pgmargate

AM CONSIDERING 8 NIGHTS IN EARLY APRIL FOR FAMILY VACATION. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPRECIATED. AM TOLD NO VISA REQD. FROM U.S.A. THANKS

pgmargate

SORRY I LEFT OUT LOCATION IN DUBAI, U.A.E.

sandi

There is only "one" Burg Al Arab - the so-called 7* hotel. Move over "the Donald" you've been outdone.

Not sure about the Visa, but you should check directly with the Dubai Embassy.

As to 8-nts for a vacation - well, what else is there to do/see/visit in Dubai? Or do you plan to only enjoy the beach/pool? But there is lots of shopping available - in fact you don't even have to leave the airport to do this.

I understand there are desert safaris available, with sleepouts in the desert, but would you want to give up your very expensive room at the Burj for a tent?

Also, you don't mention whether your family is only a couple or if any children and their ages. With children and what would they be interested in, might have an impact on whether this is a good vacation spot.

Hanuman

We stop by Dubai on our way back from Egypt for 3 nights last month. The hotel will have a meet and greet service prior to immigration and customs to help expedite matter so you will not have to worry about your visa(it will be granted on arrival - for US citizens).

We stay the Emirates Tower, part of the same group that owns the hotels you're interested in. All of the hotels are nice and I'm sure you'll like the Burj.

Eight nights is too long in my opinion. Dubai's cultural sights can be visited in 1 or 2 days the most and the rest are malls, gold and textile souks(markets).

We took the "Sundowner" dessert safari and dinner tour offered by Emirates and that was fun. But apart from that there is a dessert resort, forgot the name, also very expensive and nice, that you might want to spend a night or two.

Dubai is kind of small and April will be hot there.

pgmargate

message: sandi, our children are 7 &9 years old. this trip is being contemplated due to a glitch in our previously confirmed 9 night south africa vic falls tour with pacific delight. they are telling me that they cannot deliver 1 of my 3 nights at mala mala. they have until today to fix this problem or i will book something else. the reason for dubai is the water park, my kids love them and i have been told that dubai is great.THANKS

sandi

pgmargate -

How disappointing that Pacific Delights couldn't confirm the 3rd night at Mala Mala. Are you traveling over the Easter Holiday - which might be causing this? And PD didn't have an alternative for you?

Can I suggest you go direct to a SA tour operator to see if they can arrange your Mala Mala stay or a comparable camp that accepts children for safari - check the following:

www.go2africa.com
www.africansafari.co.za (Pulse Safaris)
www.ccafrica.com (SA based but owns many camps throughout Africa)
also check:
www.mtbeds.com (they have listing of empty beds in and around SA, which might be beneficial)

If any of these companies can help you, ask for them to arrange your transfers from where the PD people leave off and pick-up again.

If these can't do anything for you, why not check out an itinerary to Kenya. With tourism down here, they've got to have itineraries that do accept children at almost all places.

Contact in-country companies:

www.esssafari.co.ke
www.wildtrek (sorry, something, do a search for them, or contact
www.roysafaris.com (they do Tanzania, but use Wild Trek as their Kenyan provider)

As Hanuman states and my feeling, as well, your stay in Dubai will not quite be the same and 8-nights is a bit too long.

I know it's short notice, but try these and see if you can actual get an African trip, which would be enjoyable for the entire family.

pgmargate

THANKS SANDI: PAC DELIGHT COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MALA MALA . WE BOOKED DUBAI FOR 7 NIGHTS.2 AT JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL, 5 ATBURJ-AL-ARAB. THE KIDS LOVE WATER PARKS AND WILD WADI IS SUPPOSED TO BE GREAT. MALAYSIA AIR DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM NEWARK FOR 4 WAS QUOTED ON ORBITZ,TRAVELOCITY,AND MY TRAVEL AGENT YESTERDAY $8300.00 TODAY THEY HAD EXACT SAME FLIGHTS FOR $2200.00 I COULDNOT BELIEVE MY GOOD FORTUNE. I BOOKED AND GOT MY CONFIMATIONS.

sandi

pgmargate - Glad to were able to work out the details for your alternate plans. And I'm sure that if the kids are happy, so too will you.

That airfare is amazing? For all four of you? or 1/2 fares for the kids? WOW! Is it non-stop from EWR?

Regarding the Burj al-Arab, the only information I have on this hotel is what I've seen on a TV special shortly after the hotel opened. So upon your return, do let us know all the details. Enjoy your holiday!

pgmargate

hi sandi: the ewr flight is the only direct,non stop flight i saw. 2 adults $1244.,2 kids $876. incl. all tax and fees. supposed to receive paper tix via fed x by tuesday.

sandi

Great deal and Amazing prices! Does Malaysian air partner with any of the major Frequent Flyer programs? Hope you can get miles for this trip!

pgmargate

SANDI: AMAZINGLY TRAVELOCITY STILL HAS UOR 4 TIX AT $2100. WHILE MALAY AIR WEB SITE HAS A PRICE DIRECT FROM THEM AT $3200. DONOT THINK I GET MILES FROM THEM ONLY GET MILES FROM MY VISA FOR THE PURCHASE.

sandi

Well, at least you get something!

pgmargate

The price for air was real, tix arrived via fed -x this a.m.

sandi

With tickets in hand, I guess "you're on your way." Just reconfirm with the airline and try to get your seat assignments ahead of time. Some airlines will provide seats, some don't - if not, advise them to mark your records that you are a family and require seats together.

And don't forget to post a trip report on your return.

pgmargate

SANDI : thanks for your insights.

Clark55

I have stayed at both the Jumeirah Beach & the Burj Al Arab, I found the Burj Al Arab to be too formal, even in the bar & restaurant toilets there's someone waiting to dry your hands for you, it was way over the top & I don't think it's the type of place that children would enjoy. Whereas the Jumeirah beach hotel is great, loads of restaurant choice & the entrance to the Wadi Wadi is from the pool at the Jumeirah which is much more convenient for the children.

pgmargate

clarke55: is muscat in oman a viable day trip from dubai. if not can you advise us of any other possibilities. thanks.

Clark55

pgmargate: The drive from Dubai to Muskat takes roughly 5 hours, so it isn't really a possibility. An option would be to spend a couple of nights in Muskat then head back to Dubai.

pgmargate

Clarke55: thanks for the info.