Dubai, United Arab Emirates - A Weekend of Desert Luxury

Burj Al Arab

Burj al Arab and Dubai coastline

Guest Blog: Leigh Brody

Alexandra asked me to write a guest blog for my recent jet set weekend to Dubai, which I’m happy to report fits perfectly among the calibre of places she usually spotlights. This was my first time to Dubai and I would happily return tomorrow. The city is divided into multiple parts, of which the highlights are the marina, the Jumeirah with the Burj Al Arab, and the downtown. All parts of town have a different feel but encompass the same high quality restaurants, bars, and most of all, top notch pampering! The city is incredibly safe and its hallmark is the extraordinary level of service it provides to its visitors. Here is my list of to-dos on your next visit to the sandbox. Follow me on twitter @l3ighbrody for all of my adventures.

1) Have lunch inside the Burj Al Arab. Pictures are completely banned, but I couldn’t resist taking one of the inside:

2) Visit the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, and get a bird's eye view (well, I'm not even sure birds can fly this high) of Dubai from the observation deck on the 124th floor.

Burj Khalifa- tallest building in the world

Burj Khalifa

View from the observation deck at 124 stories up

3) Go for a wild ride through the desert as you fly over sand dunes in a 4W drive vehicle. We organized a half day safari with Orient Tours. Ask for Bobby, he is the best driver and guide! The tour includes a stop at a camel farm and the chance to watch the sunset in the desert.

4) Go for broke shopping for gold in the souk

5) Lunch or dinner at Pierchic overlooking the Burj al Arab (inside the Jumeirah Hotel) is a must!

Pierchic

We stayed at the Grosvenor House Hotel and had a fabulous room overlooking the marina.

On our first night we dined at Toro Toro inside our hotel at the Grosvenor House. Fantastic tapas style restaurant with a sexy vibe and killer scene. After dinner, head upstairs to the pool bar overlooking the marina to enjoy a nightcap.