The Luxury of Excess in Dubai
Dubai, one of the the mighty United Arab Emirates, perches on the shoreline of the Persian Gulf. While Dubai may not be well-known in the US, it is well-known everywhere else and is fast becoming one of the most popular, and decadent vacation destinations.
Dubai is among the top choices for shoppers, expatriates and tourists, for it's high standard of living (there is no income tax here) and unapologetic love of outrageous luxury. This is truly the city of excess. From the man-made residential island shaped like a palm tree to the sail-shaped 'seven star' hotel that rises out of the Gulf to the Ski Center in downtown Dubai where it is possible to glide down artificially created pistes while gazing out at the hordes sweltering in the 40+ degree Celsius heat, Dubai is the concentration point for all that money can buy.
As well as laying claim to the world's only 'Seven star hotel', Dubai's eclectic and impressive collection of avant garde architecture has now been joined by the Dynamic Tower — the world’s first building made of independently moveable parts. Scheduled for completion in 2010, each floor of the Tower (apart from the first eight) rotates independently, at the simple press of a button located on the tenant's control panel. Each floor rotates through a full 360 degrees, making the view as easily changeable as a pair of socks.
Dubai is a shopper's haven and high-end designer stores like Armani and Prada sit comfortably next to cheap, mass-produced bargains. There is no real haggling to be found in Dubai, although the prices are usually low enough to eliminate the need. This does not hold true for the high-end stores however, where the absence of income tax in Dubai (and its resulting individual wealth) shows itself in the eye-raising price tags.
Dubai accommodation is in a class of its own. While a suite in a 'seven star' hotel ranges upwards from an eye-watering $2000 per night, more modest accommodation can be found for $400 - $500 a night in one of the many waterfront resorts. Take the word 'waterfront' literally, as there are plenty of places to stay where the sand blows in under your door directly off the beach. For those on a shoestring budget, Dubai may not be the best choice of vacation destination, but there are one or two (very run-down) lodgings to be found inland, often in a family home, for as little as $30 per night.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder on the left to find cheap hotels in Dubai. Great deals to be found this season!
(Photo:Fotolia/philipus)
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