Additional Tips about Dubai
SEASON
Best time to visit Dubai is between November and March, marked by an extremely pleasant climate. The winter months of January and February experiences light showers bringing the temperatures down. Summers are hot with high humidity. The mean daily maximum is 24 Deg C in January rising to 41 Deg C in July.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS
Muslim religious laws should be observed. During Ramadan, it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public.
Dubai is a friendly city but as anywhere else an appreciation of the prevailing customs would help largely in an enjoyable stay. While men could do well with formal attire, women are expected to dress conservatively. Nudity is strictly forbidden. Swimsuits are to be confined to hotel swimming pools only.
Alcoholic beverages are served in bars and many restaurants. Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Where service charges are not included, 10% is adequate.
CURRENCY
The basic monetary unit of UAE is the Dirham (Dh). The paper currency comes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and coins in Dh 1 and fils 50, 25, 10 and 5. A Dirham is divided into 100 fils.
There are no restrictions on import and export of both local and foreign currencies. Hotel bills can be paid in cash, travellers cheques or credit cards.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
It is prohibited by law to import the following items into the UAE:
Drugs, firearms, ammunition and pornographic material.
SHOPPING
In Dubai, shopping is regarded as a pleasure. From the most modern shopping malls to the traditional souks (markets), Dubai provides an endless scope for shoppers. In terms of sheer variety, quality, and service, Dubai as a shopping centre stands second to none. Customs duties being low, luxury goods are cheaper than in most countries. Best buys include clothes and fabrics (check out the designer label outlets at Karama and Al Satwa), carpets and rugs, electronics, sports goods, perfumes, jewellery, ethnic gifts and novelties, spices, etc. Shopping complexes like City Centre, Bur Juman Centre and Al Ghurair Centre are certainly worth a visit. The amazing gold souk, one of the largest retail gold markets in the world is in Deira.
The award winning Dubai Duty Free complex at the international airport is where one can buy the latest in high-tech electronics and cameras to luxury goods from all over the globe, bearing brand names and labels of international repute. The duty-free is one of the best in the world.
Shopping malls are open from 10 am to 10 pm. Normal shopping hours are from 9 am to 9 pm with a three-hour break from 1 pm to 4 pm. Supermarkets stay open till late in the night with a few going round the clock. On Fridays all shops close for prayers from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. Visitors can also enjoy the spree and treat themselves to some longed-for purchases during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Summer Surprise.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Telecom Services include International Direct Dialling (IDD) service to all subscribers in UAE, Home Country Direct telephone (HCD), special Star services, specialized information-based Value Added Network Services (VANS), on-line information service, Radio Paging Systems, Al-Zajel Voice Mail service, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) with Prepaid GSM SIM Card, Bulletin Boards, toll-free Service 800, the Common User Message Management System (CUMMS), Electronic Mail Network (Emnet) enabling subscribers to make calls worldwide, the Emirates Data Network (Emdan), Internet services, marine communications, Inmarsat-M&B, and the Etconsult, a consultancy service for telecom and computer companies, besides the regular telecom services. Phone calls within the emirate are free. The facilities are provided by the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) head-quartered at Abu Dhabi.
NEWSPAPERS
Three daily newspapers are published from Dubai, Al Bayan in Arabic, Khaleej Times and Gulf News in English.
TOURISM AND COMMERCE INFORMATION
The wide range of high quality promotional and information materials produced by Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, from time to time, covers almost all the major areas of tourism and commerce and gives detailed information on the resources and tourism facilities available in Dubai. Tel: +971-4-2230000, Fax: +971-4-2230022.
Hotels & Apartments in Dubai
Dailing Instructions: From Dubai Number only. From U.A.E but Outside Dubai:04 followed by the number. From outside U.A.E:+9714 followed by number(where + is the ISD access code for your country) 1.
Admiral Plaza Hotel, Tel: 3935333 admplaza@emirates.net.ae
2. Airport Hotel(LLC), Tel:2823464 sales.airdxb@mill_cop.com
3.Al Bustan Ronata Hotel, Tel: 2820000 albustan_hotel@rotana.com
4.Al Khaleej Palace Hotel(LLC), Tel: 2231000 kpalace@emirates.net.ae
5.Ambassador Hotel, Tel: 3939444, Fax: 3939193 amhotel@astamb.com
6.Astoria Hotel, Tel: 3534300, Fax:3535665 astoria@astamb.com
7.Avari Dubai International, Tel:2956666 sales@avari_dubai.co.ae
8.Burj Al Arab Hotel, Tel: 3017777 reservation@burj_al_arab.com
9.Capitol Hotel, Tel: 3460111 caphotel@emirates.net.ae
10.Carlton Tower Hotel, Tel: 2227111 carlton@emirates.net.ae
11.Casablanca Hotel, Tel: 2289111
12.Claridge Hotel, Tel: 2716666 emailclaridge@emirates.net.ae
13.Comfort Inn Hotel, Tel: 2227393, Fax: 2224438 comftinn@emirates.net.ae
14.Crowne Plaza Hotel, Tel: 3311111 cpdxb@cpdxb.co.ae
15.Dreamland Hotel, Tel: 2288300 dlhotel@emirates.net.ae
16.Deira Park Hotel, Tel: 2239893. deirapak@emirates.net.ae
17.Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Tel: 3461111 dxbmarin@emirates.net.ae
18.Dubai Metropolitan Hotel, Tel: 3430000 methotel@emirates.net.ae
19.Dubai Park Hotel, Tel: 3992222 dxbparkht@emirates.net.ae
20.Emirates Towers, Tel: 3300000 eth@emirates.net.ae
21.Fairmount Dubai, Tel: 3325555 dubai.reservations@fairmount.com
22.Four point Sheraton, Tel: 3977444 fpshrdxb@emirates.net.ae
23.Golden Tulip Aero plane Hotel, Tel: 2722999 aeroplane@emirates.net.ae
24.Hatta Fort Hotel, Tel: 8523211 hfh@jaihotels.com
25.Hilton Dubai Jumerah, Tel: 3991111 hiltonjb@emirates.net.ae
26.Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel, Tel: 2271111 hiltonck@emirates.net.ae
27.Holiday Inn Bur Dubai, Tel: 3366000 hiburdxb@emirates.net.ae
28.Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tel: 2091234 hyattregency@hytdubai.com
29.Imperial Suites Hotel, Tel: 3515100 imphotel@emirates.net.ae
30.Intercontinental Hotel, Tel: 2227171 interconti_bc@incdubai.co.ae
31.Jebel Ali Hotel & Golf Resort, Tel: 8836000 jagrs@jaihot.com
32.Jumeirah Beach Club, Tel: 3445333 info@jumeirahbeachclub.com
33.Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Tel: 3480000 business.center@jumerahbeachhotel.com
34.Jumeirah Rotana Hotel, Tel: 3455888 jumerah_hotel@rotana.com
35.JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, Tel: 3455888 marriot@emirates.net.ae
36.Land Mark Hotel, Tel: 2286666 land1@emirates.net.ae
37.Le Meridien Dubai, Tel: 2824040 imdxb@emirates.net.ae
38.Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort&Marina, Tel: 3993333 reservation@lemeridian_minaseyahi.com
39.Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Tel: 3995555 sales@leroyalmeridien-dubai.com
40.Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Tel: 2270000 metpalac@emirates.net.ae
41.Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club, Tel: 3995000 metbeach@emirates.net.ae
42.Oasis Beach Hotel, Tel: 3994444 obh@jaihotels.com
43.President Hotel, Tel: 3346565, Fax: 3368915 presiden@emirates.net.ae
44.Princess Flamingo Hotel, Tel: 2635500 princchtl@emirates.net.ae
45.Quality Inn Horizon Hotel, Tel: 2271919 qualityinn@hotmail.com
46.Ramada Continental Hotel Dubai, Tel: 2662666 ramadadb@emirates.net.ae
47.Ramada Hotel, Tel: 3519999 rhddxb@emirates.net.ae
48.Renaissance Dubai, Tel: 2625555 rendubai@emirates.net.ae
49.Ritz-Carlton Dubai, Tel: 3994000 rcdubai@emirates.net.ae
50.Riviera Hotel, Tel: 2222131 riviera@emirates.net.ae
51.Royal Mirage, Tel: 3999999 royalmirage@emirates.net.ae
52.Rydges Plaza Hotel, Tel: 3982222 ridges@emirates.net.ae
53.Sanmarco Hotel, Tel: 2722333, Fax: 2722444 smhtldxb@emirates.net.ae
54 Sheraton Deira, Tel: 2688888 sheratondeira@sheraton.com
55.Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Tel: 2281111 sheradxb@emirates.net.ae
56.Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers, Tel: 3995533 sherjum@emirates.net.ae
57.Sofitel City Centre Hotel, Tel: 2941222 cifyhotel@emirates.net.ae
58.Taj Palace Hotel, Tel: 2232222 tajdubai@emirates.net.ae
59.Tower Rotana,Tel: 3438000 tower_hotel@rotana.com
60.Versailles Hotel, Tel: 2277880, Fax: 2277725 versails@emirates.net.ae
61.World Trade Centre Hotel, Tel: 3314000 hrd@twtch_dubai.com
FURNISHED APARTMENTS
Al Bustan Residence
Tel: 2630000.
Al Ghurair
Tel: 2232333.
Al Khaleej Holidays
Tel: 2276565.
Al Nakheel
Tel: 2241555.
Al Mas Residence
Tel: 3557899.
Al Rigga Plaza
Tel: 2221919.
City Center Residence
Tel: 2941333.
First Residence
Tel: 2626633.
Golden Sands
Tel: 3555553.
Imperial Residence
Tel:3553555.
Le Meridien Beach Villas
Tel: 3992000.
London Crown Suites
Tel: 3519000.
Morjana Plaza
Tel: 3420055.
Oasis Court
Tel: 3976666.
Pearl Residence
Tel: 3558111.
Rayan Residence
Tel: 2240888.
Rihab Rotana Suites
Tel: 2940300.
Rolla Residence
Tel: 3592000.
Wafi Residence
Tel: 3247222.
Winchester Residence
Tel: 3550111
