Where are you going next?
Jun 1, 2020, 2:04 am
#4126
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London, Paris
Programs: LH HON, AF Platinum
Posts: 2,001
I'm sorry but I just have to disagree with that. Dubai has very little local culture, so it's definitely not a perfect mix of anything but sterility and material consumption. I don't even think the beaches are that great. And I say this as someone who's been to Dubai consistently since 1995, and seen it transform from what it was then to what it is today.
If you want local culture, head to Oman, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel although probably not in the same trip...
If you want local culture, head to Oman, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel although probably not in the same trip...
Jun 1, 2020, 2:23 am
#4127
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,643
I'm sorry but I just have to disagree with that. Dubai has very little local culture, so it's definitely not a perfect mix of anything but sterility and material consumption. I don't even think the beaches are that great. And I say this as someone who's been to Dubai consistently since 1995, and seen it transform from what it was then to what it is today.
If you want local culture, head to Oman, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel although probably not in the same trip...
If you want local culture, head to Oman, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel although probably not in the same trip...
It's true there is probably more to see in Oman, Jordan, Iran etc but the Gulf is still relatively undiscovered. And of course Saudi Arabia (not everyone's glass of tea) is opening up . . .
Jun 1, 2020, 2:25 am
#4128
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London, Paris
Programs: LH HON, AF Platinum
Posts: 2,001
I might give you that, but even you admit that the local culture in Dubai can be done in half a day, so I think my point at least about Dubai stands. Regarding the UAE as a whole, I might be willing to concede that.
Jun 1, 2020, 9:01 am
#4129
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Jun 2, 2020, 8:05 am
#4130
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: Virtuoso TA, UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 445
HK just announced visitor ban until 9/18. I guess I'll be cancelling MOHK, and likely all Asian countries planned for August/September. Probably best to stay CONUS for a while?
Jun 2, 2020, 8:12 am
#4131
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,393
Most would say it's best to stay away from CONUS for a while... Iceland is one safe option.
Jun 2, 2020, 8:22 am
#4132
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 404
Did a staycation at the Bulgari Dubai a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it.
Hotel was running at max occupancy which = 50% capacity. Wasn't crowded at all, beach was open with plenty of distance between guests and service was as good as ever. A couple restaurants were open and as mentioned, tons of distance between guests and food as good as I always remember it to be.
Twice daily housekeeping is still there and all employees were in masks. Overall, a very pleasant stay and glad to see they've been able to maintain service and quality standards.
A random tidbit, but after a guest checks out, they clean the room and then let it "air out" for 24 hours before selling the room again - one of the new COVID measures I imagine.
Hotel was running at max occupancy which = 50% capacity. Wasn't crowded at all, beach was open with plenty of distance between guests and service was as good as ever. A couple restaurants were open and as mentioned, tons of distance between guests and food as good as I always remember it to be.
Twice daily housekeeping is still there and all employees were in masks. Overall, a very pleasant stay and glad to see they've been able to maintain service and quality standards.
A random tidbit, but after a guest checks out, they clean the room and then let it "air out" for 24 hours before selling the room again - one of the new COVID measures I imagine.
Jun 2, 2020, 10:02 am
#4133
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: Virtuoso TA, UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 445
Got three trips booked for early September, let's see which gets canceled first!
1. HKG (MOHK), CNX (Le Meridien), BKK (WA, Hilton Sukhumvit), DPS (Alila, Kila) - 10% probability of it happening given HK's extended restrictions.
2. SAF (Rosewood, Loretto) - 90% chance; definitely a fall back. Hopefully by then White Sands park opens up too.
3. LON (Connaught), LIS (Bairro Alto) - 50% chance of it happening.
Let's hope Connaught opens up by then. Otherwise might switch to MO.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Jun 5, 2020 at 3:34 pm Reason: Consecutive posts by same member
Jun 6, 2020, 8:12 am
#4134
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
I'm not sure I totally agree with this. Dubai itself has the old city and its attendant bazaar and waterway. That makes for an interesting half-day. But if you take Dubai as a city within a much larger country - the UAE - then there is a lot of cultural interest. I once rented a car in Abu Dhabi and drove around all seven of the Emirates - people on this Forum would probably be astonished by Umm al Qaiwan (or Quwain) or sections of Ras al Khaimah. There are some ancient trading forts, lots of desert scenery and some extraordinary modern architecture. I first went to this region in the early 1980s and, boy, some of it has it changed being all recognition while other parts haven't.
It's true there is probably more to see in Oman, Jordan, Iran etc but the Gulf is still relatively undiscovered. And of course Saudi Arabia (not everyone's glass of tea) is opening up . . .
It's true there is probably more to see in Oman, Jordan, Iran etc but the Gulf is still relatively undiscovered. And of course Saudi Arabia (not everyone's glass of tea) is opening up . . .
.
Jun 14, 2020, 8:37 am
#4136
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
Back from a week at Montage Palmetto Bluff...was great to get away but that didn't quite do the trick 
Maldives ended up being too complicated this summer so I'm pushing it till fall or 2021 and just booked...
July:
Amanera - 5 nights
FS Surfclub - 4 nights
Maldives ended up being too complicated this summer so I'm pushing it till fall or 2021 and just booked...
July:
Amanera - 5 nights
FS Surfclub - 4 nights
Jun 17, 2020, 12:32 pm
#4139
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: WAS
Programs: Virtuoso TA, UA 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 445
Can't really stay away if ya live here... Not really interested in Iceland's cold and outdoorsy stuff. Was really hoping for some big city and hot SE Asian weather
Got three trips booked for early September, let's see which gets canceled first!
1. HKG (MOHK), CNX (Le Meridien), BKK (WA, Hilton Sukhumvit), DPS (Alila, Kila) - 10% probability of it happening given HK's extended restrictions.
2. SAF (Rosewood, Loretto) - 90% chance; definitely a fall back. Hopefully by then White Sands park opens up too.
3. LON (Connaught), LIS (Bairro Alto) - 50% chance of it happening.
Let's hope Connaught opens up by then. Otherwise might switch to MO.
Got three trips booked for early September, let's see which gets canceled first!
1. HKG (MOHK), CNX (Le Meridien), BKK (WA, Hilton Sukhumvit), DPS (Alila, Kila) - 10% probability of it happening given HK's extended restrictions.
2. SAF (Rosewood, Loretto) - 90% chance; definitely a fall back. Hopefully by then White Sands park opens up too.
3. LON (Connaught), LIS (Bairro Alto) - 50% chance of it happening.
Let's hope Connaught opens up by then. Otherwise might switch to MO.
2. SAF (Rosewood, Loretto) - 90% chance; definitely a fall back. Hopefully by then White Sands park opens up too.
4. SAF (Loretto), MIA (Edition, FS Brickell, FS Surf Club) - 75% chance, depending on what the covid situation is in Miami in the coming months.
5. BWI (Sagamore Pendry) - 75% chance, depending on if the pool will be open come July.
