This article was first published by Express.co.uk in October 2014…
ENJOY the glutton and glamour in Dubai, where everything from the buildings to the brunches are huge.
At 32 metres above ground, I looked down and around at the vast, colourful waterpark. The place was abuzz with energy and excitement as children and adults enjoyed the fun.
Farther ahead the landscape was dominated by two unique constructions – the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.
I scanned 360 degrees to take in the entirety of the city, trawling across the Palm and World islands, the Mall of the Emirates and the Burj Khalifa.
It was truly breathtaking. But I didn’t have time to gaze into the distance. I walked forward and stepped into a large capsule, folding my arms and legs as the doors closed.
Three, two, one… DROP! The floor fell away beneath my feet and I plunged down 120 metres at an eye-popping speed of 80km per hour, surrounded by water.
It was just a few seconds, but felt like forever, before I landed safely at the bottom to celebrate victory.
My high-pitched screams should probably have embarrassed me but the adrenalin running through my body reinforced just why Jumeirah Sceirah is one of the world’s scariest water rides.
While Dubai has many varying and contrasting faces, the Wild Wadi Waterpark perfectly sums up the city’s sense of thrill and adventure.
But the most recognisable of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has far more to it than just water slides.
How to get there and where to stay, eat and drink
Dubai is a seven-hour flight away from London, with Air Emirates flying direct from Gatwick, Heathrow and also Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dublin.
Once you arrive there are plenty of grand hotels to choose from but they don’t come any bigger than the JW Marriott Marquis.
Officially recognised as the world’s tallest hotel, the JW is a giant 72 storey (1,165 feet) twin-tower skyscraper complex located in the Business Bay area of the city.
Once you check in you barely need to leave. The hotel has several restaurants and bars, spa and health facilities, a large outdoor swimming pool, shops and a gym on site.
The JW has some great restaurants in its towers. Stop by La Farine, a French cafe and bakery, for lunch or afternoon tea. Visit Izakaya, a casual Japanese eatery offering sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki, enjoy Thailand’s favourite dishes and beers at Tong Thai or try progressive Indian cuisine at Rang Mahal, styled by award-winning chef Atul Kochhar.
In all there are 12 different places to eat – the only problem will be fitting them all in during your stay.
Once you’ve eaten, enjoy a few drinks on the 71st and 72nd floors of the hotel at Vault and take in the panoramic vistas of Dubai.
Then, if you want a bigger night, head back down to ground level for some cocktails in the classy GQ Bar, which is plastered with past covers of the glossy magazine.
Watch a game in Velocity sports lounge or do some dancing in the VIP Room.
But while the city comes to life visually at night, you’ll want to be up early to start ticking off your lengthy Dubai bucket list.
It’s worth noting that the working week in the UAE is Sunday to Thursday, so their weekend is Friday and Saturday.
Brunch and fine dining in Dubai
Kick yours off with brunch and experience the city’s strange relationship with the bottle. While Dubai is a Muslim state and alcohol can only be served in hotels and bought by non-Muslims who hold a licence, the city is free-flowing with booze.
While Friday is the holiest day of the week for Muslims, many of the city’s top spots open their doors for “champagne brunch”.
This, like everything in Dubai, is a boastful celebration of excess.
Plenty of places offer all-you-can-eat menus with too many courses to name, or remember, if you are drinking to par along the way.
Prime 68 in the JW is a great brunch spot with the highlight undoubtedly the massaged beef. About five courses in you may find it hard to stomach, but this boutique steakhouse knows how to do red meat.
Starting at midday and going on until around 4pm, ex-pats and visitors then head to clubs (yes, in the daytime!) and party till 9ish before heading home to sleep it off.
It’s bingeing to the max but great fun for those who love to eat and drink.
While there are plenty of dry hotels in Dubai and strict rules on drinking or being under the influence of alcohol in public, with more than 450 hotels serving booze you won’t go dry if you don’t want to.
Those into fine dining should head to the One and Only at the Palm. You arrive via water taxi and enjoy fancy wine pairings with every luxurious course.
Those who like to share food will want to check out the upmarket cocktails and tapas at Qbara, and the tasty margaritas and tacos on offer at Tortuga.
Dubai activities
But don’t just be gluttonous in Dubai, because there is a lot you need to do in the world’s biggest playground.
First on your checklist should be a trip to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man-made structure in the world standing at 163 floors (2,722 ft).
The outdoor observation deck on the 124th is the highest point members of the public can reach, but drop down two floors to At.mosphere to enjoy the views in style.
Afternoon tea in the clouds is a unique experience, or go early evening for drinks and nibbles in the relaxed lounge.
The Mall of the Emirates is also worth a visit with the main attraction the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East.
Take a break from the mid-40 degree summer temperatures and embrace the novel winter settings.
The 400m run won’t trouble better skiers and snowboarders, but mix it up with tobogganing, the giant ball run, tube slides, zip lining and even playing with penguins to keep everyone amused in the cold.
Animal lovers will also enjoy learning about turtles and feeding the endangered species at the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project on the impressive hotel premises of the Madinat Jumeirah.
But the best activity to do happens outside the city, on desert safari.
While Dubai is a modern metropolis full of ambitious architecture, a 30-minute drive from the centre puts you out in the sand.
Pitch up at Travco HQ and forget the hustle and bustle of the city by buckling up in a 4×4 and hitting the dunes.
Bash your way over the bumpy terracotta sand with the radio blaring full-volume for a thrill a million miles away from the M25 at gridlock.
Once you’ve battled past fears of car sickness and arrived at the desert camp, experience a ride on the back of a camel.
Sitting on one of these mammals as it stands up is something quite hard to explain – you feel like you could do with a seatbelt!
Having been thrown about by a camel, return to even ground with a few drinks and sample the Arabian BBQ cooking away in camp.
Puff on some shisha and kick back and watch the belly-dancing, or get involved if you are feeling extra adventurous.
The desert safari is a great way to mix up your stay in Dubai and offers a welcome reminder that the city is not all about high-rises and manmade islands.
After a long day, relaxation will be on the cards for many.
Saray Spa at the JW will help you wash away that sand with massages, body wraps, head treatments and facials all available via appointment.
Blokes can enjoy a full selection of men’s services with the most popular being couples massages, foot baths and the steam room.
Or spend a day by the pool topping up your tan and putting in the laps under brilliant city skyline views.
Dubai culture
One thing every visitor to Dubai should do is understand the local culture better.
Take a step back in time and walk around the Al Fahidi Historic District – one of the oldest traditional Emirati neighbourhoods in Dubai – and take in the narrow sikkas and impressive wind towers that original residents used to live in.
Then join an Emirati host for a traditional breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding.
Any questions you can think of about UAE culture, customs and religion are welcome and the openness of the staff really make it worthwhile.
“Open doors, open minds” is their motto and our group certainly felt enlightened and engaged following our conversations with Dahlia and Jasmin.
Continue your cultural embrace with a tour around Dubai Museum (which costs just 50p to enter) in the old town.
Then cross the Dubai Creek on an Abra, a water boat used to ferry people dating back centuries.
Stroll around the souks in the market and get ready to bargain if anything takes your fancy.
Be prepared to be hassled, but look hard enough and their are some great gifts and souvenirs to be had.
Dubai’s fascination with gold reveals itself in the markets and there is even a cash machine releasing sticks of the precious metal – ideal for those looking for a flashy memento.
Enjoy a hit of modern culture at Alcerkal Avenue, with plenty of art galleries and even an intimate cinema to check out.
There isn’t much you can’t do in Dubai and with so much to see on your trip, you’ll already planning your next visit on your way home.
Travelbag (travelbag.co.uk, 0845 543 6615) offers 4 nights at the 5* JW Marriott Marquis staying on a bed & breakfast basis from £699 per person including flights with Emirates from Gatwick. Book by November 9 for travel between April 8 and June 30, 2015.
For more informtaion please visit Dubaitourism.ae
