Dubai recs

So 2025 is the year pigs sprout wings and hell drops below 32°F…

Pulled the trigger on a destination that I never thought I would Dubai (generally been put off by its guady, flashy, consumerist, soulessness, lack of depth/character, slave labor abuse yadayadayada) and said I never would go unless somebody paid for me (this was of course before I became aware that Emirati Sheiks were flying out Instagram sloots on all expense paid trips in exchange for the privilege of dropping chocolate softserve down their gullets, lol) but the missus - no pics - and I, on a quest for a location offering beach opportunities and ~75°F or higher temps (to escape the dreary Dutch winter) to facilitate that, all while not being too many time zones ahead of Amsterdam (remote work) somehow landed on Dubai…we’ll go for one week from the 23rd-30th of this month.


We’ll be staying in the Jumeirah Beach area (our hotel actually has a private beach area). Think we’ll enjoy at least two full beach days, go see the Burj Khalifa, see the mall for the frick of it (maybe I’ll even do the indoor skiing I will be less than a week fresh back from St. Anton at that point so not sure if it’ll stave withdrawals or just make me said), definitely one of those desert safari excursions with all the picnic, ATV and camel riding fixins and a day trip or overnighter to Abu Dhabi to see the mosque there etc, and see the Dubai old town “creek” area.

Anything missing from the must-do’s here?

Restaurant recommendations appreciated (both some some high end and more reasonable budget options).


As are any other general tips.