Dubai... book direct or package.

[Nicksgirl]

As my other thread, I want to book my husband a couple of really wonderful holiday's next year for his special birthday.

I am thinking late November, Dubai again next year.

We have been several times so the only info I really need is should I book the hotels direct and the flights direct or a package.

This is the holiday that's going to cost the earth so would like some advice.

Thanks again. xx

[123]

Originally Posted by Nicksgirl

As my other thread, I want to book my husband a couple of really wonderful holiday's next year for his special birthday.

I am thinking late November, Dubai again next year.

We have been several times so the only info I really need is should I book the hotels direct and the flights direct or a package.

This is the holiday that's going to cost the earth so would like some advice.

Thanks again. xx

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I'd always book direct, but if you are after something specific. Like say four days at the Burg Al Arab followed by a dune trek with a couple of days in dessert, you might find a package a better option.

But, if just going to Dubai and staying in a hotel and doing the usual tourist things I would struggle to see a package offering a better service than direct bookings

[Nicksgirl]

Originally Posted by 123

I'd always book direct, but if you are after something specific. Like say four days at the Burg Al Arab followed by a dune trek with a couple of days in dessert, you might find a package a better option.

But, if just going to Dubai and staying in a hotel and doing the usual tourist things I would struggle to see a package offering a better service than direct bookings

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You guessed it with the first, we want to stay at the Burj for 4 nights and then the Al Maha for 4 nights.

Once I get the go ahead from my dog sitter, I will start pricing. I think I still have a couple of vouchers with BA. x

[123]

Originally Posted by Nicksgirl

You guessed it with the first, we want to stay at the Burj for 4 nights and then the Al Maha for 4 nights.

Once I get the go ahead from my dog sitter, I will start pricing. I think I still have a couple of vouchers with BA. x

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Yep that isn't going to be cheap.

The Burj runs about £1000 a night (including breakfast) and can be much more; the Al Maha is more expensive again at about £1250 a night

If you are spending that sort of money on hotels for your stay I wouldn't be flying with BA, I'd be opting for Emirates, much more comfortable (even in economy) - although I suspect if you are staying in those sorts of hotels you'll be doing Emirates Business Class (their lounge in LHR is really good - BHX/MAN are decent too)



One thing I hadn't realised is that the Al Maha is a Marriott hotel so I can use my Marriott Points there, off to look at a trip now...

[Colette-S]

Always direct and always call rather than online. Like everything else I’m Dubai, it pays to haggle

[Colette-S]

Do you have a Sirius card from your previous stays?

[Nicksgirl]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Do you have a Sirius card from your previous stays?

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Colette, I think I do somewhere, I will have to look.

I might have to change it to 3 nights on both. We have been a couple of times to the Burj and quite a few to the Al Maha and if I remember it was mostly Virgin Premium Economy. The two flights we had in Economy with Emirates were awful.

I might have to sell my body... might pay for a sandwich on board. x

[Nicksgirl]

Originally Posted by 123

Yep that isn't going to be cheap.

The Burj runs about £1000 a night (including breakfast) and can be much more; the Al Maha is more expensive again at about £1250 a night

If you are spending that sort of money on hotels for your stay I wouldn't be flying with BA, I'd be opting for Emirates, much more comfortable (even in economy) - although I suspect if you are staying in those sorts of hotels you'll be doing Emirates Business Class (their lounge in LHR is really good - BHX/MAN are decent too)



One thing I hadn't realised is that the Al Maha is a Marriott hotel so I can use my Marriott Points there, off to look at a trip now...

See more...

The Good thing with the Al Maha is its all inclusive. However, the last time we went I only had one bottle of wine the whole time, the cheapest was £100. x

[Nicksgirl]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Do you have a Sirius card from your previous stays?

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Colette, when I ring the Burj and Al Maha, can I really haggle ?
x

[123]

Originally Posted by Nicksgirl

Colette, when I ring the Burj and Al Maha, can I really haggle ?
x

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With the Al Maha you certainly can try, I've never paid the advertised rate at any Marriott hotel (unless it was already so low it wasn't worth the effort of calling).

Almost always they will find some way of offering you something, it might not be money off, it could be a free meal or a day ticket to the gym/spa or something else that costs them essentially nothing but saves you plenty

The worst they can do is say No, and then you can book at the advertised rate you were going to pay anyway, so you've only lost 5 minutes...