re: Need Advice - Trip to Thailand with a stopover in Dubai

For Dubai:
- Burj Khalifa (as others have said)
- Dinner at Abd El Wahab overlooking the fountains (next to Dubai Mall in the Souk al Bahar) - good Arabic food and shisha
- Madinat Jumeirah is a an awesome resort with plenty of restaurants and bars - another can't miss place
- getting out in the desert to do some ATV riding is tons of fun - you can google various places to arrange
- Rayhaan Rose doesn't have booze...abort
- Taking a ride out to Palm Jumeirah is good if you have time
- another good bar on the beach is Barasti Bar at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi (near the Palm)
- Burj al Arab is insane and you can actually book to have afternoon tea / or go for drinks...can't access without a booking though

Drinking and eating in Dubai is very expensive. Beers (pints) are about $12-15 and average meal about $20.

ETA: only been to Ko Samui in Thailand and LOVE it. Very cheap, great food, great people. ...also, Dubai will be HOT! We'll be seeing temps over 100 daily by then. Likely closer to 110. Lows in the 85/90 range.