Dubai today is flashy, fun and slightly surreal. Renowned for its sand, sun and shopping, it was once a tranquil town of coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses built by Persian traders and palm-frond huts housing Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers. Today shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.

THE ROYAL MIRAGE HOTEL Dubai looks like a huge ancient Arabian Fortress on Jumeira Beach overlooking the Palm Island Bay, Dubai´s most impressive development.

At "THE PALACE" accomodation ranges from the two Royal Suites, 19 Executive Suites, 53 Gold Club Rooms (with private reception and cocktail lounge) to the 175 DeLuxe guestrooms - of course all of them sea-facing with central air-conditioning, Satellite TV, hairdryer, IDD phone, walk-in closet, luxurious bathroom with separate shower and private balconies or ground patios (we tried one of these and only had ten to eleven steps to the pool - great!)

Three themed restaurants provide a selection of Mediterranean, Moroccan and Arabian fusion cuisines, some with spectacular views over the beautifully scaped big swimming pool, the beach and the Arabian Gulf. An Oriental Cafe in the central hall offers speciality teas and coffees and regional delicacies. The hotel also has six bars, including the spectacular Kasbar nightclub for animated evening entertainment. The hotel offers an extensive private beach with comprehensive watersports and recreational facilities like sailing, windsurfing, Hobie Cats and waterskiing, three floodlit tennis courts, a putting green and a dedicated children´s centre. Other activities like scuba diving, sportfishing or golf are available nearby.