Hotspots in Dubai Part 2

Dubai – the city of superlatives

As you have experienced by now (see my hotel portraits from the August and September blogs, as well as my report in the travel blog from last month), the desert metropolis and some hotels of this megacity (the most exclusive luxury hotel in the world – Burj Al Arab) stand for superlatives. 

Thanks to the exclusive luxury hotel industry, Dubai offers vacations for luxury lovers and stands out from the crowd, because the former fishing settlement offers extraordinary hotspots and always scores with new world records: The world’s largest water fountain in terms of area (Dubai Fountain) with 14,000 square meters bubbles on the Palm Jumeirah, the world’s tallest building with 828 meters (Burj Khalifa) houses the highest observation deck in the world on the 148th floor. The largest mall is located right next to the Burj Khalifa: the Dubai Mall has over 1,200 stores and scores with the unique Dubai Aquarium. The man-made Bluewaters Island enjoys the largest Ferris wheel in the world (Ain Dubai). 

The metropolis of millions truly sets itself apart from the competition and has long since made a name for itself in the art and culture scene. Jameel Arts Center, which opened in 2018 on the Jaddaf Waterfront in the Al Quoz district and specializes in contemporary art, is a must-see. By the way, this neighborhood is known for its young, creative and emerging artist scene. Not only modern Arabic art is created here, but also international art. The art fair, Art Dubai, founded in 2008, is firmly established in the calendar of both local and foreign collectors, connoisseurs, artists and buyers. A visit to the Dubai Opera in Downtown Dubai should also be on your sightseeing itinerary. The opera house, in the shape of a traditional wooden ship, is in fact a multifunctional cultural center, with, among other things, a theater and a concert and event hall for readings, exhibitions or conferences. 

In September, I told you that Dubai is shifting into the future in tuned turbo gear while still preserving the traditions of yesterday. No other building than the golden picture frame – Dubai Frame – manages to impressively portray this symbiosis. Its strategic location between the old city core and the new neighborhoods exemplifies this fusion of tradition and modernity. The largest frame in the world (150 meters high / 93 meters wide) with gold-embellished stainless-steel facades as well as ornate decorations is truly an architectural masterpiece. Inside, a journey back in time to the glorious past and into the visionary future awaits you. I don’t want to reveal more, because this sight and the adventure that awaits you at a height of almost 150 meters are something you have to see and experience for yourself. 

There are supposed to be over 150 million flowers in the Miracle Garden. In addition to blooming swans, ships and castles, not only is the garden a world record, but also the long-haul aircraft exhibited there with 500,000 flowers: Airbus A380 is the largest floral object in the world. 

In the immediate vicinity of the Miracle Garden is the Butterfly Garden. I recommend you a visit to this garden as well. The butterflies flying around create a fairytale atmosphere. 

 

Furthermore, Dubai is a real shopper’s paradise (“do buy!”) Neither the shopping lover nor the power shopper can decide in Dubai which air-conditioned mall to visit and rushes breathlessly from one to the next in a shopping frenzy. In order for you to have a relaxed shopping experience, I will introduce you to some of the magnificent, gleaming shopping malls. 

The true shopping palaces are: 

And now I must unfortunately say goodbye to my Dubai. See you again as soon as possible! 

Dubai is definitely the destination for a world traveler. The former desert oasis is both an artificially created fairytale world with glitter, glamour and glitz factor, including spectacular skyscrapers, unique shopping malls and breathtaking sights, as well as a vibrant metropolis in the arts and culture and a consolidated business destination. Ultimately, Dubai embodies the symbol of symbiosis between tradition and innovation in an exemplary manner. 

Stay tuned for my upcoming blog: The Great Arabian Desert and its unique desert hotels: Al Maha and Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara.