Dubai: address book

IDENTITY CARD

Formalities : passport valid for six months after the date of arrival.

Time difference : +2 h in summer, +3 h in winter.

Currency : United Arab Emirates dirham (AED). 1 euro = AED 4.85 (Sept. 2013).

Area code : + 971.

GETTING THERE

EMIRATES offers 19 weekly flights between Dubai and Paris, including 14 by A380. The Emirati carrier, which serves 129 destinations in 75 countries, also offers five weekly services to Lyon and a daily flight to Nice.
69, boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris.
Phone: +33 1 53 05 35 35
Internet: www.emirates.com

AIR FRANCE offers a daily flight to Dubai in a four-class Boeing B777, including a First and a Premium Economy cabin.
Tel.: 0820 320 820
Internet: www.airfrance.com

HOTELS

THE ONE & ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE DUBAI

A kilometre of private white sandy beach, 49 hectares of greenery and one of the best spas in the city for this establishment spread over three properties, the Arabian Court (172 rooms), The Palace (231 rooms) and the Residence & Spa (49 suites and one villa). Although this very, very private location attracts an upmarket, leisure-oriented clientele, business travellers can enjoy a resort atmosphere close to Media City and Internet City. Everything has been designed with relaxation in mind: a restaurant set on the water, a terrace overlooking the Arabian Sea, gardens where you can enjoy a cool drink, a beach bar... What's more, this is the only hotel in Dubai to offer a private boat service, enabling guests to dine at One & Only The Palm, located on the palm-shaped island.
P.O. Box 37252 - Tel: +971 4 3999 999 Email: info@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae ; reservations@lhw.com - Internet: www. oneandonlyresorts.com ; www.lhw.com

PARK HYATT DUBAI

An ocean of greenery in the heart of Dubai Creek and Arabesque pavilions protected from the heat by moucharabiehs. A contemporary Moorish spirit for this 225-room hotel, sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
PO Box 2822 - Tel: +971 4 602 1234 Email: dubai.park@hyatt.com Internet: www.dubai.park.hyatt.com

THE DUBAI MERIDIAN

For travellers still between flights, Le Méridien Dubai is literally a stone's throw from the airport. But without overlooking the runways or regaling guests with the sweet sound of take-offs: on the contrary, the hotel is an oasis of greenery, with a splendid swimming pool, pretty gardens and easy access to the rest of Dubai. Guests in Royal Club rooms benefit from personalised service and a dedicated business centre and lounge.
Airport Road - Tel: +971 4 217 0000 Email: reservations.lmdubai@ lemeridien.com - Internet: www.lemeridien-dubai.com

THE PALACE DOWNTOWN

A palace from the Thousand and One Nights, traditional villas in the middle of a palm grove, the murmur of fountains, all set against a forest of buildings dominated by the tallest tower in the world: that's what this 242-room urban resort looks like, right in the heart of the new downtown.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard Tel: +971 4 4287 888 Email: info@thepalace-dubai.com Internet: www.theaddress.com

SHERATON DUBAI CREEK

Opened in 1978, this Sheraton - one of three in the city - is the oldest five-star hotel in Dubai. Facing the water in the old Bur Dubai district, it is just a stone's throw from the Chamber of Commerce, the souks and the metro.
Baniyas Street Tel: +971 4 228 1111 - Email: reservationsdubaiuae@sheraton.com Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com Other major business hotels

GRAND HYATT DUBAI

P.O. Box 7978 - Tel: +971 4 317 1234 Email: dubai.grand@hyatt.com Internet: www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com

DUBAI RAFFLES

Sheikh Rashid Road. P.O. Box 121800 - Tel: +971 4 324 8888 Email: dubai@ raffles.com - Internet: www.raffles.com

THE FAIRMONT

P.O. Box 97555, Sheikh Zayed Road Tel: +971 4 332 5555 Email: dubai@fairmont.com Internet: www.fairmont.com/dubai

THE ADDRESS DUBAI MALL

P. O. Box 31166 - Tel: +971 4 438 8888 Email: dubaimall@theaddress.com Internet: www.theaddress.com

THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL DUBAI

Sheikh Zayed Road, P.O. Box 75880 Tel: +971 4 343 8888 Internet: www.shangri-la.com/dubai

VIDA DOWNTOWN

Burj Dubai Boulevard, The Old Town Tel: +971 4 428 6888 Email: connect@vida-hotels.com Internet: www.vida-hotels.com

Budget hotels

OCEAN VIEW HOTEL

In the Marina district, the 338 rooms of this four-star hotel offer splendid views of the Arabian Sea. Sparkling decor, Club floor, Infnity Pool and free WiFi.
PO Box 26500 - Tel: +971 4 814 5599 Email: ovh@jaresorts.com Internet: www.jaresortshotels.com

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD DUBAI

This 384-room contemporary hotel from the Starwood group is a sure bet for business travellers looking for comfort at a reasonable price. Right in the heart of the action, with a rooftop swimming pool and five restaurants.
Sheikh Zayed Road, P.O. Box 116162 Tel: +971 4 323 0333 - Email: reservations.szrdubai@fourpoints.com Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com

RESTAURANTS

AT.MOSPHERE

This is undoubtedly one of the most popular places to eat at the moment, as it is not only one of the best restaurants in the city, but also the highest in the world, perched at 442 metres on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa. Visitors come here for a high tea, a cocktail or an extremely refined dinner. The menu includes foie gras with poached pear, caviar, scallops with cappucino... Reservations are essential, even for a simple drink.
Tel: +971 4 888 3444 - Email: reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com Internet: www.atmosphereburjkhalifa. com

REFLECTIONS

Under baroque chandeliers, Pierre Gagnaire's restaurant showcases every flavour and texture. Molecular creations arrive on the table in miniature versions, for an astonishing gastronomic journey.
InterContinental Festival City Tel: +971 4 701 1111 Email: intercontinental@ichdfc.ae Internet: www.ihg.com

ZUMA RESTAURANT

With its endless sushi bar, the place impresses from the moment you enter. But all this is nothing until you try the melting fish and original Japanese creations. This is not a new address, but it remains a benchmark.
Gate Village, DIFC - Tel: +971 44 25 56 60 - Email: reservations@zumarestaurant. ae - Internet: zumarestaurant.com

SWITCH

In the middle of the gigantic Dubai Mall, you could almost walk past this unusual place without realising it. Yet it is the first Emirati project by Karim Rashid, a famous Canadian designer with a pop and pepsy taste. You enter a world of bright purple waves, under a ceiling studded with little phrases in Arabic. Perhaps it's even the inside of an imaginary camel, because here the king of the desert is on the menu, in the form of ultra-tasty mini hamburgers. A good address for a quick and highly original lunch.
Dubai Mall - Tel: +971 4 339 9131 Email: info@meswitch.com Internet: www.meswitch.com

DEAN & DELUCA DUBAI CAFE

The famous New York deli is now available in a Dubai version, bringing a touch of the Big Apple to the desert heat. Located in the Al Bahar souk, it faces the Burj Khalifa and its monumental fountains. It is best visited in spring and autumn, to enjoy the spectacular views from the large and beautiful terrace.
Souk Al Bahar - Tel: +971 4 420 0336 Internet: www.deandeluca.com

URBANO

A little corner of Milan in the heart of Dubai: that's Urbano, a cosy restaurant serving traditional Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting. Ideal for lunch.
Souk Al Bahar - Tel: +971 4 435 5777 Email: info@urbano.ae Internet: www.urbanorestaurants.com

INFORMATION

DUBAI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND COMMERCE MARKETING, FRANCE & BENELUX

15 bis, rue de Marignan. 75008 Paris. Tel: 01 44 95 85 00 Email: dtcm-france@dubai.fr Website: www.dubaitourism.ae

DUBAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

P.O. Box 1457 - Tel: +971 4 228 00 00 Email: customercare@dubaichamber.com Internet: www.dubaichamber.com

UBIFRANCE DUBAI

Al Habtoor Business Tower, 24th Floor, Dubai Marina, P.O. Box 3314 - Tel: +971 4 408 49 50 - Email: dubai@ubifrance.fr Internet: www.ubifrance.fr

FRENCH BUSINESS COUNCIL

P.O. Box 25775 - Tel: +971 4 312 67 00 Email: fbc@fbcdubai.com Internet: www.fbcdubai.com

BUSINESS CENTRES

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Dubai World Trade Centre, P.O. Box 9292 Tel: +971 4 332 1000 - Email: info@ dwtc.com - Internet: www.dwtc.com

REGUS

Burjuman Business Tower, 18th Floor, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, PO Box 121828 - Tel: +971 4 509 6666 Internet: www.regus.ae

PRACTICAL GUIDES

DUBAI CARTOVILLEGallimard (2013).

DUBAI IN A FEW DAYSLonely Planet (2012).

DUBAI and ABU DHABITOP 10, Hachette (2102).

DUBAI INSTRUCTIONS FOR USEGallimard (2012).