Updated yesterday at 11:30am.
(Dubai) More than 13,000 kilometers separate these two destinations, which in turn emerged from the desert.
A stay in Dubai promises to be unforgettable, even if it raises many questions about sustainable development and overconsumption, as COP28 has just taken place there at the end of 2023. However, the city, connected to Montreal by a direct flight operated by Emirates Airlines, has something to offer that fully satisfies travelers looking for a mind-blowing experience that can actually rival what Las Vegas has to offer.
Let's debunk a myth right from the start: women visiting the city don't have to worry too much about their clothes. We recommend closed shoes, long pants and covered shoulders – and this applies to all genders. However, stricter regulations apply in places of worship and visitors stopping in the historic district or Old Town should dress accordingly. Dubai, which was recently named “Top Destination in the World” for the third year in a row at the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards – the only destination to have won this Consumer Choice Award for so many years in a row – is in the red for tourists , against which we tolerate certain violations of style.
From hotels to mega resorts
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The mega resort Atlantis The Palm
Dozens of modern, well-located hotels sell for $100 a night. It is even possible to stay on an all-inclusive basis at a five-star resort or on the Queen Elizabeth 2, a famous cruise ship now permanently moored at Mina Rashid Marina, without the average price of a night in Las to exceed Vegas.
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A room with a wall of windows that overlooks a huge aquarium… nothing less!
However, mega-resorts like Atlantis The Palm, where we stayed during our visit, don't lack originality to drive up prices. The two-story Neptune Suite requires a budget of at least $10,000 per night during peak season. You sleep in an underwater room, closed by a wall of windows and providing access to the depths of a massive aquarium containing 65,000 fish.
Paradise of fine dining
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The Mott 32 restaurant serves exceptional Peking duck.
There are 14 Michelin-starred restaurants in Dubai and several big names such as Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Massimo Bottura, Jamie Oliver and Alvin Leung have their addresses there. This is reminiscent of the many popular restaurants in Las Vegas that have renowned chefs associated with them.
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Surprisingly, the prices are quite reasonable, like in Koko Bay.
PHOTO CHARLES-ÉDOUARD CARRIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
At Koko Bay, you can eat on the beach overlooking the illuminated city center.
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Surprisingly, the prices are quite reasonable. For example, the bill for our dinner at Koko Bay was comparable to that of a fine dining restaurant in Montreal. The difference: We ate a sashimi appetizer and a seafood risotto on the beach, to lounge music and overlooking an illuminated downtown. The same goes for this exceptional Peking duck from Mott 32 for about $250, cooked to order, enjoyed on a 73rd-floor terrace and able to satisfy the appetites of four guests.
The promise of entertainment
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Don't join a club that wants that.
Who but Dubai would dare to dethrone the Nevada city for wild nights? Some of the biggest artists in the pop, electronic and hip-hop scenes regularly perform there.
You can dance to the best rhythms on your private beach, on a yacht or on the roof of a hotel. But you still need to be invited. Don't dance in Dubai if you want.
During my stay I tried in vain to prolong the evening, lulled by the decibels. Many nightclubs in Dubai only work with guest lists and people usually communicate via WhatsApp to add their name. I contacted four facilities and none responded to my messages. However, if you really want to enjoy the best entertainment Dubai has to offer, it's better to count on the help of an expat who knows how to pull the right strings.
Some of the popular places in Dubai that I was told about include The Penthouse, 1OAK, Omni Club, BLU Dubai, Drai's Nightclub and SKY2.0. Alcohol is served there, but it is strictly forbidden to get drunk in public spaces.
So Dubai or Las Vegas?
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Luxury is everywhere in Dubai.
Four days in a city characterized by cutting-edge architecture, a meticulous approach to aesthetics and its Rolls-Royce parades make us feel like we've stepped straight out of a movie. As if for a moment everything had been fullness, happiness and perfection. A captivating 35 square kilometer Truman Show that will leave no one indifferent. If Las Vegas means gambling, entertainment and excess, then Dubai is hedonism, excess and fascination.
If gambling is a vice…
Gambling and lotteries are currently not permitted in Dubai. However, MGM Resorts recently announced a more than $1.5 billion project that would include famous Las Vegas names like MGM, Aria and Bellagio. In parallel with this gigantic project called “The Island”, there are rumors that the government may legalize gambling in certain hotel complexes under very strict rules. Local media reported last September on the creation of the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, which represents a first step in this direction.
Five must-see places
For strong sensations
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View of the X-Line
The best way to measure the immensity of Dubai is to view it from above. Jump from the top of a building 170 meters above the ground and glide along the X-Line at 80 km/h. The world's longest urban zipline takes us gently to Dubai Marina, offering a unique view of this dense and high-altitude city.
For window shopping
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The Mall of the Emirates
The shopping centers, all of which are huge, bring together the most renowned brands under one roof. If you only have to see one thing, it is the 560-store Mall of the Emirates, which is adjoined by the Ski Dubai complex. Alpine skiing and snowboarding is practiced there all year round at temperatures artificially kept below zero.
For cultural wealth
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The historic Al Fahidi district
When you get lost in futuristic Dubai, you forget that the history of this city in the United Arab Emirates dates back to the 19th century, when it was just a fishing village. In the historic Al Fahidi district, you can enjoy an authentic experience at the Arabian Tea House, which serves traditional Emirati dishes and enjoys ancient root coffee with fresh dates.
For the ultimate luxury
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Atlantis The Royal redefines ultra-luxury.
Dubai's new landmark, Atlantis The Royal, redefines ultra-luxury. The world's only resort pushes the boundaries of imagination with the most exclusive design and services. During the low season from June to August you can stay there for $600 per night. However, you have to expect outside temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.
For the steak of a lifetime
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At Seafire Steakhouse we don't joke!
Smoking grill, jazz trio on stage, 1970s-inspired decor, thick carpet and dim lighting: Seafire Steakhouse takes us to a Francis Ford Coppola film, to which we invited a certain Vito Corleone… We try there imported Wagyu beef from Japan, for which we are invited to choose a steak knife from a selection of international handcrafted blades.