This Summer we had the chance to visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was a super cool experience for all three of us. It was actually a surprise trip from my hubby! Can you imagine!! We have never been on a flight so long before, or that part of the world. However, there's a first time for everything. We were excited. We flew with Turkish Airlines because we were also headed for Istanbul after Dubai. My husband looked for All-inclusive hotels Dubai, and specifically The RIU and Atlantis The Palm.
But first where is Dubai?
Dubai is the most populated city in the UAE. It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai.
August 11, 2023, was the day we left on our journey. We had a 1pm flight to Turkey, which went surprisingly fast! We killed time with plenty of movies on our flight and enjoyed traditional Turkish dinner and breakfast. If you have never flown Turkish Airlines, I highly recommend them. As you get on board waiting in your seat was a cute bag full of long flight staples. We got socks, slippers, ear plugs, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and eye masks. It was a nice touch considering we weren't in first class. As we went through our 11-hour flight from New York, we landed in Turkey. I believe it was about 5:30 AM Turkey time. Our next flight was in one hour. We were tired but running on our excitement to get to our destination. After another 4.5-hour flight we landed safely in Dubai. We noticed immediately that Dubai is a very clean city. The airport was big and unique.
We got our luggage and took an Uber to our first stop.
We split our stay in two top hotels. The first 4 days we stayed at the RIU All-inclusive. The RIU staff were so friendly, and the service was top notch.
We had wonderful meals there with many different food choices for any dietary preference. Since we went in August, which is Dubai's hottest month, it reached at least 105-110 each day! Bring a good SPF, and if want a rashguard or swim shirt. We stayed hydrated with lots of water. The pool was lovely, it did get warm though. You are in the desert remember that! There is a cute waterpark with slides for the kiddos to play around. My husband and son took off to the park while I sipped my margaritas! I did eventually go down a decent size slide, it was fun and refreshing!
After a nice day at the pool, we went back to our room to rest up, shower and head to dinner. We had some great food there, one restaurant in particular had delicious sushi. At the RIU you'll also find the best Mediterranean foods that they import from surrounding countries. I will be sharing some pictures along the way so you can see!
Our next destination in Dubai was the Atlantis, The Palms Hotel. We couldn't wait to see what this iconic hotel had in store for us. Driving up in the cab, we could hardly contain our enthusiasm. The sheer grandeur of the Atlantis the Palms building was awe-inspiring. Its stunning architecture stood tall against the Dubai skyline, and the intricate details were nothing short of remarkable. It was like a palace rising from the Arabian Gulf, and we were in awe.
We marveled at the impressive structure and the promise of what lay ahead. The anticipation was electric as we pulled up to the hotel entrance. It was the beginning of another chapter in our family adventure, and we couldn't have been more thrilled.
We knew that our stay here was going to be nothing short of magical. As we got out of the cab, there was a long red carpet taking you right into the hotel. Of course, I already started taking pictures and videos to capture every moment. It was beautiful. The lobby alone was outstanding, there was a very tall glass sculpture with beautiful colors and patterns by an artist named Dale Chihuly. There was also lounge areas to sit and relax if you needed to wait for your room or just enjoy the scenery.
After admiring the beauty of the lobby, we checked in, which didn't take too long, and headed for our room. Our son always opens the door first, it's just a thing we do! We like to see his excitement and first impression. We had a balcony suite once again. The room was spacious, and so very pretty. We had a king room, with a couch that turned into a bed. The room had all of the expected toiletries, and good quality items too. Bathrobes, slippers, and even welcome message on our television.
Since it was my husband's birthday week, I booked a reservation at En Fuego. It was a Latin inspired restaurant with such fun decor. We had a comfortable booth which I requested, and the vibe was so colorful and energetic. They have a live band and dancers every day. Feel free to get up and dance!
You actually can't help yourself in a place like that! We did. We ordered some traditional guacamole and chips. My son had beef tacos, I tried the lobster tacos, and my hubby had the skirt steak. Everything was delicious, pretty and plated so nicely.
After dinner, my hubby was surprised with a cute lemon cake and the staff sang Happy Birthday. Let's not forget about the huge sombrero they made him wear, and he did very happily! It was such a great night. Since En Fuego books up fast, I recommend calling ahead or booking your date and time online. They have specific nights where it is only 21 and over, so check their website before you plan it. I hope you get a chance to go, you'll love it!
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