Madinat Jumeirah Souk

Madinat Jumeirah

Madinat Jumeirah is a destination type resport that contains restaurants, a souk a few hotels. It's great for the guests, but the Madinat Jumeirah Souk brings in a crowd of tourists to check out what's on offer and chill out at the restaurants. Madinat is a destination in its own right. It may be a souk, but with everything on offer, this Arabic themed location is a popular with everyone - and thus the popularity of the hotels is obvious.

Madinat Jumeirah is an Arabic name which, on translation, means ‘City of Jumeirah’ and is a magnificent and grand boutique resort which has been designed to resemble an ancient Arabian citadel and strongly echoes the unique and outstanding beauty of the Arabian theme. Based on the concept of ‘Old Arabia’, this resort is an endeavour to recreate the luxurious lifestyle led by people in the olden days and therefore displays its immense wealth with a subtle sense of tradition.

Being an intricately designed city, Madinat Jumeirah comprises of two hotels namely Al Qasr and Mina A’ Salam, a cluster of courtyard houses named Dar Al Masyaf, a traditionally designed shopping area, a spa named Six Senses, conference and banquet facility, the Quay Health club and a variety of recreational facilities. There are waterways connecting all parts of the city so that guests can not only explore the entire oasis in an abra but also land up in the adjacent harbour and beach to relish the sea breeze. It really is part of the appeal of Madinat Jumeirah that you can travel by Abra between the various areas. it's both romantic and fun - kids will love it - and it brings something a little different to the traditional vanilla type resort that you do get elsewhere in the world.

Al Qasr, meaning ‘The Palace’ is an island hotel which stands like mansion amidst meandering waterways, pools and a private beach. If you wish to experience the ancient Arabian ambiance, then this aspect of Madinat Jumeirah is just for you. Inclusion of wind towers as part of the décor add a touch of authenticity to the traditional atmosphere and with a ceremonial causeway serving as an entrance this particular unit is rightly accorded the status of being a jewel in the crown in the Madinat Jumeirah city.  

Another hotel named Mina A’ Salam within the Madinat Jumeirah city resort is a boutique hotel which offers an exquisite experience to its guests through its cultured Arabian essence, heart warming welcomes and sun drenched richness. Having been built on the shores of Arabian Gulf, and literally translated as ‘harbour of peace’  it is truly a sanctuary where timeless values are celebrated and enchanting views of neighbouring areas can be exclaimed upon.

Premium accommodation at the Madinat Jumeirah is offered at the Dar Al Masyaf in form of individual units designed on the lines of traditional Arabian courtyard houses and hence having 8 to 11 rooms. If you can get in here, you are probably quite important. The villas are both exclusive and expensive and there was a time when Madinat didn't even advertise that they even had  mention it to anyone, and it would still be full. A luxury location for those in the know. This aspect of the city is a picture of contrasts as on one hand the buildings are isolated havens connected only through waterways and on the other hand they reflect the elegance and opulence of a residential retreat apt to a bustling commercial centre like Dubai.

Amongst its many unique features, there is an eco friendly program as well which serves the objective of turtle rehabilitation. The 5.4 kilometres long waterways of the Madinat Jumeirah resort serve as home to a turtle sanctuary where injured turtles are nursed back to health and then released in their natural habitat. To complete the facility a turtle pen has been established sandwiched between two restaurants in the Mina A’ Salam section.

But what draws the tourists in are the restaurants and souk. The souk was one of the first modern ones in Dubai and has a different feel to Souk al Bahar or Khan Murjan. We think Madinat Jumeirah Souk offers something different – it’s more high end and it’s probably more modern. There are some great stores where you can find some unique pieces for your home, and some will ship them back for you, especially if they are very large. But it is more expensive. But as we said, Madinat Jumierah is a destination – with a souk, theatre and restaurant – and it would feature on one the most popular things to experience in Dubai. Just don’t fall in to the waterways! 

Points of note –

• This 40 hectares of oasis of Madinat Jumeirah are ideal for relaxing and basking in sunshine and hence a perfect getaway from the hectic city life - if you can afford the hotels!
• For all guests staying at the resort there is a 24-hour butler service at their disposal in all the sections.
• With its various facilities it is considered as being the most luxurious resort in the world.
• We love the souk - even if you are not into it too much, it is wort spending an afternoon lazing around or an hour or so at the souk before grabbing dinner - or soaking up the tunes at Jambase.

When – Madinat Jumeirah Souk is Open All day

How long – Madinat probably deserves about 3 hours or your time, but depending on what you do, it could be longer

Location – Madinat Jumeirah is located around the 1-kilometre long private beach front very close to  Wild Wadi Water Park, Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. (it's also part of the Jumeirah Group.

Cost –Free to enter, but shopping and restaurants can obviously put out a minimum of a few hundred dirhams.

More info – See http://www.jumeirah.com for more information