My sister had organised for us to be staying at the Le Meridien Fairway for half of our stay in Dubai. It is a fantastic hotel (although if you want something even ritzier and self-contained, definitely try the Le Meridien Dubai which includes the pool-bar and hotel village). This hotel is closer to central Dubai giving easy access to the various souks, shopping malls and other city sights.

The other part of our stay was scheduled for Mina A’Salam, part of the Madinat Jumeirah Arabian Beach Resort. Jumeirah is the western part of Dubai, sprawled across beach frontage hosting a number of beach resorts, beach clubs, sailing clubs, the Dubai Zoo, the water park Wild Wadi and home of the 7-star, Burj Al Arab hotel. Describing Madinat Jumeirah is beyond any vocabulary that I have as it is just simply amazing. This resort was architected to resemble old Arabia and is made up of 5 major parts, big enough to almost be considered a village of their own. A man made waterway stretching 3.7 kilometers connects all of the various parts, with the best way of getting around being the traditional Abra boats operating 24 hours a day. Madinat Jumeirah is also home to 43 world class restaurants, 5 pool side bars, several nightclubs and bars and an entire souk of up-market clothing and fashion stores.

The resort has a huge array of facilities including Dubai’s largest pool, several more outdoor and indoor pools, five tennis courts, several squash courts, a large club gym, and a 1 kilometer patrolled private beach where you can indulge in watersports of all kinds including windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing, kneeboard and banana rides. Inclusive in the hotel rate is free entry into Wild Wadi, the most advanced water park I have ever been in. Although it is not as big as Wet ‘N’ Wild back home, it’s the only place where I know where water slides will actually push you up hill. A large water tube circuit connects most of the park, so you can skim from place to place in the park. They also have two flowrider rides which simulates the experience of tube-riding and is a must do for any one who goes. The park also has a cashless payment system where you can pay for things on a watch-like device to pay for souvenirs, food and drink anywhere inside.

At night-time, the entire complex literally lights up. We sat on the beach watching the sunset and saw the massive Burj Al Arab light up at night. We can also sit inside our room and see the world renown 7-star hotel shift colours, lighting up the Jumeirah night sky.