By Jeannie D
Emirates is my numero uno airline of choice which is how I discovered that Dubai is a must-do holiday destination for those who love adrenalin adventure as much as they love shopping, dining and dancing!
STAY: There are literally hundreds of great hotel options at various price points in Dubai but I’ve included my two splurgiest favourites in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area that also both offer great holiday deals.
Dubai does nothing in half measures and this breathtaking new 77-storey property, ideally located on the JBR beachfront promenade, is no different. My personal highlight was cooling down in the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool, as named by Guinness World Records. It is gigantic (almost double the size of an Olympic-sized pool) and perches a dizzying 293.906 m high up in the sky. This is undoubtedly the perfect place to watch adrenaline junkies skydiving across the Dubai cityscape, or to gaze down at the superyachts gliding into the Arabian Gulf from the marina far down below. Great news! This five star resort is running a Summer Getaway special of 35% off your stay until mid-September 2024, so check it out.
It’s hard to find words grand enough to describe the sheer scale of this iconic, architectural feat that looks like a colossal game of Tetris and is touted as the world’s best ultra-luxury, experiential resort. Although I might be biased since I got engaged here. 🥰 With luxury experiences around every corner, it’s no wonder that Atlantis The Royal is a firm favourite with celebrities like Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner and Ronaldo. Who wouldn’t love it when you have a wide variety of high-end room choices, an array of designer boutiques and pop-up shops, seventeen world-class restaurants, as well as swishy beach clubs and fabulous night clubs to choose from. This is a spoil of a stay, for sure! Be sure to investigate Atlantis The Royal’s various holiday promotions and accommodation offers here.
DO: There are so many fun activities on offer in Dubai.
EXPLORE THE DESERT I had an epic day out with Big Red Adventure Tours, driving at full throttle through the boundless dunes in a high-performance buggie, then stroking a cute camel and later, almost seeing my own ass while sand boarding. Highly recommended.
ZIPLINE THROUGH THE MARINA Did you know that Dubai boasts the world’s longest, highest urban zipline… Of course, I had to do it! You get strapped into a ‘superman harness’, and then zipline for 1 km between the skyscrapers of the Dubai Marina at 170 metres high in the air. I can’t wait to show you the video – check my Instagram Reels to check it out!
RENT A JET CAR BOAT Just to be extra, why not rent a jet car and choose from an aqua corvette or Porsche to speed past the super yachts in the warm waters of the ocean? It’s an adrenaline buzz that will keep you smiling long after the drive is over.
EAT & DRINK: This is a category that surprised me as Dubai manages to deliver the best of every cuisine. Craving Italian? You’ll find the BEST Italian here. Want a juicy Argentinian steak? No problem! Also, most hotel restaurants are outstanding and top tier in quality and service.
- Touted as the top culinary destination in Dubai, Atlantis The Royal hotel, is home to seventeen world-class restaurants, of which eight are helmed by celebrity chefs. My favourite way to eat is to enjoy a few sharing plates with friends, and Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, and Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis are the best for that.
- Support South African brands doing beautiful things overseas by dining at Flamingo Room By Tashas. Their classic seafood menu is #jeannieous, as always, while the interiors exude African glamor without any naff cliches’. My favourite dishes include the Calamari Mozambique and the Pavlova Bomb. So lekker!
- Friday Insider’s Guide, as recommended by my Dubai bestie, Amba Louden. “Celebrate the start of the weekend with a delicious Lettre à Coco cocktail (inspired by Coco Chanel) at La Petit Maison, followed by dinner and entertainment at Agatha Dubai, where sophistication meets glamour, and fun will have you dancing at the table.”
SHOP:
- Dubai is a tax-free shopping paradise, but be warned, luxury items are still priced in line with the $$. That all changes, however, during the city’s shopping festivals that takes place between December to January every year. With discounts of up to 75% off at shopping meccas like Dubai Mall, it’s worth timing your trip if you want to shop till you drop.
- Looking for good deals on jewels, gemstones and precious metals? Then visit the famous Gold Souk, a traditional market built in 1900. There are 350 shops, some of which are so ancient, they look like the old safe belonging to Scrooge McDuck, with gold treasures piled everywhere. My advice: don’t be shy to haggle!
