Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 111/w48

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 48, Edition 11

Here’s your latest edition of Dubai news, deals & tips, every Friday, in 10 mins or less.

🇦🇪 Eid Al Etihad

⛺ Desert Resorts > Desert Safari?

💡 Under The Radar Hotel: Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek

🫰 Black Friday Travel Deals

🛬 A cheaper option UK to UAE?

🏩 JA Beach Hotel

❌ Letsgo2/Ickenham Travel Group Ltd cease trading as ATOL holder

🎨 Art at AUH

PS. You can always email me here also.

Please note: some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, and will be denoted with an asterisk (*). This is a link to a partner site that may pay me a commission - at no further cost to you - and if so, helps to support me & this newsletter. For more info, please see Disclosure and Policies

DUBAI NEWS

Flying and Robot Taxis May Be Here Sooner Than You Think

Skyports have claimed 60% completion of the first Vertiport, DXV, which forms part of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) projects across the UAE. Read more here and here about the plans for ‘flying taxis’.

Along with the Robotaxis in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is pushing ahead with exciting forms of transport, that’s for sure.

Dubai has been voted the world’s best connected city, in a recent study by Mozio. With arrivals at DXB facing an average transfer time of 24 minutes, with transport arriving every 8 minutes, Dubai scored 7.2 beating cities such as Sydney and Singapore.

KNOW MORE ABOUT DUBAI

All About the 54th Eid Al Etihad

On 02 December, the UAE will celebrate 54 years since six Emirates united under one flag in 1971. Ras Al Khaimah joined a little later on 10 February 1972.

What used to be known as UAE National Day, is now Called Eid Al Etihad, as Etihad means “union”. Whilst it is always a public holiday, there will be up to 4 day holiday (for government employees) or two, Monday 01 and Tuesday 02, for paid sector employees, which means a long weekend from today.

There will be many events, such as these 22 (Time Out), 54 (Khaleej Times) or 34 (Gulf News), along with promotions such as 50% off entry at Dubai Safari Park. RTA has announced there will be free parking in nominated areas, and Dubai Metro will run extended hours.

Hotels tend to offer ‘staycation’ deals, but do check the small print as sometimes they are restricted to residents, citizens or GCC travellers and ID may need to be shown.

Last but not least, there is also a city-wide 3 day Super Sale.

🔗 Eid Al Etihad (official site)

🔗 Ultimate Guide to celebrating Eid Al Etihad (Khaleej Times)

HOTEL TIPS

Under The Radar Hotels: Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek

This is an infrequent section where I post about ‘Under The Radar’ hotels, i.e. Dubai hotels that it may be worth considering, as they may not get the press others do, they may be tremendous value, or have some other redeeming quality.

This week, it’s Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek (not to be confused with JW Marriott Marquis Dubai in Business Bay, or JW Marriott Marina - which used to be Address Dubai Marina Mall).

Fun fact: the “Marquis” designation means the hotel is a flagship, large-format hotel, similar to Hyatt’s Grand Hyatt brand.

Here’s a cool fact I’m proud of: I revealed the opening of this hotel well before any media, PR or any other source did - back in Edition 22, March 2024.

The hotel is situated at the new Jewel of the Creek development, between the two main bridges that span the Creek from Deira to Bur Dubai. It is a mixed-use area, including residential as well as another hotel, Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences.

Overall, it’s an excellent hotel as this recent review shows and sometimes with hotels such as this, you have to ‘catch the wave and ride it’, before it either gets far more popular, and rates go up, or it stays ‘under the radar’ and service/operations cuts happen.

Why could it be worth your attention?

• This is a good level of brand in the Marriott portfolio, and it includes a lounge (the M Lounge).

• Prices, both cash and Marriott Bonvoy points, are relatively low considering the brand.

• It’s a hotel that hasn’t really ‘taken off’ as it should do, so occupancy levels may not be too high.

• It could be that it’s a real find and everything is fantastic, but sometimes if they don’t take off, hotels start to cut back. This is often why it’s not unusual in Dubai for hotels to ‘reflag’ (e.g. W, Melia, St Regis, Rennaissance etc.)

Why it may not be?

• There is not a lot going around and about the hotel, unless you move into Deira or across the Creek.

• Due to the design of the building, pool/s may move into shadow at times.

• Construction may still be ongoing in the wider area.

• You may be reliant on taxis, as the nearest Green Line Metro stations are a 10 mins drive away.

• When hotels are underpriced, that may impact on operations and service levels.

🔗 Marriott Marquis Dubai Creek

DUBAI DEALS

Today Is Black Friday. Here Are Your Travel Deals.

So, it’s actually Black Friday today, the day after Thanksgiving.

I’ve added quite a few more travel-related offers to ‘Black Friday Travel Deals for Dubai*’ post, including British Airways, Etihad Airways/Holidays, Virgin Atlantic/Holidays, Klook, Atlantis, Dis-Loyalty, Kuoni, Fairmont, Accor, Lufthansa to go with other such as Marriott, Hyatt, Qatar Airways, Expedia, Booking, Tui, Get Your Guide and many, many more.

Note - some deals are due to finish in the next couple of days, so be quick if you’re looking to book. Last year, some travel providers waited until ‘Travel Tuesday’ to post, but it can often be a gamble if you’re thinking of waiting to see, because they may not!

🔗 Black Friday Deals for Dubai*

Also, I’ve added a handful of Amazon links, as they have Black Friday Week* on at present, up to 40% discount) to products that I use and recommend for travel, such as the :-

• Peak Design Packing Cube (Charcoal)*

• GoToob+ Travel Bottles*

• Stasher bags (leakproof, freezable, microwaveable - heaps of uses!)*

• AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe (Bluetooth adaptor, use Airpods with In-Flight Entertainment)*

• Yeti Rambler Travel Mug*

• Bellroy Tech Kit*

• Native Union Belt Duo (Lightning/USB-C fast charging cable)*

• Yeti Yonder 750ml Plastic Water Bottle*

• Anker Zolo Power Bank*

• Momax Universal Travel Adapter*

• Anker 100W Max Charger*

All will make great gifts for the traveller in your life or Xmas gifts (should be less than £50 max.), and there are a few others on the Black Friday Travel Deals for Dubai* page.

Note - as always, by purchasing via affiliate links you will help to support me/the site/newsletter, at no additional cost to you 🙏 

ONE BIG DUBAI TIP

Desert Safari? Why Not A Desert Resort?

One thing I don’t get about many vistors to the UAE is they feel they must do a ‘desert safari’, sometimes as a box-ticking exercise, yet miss out on arguably a far more memorable and immersive experience.

Desert safaris can be a bit ‘two a penny’, unless you’re going for one of the ‘Big 3’ such as Destination Insight, Arabian Adventures or Platinum Heritage and the range of offerings (and cost) can differ immensely. Some may just drive out to the sand, whilst others may offer dune bashing, quad bikes, heritage events, henna painting, dancing, falconry and no end of tourist-centric ‘experiences’ (sometimes for add-on fees).

However, that’s like having a fruit pastille, and not being able to chew - as you may be missing out on the special, unique and hard-to-repeat experience that a night in the desert may bring.

Many of the desert resorts around Dubai and the UAE vary in architecture and ambience, from the traditional tented-camp, through to the ‘fort’ style, right up to the luxury experience somewhere like Al Maha or Qasr Al Sarab offers.

Additionally, each resort tends to have its own USP, such as Al Maha being adjacent to Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, with animals such as oryx often roaming right up to guest accomodation!

Qasr Al Sarab is a favourite for being hired out by film crews filming in Abu Dhabi, such as for Dune or the Mission Impossible movies. You can also check out this episode about QAS in “Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby” below.

These two properties are often the two priciest, but there are alternatives around such as Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort in Dubai or the Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al Khaimah.

The price point of desert resorts is not comparable to other Dubai hotels, unless you’re looking at the real ‘top end’ brands such as Four Seasons, One & Only, Jumeirah etc. This is for two main reasons, that the offerings are lot more immersive and ‘on property’ (e.g. Al Maha is butler service, and all-inclusive, and has activities available such as Platinum Heritage vintage Land Rover safaris, falconry and archery), but also as guests often will only stay one or two nights, there can be fluctuations in occupancy, which in turn can push prices up.

It’s not the case that you have to go for Al Maha, but taking a night away from the rush and push of Dubai into the magical surroundings of the desert, whilst staying at high-service and unique properties certainly can make up for the price uplifts.

Here’s a review of Bab Al Shams, which used to be a Jumeirah property a long time ago and is now under Kerzner International’s ‘Rare Finds’ brand.

Comments, and Tips

I would definitely recommend considering a night in a desert resort, as it can be a magical experience in the desert and in unique properties. Especially so if you’re looking for a special feel, such as for a honeymoon.

Be aware that some resorts have strict rules regarding children, such as being over 12 in some cases.

Transfers are important, due to the remoteness. You may get lucky with a taxi, Uber or Careem outbound, but you may need to rely on the hotel arranging a transfer back to the city. Some access roads are not as good as in Dubai, so prepare accordingly. I’d generally tip to arrange transport both ways with the resort, as you then have reassurance, convenience and comfort. Your room has more chance of being available too.

It will help you to research the different resorts, because they can vary a lot in what they offer, from ‘just’ a resort to stay through to on-site activities, private plunge pools, meal services, butlers and accommodation categories (which can vary from tent, room, suite through to villa).

Prices can vary dramatically, so explore different nights of the week, times of the year, how to book (sometimes, redemptions for points/miles can be cheaper than cash) as well as other strategies such as price drops from Pruvo* or Best Rate Guarantees/price matching. Al Maha for instance, is often held up as the aspirational redemption for Marriott Bonvoy points, due to cash costs sometimes going from £1,000 through to a 3-4 times that (or more!).

Don’t overlook picking a cheaper desert resort, especially if you’re a first-timer or on a budget, as you may not need luxury, all the add-on benefits or high prices.

The reason I recommend trying a desert resort is simple - you may pay two or three times the cost of an average Dubai hotel, but the experiential value will be worth it.

Last but not least, you only have do it once and you will have memories for life (and give your wallet a chance to recover!). 😄

HOTEL NEWS

Did you know JA Beach Hotel is 44 years old?

Here’s a review of one of Dubai’s oldest hotels, that still seems to be going strong.

FLIGHT DEALS

Air Arabia to Start Flights From Gatwick to Sharjah

Sharjah (SJH) sometimes crops up as a cheaper alternative for flights than Dubai or Abu Dhabi, though it’s predominantly short-haul flights on Low Cost Carriers (LCC).

One of those carriers, Air Arabia, has announced they will commence flights from London Gatwick (LGW) to Sharjah (SJH) starting 29 March 2026 with the single-aisle Airbus A321 Neo LR.

Comment

Bear in mind, whilst the flights may be somewhat cheaper than Emirates, it’s not an ‘apples to apples’ comparison.

As is typical with LCCs, add-on charges such as baggage need to be considered, as well as perhaps another 30-45 minutes in a taxi in often-congested traffic.

TRAVEL AGENT NEWS

Ickenham Travel Group (Letsgo2) Cease Trading as ATOL Holder

Another week, another UK travel company posts bad news.

On 20 November, Ickenham Travel Group Ltd. ceased trading as an ATOL holder.

The company traded as Letsgo2 , JA Holidays, Abu Dhabi Holidays, Ras Al Khaimah, and is in the process of appointing an adminstrator.

If you are affected, please check the official ATOL site as any claims need to be made by 19 November 2026. As with the news about Netflights and Travel Republic last week, it’s important to keep abreast of all updates and understand your rights.

🔗 ATOL 4950 Failure Notice (and advice)

ABU DHABI

The decommissioned Terminal 1 of the Zayed International Airport recently turned into a pop-up art exhibition.