive super fast. I have named a few of the more popular ways to travel around the city. The best and most popular way to get around if you do not have a car is a taxi. Taxis are available anytime of day or night. There are an abundance of taxis in Dubai. Usually, they can be found lined up at most of the touristy places like Dubai Mall, The Burj Khalifa, and hotels.

From my experience, while some Dubai taxi drivers may take card, most take cash (Dirham). It is important to note that you should carry small bills, as most taxi drivers do not carry enough cash to break larger bills (learned this through experience as well). If you choose to rent a car in Dubai, you will need to obtain an international driver’s license.

Metro

Additionally, Dubai has the Metro, a driverless and fully automated rail system (which will require a Nol card) where tourists can reach most popular destinations. Currently, the Red and Green lines are operational. Dubai is currently in the works to provide additional lines. No eating or drinking are allowed.

Tram

Another popular option is the Tram. This is a cheaper alternative that offers a flat rate to travel no matter the distance. The Tram provides transportation through densely populated areas from Al Sufouh Street to Dubai Marina and Jumeriah Beach.

Buses

Lastly, buses are an affordable option. Buses accept Nol cards and can take passengers between Emirates, which the Metro cannot currently do. However, it will take longer reach destinations via bus, so plan accordingly.

Things to Do:

Saffron Brunch

Fridays are popular days to brunch in the UAE. Dubai offers an unforgettable boozy brunch at the amazingly posh Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Hotel from 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM.

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Saffron Brunch, known as the best brunch in the world is the ultimate expat brunch experience and perfect for large groups or going with friends. The more the merrier… literally.

Saffron brunch is expensive compared to other brunches in Dubai, costing 535 AED. However, the experience is worth it in my opinion. This brunch provides over 220 different food dishes from all cultures. There is something to fancy anyone’s taste buds. After indulging on what seems to be the endless food options, there are even yummier dessert stations to satisfy sweet cravings. There are unlimited top shelf alcoholic beverages drink stations. We also cannot forget the shot trains!

There is an international crowd at the brunch. You will see a mix of everyone partying and having a merry time. (I even met some fellow Aggies… AGGIE PRIDE!) Guests can expect diverse chart-topping hits, throwback feel good faves, and high energy vibes from the resident DJ. Additionally, there are live performances and Go-go dancers. The entertainment is literally unmatched.

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After brunch ends and your belly is full, everyone gets on the shuttle to the afterparty at NDulge Club. A key tip I suggest is taking advantage of the food and unlimited drinks at Saffron; as NDulge has pricey drinks.

NOW FOR THE REAL:

Saffron is NOT for the faint at heart. It is A LOT going on at once, but it is literally a fun experience. Expect bottomless liquor, befriending kind strangers, and possibly forgetting some moments due to inebriation. You will leave satisfied. However, you will crash after this all day activity. Trust me… I know several people that have experienced “The Crash.” I highly recommend taking this experience slowly. It is not a race, but a marathon. Saffron was a blast, but in the end, Saffron: 1 Lauren: 0.

The Burj Khalifa

Standing at record breaking 2,716.5 feet and more than 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. At The Top: Burj Khalifa is an incredible experience and offers impressive views of the Dubai skyline. I have experienced this place during the day and at peak hours during sunset. The elevator takes you up 124 floors in 60 seconds.

The observation decks tend to get crowded as people try to get pictures of the views of the city. There are also reserved spaces for photographers to capture professional pictures.

When buying tickets, there are certain times that are popular, which means that it will be super crowded with long lines.  You can purchase you tickets online at: https://tickets.atthetop.ae/atthetop/en-us. I advise booking tickets in advance because tickets tend to sell out quickly at peak hours, such as sunset. There is also an option to purchase tickets in person. 

When entering the building, there are two separate lines for those who already have tickets and those who need to purchase tickets. It is easy to mix up the two lines, so carefully pay attention to avoid having to go to the back of the line.

At the Top has different options for an additional cost.  At the Top Sky includes levels 124, 125, and 148. Here, you will receive a guided tour by a Guest Ambassador. You will be able to step out on to the world’s highest observation deck as well as enjoy refreshments. There is also The Lounge package, which include levels 152, 153, and 154. Here, guests can enjoy exclusive, spectacular views with either a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, or enjoy some bubbly at sundown.

When going to levels 124 and 125, I highly recommend getting the “fast track access.”  It is worth every penny and helped us to avoid standing in those long lines waiting to get on the elevator to observation deck.  The line to get on the elevator back downstairs is even longer. Our visit lasted about 1.5 hours.

Shopping

Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world with over 1,300 stores. A shopper’s heaven, right? When it comes to shopping and luxury, Dubai is the place to go. We stopped at Dubai Mall for some shopping and exploring… and got lost. Yes, you read right. We got lost in the mall for THREE hours. I would blame Roy’s sense of direction, but we had a fun time shopping and being lost together.

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The mall provides luxury stores, a movie theatre, an ice skating rink, an aquarium, and is also located next to the Burj Khalifa. Lastly, in the evening, I definitely recommend stopping at the Dubai Fountain for incredible views.

Mall of The Emirates

Mall of the Emirates has over 700 shops and plenty of dining options. This Mall’s main attraction is Ski Dubai, which is a fun experience I will blog about in my next post.

Dubai Souks

A popular tourist destination are the Dubai Gold Souks. Tourists can visit the gold, spice, and textile souks. Remember to haggle and negotiate at the gold souks for a fair bargain.

Although my first time experience in Dubai was super brief, I enjoyed every minute of it. I am surprised we were able to enjoy as much as we did. After experiencing this beautiful place, I knew I wanted to stay longer and needed to bring our son to enjoy the UAE. Be on the lookout for my next blog post as I unpack our first family vacation overseas and a full itinerary of all the fun things we did!