views TRADE Elliot Goldwater,


reservations consultant, JTA Travel


“Dubai is great for our customers, with plenty for


families and adults, from theme parks to museums. It also has amazing hotels, fantastic beaches and an incredible skyline. It’s a safe environment with wonderful weather.”


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Arabian Tea House; Burj Khalifa; the fam trip group


FACING PAGE: Th8 Palm Dubai Beach


Resort; Legoland Dubai PICTURES: VisitDubai; Adrian Chambre; Shutterstock/BestPhotoPlus


Daniel Henry Adams,


personal travel concierge, Travel Counsellors


“Whether my clients want city breaks, beach escapes, thrills, food or shopping trips, Dubai offers it all. Many people with an opinion on Dubai have


never been, so it’s important to see it for yourself.”


to Shrek’s Merry Fairy Tale Journey at Hollywood-themed Motiongate. A gentle trundle through the dark Shrek- centred space provided a little rest with enough action for younger kids. For teens, the Lionsgate zone features two Hunger Games-themed rides and Now You See Me: High Roller, the world’s fastest-spinning rollercoaster. We ended a fun-filled day at the breezy Byron


Bathers bistro on Palm West Beach, an Australian- inspired beach club with crowd-pleasing menus featuring smashed ‘avo’ and plantain chips, wood-fired pizzas and burgers – the answer for parents seeking a stylish dinner on the coast with food that kids will actually eat.


Steven Bresh,


UK sales manager, Royal Brunei Airlines


“It was a pleasure to welcome our trade partners on board and receive such lovely


feedback. Dubai is a fantastic destination – for kids splashing about in the world’s largest


water park, teenagers enjoying an Instagram moment on a


yacht or adults taking a stroll around the bustling souks.”


42 25 SEPTEMBER 2025


INSTAGRAM AGE A new day brought new experiences tailored to Gen Z and millennials, looking at how much the emirate has to offer young, work-hard, play-hard types. A glamorous start at the Marina, passing vessels of all shapes and sizes, saw us board a shiny yacht to skim across sun- warmed waters, jump into the Arabian Gulf and spot the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. The agents agreed it was a highlight for clients who want to soak up some sun while documenting their adventures on social media. You need a head for heights in Dubai, and not just for the famous sights. Back on dry land, we whizzed up the 75-storey SLS Dubai, a towering collection of 254 hotel rooms and 270 apartments overlooking the Design District. This couple-focused hotel blends playful touches with full-on opulence. ‘Fortune favours the bold’ is etched into the stained-glass atrium window, and it’s home to the highest overflow pool in the world.


We were all wowed by Bâoli Dubai, a sexy and atmospheric restaurant – sister to the Cannes hotspot that’s a frequent celebrity haunt – which opened late last year at J1 Beach. Its grown-up, sophisticated vibe blends southeast Asian and French Riviera design, from huge potted palms to emerald green seating, with menus following suit as staff with model-like good looks brought dishes of perfectly presented charred edamame with truffle butter and golden prawn tempura.


ARABIAN NIGHTS Turning our attention to the over-40s, we head to Madinat Jumeirah Resort, where the brand has recreated a traditional Arab village complete with a marketplace, restaurants and sand-coloured hotels flanked by cool, palm-lined waterways. After a browse and short boat ride, we lunched at Pad Thai in Jumeirah Al Qasr’s peaceful gardens, where aromatic green curries and steamed sea bass pay homage to Thai flavours. Dinner was something – and somewhere – entirely


different. A retro Jeep safari with Platinum Heritage bounced us through desert landscapes where we spotted Arabian oryx, before arriving at a Bedouin camp to be welcomed with gahwa, slightly bitter yet cardamom-rich Arabic coffee. It lent a dreamy element to the stargazing experience as some puffed on shisha pipes and others relaxed on rugs and cushions among the desert dunes. A searchlight picked out star constellations in the inky sky, another unforgettable highlight. A wander through the souks of old Dubai provided more memorable moments – the charismatic owner of


travelweekly.co.uk


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