Hotels in DXB
 

Hi,

Due to some last minute changes in my plans, I have been forced onto FCO-DXB-BOM with an overnight layover at DXB for tomorrow. Now since the earlier flight to BOM from DXB was full, I was informed by the call center that I am eligible for the complimentary hotel stay. But it needs to be collected from a town office, which unfortunately is closed tomorrow. So, I am wondering abotu the following,

1. Would it be possible to get the complimentary hotel details done at DXB?
2. If not, are there any recommended hotels nearby?
3. Also how painful is it to get a transit visa?

Also, how is the wifi situation at DXB? (available or not, paid/free?)

Another thing I was wondering is how hard is it getting a special meal offer less than 24 hrs. Since I have dietary restrictions, (no cheese, and I am guessing that on a flight from Italy, it would be hard to find food without cheese ;-) ), it is quite important for me. The folks at the call centre did make an entry, but I am wondering if they will be able to provide it or not.

For the hotel booking, rather than asking in DXB ask during the check in, they might be of help to you. (If flying Y, then the hotel will be Millenium Hotel nearby the airport) If you cannot get the vouher, there is a pretty decent hotel within the airport free zone area.

If you are citizen of the EU/UK/US and some other countries then you do not need a transit visa you can get at the passport control.

There is a Le Meridien Hotel very close to the airport as well.

Within the Lounge in DXB there is free Wifi, with a speed depending on how busy the airport is. I do not know certainly but beieve that the wifi should be available around since there is no password.

Finally good luck with the meal issue.

Have a nice flight.

P.S. in the earlier threads there was a disussion regarding the hotel availability in layovers.

Wow!
 

There was a messup with my payment, but they managed to resolve it an hour before checkin, with some very impressive work by the folks at Manchester, who were ready to hold my reservation longer to enable me to make a cash payment at the airport.

I am in BOM now, and boy, am I impressed with emirates. They managed to send a hotel request from the ticket office at the airport, *after* I had checked in, and on reaching Dubai, the folks there had my voucher ready, and to my surprise, the package also included my visa.

They also managed my meal requests on both the flights. Amazingly, less than 24 hrs from FCO, and they managed a meal with cheese for me. Well, they have just won a new fan, and unless there is a major fare difference, I am going to be flying emirates for sure.