Dubai Accommodation & Cheap Lodging

Flourishing as the Middle East's major commercial hub, vibrant Dubai – a mere fishing village 60 years ago – has blossomed over the past decade into the world's hottest new tourist destination. A hot but dry desert climate tempered by cooling Arabian Gulf breezes, the allure of the mystical desert, great beaches and a chance to sample Arabic culture while enjoying thoroughly modern Western-style amenities are all part of the irresistible appeal.

Nothing in Dubai is really old but if you like cutting-edge modern architecture then nowhere else on earth can offer such a massive wow factor as does the United Arab Emirates' largest metropolis. Dubai is growing – fast. On the way is the 700-metre tall Dubai Tower, set to be the world's highest building, along with the world's largest shopping mall, the world's first underwater hotel – Hydropolis – and The World, an amazing man-made series of 250 islands shaped to represent a map of the globe. Already on hand are the iconic sail-shaped Burg Al Arab Hotel – currently the world's tallest – and the new Ski Dubai indoor winter sports centre at Mall of the Emirates where you can snow ski a stone's throw from desert sand dunes. It's a large city and, given the climate, you will be taking lots of cabs and buses but a surprising amount of it is walkable, especially around the Creek, an attractive stretch of water that bisects the city. Around 80 per cent of the residents are ex-pats, not only from Europe and North America but from all over the Middle and Far East too, making this the world's most vibrantly cosmopolitan city.

Dubai Museum Located in the imposing Al-Fahidi Fort, built in 1787 to protect the landward approaches of a then sleepy desert village. Life-size figures set in an intriguing diorama reveal what life was like before the discovery of oil transformed Dubai.

Desert Safari A Dubai must-do is a four-wheel drive excursion out into the sand dunes. They might stop to let you discover some of the wildlife. More likely the drivers will race each other dizzyingly up and down seemingly impossible slopes.

Majlis Gallery An old windmill on Al-Faladi Street in Bastakiya displays traditional glassware, ceramics, furniture and fabrics as well as hosting 10 exhibitions of contemporary artists each year.

Grand Mosque At 70 metres tall, this grandiose building has the city's tallest minaret. Another fine edifice is the monumental Jumeira Mosque. Make sure to respect dress codes when visiting.

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum's House Dating from the late 19th Century, this mansion in Al Shindagha is a fine example of traditional architecture, built from coral covered in plaster. It houses a collection of rare stamps and coins.

Dubai Creek Inland, the Creek broadens into a wide marsh that is home to 27,000 birds, many of them colourful pink flamingos that are in year-round residence. Deira has a broad waterfront promenade while Bur Dubai side features a beautifully landscaped park.

Dubai Restaurants
Thanks to its role as one of the great international crossroads and the truly cosmopolitan nature of its population, Dubai offers cuisine from all over the world. French, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Scandinavian establishments vie with the culinary delights of India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and Korea. Then, of course, there's true Middle Eastern food, with Moroccan, Lebanese, Iranian, Jordanian and other specialities on offer as well as such local Arabic delights as hareis (succulent slow-cooked lamb with cracked wheat), matchous (highly spiced lamb served over rice), fattayyer (bite-sized pastries stuffed with cream cheese and spinach), mehalabiya (a mouthwatering pudding topped with pistachio nuts and rose petals) and esh asaraya (a cream-topped variation on cheesecake). A good tip: for great value genuine Arabic food, try the long-established citywide Automatic chain. This is one city where in-house hotel restaurants do extremely well – and offer a vast array of choice. Many hotels have six or more different outlets to provide a culinary tour of the world of fine food – and value often matches that of stand-alone eateries. In what is officially a Muslim city, the entirely cosmopolitan nature of the populace means alcohol is widely available and pork and shellfish find their way onto many menus.

Dubai Stores and shopping streets
Shopping could almost be described as Dubai's raison d'êtré. This is real shop-till you-drop territory, with an amazing array of vast, modern air-conditioned shopping malls, street markets, shops large and small, and the renowned gold, perfume and spice souks. There's plentiful opportunity to use credit cards but cash is king where bargains are concerned. Tax-free status plus lots of haggling – which, as in all Arab countries, almost reaches the level of an art form – ensures great value and even major stores may come up with special discounts if you ask first, and you should never be afraid to ask. Deira's mind boggling gold souk has some 320 outlets, with pricing usually by weight rather than design or craftsmanship. Perfumes, Arab arts and crafts and carpets have their own dedicated souks. Cameras, computers and other electricals are there in profusion and prices compare well with those in Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asian shopping paradise cities. There's also a vast fish market located close to the sea and to the Deira side entrance to the Shindagha Tunnel. Here there's an amazing variety of fish and shellfish, fresh from the sea, a good seafood restaurant and a museum devoted to Dubai's history as a fishing harbour. Sweetmeats and exotic fruits on display on stalls throughout the city are equally enticing and you'll also find grocery stores that resemble Aladdin's Cave with their bounty. Beating America at its own game, Dubai has a plethora of western-style air-conditioned shopping malls, including the massive Gardens Mall, which currently claims to be the world's largest - though the soon to be opened AED 235 billion Dubailand and Mall of Arabia will be even bigger. Among the best malls are Burjuman Centre, Deira City Centre, Lamcy Plaza, Mercato, Wafi Mall, Jumeriah Centre, Village Mall and the Oasis Centre. Many hotel lobbies also incorporate malls where designer labels rule, ok. And when feet get weary, many malls feature extensive food courts, catering for everything from a simple burger or sandwich to full-blown Arab cuisine and gourmet offerings. In Dubai you can have a suit made to measure overnight or have jewellery specially crafted and there is scarcely a commodity you cannot find somewhere. Straddling January and February, the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival attracts more than three-million shopaholics annually, with prices even more competitive than usual. Summertime's Dubai Summer Surprises is another shopping bonanza. Both these major events are accompanied by dancing, entertainment and a carnival atmosphere. Nee retail outlets are opening at breakneck pace and the city's 20 million square feet of retail space already accounts for more than four times per capita what the USA can offer.