I know a lot of people who have no interest whatsoever in visiting Dubai but then some who absolutely love it. I have been there on several occasions: as a stopover, for a week-long holiday and once to go to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (which was amazing).

There are some things I love about the UAE city but some things I don’t like so much. Whenever I think of a negative thing about Dubai, there always seems to be a positive to counter it. Here are my five pros and cons of visiting Dubai.

Dubai is a ‘bit fake’
Cons
I hear people saying this a lot and yes, it is a bit fake. Dubai is a very modern city which has rapidly expanded over the past 50 years following the discovery of oil.

The UAE Emirate is essentially a desert which has been developed on – in epic proportions – with an ever-expanding skyline of towering skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa, the largest building in the world (read about our trip to the Burj Khalifa).

Everything has been done to excess, with no expense spared. From the opulent hotels to the oversized malls (where you have the option to ski), man-made waterways and islands, huge cascading water features, and immaculately kept golf courses and green gardens. You name it, they will mimic it and they seem to pride themselves on doing it bigger and better than ever before. It is a very glitzy city without a huge amount of natural beauty. It certainly lacks the idillic setting of tropical places like the Maldives and Caribbean, especially with building work ongoing (see point 2).

Pros
Dubai is a vibrant city where people from all over the world come to work. It has got some great hotels and restaurants with some of the top chefs from around the world clamouring to set up restaurants so you have your pick of fine dining. As it’s all rather glad, there’s good excuse to put your glad rags on.

Some of the beaches may not be completely natural (like those on ‘The Palm’) but the golden sand is real and the beaches are large and wide with few rocks and stones. The sea is deliciously warm and calm so perfect for children (and people like me who aren’t keen on freezing cold water and large waves). Oh, and the (very natural) sunsets are pretty spectacular too.

Noise Pollution
Dubai Cons
There is a lot of construction work still going on in Dubai. You’d think the building boom would have eased off a bit, certainly after the 2008 property crash but it continues. The massive land reclaim project, The Palm, is still being developed on (although work on another such project ‘The World’ has halted).

We stayed at the One&Only Royal Mirage one year and our view across the sea was a construction site – with all the noise which comes with it too. Not massively relaxing. In addition, there were aeroplane and helicopters taking off overhead, jet skis and speedboats. Many of the hotels are very big too so this can be one of the disadvantages of Dubai. There can be quite a lot of people around you – depending on where you stay and the time of year. It does mean there are plenty of facilities available there though.

Pros
Newer hotels and better transport links are being built to make the city easier to navigate for those who live there and boost business and tourism. Although big, the hotels have excellent facilities. From water sports to volleyball, mini golf, massages or just plain sunbathing – there’s something for everyone. For the children, there’s water parks and kids clubs and the service is tip top too. Cold towel and fruit anyone? 

Dubai lacks culture?
Cons
Dubai is a hugely diverse city where lots of different cultures converge so it’s very cosmopolitan but, as it’s so new, there isn’t a great deal of history. For culture, visit the docks and explore the gold and spice souks. Or you could indulge in a desert safari or camel racing for a slight taste of Emirati life. Of course, there’s the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world but overall, Dubai it is very much a hotel resort type place.

Some hotels are so huge they are like a mini city of its own – with everything provided for you. There are no little shops to nip out and get some water or cute towns to have a mooch around like you get in Europe. The hotels have been designed so you don’t even have to leave during your stay (and I suspect a lot of people do this).

Dubai Pros
As much as I like adventure and exploration, sometimes it’s good to relax and not have the pressure of cramming in loads of sightseeing (especially if you are visiting on a short stopover). Not having the option to do loads can be a pro and you don’t feel so guilty about chilling by the beach/pool.

Although Dubai lacks culture, it’s still an interesting country to visit where you can learn lots from the people, of all different cultures, who live there. The ostentatious buildings are a wonder to marvel at – as well as the beautiful hotels, designed with incredible attention to detail channelling Arabian architecture and decor. Then there are the (nicely air-conditioned) malls like Dubai Mall which have every activity you can imagine at your disposal, particularly for children. You have to see it to believe it.

How Expensive is Dubai to go on holiday?
Cons
Dubai can be an expensive place to stay, with prices pretty much on a par with London (although certain things, like taxis, are cheaper). As it is a Muslim county, alcohol is particularly expensive.

Pros
You get what you pay for. In the luxury five star hotels the staff are friendly, welcoming and cater for (almost) every whim allowing you to relax. The beaches are private so you don’t get hassled and many of the children’s activities are free at the large resorts so you have the option to leave your little ones at the kids club while you chill.There are also some great deals which you can book.

The food is of a very high quality so a great place for foodies. As it is a Muslim country, there are restrictions on licensed premises and bars have to be attached to the hotels. Wine and champagne is particularly pricey but we often get a bottle at duty free when we land to enjoy in our hotel room.

What about the heat in Dubai?
Cons
In the summer months it can get incredibly hot and humid so avoid June, July and August, especially if you have young children. We once went en route to South Africa for our honeymoon in August. We struggled to sit outside even in the evening when temperatures are still 40 degrees. The humidity is crazy too. Every time we walked out of the hotel our sunglasses steamed up. It’s like one big sauna.

Pros
Dubai can provide a great winter break in the sun – when the UK temperatures plummet! January was one of the best times of year we have visited Dubai!

Dubai Pros and Cons
There’s certainly a number of reasons why the Emirate keeps drawing us back. Dubai is also a great stopover before going to explore countries further east.

We went before children and enjoyed going out to fancy restaurants, bars and chilling out on the beach but now we have little ones, I can see why Dubai is a great family holiday too. There’s so much to keep kids entertained from waterparks, giant fish tanks, large swimming pools, theme parks and much more. .