Dubai + Maldives
twin centre holidays
These are about as different destinations as it is possible to get, and so it is not surprising that Dubai / Maldives is a hugely popular twin centre holiday. It doesn't really matter which way round you choose, but to get decent flights between the two then I would recommend Maldives first and Dubai on the way home (please see flight schedules below).
When you're choosing a hotel in Dubai, there are basically two possibilities - beach or city. In general, the city hotels are slightly less expensive if you compare like for like, and more likely to have availability during peak periods, but it depends on whether you just prefer to relax, or if you want to go round the souqs and malls.
Don't forget though two wonderful hotels that are situated away from Dubai itself - Hatta Fort and Bab al Shams (see below). Both are in stunning locations in the desert / mountains. Please book early for these two.
City Hotels
4* Towers Rotana
from £42 per person per night, B&B
 This hotel is a great value option when you just want a friendly, convenient place to stay. It might not have the luxury of the top end 5* hotels, but it does have a wonderful rooftop pool with amazing views over the city. There are various places to eat as well as the longest bar in the Middle East! If you want to go to the beach then the hotel runs a free shuttle service to a private beach club, although there is an entrance cost. Overall great value for the city, the creek, the airport, the souqs and the malls, with a relaxing atmosphere.
>>> Hotel website for the Towers Rotana, Dubai
5* Grand Hyatt
from £82 per person per night, B&B
 The Grand Hyatt is a luxury hotel in the city, close to the creek. Some of the rooms actually have creek views at a small supplement. There are a vast range of excellent leisure facilities here such as first class restaurants and bars, swimming pools, sports facilities and a spa; the range of restaurants including Italian, Vietnamese, Lebanese and Singaporean!. You will be fairly close to the Old Town Island with a fusion of stalls, boutiques and coffee houses.
>>> Hotel website for Grand Hyatt, Dubai
5* Desert Palm
Luxury hotel set in an oasis about 20 minutes away from the city, surrounded by palm trees and desert landscape.
>>> Hotel website for Desert Palm, Dubai
5* Sofitel The Palace Old Town
This is a new hotel on the lakeshore of the spectacular Old Town Island development, and designed to resemble an authentic palace.
>>> Hotel website for Sofitel The Palace Old Town, Dubai
3* Golden Sands Apartments
The cheapest place to stay - not luxurious, but comfortable, and well located in the centre. Some customers stay here to be able to afford a more luxurious stay in the Maldives.
>>> Hotel website for Golden Sands Apartments, Dubai
Hotels by the Beach
5* Jebel Ali
from £60 per person per night, B&B
 This is the best value beach hotel in Dubai and has an excellent array of sports and leisure facilities such as a beautiful spa, golf course, horseriding from October to May, two swimming pools with swim up bars and much more. Because it is a little further down the coast you are only 45 minutes from Abu Dhabi!
>>> Hotel website for Jebel Ali
5* Atlantis
from £103 per person per night, B&B
 A spectacular hotel whose highlight is the waterpark with 65,000 marine creatures, a snorkeling trail, dolphin encounter and wave river. There is also a great selection of 17 restaurants and bars, fitness centre, spa and two swimming pools. With our holidays, you will get free entry to Aquaventure which is the largest water themed attraction in Dubai and also The Lost Chamber with its sea creatures and ancient ruins.
>>> Hotel website for Atlantis Dubai
5* Mina a Salam
from £108 per person per night, B&B
 One of the most interesting hotels on Jumeirah Beach, Mina a Salam has a wonderful souq with Arabian boutiques, cafes and restaurants. In fact, it is part of the beachfront village of Madinat Jumeirah comprising of 3 hotels, and so you have access to all the leisure facilities, spas, cafes, bars, ,watersports and no less than 45 restaurants! And what makes it so special is getting around by water taxi!
>>> Hotel website for Mina a Salam, Dubai
5* Jumeirah Beach Hotel
One of the most spectacular hotels in the world - excells at the range of leisure facilities, and is perfect for families.
>>> Hotel website for Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
5* Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
Good value luxury hotel a little further down the coast. The highlight is the Roman spa with atmospheric candles.
>>> Hotel website for Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
Other hotels
4.5* Hatta Fort
Amazing location and fantastic scenery - the only thing is that you are an hour away from Dubai City. Otherwise wonderful! Please book early.
>>> Hotel website for Hatta Fort
4.5* Bab al Shams
Another extraordinary location and stunning desert scenery - about 45 minutes from Dubai and built in the style of a traditional fort. Please book early.
>>> Hotel website for Bab al Shams
Flights
All flights from Dubai to Male depart at 03:25 and arrive in at 08:30, and operate every day except Wednesday and Friday. Duration is 4 hours 5 minutes with a 1 hour time difference.
Flights from Male to Dubai leave at 02:35 and arrive at 05:45 on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The best flights between the two destinations are on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays when there is a flight from Male at 09:55 which arrives into Dubai at 13:00. Please book early for these flights.
Top things to do in Dubai
- Dune Dinner Safari - enjoy a thrilling adventure into the desert. Your safari guide will transport you by 4 wheel drive into the heart of the desert. You will stop en route to see the local camels and watch the glowing sunset. At the camp relax and enjoy a feast of grilled meats, salads, Arab sweets and entertainment by the belly dancer.
- Dhow Dinner Cruise - Cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels, offering an intriguingly different view of this amazing city by night – a portrait of the true character of Dubai Creek, the intertwining of traditional and modern. You will see old wooden dhows and luxury yachts and splendid examples of modern architecture. Dinner and fragrant Arabic Coffee is included – a delicious taste of Arabian Hospitality.
- Wadi Trips - The real adventure begins after you enter the desert and drive into the rugged Hajar Mountains where dramatic canyons line the route and you begin to follow the trails of the wadis. After an alfresco picnic lunch you visit a local heritage village and on the return, pause on the sand dunes to admire the silent vastness of the desert
- Ski Dubai - the world’s largest indoor Snow Park, with skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing hills, snow school, a bobsled ride, tubing and a snow cavern filled with interactive experiences and amazing sights and sounds.
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hatta Trek to the old village of Hatta, the only mountain resort in the Emirates
- Shopping - choose between ultra modern shopping malls offering designer fashions, and local souks selling traditional merchandise such as spices, silks and gold. With low import duties and no taxation, Dubai is a shopper's paradise.
- Dubai City Tour - An introduction to Dubai with stops at the Jumeira Mosque, beachside palaces, old windtowered merchants' houses and the Al Fahidi Fort, housing Dubai's museum. Then cross the creek by 'abra' - traditional water taxi - to Deira, where modern architecture stands alongside the traditional gold and spice souks
- Dine at the Burj Al Arab - a room here costs at least £600 per night, and is the world's only 7 Star hotel. But now you can dine like a king and queen and have a meal in one of the 8 restaurants. Prior reservations are essential. Just let us know at the time of booking.
Example prices
7 nights in a Water Bungalow at Cottage & Spa Kuramathi, plus 3 nights at Towers Rotana in Dubai costs around £1450 per person based on flying out on 20 April, and includes flights, all transfers and breakfast.
Upgrading to Atlantis in Dubai costs just over £1800 per person.
The same holiday (with Atlantis) in May costs just over £1700 per person.
Easter departure 8 nights in a water bungalow at Cottage & Spa Kuramathi, plus 3 nights at Towers Rotana in Dubai costs £2150 per person, including all flights, transfers, accommodation and breakfast.
The Weather
May to October are very hot months, with temperatures from June to September in particular reaching 100F. Other months are warm but not so hot. There is very little rain at any time of year.
Call us today on 01462 677 111 for prices and more details
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