I was lucky enough to be invited by Corinthia Hotels and Alpha Management to come and experience the wonders of Dubai with a group of #eventprofs…! Never had an imagined what this country beholds…!
First stop – Heathrow Airport to Abu Dhabi. Lucky for me I managed to upgrade my ticket to Business Class, thanks to Etihad Airways. So on my arrival via the Business Lounge I was greeted (with a glass of bubbly of course!) and shown to my seat by my very own personal waiter Patrick.
The 6.5 hour flight was a very comfortable, and went by quickly, since I was constantly being plied with delicious meals and current movies, in between snoozing in my bed.
Next Stop Abu Dhabi…. The first thing that hits you when you exit the doors of the air-conditioned airport is the HEAT!!! I have never experienced this type of heat at 11pm in the evening….! After a quick exit I was met by Alpha Destination Management who transported me to my first stop ‘The Meydan Hotel ‘ home of the renowned Dubai World Cup and longest hotel in world at 1.3km!!!! I was amazed when walking in by the glistening of the largest chandeliers ever seen and beautiful fresh flowers everywhere… I was also overwhelmed by the hospitality service as soon as you arrive
After checking in I was shown to my bedroom …it was not like stepping into any normal size hotel bedroom it was like stepping into my very own large apartment … beautifully decorated and very’ GOLD’ but modern….greeted with personalized gifts and my very own camel teddy!!
Next morning I was shown to breakfast where right in front of my eyes was a buffet of beautifully presented food..from scrambled eggs to sushi and every freshly squeezed fruit , not forgetting Camel Milk!
Shortly after breakfast I was met by The Meydan Events Team and shown around the whole venue. I was astonished by the space and facilities the place had to offer, including the world class race course right in front of you. With rooftop infinity pools, race course, small to large open plan meeting spaces, nightclub on site… I could only imagine how the hotel buzzes when special events are in progress!
The hotel offers only the best cuisines, from the Shiba Restaurant embarking on a journey of Culinary Far Eastern delights, to The Farriers Restaurant, a gourmet extravaganza of traditional, Asian and European cuisine. Having being lucky enough to try all the restaurants I could not fault anything … from the service to the taste of each dish …. The food really is remarkable!
Day two …after experiencing the Dubai FRIDAY Brunch ….. I was collected by Alpha Destination Management and taken straight to ‘Fly High Dubai Helicopter Pad’, where I had the most incredible experience taking a helicopter tour from Atlantis and The Palm over the city. It was breathtaking being able to see the development of Dubai, which is ever expanding… not forgetting the famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest viewing tower in the WORLD right in front of your eyes. TRULY MAGICAL!
Dinner for the evening was held in the Steakhouse which was another culinary delight – very different to the other restaurants in the hotel but I would say more pristine… if you could get anymore pristine! Then if that wasn’t enough for the day I was on the guest list for ‘White’ the exclusive open air night club in the facility with the most amazing panoramic views of Dubai… great music and amazing atmosphere!
After leaving the club after a few tipples…whilst staggering back to the hotel we managed to spot the DJ – Mahmut Orhan entering the hotel so decided to harass him for a photo… !
Day 3 was time to leave The Meydan hotel and before heading to our next destination we were immersed into the culture centre for the heritage tour- by visiting the Gold and Spice Souk markets, Dubai museum, Abra Crossing –
and a visit to the local Mosque…
After lunch at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht club – Boardwalk Restaurant… we were then blown away by another highlight of the trip….A jeep Safari ride to our next destination… over the beautiful ‘no man’s land’ , the desert, capturing some memorable pictures …
not forgetting #usainbolting IN THE DESERT !
NEXT DESTINATION – Bab Al Shams situated in the heart of the desert and nestled in the dunes of Dubai. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. Located in a perfect location only 40 minutes from Dubai airport – for those seeking a unique desert experience within easy reach of Dubai, Bab Al Shams is the ideal destination.
The first day I made the most of the luxury facilities whilst soaking up the sun… and of course experiencing the pool side cocktails….
It was very surreal moment sat by a beautiful swimming pool then looking aside and realizing you are in the middle of the desert. So tranquil and peaceful.
After a lazy afternoon in the sunshine … I was shown around the impressive conferences and banqueting facilities, comprising of 22 meeting rooms and event capacity of 5000 people! It was quite unbelievable that the resort had all these hidden meeting facilities, including the amazing open air arena which is a short 5 minutes away surrounded by the natural scenes of the Arabian desert…
After watching an unforgettable sunset over the desert….
we took a short walk to the extraordinary Al Hadheerah Restaurant which is within the Bab Al Shams resort! This was like another resort in itself offering an exquisite buffet with 14 live cooking stations. An authentic desert dining experience with live entertainment including, dancers, camel riding and a falconry show! A real WOW factor to end my incredible trip in Dubai!
This was like another resort in itself, offering a generous buffet with 14 live cooking stations. An authentic desert dining experience with live entertainment including, dancers, camel riding and a falconry show! A real WOW factor to end my incredible trip in Dubai!
After the exciting night before… my journey sadly came to a end, but this was a experience which I will never ever forget ! I came to Dubai with my Eyes Wide Open and wow this place you really do need to keep your eyes wide open!
I came to Dubai with my Eyes Wide Open and wow, in this place you really do need to keep your eyes wide open! Dubai is indeed a place that fuels the mind. It is constantly growing and rising high to become the biggest and the best, incorporating well known features and landmarks from other countries and making them their own… This place is definitely becoming a popular place as both a business and travel destination, making it the best in the world. If I could describe DUBAI in its letters it would be..
D efinitely U nforgettable B ut A lso I ncredible…..!
I would like thank Corinthia Hotel Residences & Alpha Destination Management for such a remarkable unforgettable Arabian Experience.
Thanks for reading!
Eleanor x
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