5 Ways to Make a Luxury Holiday in Dubai Truly Special

Dubai, with its glamorous lifestyle and world-class hotels, ranks among the world’s most cherished luxury holiday destinations.

Splurging on a business or first class flight to Dubai with Emirates or booking a luxurious hotel are obvious ways to enjoy a taste of luxury, but there are also other, more special ways, to give your holiday a true touch of elegance.

In this Dubai guide, you can find a 5 original ways how you can make sure that your trip to the United Arab Emirates will be an unforgettable one.

dubai skyline luxury holiday
A beautiful bouquet of flowers. ©Pexels/Denys Gromov

1. Get a suitable set of wheels to blend in with the Dubai crowd

When travelling to Dubai, your first instinct might be to think that you don’t need a rental car.

Indeed, just like in most other cities around the world, in Dubai you can easily rely on taxis, rideshare applications like Uber, or hotel pick-up services.

If you fly into Dubai on Emirates in first or business class, you can even benefit from a complimentary chauffeur drive service.

Yet, there is something to be said for arranging a rental car in Dubai, and not just because it makes getting around the city much easier.

Of all places in the world, Dubai is the city best suited to renting a luxury car — whether it’s a large SUV, a luxurious sedan, or even a sports car like a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

There are a large number of reputable rental agencies in the city, and nearly every car model you can think of is available for rent.

Of course, it’s even possible to rent a car for a day or just a few hours if all you want is a quick drive and a photo op.

Just remember that the United Arab Emirates has strict road rules, and it’s certainly not the place where you want to end up on the wrong side of the law, so if you rent a sports car, do drive responsibly.

dubai luxury sports car
Luxury cars in Dubai. ©Paliparan

2. Arrange a luxury flower bouquet

When you travel to Dubai with your significant other, a lovely way to surprise them is with luxury flowers bouquets delivered to the door of your apartment or hotel room.

It’s a small touch, but such a special gesture can truly set the tone for the day and will help make your holiday unforgettable.

Double Jenya Flower Shop, also known as DJflowers, is known as one of Dubai’s most premium florist shops, where the best European florists are engaged in creating the most dashing bouquets using fresh flowers.

With customisable bouquets, guaranteed same-day delivery, and fully flexible delivery times, it’s never been easier to surprise a loved one with beautiful flowers.

flower bouquet
A beautiful bouquet of flowers. ©Pexels/Dimitri Kuliuk

3. Go yachting

To see Dubai from a different perspective, it’s a great idea to go yachting and admire the city skyline from the deck of a luxury yacht.

Whether you want to sunbathe on deck, go fishing, explore the coastline, or simply snap some pictures for social media to make your friends back home jealous, it’s all possible on a yacht.

There are plenty of places in Dubai where you can rent a yacht, from small boats ideal for fishing or exploring the waterways to some of the largest and most luxurious yachts available.

Due to local regulations, yacht rentals typically come with a skipper included, and you can also hire additional personnel such as a personal butler or opt for add-ons like a luxury banquet.

dubai marina yachts
Yachts in Dubai Marina. ©Paliparan

4. Upgrade your flight to first class

Flying in business class already offers a comfortable — and on some airlines, even luxurious and stylish — way to travel to your holiday destination.

Yet at its core, business class is all about getting a good night’s sleep in a fully flat bed on an aeroplane, and, with a bit of luck, enjoying a high-quality meal.

For true luxury and opulence, you’ll need to fly first class rather than business class.

Many airlines offer this on their Dubai flights, foremost being the home airline Emirates, but also carriers such as Air France, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Swiss.

Booking a first class flight outright can, however, be a costly affair even for the well heeled, with return tickets easily costing $20,000 or more.

A good compromise is to try for an upgrade from business class to first class, which can be done using either cash or frequent flyer miles.

However, be warned that this can sometimes be as expensive as buying a first class flight outright, so make sure the numbers add up.

The best time to score an upgrade from business to first class is when online check-in opens, as most airlines offer discounted upgrades if there are still empty first class seats.

Depending on the airline and flight length, this can cost between $1,000 and $2,000, but it’s as affordable as a first class upgrade gets with a quality airline.

Alternatively, ask at the check-in desk if there are still options to upgrade to first class using miles or cash.

emirates airbus a380
Airlines like Emirates offer a high quality first class product. ©Paliparan

5. Take a trip out of the city

Many people who take a luxury holiday in Dubai stay in the city, which is a shame, as there is so much to see and do outside it as well.

Of course, you can always take day trips from Dubai, with plenty of interesting destinations and fun activities to enjoy.

If you want to make your luxury holiday truly special, it’s recommended not only to stay in Dubai but also to add two nights at a quality hotel far from the city lights for some quiet R&R in stunning natural surroundings.

One place to do this is the Al Maha luxury resort in the heart of the desert, where you can enjoy the stunning desert landscape without compromising on comfort.

This stunning desert resort offers highly luxurious accommodation in private villas, a swimming pool, spa, fine dining, and plenty of fun activities to enjoy.

dubai sunset burj al arab luxury holiday
Sunset on a beach near the Burj al Arab in Dubai. ©Paliparan

Conclusion

Dubai is one of the world’s most beloved destinations for a luxury holiday, and time spent in the city will undoubtedly create lasting memories.

To make your luxury holiday in Dubai even more special, the five tips above can enhance your experience further.

Renting a sports car or a yacht offers a fun activity that matches the luxury lifestyle of Dubai, while small gestures like arranging a luxurious flower bouquet can truly make the day for your travel partner.

For an added touch of luxury, it’s worth attempting to upgrade your flight from business to first class, which on some airlines can be reasonably priced compared to a full-fare revenue ticket.

Last but certainly not least, it’s worth venturing beyond Dubai, as the surrounding desert is home to several luxury resorts, such as Al Maha, which offer the perfect escape from it all.

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Koen

Koen works as a freelance journalist covering south-eastern Europe and is the founding father and editor-in-chief of Paliparan. As a contributor to some major Fleet Street newspapers and some lesser known publications in the Balkans, he travels thousands of miles each year for work as well as on his personal holidays. Whether it is horse riding in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan mountains, exploring the backstreets of Bogotá, or sipping a glass of moschofilero in a Greek beachside taverna, Koen loves to immerse himself into the local culture, explore new places and eat and drink himself around the world. You can follow Koen on his travels on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

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