Dubai Hotels

Attractions

With more record construction projects than any other city in the world, much to the dismay of Shanghai, new sites in Dubai spawn like steel and glass organisms. From giant towers to residential islands in the shape of palm trees and continents, the skyline and aerial views are epic.

Start your tour of the city with the seven-star Burj Al Arab. The ultra-swank hotel, built to resemble a ship sail, dwarfs all others in terms of size and sheer luxury. Only the new Rose Tower, also in Dubai, will surpass it for skyline hotel supremacy.

The Al Burj, the ultimate super-structure in the world as of May 2008, will soar to a new record once complete.

If you need a break from skyscrapers, head to Jumeirah Beach where in addition to a front-row seat for the construction show, you can enjoy fine sand, warm waters and recreation.

The Al Bastakiya historical district of the city is a nice break from the modern urban downtown and contains the popular Al Fahidi Fort. The Spice Souk is a great locale to experience a traditional Arab market, with a wealth of exotic ingredients on hand. Similarly, the Gold Souk is home to a surfeit of jewellery vendors and enough shiny trinkets to cause temporary blindness.

Last but not least, the Saeed Al Maktoum House is the paramount city museum of Dubai and former palace home of the emirate ruler in 1894.

Events

With manifest ambitions to become a paramount world destination, Dubai has no shortage of major events that dot the calendar. In the realm of sports, there is the Dubai Tennis Championships, PGA Desert Classic golf tournament and legendary World Cup thoroughbred race, a premier event held at beautiful Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. As the new headquarters of the International Cricket Council and with over half the native population from India or Pakistan, the Dubai Sports City complex will be a major host for world cricket. Held every December, the Dubai International Film Festival brings together the best of Hollywood, Bollywood and other cinema traditions in order to bridge cultural gaps.

Climate

In general, Dubai has one season: hot and dry. This is the desert after all.

• Winter (November to February) 14-30°C
• Spring (March to May) 17-37°C
• Summer (June to August) 27-41°C
• Fall (September to October) 24-39°C