MataHari

and then the endless holiday starts...
judging by what I read on other forums I am the only mother that isn't looking forward to school finishing...apparently all other kids suddenly sleep in in the mornings allowing their mums to do the same...mine will be up at 6 as usual, and the first thing she will ask is 'what are we going to do today'...arrgghhhh
anyway...I am thinking of having a few little breaks with her by going to stay at hotels around Dubai for a night or 2...so I am wondering if it would actually be cheaper to go to a hotel in person and book rather than to do it online or by the phone...
does anyone know if that works or can I save myself the trouble...

Blue Cat

I was thinking the same, tried all the usual websites - rotana, hilton, jumeirah etc, nothing cheap I am afraid. Looked at going up to Al Hamra as well but they are charging 700 a night. Try ringing the reservations offices you might have better luck than on line. I am not looking forward to 10 weeks with a 5 year old all day long either

busybee2

mine are up at 5.30 whatever day of the year it is, whatever the weather etc etc, so there are two of us.

MataHari

yeah, the hotel websites are useless for good deals it seems...
I am not really an 'over the phone' type person when it comes to getting a good deal, so I thought perhaps going there in person (and taking the little one with me, looking all sweet and lovely, lol) might work better...

MataHari

all those other mums must have special kids...

Blue Cat

Rotana are doing 5 nights including breakfast for 3000 dhs, saw it on their site. Try www.mytravelchannel.com, they might have something. I am going to hit Dreamland, Aqualand and the Palm Beach Club (got friends pass), mine is happy as long as she is in water.

She ain't special, up at 6 everyday

busybee2

done many a summer here, just have to go out early, and as they get up so early its only me that has to get up too, at least dont have to do "lunch boxes" yeh!

Emerald_Eyes

I think the hotel thing sounds like fun - there are loads of hotel deals on right now. Jumeirah hotels have got some spa linked deals in particular. Plus you can get up to 30% off meals at their restaurants right now if you use a visa card. Had dinner at Pai Thai the other night and got 30% off the bill. There's a limit of 4 people unless you have a sirius card, which I do. So get yourself one if you don't have it.

Also Atlantis is doing a deal on rooms for 800 AED per night plus you get free access to Aquaventure.

Booking online is often much cheaper than booking directly and you can always call the hotel to check the difference. One of my favourite websites for cheap last minute hotel rooms is this: http://www.laterooms.com/

Emerald_Eyes

What about summer camps?

http://www.timeoutdubai.com/kids

Blue Cat

can you use sites like that when you are a resident here though?

Blue Cat

bit pricey but I am looking at the one at Mitten's school for the odd week

Kim67

Mine too - that's why I've taught them to cook from birth - they make breakfast themselves.

busybee2

yeh mine get themselves sorted breakfasted etc, as they are older now.

busybee2

i wouldnt because they are apparently passing all visas etc to cid, and so you cannot hide the fact that you live here, or that you have an "adult 12 year old".

Blue Cat

passing visas to CID? last time we were in JBH we didn't have visa's, infact I still don't have one, can't be bothered to do a visa run either, oh dear