Postcard from Dubai
We say that someone from the Local Foreigner team is always on the road, visiting destinations across the globe - but we really mean always. Our monthly Postcard takes you along for the ride, and this month, we're just back from Dubai.
It's hard to believe that this mecca of mega-malls, luxury hotels, and elaborate development was once just a tiny fishing village at the edge of the desert. As a booming cosmopolitan city, Dubai has become synonymous with a kind of ornate excess that makes it a fascinating place for travelers from all over the world. Although primarily new and cutting-edge, the city also offers history and heritage, with a strong sense of Arabian tradition, beautiful coastlines, and a vibrant international personality.
Known as the "City of Gold," Dubai is a dazzling and frenetic combination of global playgrounds like Monaco, Las Vegas, and London, but its status as a land of superlatives dates back less than 60 years, to the 1966 discovery of oil beneath the desert. It's now home to more than 425 Guinness World Records - some impressive and some less expected - including the tallest building, highest 360-degree infinity pool, and largest shopping mall, fountain, floral arrangement, laser show, aquarium in a mall, and desalination plant. If you're not ready for full immersion, the city makes an excellent stopover en route to nearly anywhere far-flung, with Tanzania, the Seychelles, Southeast Asia among our favorites.
December to March offers the best weather, and is also when you'll find the majority of events, festivals, horse races, and polo matches. You'll still want to pack for warm weather, as temperatures will hover in the mid-80s.
In 2026, Ramadan falls from the evening of February 17 through March 19. While resorts and on-property restaurants will generally be operating without change, nightlife and traditional sites may be affected.
Bvlgari Resort Dubai
Bulgari Resort Dubai is a glamorous seaside escape set on the seahorse-shaped Jumeira Bay Island, just minutes from the city, but completely secluded. The resort blends bold Mediterranean flair with Emirati sophistication across a sprawling 1.4-million-square-foot estate. Guests can lounge on a private beach, dock at the resort’s exclusive marina, or recharge at the serene Bulgari Spa. The culinary centerpiece is Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, led by the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef and a destination in itself. | View the hotel
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Styled with traditional Arabian elegance, the Four Seasons Dubai Jumeirah Beach mixes old-world Middle Eastern charm with contemporary convenience. The resort features 237 residential style rooms, equipped with marble soaking tubs and expansive outdoor balconies. Its laundry list of on-site amenities appeals to all kinds of travelers - there are multiple pools and a beach club, the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program, and a signature spa and 24-hour fitness center. Plus, the eleven restaurants and bars make leaving the property an afterthought. | View the hotel
The Lana
Designed by Foster + Partners, the Dorchester Collection finally arrived in the Middle East with the 2024 opening of the Lana. The 30-story building, which looks like a Tetris piece, overlooks the Marasi Marina and Downtown Dubai’s glittering skyline. Muted tones, mosaic walls, and floral artistry throughout the common spaces and 225 rooms are a welcome respite from the city’s usual glitz. Interiors are soft and feminine, and the hotel is also home to Dubai’s first Dior Spa. | View the hotel
Jumeirah Marsa al Arab
The billowing silhouette of the towering Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, which stands at 321 meters, has been an icon of the Dubai skyline since its opening in 1999, and in March of this year, the sleek sailboat was joined by the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, which rises from the shoreline like a luxury superyacht and overlooks the D-Marin marina. The undulating design of the hotel is an apt metaphor for the ever-changing face of the UAE’s City of Gold, and its private beach, 386 rooms, 12 restaurants, and four bars appeal to travelers who come to Dubai for sand and sun as much as it attracts urban explorers. | View the hotel
La Petite Maison
The sunny interiors of this swanky French bistro are the only indications of its Dubai locale. Bistro classics like canard l’orange and escargots de Bourgogne pair nicely with more Mediterranean-leaning options like poisson en croute and salad Niçoise. Be sure to save room for warm chocolate mousse – a house specialty severed with malt ice cream!
Arabian Tea House Restaurant & Cafe
This charming spot, once known as Basta Art Café, offers a glimpse of old Dubai with its turquoise benches, white rattan chairs, and lace curtains. Since 1997, this oasis of calm has attracted both locals and tourists looking to enjoy traditional Arabic coffee and halal cuisine under a grand old tree, surrounded by the ambiance of a bygone era.
Zuma
Rainer Becker’s worldwide phenom, this contemporary izakaya feels made for Dubai. Over-the-top interiors and a location in the DIFC are the perfect backdrop for shareable sashimi and robata grill favorites, and the bar, with its cocktails based on traditional Japanese flavors, buzzes nightly.
At.mosphere
The highest restaurant in the world, At.mosphere is located on the 122nd floor of the world’s tallest building. There's serious food on offer here, including a six-course tasting menu, but even if you're not starving, booking a table for cocktails is the best way to get the Burj Khalifa experience.
Zenon
Zenon calls itself a MediterrAsian restaurant with "interactive holographic displays and personalised visuals." It's grand, over the top, and opulent, with AI video walls, Greek statues, and Hermès pillows - in other words, you're not in Kansas anymore. Get a late table and make an evening out of it.
11 Woodfire
The smell of smoke hits you when entering Chef Akmal Anuar's restaurant 11 Woodfire, set in a former Emirati homestead in Jumeirah. Entering 11 Woodfire does feel like being welcomed into someone's home, from the large outdoor terrace dotted with tables to the various indoor enclaves. Simple, bold flavors are at the heart of Anuar's concept.
Burj Khalifa Fountain Show and Private Boat Ride
Glide across Burj Lake aboard a traditional wooden Abra for an unforgettable view of the Dubai Fountain show. From the water, you’ll have a front-row seat to the world’s largest performing fountain as it dances to music and light against the backdrop of the glittering Burj Khalifa. It’s an atmospheric and distinctly Dubai way to experience one of the city’s most dazzling attractions.
Desert Safari
Take an unforgettable adventure away from the towering skyscrapers and into the golden sand dunes. Your journey begins with a comfortable drive into the Dubai Desert, where you may spot native wildlife such as Arabian oryx and gazelles. At a private, luxury camp, you'll work with a personal chef to design a custom menu, then spend the evening stargazing with an astronomer or enjoying personalized activities and entertainment under the desert sky.
Dubai from the Sky: Private Helicopter Tour
Experience Dubai from a whole new perspective on an exhilarating helicopter tour. Soar above the city's stunning skyline, taking in breathtaking views of iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and the sleek Dubai Marina. As you glide through the sky, marvel at the contrast between Dubai's modern architecture and the expansive desert beyond. Whether it’s a day or sunset flight, this unforgettable aerial adventure offers a unique vantage point of the city's most famous attractions, perfect for thrill-seekers and photographers alike.
Arabian Escape
You'll jet into Dubai, but the best way to enter Six Senses Zighy Bay, on Oman's Musandam Peninsula, is by paraglider. Pairing the two offers the best of this dramatic corner of the world.
Deserts and Dragons
Dubai and Ho Chi Minh both bustle, but they tell two very different 20th-century stories. While the combo of the UAE and Vietnam may not be relaxing, it's sure to fascinate history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
Skylines and Savannah
DXB's energy offers a contrast to many destinations, but perhaps none so stark as the endless grasslands of Kenya's Maasai Mara. If luxury is a coin, these are the flip sides.
