Maldives or Dubai... or both?

21st October 2016: Deciding where to spend your next holiday can often be a challenge, especially when your options are completely different. Would you like to explore an exciting city full of ultra modern facilities and attractions, or enjoy a more quiet and secluded beach holiday, full of peace and serenity? I did both in one trip, and here are my comparisons to help you decide.

The Maldives

For those who like to spend their holidays literally doing the bare minimum, Maldives is the perfect spot for you. With its stunning sandy beaches, friendly locals and wonderful staff, I can definitely see why people return year after year.

While some would be put off by the 11-hour flight from the UK, I arrived to very warm and sunny Male Airport, which made the journey more than worthwhile. I was taken very quickly to our speedboat transfer, which took us to Meeru Island, passing various other islands on route. We received an extremely warm welcome from the staff at Meeru Island, along with a fresh coconut drink and cool refreshment towel, before being shown to our room. We had the pleasure of staying in a Beachfront Jacuzzi Villa, which was just wonderful; I could definitely get used to this!

While the Maldives is the perfect place to relax on the beach, and simply get away from it all, I’d also recommend a bit of exploration as well. We had time to discover this island, but also made time to visit a neighbouring island called Dhiffushi. It is an inhabited island, so very different to the resort islands, and definitely worth a visit if you ever get a chance to.

Another thing I would recommend during a Maldives holiday is a seaplane trip; it really is the perfect way to see the islands. We took a seaplane to Kuredu Island, where we had lunch, and the views along the way were just stunning from up there.

Our next hotel was the Atmosphere Kanifushi, where again, we stayed in a Beachfront Villa. It was only a few steps to the ocean, where the white sandy beach stretches 2.8km, and the clear waters are absolutely breath taking. While it was the perfect place to relax in the sunshine with a book, I’d also recommend some snorkelling. The sea life and coral is just amazing, and we were even lucky enough to see a manta ray!

With its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to escape reality.

Dubai

Next we come to Dubai, which I was very excited about. This ultra-modern city is full of energy, and with plenty of attractions, you’ll have no trouble finding things to do.

I had the pleasure of staying for three nights in the Burj Al Arab, and upon arrival we were greeted by the fantastic staff and escorted to our phenomenal suite. It was on two levels, with living area downstairs, while the bedroom and bathroom were upstairs. The floor to ceiling windows on both levels gave a magnificent view of the Dubai Skyline. I can see why this is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

When you’re staying in the Jumeirah hotels and resorts, you receive complimentary entry to the Wadi Wild Waterpark, which we took advantage of. We had a fantastic time testing out all the rides and also just relaxing by the pool.

Dubai is also a shopper’s paradise full of street markets or boutiques, and its main mall is an attraction of its own. With around 1,200 stores, a giant ice rink, an aquarium, underwater zoo, indoor theme parks and 150 food outlets, you could spend an entire day in there. Whether you’re looking out for a bargain, or want to splurge on some designer labels, Dubai has plenty of stores to help you shop till you drop.

One excursion I would recommend is the Jeep Safari, an exciting journey through the red dunes of the desert. With plenty of photo stops along the way, and a visit to a camel farm, it’s a unique and enjoyable experience. It concludes with an evening meal including drinks, a free henna tattoo and the Shisha, as well as entertainment from belly dancers.

Just wandering the streets of Dubai is a fascinating experience. You’ll find a charming mixture of buildings throughout Dubai’s Old Town, then in complete contrast the ultra-modern skyscrapers and lively nightlife of the city. Wherever you are, there’s a buzz of people and plenty of atmosphere.

Probably the most obvious difference between the Maldives and Dubai is the volume of people. While the Maldives offer a serene, relaxing paradise, Dubai offers plenty of hustle and bustle, with lots of people rushing around. With its sandy beaches and sunshine, the Maldives is the perfect location for those who wish to escape into a peaceful island dream, while Dubai offers plenty of excitement and attractions to keep guests busy at all times. I guess the real question is, why not try a bit of both?

Laura Waites, Travel Specialist