Dubai Stopover: Infinity Pools, High Tea and City Views đ
On our most recent trip to Europe we stopped in Dubai in both directions. First at Address Beach Resort, and then on our return at Raffles The Palm.
đAbout Dubai
Dubai really is a unique destination where tradition and culture meet luxury and state of the art technology. It is a place where you can find historic souks and mosques alongside record-breaking modern skyscrapers and luxurious hotels. With towering high rises, amazing shopping, unique cultural experiences and even a âseven-starâ hotel rising from the desert I personally love Dubai as a destination and find it quite an extraordinary and quite unique place to visit.
Everything in Dubai seems to make you go wow⌠from the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa to the sky high infinity pools or the amazing feats of architecture that seem to defy the laws of physics. Visiting Dubai really is like stepping into a world where dreams are made into reality.
It is also an extremely popular tourist destination, with over 17 million visitors last year experiencing its one-of-a-kind mix of luxury, culture and adventure.
Here are a few of the reasons why Dubai is such a popular and interesting destination to visit:
âď¸Itâs Architectural Wonders â including the Burj Khalifa (828m and currently the tallest building in the world), Burj Al Arab (the iconic âseven-starâ hotel), Palm Jumeirah (one of the worldâs largest artificial islands), the worldâs highest infinity pools (Aura and Zeta Seventy Seven), and the Museum of the Future.
âď¸ Luxurious Resorts and Beaches â from the chic Jumeirah beach resorts to luxury hotels like Atlantis The Royal and the iconic Burj Al Arab, there is a hotel or resort to suit every taste and budget.
âď¸ Shopping â Dubai is a shopperâs paradise with huge malls such as The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, or for something more traditional the gold, spice, and textiles souks.
âď¸ Cultural Experiences - desert safaris (or dining in the desert under the stars), exploring the Al Fahidi Historical District, taking an abra across Dubai Creek, or visiting the Global Village.
âď¸ Luxury Lifestyle â fine dining at Michelin Star restaurants, sky-high infinity pools, world-class designer shopping, and luxurious hotels and resorts.
âď¸ Adventure â there are so many ways to be adventurous including desert safaris, quad biking, sandboarding, skydiving over The Palm Jumeirah, parasailing, Xline Dubai Marina (the longest urban zipline), and even skiing indoors at Ski Dubai (inside Mall of the Emirates).
Address Beach Resort
Address Beach Resort is an iconic looking resort located right in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR). It is in a great location situated next to The walk (which has shops, cafes and restaurants) and is also a short walk away from Bluewaters Island (which has some great restaurants) and the Ain Dubai (which reopened last December). Views from the hotel are stunning and give breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubaiâs iconic skyline.
âď¸The Worldâs Highest Infinity Pool
The hotelâs infinity pool was one of the reasons we decided to stay here â up on the 77th floor (293m) it is the worldâs tallest outdoor infinity pool and it is officially registered in the Guiness Book of records. From the pool you get stunning panoramic views stretching across the sea and the city and we thought this would be a great place to relax after our long flight from Auckland. We spent the morning relaxing here and it certainly didnât disappoint.
Whether youâre swimming or simply wanting to lounge around and relax this infinity pool is a must-experience for anyone staying at the resort.
However, if you arenât one for heights, then there are also some lovely swimming pools on the ground floor (including an adult only one).
âď¸Sunset Sushi at ZETA Seventy Seven
The resort does have several restaurants however we decided to head to back up to the 77th floors for dinner at ZETA Seventy Seven. This is an Asian fusion restaurant with gorgeous views over the Dubaiâs coastline. It was the perfect place to enjoy some sushi and a drink as we watched the sun setting over the Arabian Gulf.
I love how this hotel is a combination of beachfront glamour with chic city living. If youâre heading to Dubai and want to stay at a resort that combines luxury with laid-back beachy vibes, incredible dining, an amazing rooftop pool and unforgettable views of Dubai, then Address Beach Resort is the perfect choice.
Raffles The Palm
On the way home from Europe, we also had a stopover in Dubai â this time staying at the stunning Raffles The Palm. located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah. (Palm Jumeirah is Dubaiâs world-famous man-made island shaped like a palm tree).
From the moment we stepped inside we were struck by the glamour and opulence of the hotel. In the middle of the entrance was a dazzling golden chandelier â weighing almost 1 tonne and made from 40,000 Swarovski crystals (crafted in Venice). It was an unforgettable first glimpse to the elegance and luxury that Raffles is known for.
Our suite was also gorgeous and very spacious. As we walked into the room the first thing that caught my eye again was the sparkling chandelier (I canât resist things that sparkle!). The dĂŠcor of the room was beautiful with silver, gold and sparkles and an overall feeling of glamour.
The suite had a balcony that opened out to the stunning views of the Arabian Gulf â the perfect place to relax with a coffee in the morning or to watch the sun setting in the evening.
âď¸Exploring Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa
As we were spending two nights here, we had a full free day. It was also my birthday, so we spent the day discovering some of Dubaiâs most iconic experiences.
Our first stop for the day was the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa which at 828 metres high is currently the tallest building in the world. The observation decks offer stunning panoramic views of Dubaiâs skyline, the desert and the Arabian gulf. As we walked through the building, we discovered more about the engineering marvels and years of planning and construction that went into creating the tallest building in the world. It really gave me a new appreciation for the vision, planning and innovation behind it. The view from above really was breathtaking, and an incredible way to see how vast and impressive Dubai really is. If you are in Dubai, I highly recommend visiting the Burj Khalifa.
Our next stop was Dubai Mall â a destination that feels more like a world of its own. With over 1,200 stores, from luxury designer labels to unique boutiques, thereâs something for every style and taste. Walking through the mall, it was amazing to see the sheer scale and variety â every corner felt glamorous and inspiring and there was so much choice!! (especially when coming from New Zealand where there isnât a huge choice of shops!)
The mall itself is an experience beyond the shopping. From the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to the Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, thereâs always something to see and do. The architecture, grand atriums, views of the Dubai Fountain and choice of activities make it more than just a retail destination. With numerous dining options, from elegant cafĂŠs to international restaurants, itâs easy to spend hours here soaking up the atmosphere and indulging yourself.
The mall itself is an experience beyond the shopping. From the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to the Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, thereâs always something to see and do. The architecture, grand atriums, views of the Dubai Fountain and choice of activities make it more than just a retail destination. With numerous dining options, from elegant cafĂŠs to international restaurants, itâs easy to spend hours here soaking up the atmosphere and indulging yourself. Even if shopping isnât your thing, Dubai Mall is definitely worth experiencing.
âď¸Afternoon High Tea at Raffles
Back at Raffles The Palm, I continued to celebrate my birthday with high tea in BlĂźthner Hall. The scones, pastries, and finger sandwiches were all delicious, and there was a great selection of teas to choose from. Surrounded by sparkling chandeliers and glittering golden dĂŠcor it was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday in style.
âď¸Thoughts on Dubai
From watching the sun set 77 floors up at Address Beach Resort to swimming in the worldâs tallest infinity pool. Next came some retail therapy at one of the largest shopping malls in the world and standing on top of the world at the awe inspiring Burj Khalifa. Finishing off with sparkling chandeliers and high tea at the glamorous Raffles The Palm. Each stopover felt like the perfect mix of relaxation, exploration and a little bit of indulgence. It was the perfect way to break up a long journey across the world!
Whether itâs your first visit or a return trip, Dubai is a destination that offers something for everyone and is the perfect place for a short stopover (or if time allows a longer holiday). It is a city that offers a taste of luxury, culture, and adventure and invites you to explore, indulge and be amazed!
I am certainly looking forward to my next trip to Dubai where I will be staying at the Sofitel Downtown.
Jennie xx
