Inside the Golden Souk – A business traveller’s guide to Dubai

Source: Exec Digital UK

Date :02/01/2008 08:51:56

Hotels, restaurants, transport; in association with Lonely Planet, we give all the information in our guide to Dubai, the undoubted business centre of the Middle East.

Business in Dubai centres around Sheikh Zayed Rd, and a hotel with a view is the best way to take in the striking architecture on this sleek strip. A number of attention-grabbing edifices have opened in the last few years making the strip seem like a host to some kind of freeform architectural jazz, where each new development riffs off the last.

Check out the eye-catching Dusit Dubai and World Trade Centre. Just a few blocks from the road are several sights that couldn’t be more different from each other. To appreciate these varied themes, take a look at Nad al-Sheba Racing Club and Camel Racecourse, the flamingos at Ras Al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary and the art galleries of industrial Al-Quoz.

Arrival

Dubai International Airport (general inquiries 224 5555, flight inquiries 206 6666) is the busiest in the Middle East and is rightly renowned for its excellent duty-free shopping. All major international airlines use Terminal 1, the main terminal; other carriers use the much smaller Terminal 2. There are left luggage facilities at the airport.

The easiest option is to take one of the Dubai Transport taxis from the arrivals area. A ride to the Deira souq area is about Dh35, Bur Dubai around Dh45, while journeys to the Jumeirah hotels cost around Dh60, depending on the amount of traffic chaos.

Where to eat

Exchange Grill - The Fairmont Hotel

This is the most elegant of Dubai’s numerous steakhouses after its recent makeover. The hushed ambience allows you to fully concentrate on the menu featuring prime cuts of meat and well chosen vintage wines. A meat-lover’s paradise.

Noodle House - Emirates Towers

Given the success of the Noodle House, we’ve been half expecting the standards to drop; however, the pan-Asian staples here (try the char kway teow or the laksa) are always fresh and it’s only those communal tables (sometimes impossible to get comfortable at) that stop us eating here every day.

VU’S BAR - 51st fl, Emirates Towers

The stupendous views of Dubai draw the tourists up the glass elevator, but residents come for the decent wines by the glass, stylish setting and buzzy atmosphere.

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