Dubai was our home for three years whilst in the Middle East, and what a fantastic time to be there. Between 2003-2005, it was sufficiently developed and glitzy to give it the wow factor, but not totally over the top and busy which some would argue it has become.
We lived in a gorgeous apartment south of the creek (Bur Dubai) with a pool on the roof, BBQ, gym, squash court ... your average home basically! Dubai was also the place where we perfected the art of home cinema, with a twelve foot screen and theatre curtain drapes ... awesome!
Out and about, Dubai is shopping crazy and their malls are a local obsession. The beach is only ten minutes taxi ride from the centre, and the public Jumeirah Beach Park was our favourite (but now they've built 'The World' and you stare at reclaimed land rather than blue horizon). To bathe in a sea with hot jacuzzi like temperatures is a blissful experience.
Glitz-wise, a few places stand out. The Burj Al Arab obviously which is an amazing feat and immaculate within. Our favourite hotel is without doubt the Madinat (Mina A'Salam) owned by the same company. Our favourite restaurant is the fantastic Western Steakhouse in the Crown Plaza for the best Angus Filet Mignon steak you've ever tasted.
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By Darrell Grundy - visited on 1 February 2003