Job Discussion Forums

[MyTrunkshow]

Is there a motel culture in Dubai?

For our TESOL-Arabia trip, we are booked into the Holiday Inn, Knowledge Village. We have a rental car and are aware of the distance to the Dubai Men's College where the conference will be held.

Our issue is one night, Saturday March 16th. We have lost our room in Al Ain due to a booking technicality (my error!?).

Can we just drive around and find a room easey-peasey? Or will we likely end up sleeping in the car? For instance, if we decide to head to Abu Dhabi, or Al Ain, are there motels off the freeway?

Regards,
Gary

[uaeobserver]

There are 5 to 7 star hotels ---- and there are no star flop houses --- and not much in between.

If you're hoping to take a road trip --- I'd advise you to book a reservation.

[helenl]

I don't think there is such a thing as a motel period in the Emirates. There are fleabag hotels - but not a motel per se.

Getting a room easily depends on what else is going on in the area at the time. If there's a convention or a visit by somebody "important" a lot of the hotels can fill up fast or be off limits (especially if it's a state visit - probably not applicable in this case).

Myself, I'd book a room at a 3* hotel just to be on the safe side.

[Iamherebecause]

Al Ain is nice but short of hotels... one of the cheaper places to stay is in the villas at the foot of Jebel Haffeet at Green Mubazzarah. Afraid I don't have a link but if you search persistently you ought to find something on the net. Besides the Hilton, Intercon and Rotana there are few proper hotel options. The Mercure is a long way out of town. Al Massa and City Seasons Hotel are both in Al Ain and then there's the Buraimi Hotel just across the border in Oman. You don't need a visa to get to it but you do have to show your passport.

Even firm bookings can evaporate here - a few years ago some of TESOL Arabia's bookings for the conference at the Hilton in Abu Dhabi were cancelled at short notice because of a sheikhly wedding.

[MyTrunkshow]

Thank you all for replying.

Since posting this thread, a poster on this board in Sharjah has been generous by offering up a night's lodging in a home. Actually, for our first trip to the ME, what better way to be introduced to the region than by a resident. We are so looking forward to meeting our hosts on the other side of the world.

We have rented a car, so we'll be getting around. Our only issue is that the car can't cross into Muscat for a day trip.

Appreciate the posters' help and suggestions. And again, thanks to the kind people in Sharjah. See you in March.

By the way, I happen to belong to a group called hospitalityclub.org. It is an organization for meeting locals around the world. I think there are about 300,000 members. I've hosted people in my home that I met thru this club from India, Malaysia, Japan, and England. If one is so inclined, then it is an interesting option in meeting people.

Regards,
Mytrunkshow

[boomerang_kid]

MyTrunkshow,


[u]Regarding your last regretful remark:[/u]


[quote]We have rented a car, so we'll be getting around. Our only issue is that the car can't cross into Muscat for a day trip. [/quote]

Do you actually mean the capital of Oman, "Muscat" (which is quite a drive from Al Ain) or do you simply mean "Oman" in general.

It used to be possible to cross over from Al Ain, UAE to Burami, Oman (and back) without having to get a transit visa, because the police checkpoint was on the far side of Burami.

So, if you just wanted to have a look at Oman, that might still be possible.

[MyTrunkshow]

Hi. Thank you about the tip. We have read about this option of crossing the border without going thru a checkpoint.

We were looking to sit in a coffee shop, eat in Muscat City, walk around town a bit and get a brief feel for the place as it may be an option for working and living.

Regards,
Gary

[veiledsentiments]

[mishmumkin]

Last January I did the crossing at Hatta (that's not the "official" name for the crossing) in a rental car. I think I had to pay a few extra bucks at the rental company, though you could purchase last-minute insurance right at that border crossing. Though, perhaps this is moot point-I think you said you're staying in Al Ain.

Mytrunkshow, if you've got an extra day or two, I think venturing into Oman is definitely worth it. If my memory serves me correctly, from Al Ain it's approximately 3 hours to Nizwa, and there wasn't much in between in terms of towns. Muscat from Al Ain would be around about 4 hours...does that sound about right to everyone else?

[thegreatergood]

You are spending all that money to come to TESL ARABIA are you kidding???
mmmmmmm

well, if you really think it's worth it. But, don't forget most employers will lose your CV and ask you to send it again, and again....even after meeting them in person and them promising you a job.

[MyTrunkshow]

Well, this changes things.

My colleague has now suggested that he is not interested in Al Ain. There seems to be a domino effect in our plans now that we've learned of our botched reservation at the Mercure in Al Ain.

If we can somehow take the rental car into Oman, then we will be tickled. If merely paying extra for insurance is the issue, no problem. We are not exactly on a budget as the Dubai portion of our trip is part of a larger holiday that will take us to Sri Lanka and Thailand.

We'll possible spend the Saturday night after the conference in Oman. Is the border open 24 hours on the main 4-6 lane road from Dubai?

I'm unclear how one can pay for insurance at the border when the border requires authorization from the car rental agency for permission for the car to cross? At least this is my understanding from reading the rental agreement with Thrifty Car Rental.

Of course, when we pick up the keys, we will know what we really can do as even phone calls can mean little if the receptionist/customer service rep. at the rental agency isn't fully aware of the myriad of policies or the possibility of miscommunication.

Regards,
Gary

[thegreatergood]

Depending on your nationalities the FEES to enter Oman vary greatly.

[mishmumkin]

[veiledsentiments]

I doubt that temporary insurance is for rental cars. It is for residents who don't have the full policy for both countries. I would get in touch with your rental agency and make sure that you get a car that can cross the border and has full coverage and the proper papers.

It might be easier to catch a quick flight over and rent a car at the airport in Muscat.

Personally when I drove back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Muscat, I always went through Al-Ain. The road becomes two lane in Oman, but it is one of my favorite drives in the world. You must drive defensively though... I found the biggest danger to be the wandering goat herds. Once you get to Sohar, it is 4-6 lane all the way to Muscat following the coast.

The road tax must be something new, as I never had to pay it from either direction. Perhaps it is for those without GCC residence visas. Of course, when I last did the trip in 2000, they still didn't stop you on the UAE side. I have never stopped on that side of the border... only the Oman side.

VS

[mishmumkin]