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@NorthernLass I think what makes the UAE so galling to visit is that you’re not there to learn about anything (because its history and culture is basically non-existent, and there is barely such thing as a true citizen of Dubai), you’re just there to consume. The slavery is palpable. I visited once to try and understand the appeal and just felt dirty – eg got friendly with the guy sailing our boat but when he revealed he shared his house with 13 other people, it just all felt too gross for comfort.
The anti-UAE virtue signalling brigade are rather like the Pro-BA gang. They love BA for no other reason other than it being the national carrier. They are blinded by love to all the shortcomings and heaven forbid anyone suggest improvements that should be easy for BA to implement. Instead, they choose to continually criticise a nation that is tough on crime, with no mention of the UK sending Facebook posters to prison and allowing others to roam around freely.
It’s clear that not everyone goes on holiday to learn anything. Perhaps I can inform you that there are houses being shared by more than 13 people in the capital of this country.
One could look at the UAE and be impressed by what they’ve managed to achieve and deliver in such a short space of time. They offer jobs to people who will earn more than they do in their home country. And as for slavery, I don’t think anyone is unaware about how this country got wealthy. It wasn’t by being ‘earning’ it in any clever way for commercialising any natural resource, or by making a a centre for tourism.
Successive Governments here continue to mismanage tax receipts. Major infrastructure projects are practically non-existent. How’s HS2 going? You can’t even find a clean toilet to go for a dump in ‘Great’ Britain. Personally, I admire a country that’s strict on crime and upholds basic standards like hygiene. BA hardly clean their planes, and that’s acceptable?
They are a very progressive nation. The UK & BA are a bloated, mismanaged mess.
and I suspect that Mrs Swiss would be very grateful for a few days there. My wife hates bling, but she loved the DaM.
Thank you for the considered response. I will add this to the list!
ST
Madinat Jumeirah remains the most impressive resort built anywhere in the last 30 years. And, unsurprisingly, at up to £1000 per room per night over peak dates the staff are treated well. Some of the kids club staff have been there for 10+ years.
Overdevelopment nearby has ruined it a little but if you never saw it before you won’t know the difference.
If you go outside school hols the DaM villas can be good value.
Oddly I recommend the cheaper ones because, furthest from the beach, they are quieter and because you need a boat or buggy to get around which is cool. The beach ones aren’t great because your villa is surrounded by people all day, whereas the cheaper ones overlook the lagoon.
Emyr can book them for free brekky and a $100 resort credit.
We were there over New Year.
I stayed at the Hilton JBR in 2000. There were three hotels and a LOT of sand. Have been back a couple of times – amusing the Hilton is still there, but it’s bizarre that what was a desert across the road now looks like an HDB estate in Singapore – on steroids…
Amex Platinum has a 4th night free deal for the DaM in the FHR programme at the moment. The underlying rate is a little more expensive, but on some dates the saving can be enough to pay the annual fee for the card.
I stayed at the Hilton JBR in 2000. There were three hotels and a LOT of sand. Have been back a couple of times – amusing the Hilton is still there, but it’s bizarre that what was a desert across the road now looks like an HDB estate in Singapore – on steroids…
I stayed at the Grand hyatt 3 years ago, although it’s been around for some years also, it’s not a beach property, but it’s still a great hotel, we stayed in one of the newly refurbished club rooms, great expansive outdoor pool area, there are some decent HB & FB options, club lounge was decent, prices now, with all the new properties being developed, are a real bargain.
And African migrants working on farms in Andalusia live in similar conditions. I don’t see how visiting the Prado or the Alhambra makes that any better.
I also hope nobody holidays in the UK given how much our food producers abuse Eastern European slave labour…
OH well as everybody is pilling in, and this forum has a lots of Australian fans, friends daughter did the 3 month avocado picking, to get the 9 month tourist visa, to travel around The conditions were appalling on the farm and the way the local indigenous population were treated was even worse.
And some years ago my OH’s cousin spent a year shearing sheep in the outback to eventually get residency in NZ (I don’t know exactly how that works); he said conditions for both sheep and workers were dreadful!
But he had to put up with it because that’s the only way to get to stay …
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