Shop Till You Drop At Dubai Hotels
400px;” cols=”30″ rows=”6″ id=”ArticleArticleBody” >
The Arabian Nights is full of magical tales, but even the most creative story tellers would have found it a stretch to imagine Dubai’s rapid expansion over the last few decades. On the south-east tip of the Arabian peninsula, it has become one of the world’s most renowned tourist destinations; Dubai hotels are famously luxurious, its malls stock the most desirable designer goods and its attractions draw in well-heeled tourists from all over the world.
To get your bearings and see what a manmade monument to ingenuity the city is, you should head for the recently completed Burj Khalifa. This is the tallest building in the world, soaring 828 metres into the sky. From the observation deck on the 124th floor, you can see the world stretching out at your feet.
And although the tallest building in Dubai, Burj Kalifa is by no means the most impressive. Some of the Dubai hotels have become attractions in their own right. The Burj Al Arab is the most famous and luxurious hotel and it is worth stopping by to get a drink, if only for the boasting factor. Built on an artificial island, the self-styled 7-star hotel was designed to evoke a traditional dhow sailing vessel. Two hundred metres from the ground and with vertiginous views and mouth-watering dishes, the Al Muntaha is a giddying gastronomic delight.
The best place to cool off and find refuge from the searingly hot sun is on one of Dubai’s extensive white-sand beaches. The most famous beach is Jumeirah and this is fringed by the best known Dubai hotels. Despite many of the hotels having their own sections, the beach is open to public, so everyone can enjoy its warm waters and soft sand. Water-sports clubs abound and it is possible to get lessons in water skiing and sailing.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Dubai’s transformation is how this dusty backwater has become the world’s shopping Mecca. And with the girls from Sex and the City rocking up to pick up the latest designer frocks, it’s clear Dubai is at the vanguard of modern fashion. Some of the malls here are the size of small towns with their own theme parks, skating rinks and zoos. Fashionistas will find a veritable catwalk of designer brands to buy and, best of all, it’s tax free. So enjoy the air-conditioning and prepare to shop until you drop!
