Just a seven hour flight from London lies the Emirate of Dubai which has rapidly transformed itself into a major year-round tourism destination. Formerly a Middle Eastern stopover for long-haul flights it now attracts almost 20 million annual visitors to its shores. Not surprisingly with its year-round sunshine and wealth of accommodation options it has become a popular choice for newlyweds who are spoilt for choice when booking luxury hotels overlooking the Persian Gulf.
The perfect time to visit Dubai is between the months of November and March when daytime temperatures tend to hover around the 25°C mark. Being outside during the summer months can be pretty unbearable with temperatures reaching around 40°C. Of course this needn’t be a concern for honeymooners who will be more than happy with their loved one within the confines of their luxurious air-conditioned suite.
Luxury Honeymoon Hotels in Dubai
The first task when deciding on a honeymoon hotel in Dubai is to decide on which part of the city you’d prefer to stay in. Many properties lie along Jumeirah Beach which is a 20km stretch of coastline running south from the historic Dubai Creek as far as the luxurious Dubai Marina neighbourhood which is home to many of the city’s well-known chain hotels. Just offshore is the man-made island of Palm Jumeirah where some of Dubai’s most expensive hotels and luxury villas are found.
More affordable accommodation is available in the Dubai Creek and Downtown Dubai areas whilst Al Barsha caters for visitors who prefer to rent apartments. Whilst there is some fine accommodation in these parts of town it’s difficult to compete with the luxury properties along the coast when booking a honeymoon hotel.
If money’s no object then you should take a look at the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah which stands on its own man-made island. This iconic, sail-shaped property claims to be the world’s most luxurious hotel where suites (each with a private butler) cost as much as £3000 per night during the high season. More realistic options for most honeymooners are the Jumeriah Beach Hotel (Jumeirah Street) and the Hilton Dubai Jumeirah (The Walk Street) which both provide access to private beaches and have superb swimming pools.
The stand-out accommodation on Palm Jumeirah is the luxury resort of Atlantis The Palm which is one of Dubai’s most famous hotels. Designed around the theme of the ‘ Lost City of Atlantis’ the property has its own private beach, 23 restaurants, two spectacular swimming pools and access to the Lost Chambers Aquarium and Aquaventure Waterpark. Such is the quality and range of facilities that guests hardly need to leave the premises during their stay. A more intimate option on this palm-shaped island is One&Only The Palm which offers a small number of exquisite suites and villas designed in a Moorish style. This secluded property has everything a honeymoon couple could want including a private beach and three on-site restaurants run by Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno.
For something completely different some couples might prefer a stay at the Al Maha Resort And Spa which lies in the desert some 90km south-east of Palm Jumeirah. This 5-star property consists of luxurious Bedouin-style suites located in the sand dunes seemingly a world away from the chaos of downtown Dubai.
Airport Transfers in Dubai
Dubai International Airport lies 20 to 40km north-east of the coastal strip between Jumeriah Beach and Dubai Marina where many of the tourist hotels are located. Many of the upmarket properties will offer transfer services when making a reservation.
A convenient and secure alternative is to pre-book a private transfer from Dubai Airport to your hotel and have a driver waiting for you on arrival. Shuttledirect provide such transfers to all hotels in and around the city as well as to more distant properties along the coast and in the desert.
Romantic Things to Do in Dubai
If you can find time to drag yourself away from your hotel you’ll find plenty things to do on a honeymoon in Dubai. A visit to the city’s historic Bastakiya Quarter on the south bank of Dubai Creek is well worthwhile followed by a boat trip across to Deira on a traditional wooden abra boat. On this northern bank of the creek is the chaotic Gold Souk where hundreds of shops sell a vast selection of jewellery to a mainly tourist market. Shoppers should be sure to haggle!
A more conventional shopping experience can be had at the Dubai Mall where more than 1300 shops compete for the business of the 50 million people who visit it every year. For a honeymoon treat be sure to visit in the late afternoon then take a lift up the Burj Khalifa which is the world’s highest building. From the observation deck on the 124th floor visitors can enjoy the magic of the musical Dubai Fountain show down below.
If you can’t afford to stay at the Burj Al Arab Hotel you might like to pre-book their Culinary Flight which allows visitors to dine at different restaurants within the complex. The Jumeirah Emirates Towers offers a similar dining extravaganza known as the Gastronomer’s Dinner. This consists of three courses served in three different restaurants within the building. These are two of Dubai’s great gastronomic experiences.
On another evening you should head for Dubai Marina where there’s a thriving restaurant scene inspired by some of the world’s best-known chefs. To round off a perfect evening there are private sunset cruises which depart from the marina.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is the most established and respected airport transfer provider in Europe and northern Africa. Our friendly local drivers will ensure your safe, economical, and convenient passage to and from the cruise terminal, airport, or major train station of your choice with a minimum of fuss. Book your transfer with our easy to use online booking system and leave the rest up to us!
