BEST BEACHES
Beach clubs are all the rage in Dubai. While former England cricketer and ex-local Freddie Flintoff favours the Jumeirah Beach Hotel we decided to try the stylish new Joya beach club (www.joyabeach.com) at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, a 40-minute drive from the city. Opened in May, it has DJs blasting out house music, a VIP cruise boat, cabanas to hire (for an eyewatering £1,000 a day) and waiters serving cocktails on a private beach.

THE SHOPPING
Dubai is a shopper’s Shangri-La. The Dubai Mall is the largest in the world and home to almost every designer brand you can think of; from Chloé to Galeries Lafayette. So if you really want to give your credit card a battering, this is the place to go.

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LAZING AND GRAZING
The Lime Tree Café on Jumeirah Beach Road is an expat lunch hangout, famous for its salads and freshly baked cakes.
For a memorable dinner book a table at the Al Mahara restaurant in the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel. Watch the reef sharks and exotic fish swim round an oval aquarium as you tuck into seared scallops and sea bass.
After dinner head up to the 27th-floor Skyview Bar for Burj Royale champagne cocktails and amazing views of the city lights.

DON’T MISS
A visit to the towering Burj Khalifa (www.burjkhalifa. ae), the world’s tallest building at 2,716.5ft.
Located in downtown Dubai, you reach it via the Dubai Mall and then take an elevator up to the observation deck on the 124th floor for views of the Burj Al Arab and the city skyline.

WHERE TO STAY
For a girly getaway, serviced apartments are a great option, and getting ready to hit the town is more fun when you can do it together.
We stayed at the stylish Jebel Ali Oasis Beach Tower on the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai Marina.
All rooms are en-suite, so there’s no queueing for the bathroom.
Also you have all the benefits of staying at a hotel including a choice of restaurants, bistros and bars, a pool on the second floor and a very helpful concierge desk.

THE KNOWLEDGE
Destinology (0800 634 2844/ www.destinology.co.uk) offers seven nights at Oasis Beach Tower Apartments from £859pp (six sharing), self-catering, including return flight with Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Gatwick and transfers. For departure November 19, 2011.
Dubai Tourism: 0207 321 6110/ www.definitelydubai.com