Eat Drink Stay Dubai Newsletter 86/w23

Hi Dubai friends,

Welcome to Week 23, Edition 86

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

As it’s the time of year lots of hotel chains are offering promotions, sales and offers, a timely tip about how rate conditions can be your biggest tool for finding deals.

Also, please add your thoughts in the poll about the content you ❤️ most.

🏨 Hotel Offers: Hyatt, Hilton, Luxury Escapes, Amex (UK)

💡 Hotel Tip: Rate Conditions for the Win

🕺All you need to know: Dubai Brunches

💸 Entertainer promo code

🗺️ Al Jaddaf: an outlier, or just outlying?

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

HOTEL OFFERS

Hyatt Save More Sale: 20% Europe, Africa & the Middle East

Save up to 20% with Hyatt on stays between 08 May to 31 October. World of Hyatt members can save up to 30% plus complimentary breakfast.

Book by 09 June.

🔗 Hyatt Save More Sale

Luxury Escapes Dubai Offers: W Dubai, Raffles Dubai and More

Luxury Escapes* continue to add (or re-add) some great offers for Dubai properties. In addition to Address Beach Resort, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk and Raffles Dubai have returned on ‘Limited Time LUX Exclusive’ offers.

The main angle with these ‘selling off' sites’ is they offer additional benefits (see screenshots below) rather than ‘just a room’, often at decent price points. Think of them as between the OTAs and aggregators such as Expedia and Agoda but less than Virtuoso and the VIP/preferred partner programs*.

Another hotel coming more to the fore these days is W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, although do shop around too as this also offers a pretty good All Inclusive offer/upsell via different sales channels. The Luxury Escapes offer* includes a daily bottle of wine, Half Board, water park access and golf simulation.

To get the best rates, consider LUXPlus+ rate conditions.

🔗 Luxury Escapes: Dubai Offers*

Hilton Summer Sale: 20% Weekend Stays in UK, Ireland & EMEA

Hilton have launched their Summer Sale, with a 20% discount on weekend stays.

Although the landing page suggests UK and Ireland, the Terms and Conditions state “participating hotels … Europe, Middle East and Africa”.

Do note that weekend can vary by region, and ‘your mileage may vary’ on these sales as historically, sometimes they’ve allowed midweek stays or stays overlapping a weekend, rather than ‘just’ stays covering the nominated weekend days.

This is a full-prepayment sale, and rates are non-refundable.

🔗 Hilton Summer Sale

American Express (UK) Platinum Card Offers

The American Express (UK) Platinum Card is often worth considering as a travel card, not least because of their excellent Offers. They currently have a few of interest, including:-

• Lufthansa: Spend £1,500 get £150 back

• Hyatt Hotels & Resorts: Spend £300 or more, get £75 back (expires 11 July)

• Hilton: Spend £300 or more, get £75 back (expires 04 July)

Here’s a referral link (ends 15 July) for an bonus 80,000 Membership Rewards points (up from 55,000) signup but please be aware - it’s a credit card, with an annual fee, and hefty interest so please be responsible and check affordability.

HOTEL TIPS

Need to Know: Rate Conditions, and Why They Matter

Regular readers will be aware I often talk about ‘dissecting the deal’, especially when it comes to researching and comparing hotels. The easiest way to do this? Rate Conditions.

Think of Rate Conditions as how the Victorians used to judge class in English society; they’re not all equal, and some far from it. It’s too simplistic to think that two bookings, sales channels, websites, agents or whatever, even for the same hotel or room category are effectively ‘the same’.

A Rate Condition, very simply, is what conditions the rate you’re booking will give you for a hotel room.

A ‘dining package’ for instance, is a rate condition that will offer dining with a room booking, be it breakfast, half/full board.

A cancellable rate condition is one that will allow cancellation within certain terms, whereas a non-refundable one is not normally refundable (except in very particular situations, and often with a hint of good fortune).

A partner program rate condition, such as Virtuoso and their VIP/preferred partner programs* will often offer elevated exclusive benefits (F&B credits, transfers, welcome gifts, service uplifts, upgrades etc.) usually at Best Available Rate (BAR).

A third party provider, such as an OTA or agent, may offer a wholesale supply rate which may offer more restrictive conditions, or a lower cost than BAR.

So far, so obvious, right? Good - and this is why it is so important with respect to Dubai.

How to Tilt Rate Conditions in Your Favour at Dubai Hotels

If you want the easy answer, it is - know your Rate Conditions when comparing, planning and booking.

A common ‘thinking error’ in booking/planning/searching for Dubai hotels is people think they’ve found a great deal, but in reality, it may not be a fair comparison because it could be a more limiting rate condition.

Good example - Jumeirah and Wild Wadi access. Like any hotel chain, everyone is cutting back these days and Jumeirah is no exception. Once of a day, things like Wild Wadi access were a ‘given’ and a freebie on direct Jumeirah bookings, as a selling point but also a benefit. However, in recent years, Jumeirah have moved more into the RyanAir way of thinking and have ‘unbundled’ rate conditions. Just like Etihad and other airlines have done with fare basis, ie an ‘unbundled’ or ‘basic’ business class booking may not include lounge access, chauffeur or other benefits.

Where it can get complicated with Jumeirah is they may often have several rate condition for the same room, and Wild Wadi access may vary from say, every day, one visit or not at all, depending on your rate condition.

Then it gets even more complex when the same room category may be available on another site or sales channel, because that rate condition may be different once again.

This is often where some of these sales and promotions are a little precarious - because they’re offering a reduced rate condition. Check out the Hilton ‘sale’ listed above - it’s for advance payment (ie pay now) AND non-refundable, so the ‘saving’ brings some risk. Whilst these rate conditions may bring the cost down from a flexible booking by 20 or 30%, if you don’t complete that booking then it’s a total loss, rather than a saving.

This is why I often recommend Pruvo* - because it will compare cancellable rates for hotels, and the price drop over time could actually exceed the ‘savings’ that non-refundable rate may offer. Obviously, the more time you have from booking until check-in, the more chance the rate will drop.

In terms of strategy, researching the ‘gettable price’ on a the most comparable room and rate condition (say room only or bed/breakfast without any add-ins) with something like Pruvo, especially when linked with a price match/Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) can often be the most effective way to find the lowest price. I’ve had savings with a BRG as high as 36% discount on the matched price (Marriott Bonvoy to Expedia) for example.

So why is Rate Condition important you may be thinking? Because that’s the main way to compare ‘like for like’. This is the basis of a BRG or price match, that the price being matched or suggested has to be exactly the same Rate Condition.

And if you haven’t guessed thus far, this is why the VIP/preferred partner programs offered by agents like Classic Travel* can work out so well. Because if their BAR for a room category is only a few % more in cost than say, HotelsCom, and their rate conditions offer far more benefits, then it’s far easier to compare on what metrics are important to you (lowest cost, best value, increased service levels, benefits etc.).

It’s also important to note that rate conditions can create a pecking order of sort (think back to Victorian society!) in that a wholesale rate condition via someone like Expedia would be potentially perceived less favourably than a direct booking, which in turn may be less than a loyalty program elite booking or preferred partner program. This may not always be obvious, but when it comes to ‘asks’ eg late checkout, room allocation, upgrades etc it’s a pretty safe bet you’ve a better chance with a ‘better’ rate condition.

Similarly, if you were looking at a Madinat Jumeirah property and was interested in Wild Wadi, by expanding all the rate conditions for a particular room category, you may find you could find a cheaper booking if one rate condition only offered one day access rather than paying for one with access every day.

Last but not least, if you were to go on Google Maps and search for hotel pricing, you would likely find a wide range of pricing for the same hotel on the same dates. Broadly speaking, there is a lot more ‘rate parity’ these days (ie prices are far closer or even exactly the same across the major sale channels). However, there will always be some sites listed there with significantly lower rates - can you guess why?

Of course you can (if you’ve read all of this) - it’s because the rate conditions are different. The most common reason is, the site is a site that doesn’t offer instant confirmation, but rather ‘on request’. That is, you submit a booking, and they then see if they can find a supplier to match that price (and often can’t!). This is why Best Rate Guarantees are often only to specific approved sales channels, because the ones with prices that seem too good to be true often prove not to be true at all.

So there you have it. When you are looking at Dubai hotels, do ‘dig into the details’ of the rate conditions. It may seem boring and a bit of a faff, but it will often pay off.

ONE BIG DUBAI TIP

Why You Should Try a Dubai Brunch. Just Don’t Ask Which

Brunch is such an emotive subject in Dubai, as it’s almost an institution or a ‘must do’.

When people think of brunches, they tend to think of an extended breakfast-come-lunch setup in London, New York or other major cities - but they’re nothing like Dubai brunches. Think Spinal Tap-style, Dubai brunches go up to eleven.

Yes, some brunches get rowdy. Some brunches go large on the drink aspect, and for those chasing value due to high alcohol prices in Dubai, brunches are certainly a way to ‘get your fill’.

More than that though, brunches are a chance for restaurants to showcase their quality, their best dishes, service and so much more. As is often with the case in Dubai, competition for your money leads to some amazing value for money options, though not always ‘cheap’ but certainly value-add.

Saturday is now the main brunch day (it used to be Friday) and Sunday brunches tend to be a bit more sedate and chilled, such as Bubbalicous now do a Roast called The Roast by Bubbalicious at on Sundays at Mina’s Kitchen, Westin Mina Seyahi that’s worth your attention.

Tips for Picking a Dubai Brunch

Yep, I always say this but - it works. Think about some ‘hard edges’ to narrow your options down, otherwise you’ll end up with ‘paralysis by analysis’.

If you’re a tourist or first-timer, the ‘Big 3’ of brunches will be Saffron, Bubbalicious and Traitteur. All are long-standing ambassadors of the Dubai brunch scene, and for good reason - they’ve stood the test of time and their reputations precedes them.

What vibe are you looking for? Sedate, sit down or lively and rowdy? For party brunches and people watching - check out Secret Parties, Saffron at Atlantis The Palm and Bubbalicious.

If you’re looking more for quality, consider Al Qasr, Traitteur, Coya or Zuma.

With or without entertainment? Dubai brunches often will have entertainment like magicians, kids entertainers, singers, musicians, full-on bands with dancers etc, so it’s worth considering. Warehouse up at Le Meridien Airport Hotel and Conference Centre will often have 80s pop acts, and it can be a lively affair.

Cuisine type is also a good way to winnow down the options. Some restaurants may offer a theme, or a certain type of cuisine, whilst others may be more international and wide-ranging. If you like steak for instance, consider Prime 68 at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai. 

If you can’t make a weekend brunch, evening brunches occur around Dubai though they’re often somewhat smaller in scale - and usually a little cheaper. Beware though, some are really more of an expanded buffet, so do research well.

Buffet style or set menu? Whilst the majority of brunches may be buffet style, some offer ‘free picks’ on their regular menus. For example, a steakhouse may offer an a-la-carte menu for ‘pick what you want’ - which can offer tremendous value. I’ve done brunches like this and had three different full-cut steaks, and heaps of oysters all for a flat price. You can certainly get your ‘fill’ - and much more besides, just don’t expect to move easily afterwards.

If you’re a drinker, there will often be several packages available at different price points. For instance, soft drinks only, house ‘grape’ or ‘hops’, then a level with premium drinks, then perhaps one with cocktails and champagne.

Also, for those that still have capacity afterwards, some venues may offer drinks deals known as ‘drunches’ which will be light on food, and heavier on a ‘lock in’ vibe to keep partying and drinking for a couple of hours or so.

Last but not least, do read up for deals and offers, as there are always promotions to be had for brunches. Entertainer has plenty of brunches in for ‘buy one get one free’ - and some are reusable such as Le Jardin at Raffles The Palm Dubai.

Time Out Dubai and Mr and Mrs Brunch are the first places I’d suggest checking to research brunches. What’s On will also keep you informed, but the first two tend to have more content, reviews and guides.

KNOW MORE ABOUT DUBAI

Al Jaddaf - a Quieter, Outlying Area With Cheap Hotels

It’s good to know about different areas in Dubai, not just because ‘different strokes for different folks’ but because some areas may suit certain travellers more than others, or work well for a specific thing.

For example, Al Jaddaf could be an interesting area - if you’re looking for ‘cheap’ hotels, a cool library, marine transport stations or just to be close to Downtown or Old Dubai without the costly hotels or hecticness.

Al Jaddaf is just past Wafi (think Grand Hyatt Dubai and Raffles Dubai) and Za’abeel, in the area surrounded by E11 and E66 and Dubai Creek. Metro can be accessed at Creek Metro Station on the Green Line, and Al Jaddaf Marine Station - stop JWTS1 - runs ferries BM2 and CR11, including across to Festival City.

As can be seen from the Google Maps Satellite View below, it’s still relatively undeveloped apart from Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (the one that looks like an open book from outside), Jameel Arts Centre and several hotels, including :-

• Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf (also includes Residences/Apartments)

• Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel

• Barcelo Al Jaddaf

• Form Hotel Dubai (a member of Design Hotels)

• Premier Inn Dubai Al Jaddaf

• Palazzo Versace Dubai

Comment

If you’re looking for cheap hotels, Al Jaddaf offers some big brand hotels at very competitive prices. There’s not heaps to do there, not much to walk around to but there is marine transport via RTA and Metro connections.

As always with the under-developed areas, it’s not always easy to hail taxis from the road, so consider asking hotels to call RTA or use the ride-hailing apps. On the upside though, Downtown and Old Dubai isn’t too far away and it’s not as hectic as say, Bur Dubai or Deira

Think of Al Jaddaf as a ‘dormitory suburb’, a bit like Al Barsha, that could help keep hotel costs down but do factor in transport costs and timings, as it could be rather outlying if you’re going to do be shuttling down the ‘south end’ (Marina, JLT, Palm Jumeirah) of Dubai rather than ‘top’ (Downtown, Creek, Old Dubai).