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Dubai’s grandeur in all its aspects is its inherent characteristic. its varied retail choices for the shopping enthusiast. It can only happen in Dubai that the largest mall in the world — e Dubai Mall — beats its own record by adding further extensions. From uber-luxe premium labels to high-street brands, there’s something for every kind of shopper at this colossal mall. It is also not surprisingly that the mall o ers an indoor cars for shoppers to get around easily. Did we mention it also has an Olympic-size ice rink, a cinema and an aquarium within its premises?
With over 630 brands on o er, another address for premium shopping in Dubai is the
Mall of the Emirates. e mall o ers an exclusive hands-free service that helps you relax post all that shopping, where you can drop all your bags and stress and head towards the indoor ski slope and an amusement centre. Your shopping can then be delivered to you, anywhere in the mall or even at your home’s doorstep.
While the emirate boasts of ultra-modern shopping destinations, there’s much more on o er. is includes speciality souqs and quaint bazaars that hail travellers from the world over. Head to the bedazzling Dubai Gold Souk situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek to explore the city’s ultimate gold hues. e world’s largest gold market prides itself with a magni cent display of the world’s largest and heaviest gold ring that weighs around 64 kg, which we deem would de nitely make it to your Insta-stories.
Popular among expats and the younger gen of Dubai is the Dubai Flea Market, located in Zabeel Park. Its 300 stalls retail almost everything from furniture, clothes, antiques, ceramics and pottery items. is also re ects quite e ortlessly in
Another speciality bazaar that should be on your list during your trip to Dubai is the Perfume Souk that literally brings the aromas of Arabia to life. Dating back four decades, this souk is lined with vendors selling the eclectic scent of the UAE — oudh — in various concoctions and colours. For some indulgence, head to to stalls that create personalised scents that are blended as per your skin and preferences.
Dubai is buzzing with the new and at Arte — The Maker’s Market, artisans from the world over are given a platform to showcase their creations. Hosted on every Friday across different locations in the emirate, this market puts on display works of arts ranging from artisanal coffees, handicrafts, paintings and baked goods. There are also themed markets that are hosted quite frequently.
An interesting hotspot that’s caught our attention in the emirate is City Walk. A vast space, it features over 240 concept stores that specialise in beauty, fashion, wellness, home and jewellery. City Walk also houses an array of leisure activities and sophisticated restaurants. In Dubai, you can never run out of options for some indulgent retail therapy.
One of the tallest buildings in the world, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road offers sweeping views of Dubai’s cityscapes from its accommodation. With ten restaurants and lounges serving an array of cuisines including Indian, Thai and Japanese, the hotel is quite the destination for F&B in this emirate. Its meeting spaces sprawl around 7,432 sqm — making it ideal for MICE in the city. marriott.com
Also located on Sheikh Zayed Road Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai soars over Dubai’s picturesque horizon and offers rooms, suites and apartments that designed keeping in mind classic Shangri-La sensibilities. The hotel offers eclectic dining options that serve fare from Asia, Europe, India and South America while its CHI, The Spa invites you to rejuvenate after a long day of meetings. shangri-la.com
A subsidiary of Indian Hotels Company Limited, Taj Hotels operates two hotels in
Dubai — Taj Dubai and
Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Featuring rich Indian influences, warm hospitality and Emirati charm, Taj Dubai offers elaborate accommodation options, a few of which offer views of the Burj Khalifa. The hotel’s Opera Ballroom can host up to 350 people. Opened this year, Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers is the latest entrant on Dubai’s hospitality circuit. Housing an array of F&B offerings, the hotel’s restaurants serve a range of cuisines; in fact, Taj Mahal Hotel Mumbai’s signature Shamiana restaurant has an outpost here too. With dramatic vistas, Paros, a Mediterranean inspired rooftop pool bar and restaurant is an ideal spot for post work unwinding. tajhotels.com
Situated on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Address Downtown is a part of Address Hotels + Resorts — another one of our recommended choices for accommodation in Dubai. The flagship property of the hotel group, it features a lavish five-tiered infinity pool. With nine treatment rooms, a hammam, steam rooms and relaxation areas, The Spa at Address Downtown is where you should head to after a long day of meetings. addresshotels.com
Another Indian homegrown hotel that’s on our list is The Oberoi, Dubai. Its rooms and suites have floor to ceiling windows and uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai cityscape or the hotel’s pool. An Indian dinner at Ananta, a dip in the temperature controlled swimming pool and the signature Oberoi massage at its spa floor are few of the experiences we recommend at this hotel. oberoihotels.com
An interesting option for travellers who enjoy themed hotels is Paramount Hotel Dubai. Inspired by the rich history of Paramount Pictures, this hotel is located in the heart of Dubai’s Business Bay district. Rooms, dining outlets and other spaces of the hotel are designed to bring to life the glamour of Hollywood. Flashback, its speakeasy bar and lounge that will transport you straight back to the 1920’s prohibition era. paramounthotelsdubai.com