Guest post by Lisa Loeffler, Account Service Director for Meetings & Events
Working for MotivAction, I recently had the chance to travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates hosted by the DMC Group and Emirates Airlines.
My trip started by experiencing Emirates Airline. This is a fabulous airline with excellent service. They offer non-stop service from New York JFK, Washington DC, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Toronto. The inflight entertainment service offers over 200 movies, 100 television channels, 500 audio channels and over 100 video games. If you are having any problems sleeping, you can keep very entertained during the flight. There is laptop power in every seat row. Food selection was excellent as was the service.
The United Arab Emirates is comprised of 7 Emirates with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being the most well-known. Dubai sits on the golden shores of the Arabian Sea. If you are looking for very easy introduction into the Middle East, Dubai is it. Also, with the connections from around the world that Emirates and other major airlines have into Dubai, it is a great location for meetings or events that have attendees that will come from around the globe.
Dubai is very “westernized” in most aspects, it is multicultural and progressive. I felt safe as a women traveling to the area and English is widely spoken. It is almost like a wonderland of shopping malls (with all major brands from across the globe) and hotels, where you can ski on snow in the indoor mall at Ski Dubai in the morning and in the afternoon ski down a sand dune in the desert. You still find the traditional markets (souks) where you can haggle for a deal. You can find any type of restaurant and cuisine you like; it is extremely diverse due to the number of ex-pats that live in Dubai. Alcohol is only available at licensed restaurants and bars, which usually are found in international hotels. Hotels generally do not have lobby bars as you cannot service alcohol if it can be seen from outside.
A must do is a traditional dinner in the desert. On the way to the venue, we first went driving in the sand dunes to go dune-bashing (driving up and down dunes in powerful 4WD vehicles), which is quite an exciting adventure and made a stop to do the sand skiing. At the venue in the desert, you feel the traditional Bedouin lifestyle. It is sent up with open tents what have henna painting, hookahs, camel rides, and falconry. We had a delicious buffet dinner and the dinner tables are set low where you sit on large pillows. There was a belly dance show which followed dinner. It was amazing the number of stars you could see and how quiet it was in the desert.
For hotels, there are numerous four and five star hotels to choose from.
The first night I stayed at the Park Hyatt (www.dubai.park.hyatt.com) which is located about 10 minutes from the Airport. It is a beautiful hotel set on a golf course and the Dubai Creek. It is perfect for meetings. To get to the city center and depending on which area you want to go to, it would about 10-20 minutes.
- 225 rooms which are oversized and very nicely appointed. They have a residential feel and large bathrooms with a separate shower and tub.
- Ballroom is just under 9,000 square feet and can do a maximum of 500 for a dinner or 800
theater and breaks down into three sections - Amara Spa, outdoor swimming pool and six restaurants/lounges
The second night was at the Sofitel Dubai Beach Hotel (http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-6146-sofitel-dubai-jumeirah-beach/index.shtml) located in the heart of the busteling “New Dubai” on the mile-long promenade. There numerous restaurants and shops in this area and on a Friday night, it is the area to see and be seen in. The beach is located across the busy street from the hotel.
- 438 guest rooms. The bathrooms were a bit on the small size. Separate shower and tub.
- Ballroom is 5,300 square feet and can hold 350 for a dinner or 400 theater
- Two restaurants
- Beauty Salon which offers spa treatment
My last night in Dubai was at the amazing Jumeirah Zabeel Saray (http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/destinations/dubai/Jumeirah-Zabeel-Saray/) located on the Palm Jumeirah. This hotel is great for incentives and meetings. It overlooks the Arabian Gulf and they skyline of Dubai. The interior is reminiscent of an Ottoman Palace.
- 405 guestrooms plus 38 residences which are located around a lagoon pool. The residences would be great for a high end incentive, very private and upscale. Rooms have large bathrooms with separate shower and a large marble soaking tub.
- The Talise Ottoman Spa is a destination onto itself
- Ten restaurants and bars from the ultra-chic night club to fine French dining.
I also toured the Madinat Jumeirah (http://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and Resorts/Destinations/Dubai/Madinat-Jumeirah/) which is ideal for incentives and meetings. Situated on an amazing stretch of beach of the Arabian Gulf, it is built like an Arabian Citadel, a little city onto itself. It is comprised of three hotels; Mina A’Salam is a grand boutique hotel of exquisite style, nestled on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. Al Qasr, The Palace, is the center-piece of the resort and designed to reflect a Sheikhs summer residence. It is grandiose and impressive in its elegant situation – elevated to provide a magnificent ‘jewel in the crown’ at the heart of the Resort. Dar Al Masyaf, the Sun-drenched solace represents our resort’s premium accommodation, tucked away between lush gardens and tranquil waterways. The resort area has 44 restaurants and bars and also has its own traditional Souk which has 95 shops.
- 874 total guestrooms (Mina A’Salam – 292; Al Qasr – 292; Dar Al Masyaf – 283)
- 30,000 square foot Madinat Arena multipurpose venue (MPV) is designed in the style of an old fortress. Within the MPV, a portable seating system, fixed upper gallery, VIP seating and can accommodate up to 4,500 people
- 20,000 square foot ballroom to 1,000 banquet and 1,700 theater
- Multiple outdoor venues for events and dinners
- Talisa Spa and Wellness Center
In the end, would I recommend Dubai – definitely. You find world class hotels and resorts, some of the best restaurants in the world and an array of great activities. It is perfect for both an incentive program and a meeting/event. It is truly a unique destination where you have both an incredibly cosmopolitan city paired with the amazing beach and Arabian Gulf.