[JT80]

i have just returned from a week long holiday in dubai and though i'd share my thoughts.
put simply, its a great destination for a wheelchair winter sun break. i'll start by saying i did not go for anything else but chilling out in the nice weather, so if you are after a cultural trip to dubai - the souks etc i'm not sure how easy it would be. having said that, i know there are desert safaris that are w/c set-up, but i've been on one before and didn't fancy it.
we decided on a package deal from virgin holidays which included flights, transfers, hotel etc. generally the travel was fine and got to say virgin were the best airline i've been with. well, better than monarch/easyjet/b.a/malev/ryanair. the cabin crew knew what the deal was and were very helpful. i managed to blag an upgrade which made all the difference - technique i used was to have a word with the crew on boarding and say you are very tall and any seat with a little extra space would make all the difference, but fully understand if its not possible etc. i got lucky i guess.
the transfer at the other end was the only hiccup - the taxi at the other end was not ideal, but quickly sorted when explained what was needed and eventually was in a grand voyager with side entry. easy.
i stayed in a hotel on jumeirah beach, and like most places out there a hotel means a place with 3 pools, bars, shops, 6 restaurants, beach etc etc. this place was fantastic - in one week all i had to negotiate was one 4 inch step. that included going to the beach, pool, all bars, restaurants etc. there were lift to all parts. the room and wheel in shower were perfect - spacious and well designed. the shower seat was metal which wasn't great but when i'm away i just pack black bins liners, cover my chair and shower on in - quite easy.
the hotel staff could not do enough to help and puts the uk to shame. initially i found that the staff were over-helpful - wanting to push you etc but with polite guidance they back off a little - they really do only want to help. everyday i went to the beach - fully flat to the sand edge then the hotel lifeguards helped my chair over the sand to a sunbed and are prepared to help you onto the sunbed if you need it etc. same goes with the pool.
the service levels were incredible - drinks to your sunbed, help you into the shade if needed etc. some people might find it a bit too much bu you just have to 'go with it' and be treated like royalty. best hotel i've stayed in by a mile.
the downsides are that it is not a cheap holday but there are some great deals to be had if you put some time in and you get value for your money - free half board upgrades etc... booze is certainly not cheap either - arab country. some restaurants did not have separate disabled toilets so plan ahead. no topless sunbathing either so pack a book/other enertainment lads.
weather was about 28 degrees and sunny everyday, but by april it would be too hot - 40 degrees, so it is a winter destination in my opinion.
i know the shopping centres are very accessible but its not the place if you are after remoteness/intrepid travels - dubai is a construction site in the desert, but its a fun place.
if you want details of hotels/accessible vehicles etc i have contact details so pm me.
dubai is a good wheelchair destination

[pikey]

Thanks for the information JT, glad you had a nice holiday some Dubai sun would be welcome now.

The bin liner idea to cover your chair while showering is genius.

[Zammo]

JT which hotel did you stay at?

I've got an apartment being built out there at the moment, and I may need to head out there later in the year. Would be nice to stay at a recommended hotel.

Like the black bin-liner idea.

[JT80]

nice idea with the apartment zammo - great getaway.
i stayed at the royal mirage - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g2...rage-Dubai.html

[Zammo]

Well the apartment was really just an investment thing. We're trying to sell it but obviously it's not the best economic climate for selling property.

Anyway good to know that there's an excellent hotel nearby (the apartment is in the marina) if I need to head out there.

[Travelling Blackbird]

Great review, JT, it really sounds like a good place for a winter getaway. Also, thanks for the recommendation of Virgin Air - I've flown with many airlines, and often had problems... they sound good. How was their phone support when you called to let them know about the wheelchair?

[JT80]

their phone system was pretty good, but after booking the customer care team sent me an email with all the relevant questions..assistance needed/type of chair/medication etc etc

[Travelling Blackbird]

JT80, on Feb 14 2009, 11:07 AM, said:

their phone system was pretty good, but after booking the customer care team sent me an email with all the relevant questions..assistance needed/type of chair/medication etc etc

That's good. I like the idea of sending out confirmation e-mails to people who've called in, even better if there's also an opportunity to put in writing everything that you need. I must look into Virgin for my next trans-Atlantic.

[Lol Hare]

Nice one,I often wondered how Dubai was so thanks very much for the info! and the bin-liner idea is superb!!
i only use Virgin too,they always try to put my partner and i in a row with a spare seat too (ask though)and are always very helpfull,when you tell them you're in a chair it doesn't phaze them at all

This post has been edited by Lol Hare: 27 February 2009 - 09:19 PM

[ss770640]

Dubai in a wheelchair. Summary review.

Ladies & Gents, here is a summary of Dubai access. I have been there 3 times, 2007, 2009 and 2011. (My skiing accident was actually in Dubai itself, so it owes me! I am T12 complete). Read my "Dubai wheelchair issues" section at the end also.

General Access-Out and About

All shopping malls and hotels are 100% fully accessible. These are the main areas you want to hang around anyway as Dubai is a dry (non alcohol) state. The best bars and restaurants are in the hotels and shopping malls. These are the only ones allowed to serve alcohol. Bathrooms and ramps are no problem. Lifts are common place and very few hills, if none, are in Dubai. In Dubai nobody walks as its too damn hot during the summer so everything is flat, polished air conditioned marble, very easy to roll on. The public bathrooms in the malls are actually of equal standard to the ones in the hotels. No kidding. You practically have your own Indian assistant on hand and everything is pristine clean. I'd bet a months salary that the place is cleaner than your own home cities. Shower rooms and large bedrooms are the norm but as usual check before you go to make sure. All modern (post 2007) buildings are built to UK and American standards. A very modern city. My only problem was the private roads that entered or exited the many skyscrapers. These roads do not have dropped kerbs. So even getting to the metro station, you will need an able bodied person with you to give you a hand up the kerb. They are high kerbs too. The pavement surface is generally flat slabs or small square type pattern. Easy to roll on. However, if for some reason, you wish to get the metro on your own in a chair, simply get a taxi outside your apartment/hotel to the metro station and instruct the driver where to park his car for your transfer. (hand signals or broken english needed!). *Outwith malls and hotels*, restrooms are not always identified with a wheelchair sign. Sometimes they are present inside the normal bathrooms, sometimes they are not. Normally ramps are present but a lot of shops and supermarkets have a single step in. as before, this only applies to ones outwith the malls. So you wont be needing these anyway, unless you forgot the bacon.

1. Habtoor Hotel has a nice Lebanese restaurant by the pool amongst its Italian and others. But accessible bathrooms are inside the main hotel up two steep ramps. Will need help for that one.
2. Burj al Arab is a 6* hotel so enough said. 100% perfect.
3. Burj Khalifa, highest tower in the world, is brand new so enough said. 100% perfect. There is an excellent Thai restaurant at the Souk Bahar which is next to the Burj Khalifa, which is next to Dubai mall. Access via the 5* hotel and past its swimming pool. This place overlooks the dancing water present at the Burj base. Wheeling here is about 1000 yards from the Metro station but in the heat will feel like 30 miles. Facilities available.
4. Le Meridean by the beach has Barasta bar in it. Very nice and flat level access. Restrooms near the beach bar but the accessible one is in the lobby 200 yards away.
5. Grosvenor house has a fantastic champagne bar on its 44th floor. 100% full table service and proper posh. Accessible bathroom on the 2nd floor. The door guy will take you down to it and even wait for you! lol. This place has a fantastic Thai restaurant and bar called Buddah bar its base.
6. Souk Medinat is tourist type souk (middle eastern mall) at the base of the burj al arab. All is 100% accessible except the rooftop bar which does not have a lift up to it. Many restruants and bars here. A good place to chill out at night or during the day.
7. Irish village. Located near the airport (30 mins from Dubai marina, £10 taxi for 3 people). It has bars and food. But NO accessible bathroom! I simply transferred into a normal cubicle and left the chair, linked via my bag strap, on the other side of the door. Hey it worked for me! Nobody touched it either. Job done.
8. Ibn Battuta, Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, etc all perfect, full of shops and eateries. A new mall every month so always a new one around the corner. Literally.
9. A safari will take you into the desert if you wish. A guy in a massive 4x4 will pick you up and make sure your breakfast comes back up as he beasts the jeep over the sand dunes. This can be done if you can transfer into a high jeep. I would not recommend the after party which is a tourist type BBQ and dance in the middle of the desert. Worth doing if your able bodied like i used to be. Wheelchair would be a nightmare due to sand. Plus it really is not that great so your not missing much. Do the dune bashing though. You'll love it. Is about a 1 hour drive from Dubai for sand bashing.
10. Wild wadi water park is fantastic but again, unsure of wheelchair access/ability. It is a water park after all! I was there before my injury.


Metro System and taxis- Getting Around

Dubai has a metro system that opened in 2009 with some parts still under construction. It consists of red and green line with many armadillo shaped stations at the popular locations. Their is a direct lift from ground access which takes you to the platform or bridge crossing the main road (Sheik Zayed Road, a 5 lane highway). The platform and train is perfectly horizontal allowing very easy roll on roll off wheeling. See picture. Accessible bathrooms are also located at all metro stations. A metro ride across town costs about 10 AED. (£2 UK GBP). The main shopping malls and/or areas of interest, have direct bridges connecting the metro station to the mall/area itself. So no outside wheeling is required. (Note, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall does not have this yet as of Jan. 2011). If you do need to wheel somewhere, note that whilst dropped kerbs do exist in Dubai on the public roads, a lot of the skyscrapers' entrance/exit roads DO NOT have dropped kerbs. So you'd need someone with you if your planning on wheeling more than a few blocks. As stated before nobody walks. Taxis are very very cheap. About 30 AED, £6 ($12?) for a 30 minute 15 mile ride. They are so cheap it is easier to transfer into them instead of using the metro. All drivers are Pakistani and will help you no problem. (sometimes against your wishes!). Note that some of their English speaking ability is not so good nor are their driving ability. 100mph, tailgating and undertaking is the norm for these guys. But they are professionally presented and drive nice 'normal' Toyota sudan style cars. Large vans are available and i believe wheelchair specific vans are also available but these must be booked in advance. I did not see many of them. Personally i would not drive in Dubai simply because you dont really need to and the driving is near madness on drugs. Apparently Dubai police will issue wheelchair users with a temporary driving licence so you can hire cars if you want. This would be a good way to get around in your own privacy. Petrol is dirt cheap at about £0.30p a litre. ($0.60 c?)

I travelled from my apartment in the Dubai Marina to the Burj Khalifa. (7 miles away). I left the apartment, onto the road outside, my girlfriend helped me with 4 kerbs to the metro station (50 yards away). And after that, all was perfectly manageable. Metro station was easy. I left the metro station at the other end and took a bus to the Dubai mall. The bus has ramps and air con too. Drivers and door boys will assist you if you need a push up. I'm lazy like that especially when its a steep ramp! Accessible Bathrooms are everywhere. Dubai is a brand new city so as every wheelchair user knows, new means accessible.

Shopping Malls

100% accessible. Air con and very nice, large and lush. Preferential treatment for hailing taxis and people always on hand to literally whim to you every need. The best shops and places to eat are here which makes Dubai excellent for the wheelchair user. There are literally thousands of malls which will blow your mind in size, expense, cleanliness and quality. You name it and it is there. No cost benefit for UK people though as clothes and food is the same price as back home. Approx 5 AED to the pound.

Flights

During flying, it took me 4 flights to figure out where the button was to put up the arm rest. See picture. My poor ass was dragged over it many times. The light switch type button is located near its hinge between the side cushion and arm rest. Makes transfer a lot easier to the aisle chair but it really is hidden. Even the hostesses didn't know where it was. Wheelchair users are given preferential queue jumping treatment at Dubai. The person who took me through it all even insisted on pushing me the entire way! Pakistani bloke didn't understand no! Bathroom trips mid-flight is always a hassle. I normally make a bathroom trip mid flight. But two guys helping me and strong leg twitches didn't make it an easy affair! Biggest bathroom is located in the middle but you'd better be good at transferring as its a tough one to make. As a T12 i made the transfer in both types of bathroom but i have good upper body strength so a worst case 180 deg turn can be done. Middle bathroom is a 90 degree transfer and is larger in space. I recommend Picolax to flush everything out (google it) and an indwelling for the bladder. Flight is 7 hours from the UK or 6 hours from Amsterdam. Allow 1 hour extra for flight loading/unloading. Assistance at all airports was taken care of by the local guys. My RGK wheelchair was put in the hold and i was able to use it at Schipol (Amsterdam), then collected at Dubai as i exited the plane. So it was perfect. Book ahead and notice what the earliest opportunity is for you to reserve seats. KLM is 90 days in advance. Emirates is 24 hours i think. You can fly from the states as i saw Atlanta flights at the airport. Airport has smoking rooms in it and a vast duty free zone.



Warning-Things to note

1. As always check before you fly. Hotels speak excellent English and will bend over backwards to help. Apartments, hotels and apartment blocks are fully accessible and are generally large/huge in size. All bathrooms are technically wet rooms but for cleaning purposes instead not showering. Some have cubicle type showers, others have baths, others you can use a stool to simply wash next to the normal sink. The bathrooms have drains on the floor (for cleaning the room). Moral of the story is check first and consider your ability/confidence to transfer over/into the shower. As a T12 i had no problem at all with my apartment which had no specific modifications for me at all.

2. Swimming pools are always under utilised and perfectly accessible. So it is always yours to use alone. But no 'chair lifts' are present. I used the sun loungers to transfer down and back up.Balconies usually have a step in/out. But i managed on my own to force my wheels over them. In the last apartment, the balcony step was too big so i needed a hand to get to the balcony. Small things like these can be hit/miss.

2. Very limited presence of dropped kerbs so make sure if your going to go for a walk/wheel, have a a/b person nearby! These are big boy kerbs, some 8 inches high! Dropped kerbs do exist but only on public built access roads. Private built access roads to skyscrapers normally do not have dropped kerbs annoyingly.

3. Do not wheel on the road. Get a dirt cheap taxi instead and your kerb issue goes away.

4. Dubai is full of Indian and Pakistani labourers and general people from that area of the world. They've never seen a young handsome(!) bloke wheel around so expect to feel like a goldfish. Especially on the metro or when a bus passes you on the street. You can feel the 100 pairs of eyes on you. Generally once they've analysed your wheels, they will start to eye up each other again. So its harmless but annoying if your that way inclined! They will always help you if required. And are very honest. (one Indian bloke returned my expensive sun glasses to lost and found instead of keeping them!). The benefit of strict law in the UAE.


All in all, i would definitely recommend Dubai to any wheelchair user. It is 'almost' 100% accessible (compared to the USA) and with a little planning can be 100% no problem.

Just don't go skiing like i did.

See pictures below i took with this post in mind.

Email me with any questions on dubai.

JT,

"the shower seat was metal which wasn't great but when i'm away i just pack black bins liners, cover my chair and shower on in - quite easy."

fantastic idea mate.

Can i give you one of mine?

IF no accessible bathrooms are at hand. transfer into a normal cubicle and use your bag strap to connect you to the wheelchair. Push it outside, close the door then recover using the strap when you need the chair back. Assuming there is a gap between door and ground.

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This post has been edited by ss770640: 12 January 2011 - 01:58 PM

[MadMarie]

Hi JT

What a brilliant & inspiring topic all about Dubai & your experiences. Hope to visit Dubai
in the future, I have M.S. & am wheelchair dependant & have tried to find out more about
travelling, hotels etc., & I just entered AccessibleDubai & got straight to your email!!
The M.S. Society, from my own experience, are a bit negative & old, so this internet group
is great!
So thanks very much, am extremely grateful for all the information and inspiration I received
from reading ure e-mail.
MadMarie:-)

[isobar]

Nice to know sounds like the staff are very helpful and you had fun.