Dubai The Golden City, Dubai (2024)

24/09/2015

Eid Mubarak

21/09/2015

Dubai is full of great activities for children. Here's a quick guide to 20 of the best.
1. STAY: ATLANTIS THE PALM
You and I might know it as the gargantuan jewel in the crown of Palm Jumeirah, but for children this 1500-room mega-resort is simply a five-star entertainment wonderland. Yes it's home to Aquaventure, Dubai's largest and newest water park, but Atlantis also boasts an 11-million-litre aquarium, countless marine encounters such as ray feeding, and a children's club that features climbing walls, a tech zone and underwater amphitheatre. Added grown-ups bonus? Every suite has its own large, enclosed balcony for private time. See atlantisthepalm.com.

2. SHOP: THE DUBAI MALL
Even by UAE standards where the design edict for malls (and just about everything else) appears to be "Make it BIGGER", the size of The Dubai Mall is staggering. Sure you could drop the kids off at Caboodle, the mall's supremely expensive in-house child-minding service ($56 for 30 minutes), so you can check out the 1200 plus stores, but then they'd miss the fun of the mall's endless list of child-friendly entertainment options, such as the aquarium and ice-rink. Our advice? Wear roller skates. Visit thedubaimall.com.

3. EAT: THE RAINFOREST CAFE
Michelin-star candidate it may not be (Oreo pancakes with fries anyone?), but little ones will love dining at this fun rainforest-themed restaurant just the same - largely thanks to the host of life-size, mechanical gorillas and elephants shrieking from their positions around the venue. Add a couple of "waterfalls", a large aquarium and a 14-page menu into the mix, and you've got a meal to remember. Check out rainforestcafeme.com.
A rainforest-themed cafe in the Dubai Mall. Photo: thedubaimall.com

4. DO: SKI INDOORS
Nothing says "hit the ski slopes" quite like a 45-degree day and if you head to Ski Dubai, an indoor ski-field located within the Mall of the Emirates shopping centre, you can do exactly that. While the $84 a person admission isn't cheap, it does include hire of a snowsuit and gloves (essential as the indoor temperature is kept at a chilly minus 4 degrees), as well as access to the chair lifts and rides such as snow luge and tobogganing. A ski-school with qualified instructors is also available for those new to skiing. Visit theplaymania.com.

5. DO: KIDZANIA
Teach children the value of a dollar by dropping them off at this genius indoor play land, which is essentially a two-storey fake city built to scale for four to 12-year-olds, complete with paved paths, service vehicles and an established economy. The premise is simple - your child chooses their dream jobs from a list of 80 cool professions (doctor, radio announcer etc) and they then have to perform them for 20-minute slots until they make enough kidZos (the Kidzania currency) to cash in at its internal gift stores. See kidzania.ae.

6. SEE: BURJ KHALIFA
Give your family the Charlie and the Glass Elevator experience by taking them to the observation deck at Burj Khalifa, AKA the world's tallest tower. Yes, there's no doubt its At the Top Burj Khalifa SKY outdoor deck, located on the 148th floor of this 830-metre building, is impressive, but it's the 10-metres-per-second elevator ride that will ease the pain of the $123 a person cost - it comes complete with light projections to really make you feel as though you are flying. Visit burjkhalifa.ae.

7. DO: HELLO KITTY SPA
Little girls obsessed with all things feline will love this wall-to-wall pink and cream Hello Kitty day spa for "princesses" (girls) and "queens" (their mums). Located in The Dubai Mall, a treatment begins with Hello Kitty-themed cupcakes and drinks (but of course) and can include anything from organic chocolate and strawberry treatments to Hello Kitty nail art on their tootsies. You won't have any trouble finding it; the squeals from inside can be heard for miles. Visit hellokittybeautyspa.com.

8. EAT: UNDERWATER HIGH TEA
Although the star of the show here is Ambassador Lagoon, Atlantis The Palm's 11-million-litre tank filled with some 65,000 marine wildlife (giving the restaurant its "underwater" appearance), Ossiano's Saturday High Tea menu will delight regal types young and old. Ribbon sandwiches, chocolate tarts and scones are complemented by live entertainment and attentive service, but note the service is only open for those aged 10 and up. See atlantisthepalm.com.

9. SHOP: SATWA FOR CLOTHES
Fancy some custom-made pilot, military or police costumes for the little ones? Take a wander down the colourful back streets of Satwa, a working class district full of ethnic boutiques, restaurants and phone repair stalls. Not only can you get clothes for yourself and your children tailor-made (including the aforementioned costumes), many designer items found at the larger malls can be found at reduced prices nearby.

10. RIDE: ABRA AT THE CREEK
Give the children a quick local history lesson by jumping on an early morning abra (a motorised wooden commuter boat) and sailing across the creek between the older districts of Bur Dubai and Deire. Yes, it's an opportunity to view the organised chaos of the souks, stalls and street food stands from a safe distance, but more than that, it's a chance to give them a sense of what Dubai looked like as little as 40 years ago. All rides are only one dirham (40c) each.

11. STAY: LE MERIDIEN DUBAI HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE
Telling you this chic property is located directly across the road from the airport may not sound like much of a sell, but the convenience factor alone make it a top choice for families with young children and horrific flight schedules. The trick is to book one of the new Royal Club rooms so that while your children sleep off their jetlag, you can enjoy the in-room whirlpool bath and massage chair, as well as the property's three pools and generous buffet breakfasts.

12. DO: WATER THEME PARKS *
With temperatures regularly soaring into the mid to high 40s, water parks are big business in Dubai and two of the best are Atlantis The Palm's Aquaventure and Wild Wadi Water Park - located in front of the Burj at Arab. With names like "Leap of Faith" and "Shark Attack", both have thrill rides aplenty, but those with little ones might prefer Aquaventure's impressive Splasher's play area. Prices for Aquaventure start from $85 (free for in-house guests), while Wild Wadi is priced from $109..

13. SEE: FLAMINGOS AT RAS AL KHOR
Those seeking a little time out from the chaos of the city would do well to venture to this wildlife reserve where 270 species of flamingo prance around their habitat of salt flats, lagoons and mangroves. There are three viewing platforms and, as it seems to be Dubai's best-kept secret, minimal crowds, so your budding photographers will get the kind of shots that will drive their friends back home mad with jealousy. Which apparently in their age group, is considered a win. Free entry.

14. DO: 380 FLIGHT SIMULATOR
If your child's latest report card has sounded the death knell for a future in aviation, give them an opportunity to taste what could have been if only they'd studied. At The Emirates A380 Experience, located in The Dubai Mall, children can pilot the world's largest aircraft in realistic conditions, choosing their destination, flight path and even setting the weather before they take off. A hair-raising 30-minute session starts from $105.

15. VISIT: SMCCU FOR CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
Enjoy a traditional Emirati breakfast or lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, and walk away with a better understanding of the Emirati's culture, history, religion and tradition. Staffed by volunteers, the aim of the centre - located in the Bastakia quarter - is to break down barriers between nationalities - something they do through not only the meals, but through mosque visits and humorous Q&A sessions. Prices for meals start from $34 a person.

16. DO: DESERT SAFARI
Taking the children out into the desert for a day may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's safe to say that by doing so, you'll never be short of an activity along the way. Camel rides, henna tattooing, sand-boarding and belly-dancing are just some of the experiences included in the six-hour evening 4X4 tours, which traverse the picturesque (and bumpy) sand dunes of Al Hibab in the late afternoon sun. Not recommended for children under three. Rates vary according to number of passengers.

17. DO: KART DUBAI AUTODROME
Got a mini-hoon in the family? Let them indulge their inner-Brock by taking them to Dubai Autodrome's Kartdrome and letting loose on the large fleet of leisure karts at your disposal, with a 1.2km international-standard circuit for the over 12s as well as a large warehouse-style option for the seven-plus crew. Families can also make use of the laserdome, race room and chill-out facilities. Priced from $42 for 15 minutes
18. DO: WATERSPORTS AT KITE BEACH
With calm, bath-temperature waters and striking views of Burj at Arab, pretty Sheikh Hamdan Beach - also known as Kite Beach - is one of the best spots in Dubai for water sports. It is incredibly popular with the kite-surfing community (hence its name and website below) and you can hire everything from kites to stand-up paddle boards right from the beach and also engage in child-friendly activities such as banana boating. Showers, toilets and nearby food trucks tick the remaining boxes.

19. SEE: DUBAI FOUNTAIN
Book a table at one of the restaurants of The Dubai Mall overlooking neighbouring Burj Khalifa lake and treat your little ones to a water display like no other. Set to popular music, the fountain "dances" to the groove and shoots water into the air as high as 150 metres during regular daily shows. Restaurants with the best views of the display include the terrace at Carluccios and TGI Fridays.

20. VISIT: DUBAI MIRACLE GARDEN *
It's crazy to think that the world's largest natural garden could grow in a desert, but then crazy appears to be the name of the game in this colourful, "miracle" wonderland teeming with blooms (45 million of them to be exact) that have been fashioned into butterflies, pyramids and castles. It is closed during the summer months. Floral displays are changed each season to create new experiences for repeat visitors. Entry $113 per person.

20/09/2015

96-hour transit visa for all airline passengers at UAE airports...

20/09/2015

"I lost a best friend and a childhood companion... My dear brother Rashid you will be missed.." Says Shekh Hamdan

25/08/2015

Dubai residents have been handed the pink slip, with a new decree firmly putting the brakes on traffic offences, which have claimed 51 lives in the emirate in the first four months of the year.

The alarming statistics worsen further afield with the Ministry of Interior revealing 147 fatalities across the UAE roads during the first three months of 2015.

As Decree No. 29 of 2015 comes into effect, vehicles can now be seized by Dubai Police for the following seven traffic offences:

Racing without permission

Dubai Police shall seize vehicles that participate in races on the road illegally.

Earlier this year, the authority revealed over 82 vehicles were seized in the first half of 2015, driving over the speed of 200kmph and endangering lives.

Under the new decree, vehicles will be confiscated without prior permission.

The decree also specifies the fees for impounding of vehicles amounts to Dh100,000 for a vehicle, which participates in a race on the road without prior permission from the police.

Riding motorbikes on pavements

The decree also singles out motorbikes that indulge in recreational riding on paved roads, with a Dh50,000 fine for the offence and the vehicle seized.

Souped-up cars

If your vehicle has undergone fundamental changes with the aim to increase its speed or to create a loud noise while driving, then Dubai Police has the right to confiscate the vehicle under the new decree.

Non-payment of fines

Under the terms of the decree, Dubai Police shall seize a vehicle if the traffic fines exceed Dh6,000.

Driving without renewal

If a vehicle is being driven after the expiration of the license for a period of three months without renewing it and without an acceptable excuse, Dubai Police can confiscate it.

Being reckless

The police can also seize a vehicle which is driven recklessly or poses a danger to others.

Earlier, Dubai Police revealed statistics that indicated more than 13,000 drivers jumped red lights in Dubai in the first half of 2015 and such offences accounted for nearly a third of the total traffic violations recorded in the emirate during that period.

The new decree also states a non-national driver of a heavy-duty truck will be deported if he crosses a red light.

Escaping authorities

The decree further states anyone who tries to escape from the police will find their vehicles confiscated.

The decree authorises Dubai Police to auction vehicles impounded as per the provisions stipulated in Law No 23 of 2015 on the disposition of seized vehicles in the emirate.

This comes into effect if an owner does not take necessary procedures to reclaim the vehicle within three months of the confiscation.

06/07/2015

Air India and Air India Express, its budget carrier have begun restricting the hand baggage weight for passengers coming from Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as many of the passengers break prescribed weight norms with their duty-free shopping, reports an English daily.
Free allowance for hand bagage are strictly limited to 8 kg for Air India and 7 kg for Air India Express, inclusive of duty-free items. However many a times passengers carry at least double the free allowance weight without being noticed. Baggage with weight over 7-8 kg will be charged a fee of 60 Dirhams (Rs 1,035) per excess kilo and taken from the passenger at the boarding gate.
Add-ons that are exempted from carry-on baggage weighing include ladies' hand bags, overcoat or wrap, rug or blanket, camera or binoculars, reasonable amount of reading material, infant feeding items and carrying basket, collapsible wheelchair or a pair of crutches or braces for passengers dependent on them, walking stick, foldable umbrella, laptop and medicines required during the flight.
Prem Sagar, manager of Air India and Air India Express in Dubai and Sharjah, said: "It is basically to dissuade people from carrying too much of excess weight and ensure that the weight is properly recorded for the safety of the aircraft."
Sagar said that it was wrong to conclude that the airline was not in favour of passengers buying duty-free items. The carry-on bags will be weighed at the gates before passengers board the flights. "If the passengers are planning to buy more duty-free items, it is better not to keep many items in their hand baggage and end up paying extra," Sagar said.
"In fact, we are also spending money to take the facility from our ground handlers," another official said to the daily.
AI has sent out advisories to travel agents and coming up with spreading awareness among passengers. "Notices will be prominently displayed at the check-in counters. Check-in agents will also remind passengers about the strict implementation of the rules," Sagar added.
Officials from Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports said they were looking at issue. "As stakeholders, we understand the issues with taking excess hand baggage on-board the aircraft, and of course we also understand the passengers' desire to buy duty free as they depart," an official statement said.
"We are monitoring the situation at these boarding gates at the moment and, till now there is no evidence of bags being weighed prior to boarding. Should this happen, we are ready to allow passengers to return items purchased at Dubai Duty Free, with full refund."
Eugene Barry, executive vice president, commercial group, Dubai Airports, added: "This is a seasonal operating issue for many Indian and African airlines at this busy travel time. We are in close contact with Dubai Duty Free on the matter."

05/07/2015

DUBAI // Authorities have denied there are plans to install security metal detectors in Dubai mosques.

Responding speculation on social media about security scanners and metal detectors in mosques across the UAE, Youssef Al Hammadi, a spokesman at Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, said: “The mosques that are under the authority have nothing to do with this in any way, and everything is normal.”

He said the video shows a mosque that follows the Jafaria Islamic authority, who are in charge of Shiite mosques in Dubai.

Regular mosque goers in Dubai and the capital said they have not noticed any increase in security except at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and a few Shiite mosques in the capital.

Khalid Mohammed, a 30-year-old writer from Egypt, said he has been to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi three times since the beginning of Ramadan, and all worshippers have to pass through metal-detecting scanners before they enter.

“It is a quick process and does not cause any delays,” he said. “It is a good thing to provide security for worshippers.

“I went to two other mosques in Abu Dhabi and did not find any such measures there, not even a security guard or CCTV,” he added.

Mohammed Al Daqqaq, a 31-year-old public relations executive from Jordan, said he has been to nine different mosques in the capital and one in Dubai and none showed any signs of adding the devices or seemed to have plans to do so in the near future.

“There is no construction or any electric cables being set up for such,” he said. “Plus, I don’t think they had time since the bombings to do tenders for such a project and start setting anything up.”

Some luxurious mosques already have CCTV cameras since they opened, he added.

05/07/2015

Dubai: Dubai Municipality is planning to carry out 21 projects across the emirate worth more than Dh2 billion, Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said.
Among the 21 projects is the Dubai Science Future Museum, announced earlier this year by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which will cost up to Dh970 million. It was announced that the museum will open in 2017 near Emirates Towers area on Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Shaikh Mohammad said at the launch that the museum will serve as an incubator for ideas and designs.
Lootah said that among the other projects the municipality will be working on is a multi-storey parking complex for the Dubai Central Laboratory which will be worth around Dh19 million. In addition, the Jebal Ali Clinic will cost up to Dh18 million.
The Mohammad Bin Rashid E-college, also a project among the 14 listed, will be worth approximately Dh320 million and bids for the project have already been looked over. However, technical studies for the project are currently ongoing. Four consultants have applied for this project and the labour court building project which will cost up to Dh133 million currently in the first phase.
Other projects include building accommodation complexes for paramedics working for Dubai Foundation for Ambulance Services which is expected to cost about Dh60 million, in addition to the Public Health Pest control building project with an estimated value of Dh25 million.
He revealed that Dubai Municipality is assessing and analysing 14 projects worth up to Dh1.29 billion currently under process, one of which is the Mohammad Bin Rashid Library which will cost around Dh385 million.
A total of 234 accommodations will be built in Deira and Bur Dubai with an estimated value of Dh70 million. The municipality has already received offers from 10 contractors, and bids will be assessed by the municipality next week.
The municipality has been working on projects of its own, including the municipality building which will be opening in Hor Al Anz area, worth Dh85 million, and the expansion plan for Al Twar centre currently in its final stage of design.
There will also be a new municipality building in Al Garhoud area with the same offices and departments to be opened soon, said Lootah. He also added that another multi-storey car pack will be built in Al Garhoud area worth Dh40 million and the municipality office in Hatta worth Dh7 million.
Another Dubai Municipality project is accommodation, currently in its final phase, for municipality employees located in the Dry Docks area with a value of Dh62 million.
Assessments for all projects are still ongoing, with many currently in the initial stages.

24/05/2015

Market prices for existing units in district range from Dh2,500-2,800 psf

The slowdown in transaction volumes in Dubai’s property market is not putting brakes on new project launches.

Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest property developer, is set to launch its second twin-tower project in Downtown - Opera District on May 30, real estate agents told.

“This is the second project in the Opera District. We are told that the launch of the first tower will take place simultaneously in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and London,” the agent said on conditions of anonymity.

In 2014, the developer had launched Opera Grand, the first residential tower in the Opera District. The 66-storey tower houses over 200 apartments.

Called Forte, the 71-storey tower, will have one, two and three bedroom units, ranging from 650 to 1800 square feet in size. Though the developer has not disclosed the launch prices, market listings for Opera Grand currently are between Dh2,500 and Dh2,800 per square feet.

Last month, 'Emirates24|7' reported that Emaar had sold out Maple, townhouse community in Mohammed Bin Rashid City with prices between Dh1,000 and Dh1,100 per square feet.

Moody’s Investors Service, a global rating consultancy, has stated that the slowdown in the market is “positive in the long run” and alleviates the “potential overheating” though prices could fall 10 to 15 per cent in 2015.

“We believe that the slowdown in Dubai's real estate market is positive in the long run, as it gives the market time to absorb the existing supply pipeline, while also alleviating our concerns about the housing market potentially overheating,” the agency said.

Knight Frank, a UK-based consultancy, has estimated prices to be down by 5 to 10 per cent, while JLL, a real estate consultancy, as well putting the fall at up to 10 per cent.

The rating agency, however, asserts that Dubai government’s plan to upgrade the city for the Expo 2020 through infrastructure spending and encouraging foreign investments in various sectors will provide market support over the next five years.

The Opera District is a stylish cultural destination in Downtown Dubai and at the heart of the district is Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat multi-format venue for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film, sports events, and seasonal programmes. It set to open this year.