Dubai: Air France Business Class Paris - Dubai and 7* cocktails in the Burj Al Arab
Jan 3, 2014, 6:13 pm
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
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Dubai: Air France Business Class Paris - Dubai and 7* cocktails in the Burj Al Arab
On a cold and rainy day we decided a fun trip was necessary and that Dubai was the place to go. I'm not sure how we decided on the destination, probably a combination of reasonably priced last minute business class flights and enough sights to keep us busy!
Initially we planned to fly with Emirates on a direct flight from Dublin to Dubai but a EUR 1,500 price hike on each flight when we went to book put paid to that idea. That will teach me to move faster! Luckily Air France came to the rescue with a flight through Paris and we were good to go!
The trip went something like this. Links below are to the full reports on my travel blog, mini reports with pics are below.
1. Air France Lounge CDG - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...aulle-airport/
2. Air France Paris - Dubai Business Class return - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...s-dubai-paris/
3. JW Marriott Dubai (Deira) - report below
4. Cocktails at the Burj Al Arab - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...ails-in-dubai/
5. Air France Lounge DXB - report below
with a lot of fun and sightseeing in between!
So here goes
Initially we planned to fly with Emirates on a direct flight from Dublin to Dubai but a EUR 1,500 price hike on each flight when we went to book put paid to that idea. That will teach me to move faster! Luckily Air France came to the rescue with a flight through Paris and we were good to go!
The trip went something like this. Links below are to the full reports on my travel blog, mini reports with pics are below.
1. Air France Lounge CDG - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...aulle-airport/
2. Air France Paris - Dubai Business Class return - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...s-dubai-paris/
3. JW Marriott Dubai (Deira) - report below
4. Cocktails at the Burj Al Arab - http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...ails-in-dubai/
5. Air France Lounge DXB - report below
with a lot of fun and sightseeing in between!
So here goes
Last edited by ellie_nz; Jan 14, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Jan 3, 2014, 6:45 pm
#2
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
Air France lounge, Terminal 2E, CDG
I used to rock up at the airport at the last minute and rush through to the gate. Then I discovered airport lounges. I think I found my niche!!
The Air France business class lounge in Terminal 2E was a good lounge. Not the best I've ever been in but it was spacious and had a spa, sparkling wine and comfy seats. That's all I really need!
I had an excellent facial in the Clarins spa. It was busy and there is only one treatment room. We had arrived on a connecting flight from Dublin and had about 2.5 hours in the lounge and I just managed to squeeze in an appointment 15 minutes before boarding.
When we arrived there was a continental breakfast with pastries, cheeses and ham. The lunch offering was soup, sandwiches and petit fours. There was a variety of French wines available and the sparkling wine I was partial to the sparkling wine I sampled!
Report with additional images: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...aulle-airport/
Food (lunch):
Drinks:
Our flight was ready to depart and after a short walk to the gate it was time to check out the Air France business class product...
The Air France business class lounge in Terminal 2E was a good lounge. Not the best I've ever been in but it was spacious and had a spa, sparkling wine and comfy seats. That's all I really need!
I had an excellent facial in the Clarins spa. It was busy and there is only one treatment room. We had arrived on a connecting flight from Dublin and had about 2.5 hours in the lounge and I just managed to squeeze in an appointment 15 minutes before boarding.
When we arrived there was a continental breakfast with pastries, cheeses and ham. The lunch offering was soup, sandwiches and petit fours. There was a variety of French wines available and the sparkling wine I was partial to the sparkling wine I sampled!
Report with additional images: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...aulle-airport/
Food (lunch):
Drinks:
Our flight was ready to depart and after a short walk to the gate it was time to check out the Air France business class product...
Jan 5, 2014, 6:11 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
Air France Business Class: Paris - Dubai - Paris
After a short walk to the gate we boarded quickly. The business class cabin had 67 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. We opted for the middle seats as there was 3 of us travelling together.
Business Class Cabin:
The seats were the old style product with an angled bed. It was comfortable when upright. I didn't mind the slightly angled bed, sometimes I get the feeling I'm slipping down but it seemed OK on Air France.
Seat:
The food was better on the way out to Dubai although not exceptional. On our late night flight on the way home there was a light meal and I ordered for the vegetarian option. It wasn't great! Their cheese plates were nice.
Main course:
The champagne was a Deutz Brut Classic and was very good, definitely in line with other business class offerings. I would have preferred a flute both in the lounge and on the plane rather than the glass. Heineken was the only beer available.
Welcome drinks:
Overall, it was good and it's always nice to sit up front but if I was flying Dublin - Dubai again I'd always choose Emirates or Etihad unless Air France was significantly cheaper. I've flown Etihad from Dublin to Abu Dhabi before (FT trip report here) and found their business class product way ahead of Air France and they provide a car to anywhere in the Emirates with a business class ticket. Maybe this is an unfair comparison due to the flight distance though?
Report with additional pics: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...s-dubai-paris/
I did sneak a peak at the La Première seat when I was boarding and it looked fantastic!
Business Class Cabin:
The seats were the old style product with an angled bed. It was comfortable when upright. I didn't mind the slightly angled bed, sometimes I get the feeling I'm slipping down but it seemed OK on Air France.
Seat:
The food was better on the way out to Dubai although not exceptional. On our late night flight on the way home there was a light meal and I ordered for the vegetarian option. It wasn't great! Their cheese plates were nice.
Main course:
The champagne was a Deutz Brut Classic and was very good, definitely in line with other business class offerings. I would have preferred a flute both in the lounge and on the plane rather than the glass. Heineken was the only beer available.
Welcome drinks:
Overall, it was good and it's always nice to sit up front but if I was flying Dublin - Dubai again I'd always choose Emirates or Etihad unless Air France was significantly cheaper. I've flown Etihad from Dublin to Abu Dhabi before (FT trip report here) and found their business class product way ahead of Air France and they provide a car to anywhere in the Emirates with a business class ticket. Maybe this is an unfair comparison due to the flight distance though?
Report with additional pics: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...s-dubai-paris/
I did sneak a peak at the La Première seat when I was boarding and it looked fantastic!
Jan 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
Burj Al Arab
Time for some bling! I'll come back to the Dubai hotel, haven't had the chance to sort out the images.
I knew I wanted to go to the Burj Al Arab as soon as we'd booked our flights, who doesn't want some 7* action?! Obviously the 7* are a myth but I still wanted to check out one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Unfortunately there's no way in without splashing some cash. We reckoned the cheapest way was breakfast (too early to have fun and not in the Skyview Bar at the top), afternoon tea (USD 110 each, I'm not sure I value afternoon tea quite as much as that!) and evening cocktails (minimum spend $70, no problem for cocktail lovers!). So cocktails it was!
The hotel is literally dripping in gold. The lobby is spectacular and it is a fabulous place to have a wander around. The Skyview bar was interesting, it reminded me of an Austin Powers movie! We were lucky enough to get a window seat and the views were stunning as the sun set.
The cocktails were good and the wine was delicious. The service was a bit patchy and it did take us a while to get orders taken. The thing that bugged me was that they didn't tell us we hadn't reached the minimum spend when we first requested the bill, they just charged us the minimum spend (there was enough left for a glass of wine, better I have it than wasted!).
It was a great evening and the hotel is incredible but I imagine that the true luxury experience is saved for the hotel guests.
Full report with pics: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...ails-in-dubai/
I knew I wanted to go to the Burj Al Arab as soon as we'd booked our flights, who doesn't want some 7* action?! Obviously the 7* are a myth but I still wanted to check out one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Unfortunately there's no way in without splashing some cash. We reckoned the cheapest way was breakfast (too early to have fun and not in the Skyview Bar at the top), afternoon tea (USD 110 each, I'm not sure I value afternoon tea quite as much as that!) and evening cocktails (minimum spend $70, no problem for cocktail lovers!). So cocktails it was!
The hotel is literally dripping in gold. The lobby is spectacular and it is a fabulous place to have a wander around. The Skyview bar was interesting, it reminded me of an Austin Powers movie! We were lucky enough to get a window seat and the views were stunning as the sun set.
The cocktails were good and the wine was delicious. The service was a bit patchy and it did take us a while to get orders taken. The thing that bugged me was that they didn't tell us we hadn't reached the minimum spend when we first requested the bill, they just charged us the minimum spend (there was enough left for a glass of wine, better I have it than wasted!).
It was a great evening and the hotel is incredible but I imagine that the true luxury experience is saved for the hotel guests.
Full report with pics: http://www.thewholeworldisaplaygroun...ails-in-dubai/
Jan 9, 2014, 1:19 am
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,522
. One Problem of Burj is, that the Restaurants Charge "entrance fees" for the Sightseeing. It´s not so funny if you stay there and have to pay additional the entrance fees. But I agree, guests are handeled different in the Restaurants. We visited Sky Bar the first time and got first an awful table. When they mentioned that we are Hotel guests, we got another one..... Must I say more????
Jan 9, 2014, 12:21 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
To be honest, the luxury experience for guests is a Little bit dimmed by all the external gusts. One Problem of Burj is, that the Restaurants Charge "entrance fees" for the Sightseeing. It´s not so funny if you stay there and have to pay additional the entrance fees. But I agree, guests are handeled different in the Restaurants. We visited Sky Bar the first time and got first an awful table. When they mentioned that we are Hotel guests, we got another one..... Must I say more????
. One Problem of Burj is, that the Restaurants Charge "entrance fees" for the Sightseeing. It´s not so funny if you stay there and have to pay additional the entrance fees. But I agree, guests are handeled different in the Restaurants. We visited Sky Bar the first time and got first an awful table. When they mentioned that we are Hotel guests, we got another one..... Must I say more????
Jan 10, 2014, 3:04 pm
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
No, they don´t Claim the Minimum spend from guests. But the Prices are so high, that tehy include an entrance fee
I wrote a Report, you find it here
I wrote a Report, you find it here
Jan 12, 2014, 6:21 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: MR Platinum, Aer Lingus GC, BA Bronze, Turkish Classic Plus
Posts: 388
JW Marriott (Deira)
We usually stay at a Marriott so this was no exception! We opted for the JW Deira. i prefer smaller hotels and the JW was priced well. We had a car rental so we weren't overly bothered about location.
Arrival: We checked in at the exec lounge. We had booked two doubles and were 'upgraded' to an exec king. We checked out the room, just out of interest (we needed the two doubles) and it was identical. Got to love these upgrades!
Facilities: I liked the hotel. The room was spacious and nicely equipped. The leisure faiclities were good - 2 separate gym areas and a rooftop swimming pool. There were lots of restaurants and a weekend buffet. Our favourite was the Hofbrauhaus, it was really good fun and the food and drinks were excellent.
Exec lounge: I thought the exec lounge was good. This wasn't the consensus on the Marriott forum but I've been in a good few Marriott lounges in Asia/Middle East and, while it wasn't exceptional (as in JW Bangkok exceptional), it held its own in terms of the offerings.
There was a good selection at breakfast and in the evenings and a nice afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. The full bar was excellent and there was a wide variety of drinks. Any lounge that serves bubbly and sushi even once is a winner with me! That said, i t is dark and gets overcrowded in the middle of the evening food/drinks.
Some pics:
Arrival: We checked in at the exec lounge. We had booked two doubles and were 'upgraded' to an exec king. We checked out the room, just out of interest (we needed the two doubles) and it was identical. Got to love these upgrades!
Facilities: I liked the hotel. The room was spacious and nicely equipped. The leisure faiclities were good - 2 separate gym areas and a rooftop swimming pool. There were lots of restaurants and a weekend buffet. Our favourite was the Hofbrauhaus, it was really good fun and the food and drinks were excellent.
Exec lounge: I thought the exec lounge was good. This wasn't the consensus on the Marriott forum but I've been in a good few Marriott lounges in Asia/Middle East and, while it wasn't exceptional (as in JW Bangkok exceptional), it held its own in terms of the offerings.
There was a good selection at breakfast and in the evenings and a nice afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes. The full bar was excellent and there was a wide variety of drinks. Any lounge that serves bubbly and sushi even once is a winner with me! That said, i t is dark and gets overcrowded in the middle of the evening food/drinks.
Some pics:
Jan 14, 2014, 4:00 pm
#12
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Air France Dubai lounge
A quick one to finish off with some pics of the Air France lounge in Dubai.
Air France have their own lounge. It's quite small with bucket seats and some canteen style seating. There was a nice selection of food including hot options.
Nothing really of note in the lounge, pics show it all!
Air France have their own lounge. It's quite small with bucket seats and some canteen style seating. There was a nice selection of food including hot options.
Nothing really of note in the lounge, pics show it all!
Jan 16, 2014, 12:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2011
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If you stay in the jumeirah's sister properties, the club level congierge can arrange for a visit to burj al arab free of charge. I stayed before at Jumeriah Al Qasr and the congierge was able to book us a buggy and a tour free of charge. The downside is that they allocate time slots for your visit, if i remember it was after breakfast and after lunch only. Although nice to see the famous icon from the inside i found the burj a bit to sheltered away.
Jan 17, 2014, 4:44 am
#15
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