Job Discussion Forums

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Hi
As Tesol Arabia will be at the HCT men's college during the day, does anyone know if there are plans for delegates to meet in the evening in Dubai. Is there a hotel or club nearby for example?
Tom

NadiaK · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 206

None that I know of - neither plans nor hotels/clubs.

There used to be some social evenings planned each year (a pub quiz springs to mind), but I don't recall seeing much arranged last year.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I suspect that it will be the usual suspects gathering at the usual watering holes. It was more convenient for this when it was held in a hotel. Laughing

But there is plenty of chance to meet people and make informal arrangements for meals and a cold one.

VS

Neil McBeath · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Saudi Arabia

Tom, HCT is out at Junction 16 on the road to Al Ain. There isn't a hotel for miles - in fact, I think the nearest hotels must be those on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Shuttle buses have been arranged to take the delegates who are staying in five (I suspect very expensive) hotels to and from the conference. For everybody else, you're on your own.

christinecoombe · Joined: 23 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Neil is partially correct in that Dubai Men's College is a good distance from Dubai hotels. It's about a 20 kilometer ride outside of the city and hotels in the Sheikh Zayed Road area are probably the most convenient. The organizing committee has room blocks in four modest to moderate hotels. The most competitively priced is the Palm Beach Rotana Hotel at 360 AED for a single and 420 AED for a double (including breakfast). The most expensive hotel on our conference brochure is the Dhow Palace Hotel, a five star property with prices of 650 AED (plus 20%) per room with breakfast. For those of you who know Dubai, you know that these prices can't be beat. Lower prices on rooms can be found but they are not appropriate for those of us in town for conferences. We worked extremely hard in trying to find places which were affordable for our delegates this year.

There is one networking evening (desert safari) planned which is open to those who have signed up for a development course. The British Council is hosting a finger food reception at the Dhow Palace Hotel on either Thursday or Friday. Invitations will be in your conference packs. In the past we haven't organized evening activities because most people would prefer to "do their own thing" in Dubai. We have lost money in the past on these events and now have decided to leave these evenings open. There is only so much togetherness that dedicated EL professionals can take:)

See you at the conference. And remember everyone has worked extremely hard while holding down a full time job to make this event a good one. We expect that there will be a few glitches. Let's all work together to make this event a success!

Christine Coombe
Conference Chair, TESOL Arabia 2008

tmac-100 · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 137

It is kinda late but...

There are 2 IHA hostels in the area at prices (for dorms etc) at a much more favourable rate as compared to the ones stated in this thread.

The Dubai Hostel is nice - even the men's dorm (at less than 100 AED). Brekky is included.

The Sharjah Hostel is less, but I have not been there..

FWIW...

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Check the Lonely Planet Thorntree website for details about these hostels. In the least few months there have been threads about them which weren't positive, but they are cheaper.

VS

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

If you don't mind staying in Bur Dubai there are some reasonably priced hotel apartments. To get the best rate, do not make a reservation through an agent. Many of these hotel apts are do not maintain online reservations, but if you call them directly and inquire you'll find the cost per night is much lower than quoted on 3rd party sites. Try searching the London Crown, Imperials Residence (NOT Imperial hotel) Hotel Apartments, Pearl Residence, maybe even the Seashell Inn. The key to saving money at these places, though, is making that long distance call to them directly.

Longton · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 148

I assume the Palm Beach Hotel is on or near the beach? The Dhow Palace Hotel is in the middle of nowhere. When I was last there I thought there were sailors checking in until I realised they were hotel staff, dressed in 'navy' uniforms.

uaeobserver · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 236

Logistically - I've never liked the idea of being in Sharjah. If, however, you want to stay in Sharjah --- beware:

http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/03/11/10196445.html

Elie Night · Joined: 15 Jan 2007 Posts: 13

To have something homespun

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

And is 'cha' a word... if you want to play childish games. But the answer is that someone like you probably only gets one chance... and fails...

If you don't know what a 'cold one' is then you likely don't drink them and it doesn't matter...

Do you ever have anything even marginally helpful to offer here?

VS

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

johnslat · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

Dear Elie Night,

Beginning a sentence with a conjunction is OK; some great writers do it:

"Forum: United Arab Emirates Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 3:04 pm Subject: Masochistic maybe
But poking one's eye out is better than being hit by a speeding truck carrying boulders to reclaim land."

I rest my case. But do you agree?

Regards,
John