Dubai - relaxing holiday in January
Discussion
We want a week in Dubai in January as we like a winter getaway. We were considering Cape Verde but I am surprised Dubai is the same price so that’s our preference now.
We are going to relax and am not bothered about seeing the sights, we want to chill on the beach, by the pool and just rejuvenate.
We were considering the Anantara on the palm but as it’s city based is there still lots of construction noise going on there or is it now quiet?
https://www.emiratesholidays.com/gb_en/hotels/unit...
Would we be better going to Ras Al Khaimah and staying here at the Hilton instead?
We are not big drinkers so going for the half board option.
https://www.emiratesholidays.com/gb_en/hotels/unit...
There is so much choice it’s hard to see what’s best. We don’t want to spend over 3k really but having been to the Maldives the last two Januarys we are a bit spoilt, first world problems I know.
anyway, quiet, chilled , relaxing wins the day.
Any ideas?
We are going to relax and am not bothered about seeing the sights, we want to chill on the beach, by the pool and just rejuvenate.
We were considering the Anantara on the palm but as it’s city based is there still lots of construction noise going on there or is it now quiet?
https://www.emiratesholidays.com/gb_en/hotels/unit...
Would we be better going to Ras Al Khaimah and staying here at the Hilton instead?
We are not big drinkers so going for the half board option.
https://www.emiratesholidays.com/gb_en/hotels/unit...
There is so much choice it’s hard to see what’s best. We don’t want to spend over 3k really but having been to the Maldives the last two Januarys we are a bit spoilt, first world problems I know.
anyway, quiet, chilled , relaxing wins the day.
Any ideas?
Hi have been to UAE 3x; 2x Anantara, and last night landed back from a 9 day stay at Ras Al Khaimah Doubletree Hilton spa Marian island. Won’t go back to the latter whereas Anantara yes please. Anantara far better for food options in terms of either buffet or restaurants. A different level to Hilton which had ‘budget’ buffet options. Swimming areas far better, sandy beach, the odd large shell here and there. Hilton beach is crushed seashells everywhere.
I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
JulietRomeo said:
Hi have been to UAE 3x; 2x Anantara, and last night landed back from a 9 day stay at Ras Al Khaimah Doubletree Hilton spa Marian island. Won’t go back to the latter whereas Anantara yes please. Anantara far better for food options in terms of either buffet or restaurants. A different level to Hilton which had ‘budget’ buffet options. Swimming areas far better, sandy beach, the odd large shell here and there. Hilton beach is crushed seashells everywhere.
I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
Any chance you can update? We are hoping to book this weekend. I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
interstellar said:
JulietRomeo said:
Hi have been to UAE 3x; 2x Anantara, and last night landed back from a 9 day stay at Ras Al Khaimah Doubletree Hilton spa Marian island. Won’t go back to the latter whereas Anantara yes please. Anantara far better for food options in terms of either buffet or restaurants. A different level to Hilton which had ‘budget’ buffet options. Swimming areas far better, sandy beach, the odd large shell here and there. Hilton beach is crushed seashells everywhere.
I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
Any chance you can update? We are hoping to book this weekend. I’ll reply back with more tomorrow; prepping for wife’s birthday tonight.
Forget RAK if i were you. Is this a package holiday deal? If not, then open google maps and check the hotels adjacent Anantara, such as Sofitel and Waldorf Astoria.
Without checking prices for you (like a travel agent on a Saturday morning), the best places to stay in Dubai are
- any of the Jumeirah properties around the Madinat, stay in one, get access to all 5. It used to be that Mina Salaam was cheapest, but you can check.
- Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa
- Fairmont the Palm
I should rephrase that as these are our favourite places to stay. I agree that Park Hyatt is absolutely brilliant, however, no beach.
If it is a package holiday, then i would be tempted to go for Hilton Ras al Khaimah Beach Resort (not Marjan!!). It's a big place and you can always find a quiet corner. The one at Marjan Island is ok ish, but a bit more like a zoo.
Apologies, re-reading the Original Post, i can see that my response above doesn't take into account the facts that were laid out and the links posted.
In a straight choice between The Anantara and Hilton Beach Resort. I would choose Anantara. I don't know how well you know the UAE but RAK is a long drive, probably about an hour from the airport, then once you are in RAK, that particular Hilton property is tricky to reach and is located in the far reaches of RAK, it is tucked away in an old residential area, i used to spend 20 mins driving round trying to find it (the first few times). Once you are there you cannot leave. RAK is a different emirate to Dubai, even though it is sometimes sold under the search terms of Dubai.
I am not aware of any ongoing construction around Anantara - it should be fine from that perspective.
Although you've said you aren't interested in sight seeing, but how about 1-2 trips out of the hotel to see something else? For instance, half way down the Palm, if you stayed at Anantara, then you could go up 'the view at the palm' which would be a great thing to do, you could also go for a long walk round the marina promenade and stop for coffee etc etc. None of these things you could do if you are in RAK.
If you post up your top 5 choices from that website then i am happy to critique them further.
In a straight choice between The Anantara and Hilton Beach Resort. I would choose Anantara. I don't know how well you know the UAE but RAK is a long drive, probably about an hour from the airport, then once you are in RAK, that particular Hilton property is tricky to reach and is located in the far reaches of RAK, it is tucked away in an old residential area, i used to spend 20 mins driving round trying to find it (the first few times). Once you are there you cannot leave. RAK is a different emirate to Dubai, even though it is sometimes sold under the search terms of Dubai.
I am not aware of any ongoing construction around Anantara - it should be fine from that perspective.
Although you've said you aren't interested in sight seeing, but how about 1-2 trips out of the hotel to see something else? For instance, half way down the Palm, if you stayed at Anantara, then you could go up 'the view at the palm' which would be a great thing to do, you could also go for a long walk round the marina promenade and stop for coffee etc etc. None of these things you could do if you are in RAK.
If you post up your top 5 choices from that website then i am happy to critique them further.
One other thing to consider, as it is my wife's b'day in late January we used to do staycations around that time every year, just to let you know that it will be cold. You can still swim but if there is a breeze you'll be cold when you get out the pool and reaching for the towel to put round your shoulders and huddle up. There will be a breeze. You'll need a jumper or blazer for al fresco dinners, which is fine and we can al handle that, it's nice in fact, but it's the afternoon breeze that annoys me.
Prisoner 24601 said:
One other thing to consider, as it is my wife's b'day in late January we used to do staycations around that time every year, just to let you know that it will be cold. You can still swim but if there is a breeze you'll be cold when you get out the pool and reaching for the towel to put round your shoulders and huddle up. There will be a breeze. You'll need a jumper or blazer for al fresco dinners, which is fine and we can al handle that, it's nice in fact, but it's the afternoon breeze that annoys me.
Thanks for this. We are pretty set on the anantara, we love Thai food and the lagoon looks good for a week. We stayed at the Anantara in January this year. Very nice hotel and staff extremely friendly.It is a bit out of the way but if you just want beach and relax then no problem. They do have a complimentary bus/coach which will take you to one of the very large malls. The food there was very good but drink is eye wateringly expensive. There was no construction close enough to cause any disruption.
That's it then, case closed, Anantara it is - get it booked up today!!
There used to be an Australian bar attached to it, I always wanted to go in there but never got round to it. Fork and Cork brunch on a Saturday is also very good!!
It is a little out of the way but doesn't sound like you are venturing out every day. One very simple thing that you should definitely try and do is the view point at the top of the tower which is attached to Nakheel Mall on the palm a short taxi ride away from your hotel.
There used to be an Australian bar attached to it, I always wanted to go in there but never got round to it. Fork and Cork brunch on a Saturday is also very good!!
It is a little out of the way but doesn't sound like you are venturing out every day. One very simple thing that you should definitely try and do is the view point at the top of the tower which is attached to Nakheel Mall on the palm a short taxi ride away from your hotel.
Prisoner 24601 said:
That's it then, case closed, Anantara it is - get it booked up today!!
There used to be an Australian bar attached to it, I always wanted to go in there but never got round to it. Fork and Cork brunch on a Saturday is also very good!!
It is a little out of the way but doesn't sound like you are venturing out every day. One very simple thing that you should definitely try and do is the view point at the top of the tower which is attached to Nakheel Mall on the palm a short taxi ride away from your hotel.
The bushmans is still there so we are pleased with it, thanks for your help!!!!There used to be an Australian bar attached to it, I always wanted to go in there but never got round to it. Fork and Cork brunch on a Saturday is also very good!!
It is a little out of the way but doesn't sound like you are venturing out every day. One very simple thing that you should definitely try and do is the view point at the top of the tower which is attached to Nakheel Mall on the palm a short taxi ride away from your hotel.
The view at the plam looks awesome, will definitiely go there, thanks
Prisoner 24601 said:
One other thing to consider, as it is my wife's b'day in late January we used to do staycations around that time every year, just to let you know that it will be cold. You can still swim but if there is a breeze you'll be cold when you get out the pool and reaching for the towel to put round your shoulders and huddle up. There will be a breeze. You'll need a jumper or blazer for al fresco dinners, which is fine and we can al handle that, it's nice in fact, but it's the afternoon breeze that annoys me.
You feel the cold as you’re used to the climate. Any Brit tourist will not share the sentiment.Prisoner 24601 said:
One very simple thing that you should definitely try and do is the view point at the top of the tower which is attached to Nakheel Mall on the palm a short taxi ride away from your hotel.
Sushi samba is worth a visit. Not the best food in town but certainly the best dining room and views. interstellar said:
Any chance you can update? We are hoping to book this weekend.
Hi so sorry, been up against it on work and life events … the only time I get to myself is on the throne and that’s sacred. In short you’ve made the best decision to stay at Anantara. Next time we will be splitting our stay with half the trip being at Anantara and the other half in a ‘business style’ no frills hotel in order to spend the day out and about. Might get my arm twisted to stay at Legoland a couple of days too.
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