Your essential guide to Dubai

Just a short drive from the hotel you’ll find the Etihad Museum. Located next to Union House, where the UAE constitution was signed in 1971, the distinctive building – with its curved white roof representing the parchment of the constitution and its golden columns representing the pens used to sign it – is the ideal place to brush up on your UAE history. Other essential cultural attractions include Alserkal Avenue, Dubai Opera and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, home to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and Al Fahidi Fort/Dubai Museum.

Dubai is a world-renowned shopping destination, best-known for the luxury stores in Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest malls, and Mall of the Emirates, home of Ski Dubai. Additionally, the city offers many traditional souks, such as the Gold Souk, the Perfume Souk and the Spice Souk in Deira, and the Textile Souk, a five-minute abra trip across Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai.

In recent years, the city’s consumer offering has diversified. If you’re looking for something a little bit different, Box Park caters to more urban tastes, Dubai Design District is a must-visit if you are a fashion lover looking to add a few choice garments from local designers to your wardrobe and, during the cooler months, The Ripe Market at Zabeel Park promises local produce, food vendors, artisans, designers, jewellers, entertainers and musicians. Jumeirah itself is home to some of the city’s finest independent shops, including boutique-café Comptoir 102 and Scandinavian furniture and homewares store D.tales.

Dubai is home to some of the world’s most incredible architecture. Take in the awe-inspiring skyscrapers of Burj Khalifa and Cayan Tower, the elegant curves of the Burj Al Arab and the one of a kind Dubai Frame. If you are a real architecture connoisseur, seek out lesser-known gems such as the Index Tower and the mesmerising rotating shutters on the Apple Store at Dubai Mall designed by Foster + Partners and the quirky O-14 in Business Bay designed by Reiser+Umemoto.

Start your evening with a poolside cocktail at Sun Vibe at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai while gazing at the setting sun and the calm, clear waters of the Arabian Gulf. Alternatively, head to Netsu, a Japanese Steakhouse showcasing the traditional cooking technique of Warayaki – straw fire cooking. The terrace is perfect for sipping cocktails or sampling the extensive wine list.

In the last decade, Dubai has staked a robust claim to the title of food capital of the Middle East, with its culinary offering running the gamut from authentic street food to world-class fine dining. Opt for one of the in-house signature restaurants at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai –  such as Tasca for Portuguese food poolside – or take a short trip to Folly by Nick & Scott in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Hakkasan Dubai at Atlantis, The Palm or La Serre in Downtown Dubai for its Mediterranean-style menus and boulangerie.