Overnigtht in Dubai

25 June 2013, 04:41

MJines

Wendell, I have only stayed in two places and they were adequate, nothing fancy. I would recommend staying near the airport. There are plenty of hotels near the airport. Last year I stayed at the Premier Inn. It was clean, close and cheap.

25 June 2013, 06:09

elk88101

Yes paper work on weapons and ammo a must
Also never put scopes or anything to do with the gun in the carry on
They do not allow scopes. They took mine from my carry on

Hotel if you are flying emirates they usually have a room voucher for you.
Have a great trip
Larry

25 June 2013, 09:10

Saeed

Wendell,

Here you will be spoiled for choice.

You can pick a very cheap hotel to a 5-star extravaganza. Where the daily rate starts around $30,000 and they do pick you up from the airport in a helicopter free of charge

How long are you staying in Dubai?

If you have time, let me know and come over and have a drink.

25 June 2013, 10:26

Code4

+1 on going with your airline choice if you don't get a personal recommendation here. They are usually equal in standard to your airline.

Taxis are very, very cheap, as are hire cars with drivers so you won't get stung with unexpected fares. You can do a personal guided tour with a driver (usually a Pakistani, the Indian workers seem to be more counter jumper types) for very little money. Bargain hard at your hotel counter and you will be surprised how fast the cost drops.

Don't expect to meet many native Arabs. All the work is done by imports.

25 June 2013, 22:23

Wendell Reich

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Wendell,

You can pick a very cheap hotel to a 5-star extravaganza. Where the daily rate starts around $30,000 and they do pick you up from the airport in a helicopter free of charge

How long are you staying in Dubai?

If you have time, let me know and come over and have a drink.

Saeed, thanks. I have not booked the ticket yet, but it looks as if the Dubai option is the best one for me. Anything can change in the next day or so.

If it is booked as planned, I have a full 21 hour layover, so I definitely have some time on my hands.

While I will pass on the "free" helicopter ride, I will take you up on the offer to come visit.

12 years on AR, finally get to meet our benevolent host in person!

Quick question ... any chance you can arrange a meeting with a certain Walterhog? How can a trip to Dubai be complete without this?

25 June 2013, 22:57

MJines

Wendell, I presume you are on Emirates. If so, I think you will be pleased. Having done the Houston-Dubai-Harare run twice on Emirates, I am a big fan of that route and the airline (I understand they do a similar route out of DFW) even though you are not headed to Harare.

26 June 2013, 17:42

Wendell Reich

Mike,

Yes, Looks like DFW > Dubai, Dubai > Lusaka. The planes appear to be much nicer than SAA, the routing is very good, the overnight is the only negative, but I can deal with it.

ANYTHING to stay out of Joberg!

26 June 2013, 18:07

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Wendell,

You can pick a very cheap hotel to a 5-star extravaganza. Where the daily rate starts around $30,000 and they do pick you up from the airport in a helicopter free of charge

How long are you staying in Dubai?

If you have time, let me know and come over and have a drink.

Saeed, thanks. I have not booked the ticket yet, but it looks as if the Dubai option is the best one for me. Anything can change in the next day or so.

If it is booked as planned, I have a full 21 hour layover, so I definitely have some time on my hands.

While I will pass on the "free" helicopter ride, I will take you up on the offer to come visit.

12 years on AR, finally get to meet our benevolent host in person!

Quick question ... any chance you can arrange a meeting with a certain Walterhog? How can a trip to Dubai be complete without this?

Wendell,

This is the last week of school, so from now on until September, both me and Walter travel quite a bit.

But, if your travel to Dubai is when we are here, we would love to see you.

26 June 2013, 18:56

MJines

I personally find the overnight in Dubai refreshing. A chance to shower, shave, get some sleep and break up the long trip over. It does prolong the total travel time, but the time is more relaxing. I think you will find that when you arrive in Lusaka you will feel better, more rested, cleaner.

27 June 2013, 01:38

Wendell Reich

Mike,

I agree. I am a fan of breaking it up a bit. It's 15 hrs DFW to Dubai. 8 or so to Lusaka. Not too bad.

Other than rolling Biz Class, it's torture any way you cut it.

Saeed, looking forward to it. Thanks again for the invite.

01 July 2013, 14:23

ddrhook

Good luck on those hotel vouchers. last time i was on emirates the voucher was less than worthless. and i was not the only one five other people on the same flight got denied rooms with there vouchers. but for 275 dollars a room magically appeared to open.

01 July 2013, 15:54

mboga biga bwana

quote:
Good luck on those hotel vouchers. last time i was on emirates the voucher was less than worthless. and i was not the only one five other people on the same flight got denied rooms with there vouchers.

Never had a problem with Emirates Hotel Vouchers.

01 July 2013, 15:55

mboga biga bwana

quote:
Taxis are very, very cheap

This was also surpriseing me when i was last time in Dubai.

01 July 2013, 17:09

MJines

quote:
Originally posted by ddrhook:
Good luck on those hotel vouchers. last time i was on emirates the voucher was less than worthless. and i was not the only one five other people on the same flight got denied rooms with there vouchers. but for 275 dollars a room magically appeared to open.

Were you wearing that big hat?

01 July 2013, 18:45

ddrhook

noop!!

no hat just bone tired and needing someplace to sleep. Did i mention when i got home and i tried to call and register a complaint that the compliant line is never ever answered. at one time i found a web page dedicated to the problems other had, had and the biggest two complaints were not honoring vouchers and total lack of help with finding lost luggage.

01 July 2013, 19:39

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by ddrhook:
noop!! no hat just bone tired and needing someplace to sleep. Did i mention when i got home and i tried to call and register a complaint that the compliant line is never ever answered. at one time i found a web page dedicated to the problems other had, had and the biggest two complaints were not honoring vouchers and total lack of help with finding lost luggage.

Can you give a link to the website you mentioned above please?

01 July 2013, 20:58

shakari

quote:
Originally posted by ddrhook:
noop!! no hat just bone tired and needing someplace to sleep. Did i mention when i got home and i tried to call and register a complaint that the compliant line is never ever answered. at one time i found a web page dedicated to the problems other had, had and the biggest two complaints were not honoring vouchers and total lack of help with finding lost luggage.

If you'd had that big hat with you, you're problem would have been solved........... Just sleep underneath it!

01 July 2013, 22:17

Venture South

I am surprised to hear of problems with Emirates vouchers. Maybe Saeed can give Sheikh Ahmed a call. Emirates staff will make a camel fly if Sheikh Ahmed gives the order

My suggestion for hotels when you are flying is the Airport Meridian. Its literally connected to the airport and is a great place for the money you pay.
Another good option is the Creek Hilton as it is close and gets you close to the Souq etc. Not expensive either.

01 July 2013, 22:29

MJines

Well all I can say is that I am 2-for-2 with the vouchers. In fact, Emirates has a waiting area staffed with Emirates personnel for passengers going to the hotel where folks assemble, the shuttle driver picks you up and off you go. All seemed to be very well organized from my experience.

02 July 2013, 18:49

hamdeni

Guys,

I have a friend who travels to Canada nearly every month from Tanzania and is always given a voucher in Dubai and has never had a problem with emirates.

Hamdeni

17 July 2013, 03:53

shotgun46

quote:
Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Saeed, and/or anyone else who has a suggestion. Where would you stay in Dubai? Have a full overnight on the way to Zambia in July.

Wendell got back from Zimbabwe on July 16 Flew Air Emirates from SF to Harare Over nighted in Dubai Emirates provided the room and food in ticket cost. Accommodation were over the top. New 777 300 comfortable seats smart phone hook up Checked guns straight through no problems problems hot looking attentive flight attendants will fly Emirates any place they go head and shoulders over SAA or Delta