“I ‘upslept’ myself for a workation week in Dubai in July – from a 4-star hotel in a good beach location, to a great 5-star hotel close to the city, to the top dog with royal 6 stars on the palm tree. And all this at 42 degrees in the shade. The only advantage: almost nobody was there.” Kai Böcking
I’ve been a regular guest in the Emirates for many years, but I’ve never experienced a midsummer like this before. My flight from Munich was still fully booked because Dubai is – of course – a hub. It in summer Dubai also seems to be exciting for many holidaymakers in terms of price. Even the 5-star hotels sometimes offer discounts of up to 60 %.
I didn’t choose the timing of my trip. A few TV castings, my passport renewal and a story for Bleisure Traveller are the reason. My first hotel is the Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah, a relatively new hotel on one of Dubai’s best beaches, West Beach. Here the beach restaurants are lined up one after the other, cool drinks, music and sunsets are guaranteed. Unfortunately, everything is closed in summer. Too hot.
The hotel is furnished in the most beautiful Scandinavian simplicity, the rooms are functional and breakfast is kept to a minimum. The beach club is open, but the emergency staff only hand out towels – end of the service offensive. But as I don’t feel like just working in my room – the WIFI is great – I head to one of the restaurants. The Esco bar is a Latin American hotspot in the evening, now more of an open-air barbecue with huge refrigeration units. You can sit there with your drink in front of one of the cabinets loaded with ice cubes and freeze. At least my laptop can cool its circuits undisturbed.
Wind on the 46th floor
When most beaches in Dubai are closed in summer, it hardly makes sense to stay by the sea. I move and experience a real service surprise. The Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers, with a view of the golf course and lake, is a little away from the hustle and bustle. This hotel is also only half full, so I upgrade to a small suite and enjoyed the view of the skyline. The Taj is a real discovery for me: ultra-friendly service, sophisticated restaurants and a huge pool on the 46th floor. Even in July, the breeze here is wonderfully refreshing and the view over the hazy city is breathtaking.
The passport has now arrived, the castings have been made – and I’m spending the last night in what is probably Dubai’s hippest hotel at the moment: Atlantis The Royal. The hotel describes itself as the best ultra-luxury resort in the world. But boasting with superlatives is a kind of popular sport in this region. There are no problems finding rooms here either, but the hotel is more crowded than the others. Especially with influencers from all over the world showing off their toned bodies to each other in the Cloud 22 rooftop lounge. The pool is a hit. As is the view over the entire palm tree, including the water park. Floating loungers, bar and restaurant – a picture perfect heaven.
My room is large, bright and spacious. Dark wood, marble, airy bathroom. Perfect. I have access to the Royal Lounge, which offers a fine drinks and snack service during the day before heading to one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants in the evening. Heston Blumenthal is here, the bustling Nobu has the main restaurant and a beach club, and gourmets are at the right address here. Passing the luxury label shops, I managed to get a table at La Mar, by Gastón Acurio. Peruvian cuisine at a sensational level. Ceviche, grilled fish – everything prepared to perfection and served in an extremely friendly manner.
Unfortunately, 24 hours is not enough time to experience or savour the entire range on offer at Atlantis The Royal. I have to go there again – even if it is hot.
Kai Böcking …
… has already written many Dubai updates. But his hot trip in July will stay with him for a long time. Welcome to climate change.
Bleisure Tipps
The Japanese restaurant Zuma is still an institution in Dubai and is also great for an after-work drink. If you don’t want to travel to Dubai, there is currently a pop-uP Zuma at the Charles Hotel in Munich.
Fish directly from and at the harbour – the best place to get it is at Fishing Harbor 2 in Jumeirah, e.g. at the Azeema Seafood Restaurant, right next to the fish market.
Sven Mostegl, known as Sven the Baker, has moved: Bakers Kitchen is now in the Leva Hotel, still serving the best and healthiest bread in town.
It is best to buy tourist sim cards in the baggage area at the airport. Roaming charges are very expensive in the Emirates. WhatsApp calls do not work, and some well-known VPNs are also blocked.
Fotos: © Atlantis Dubai, Kai Böcking
