Exploring Abu Dhabi hotels

For those who look to explore a culture which is a mix of tradition, heritage, innovation and learning, the Arab culture of the United Arab Emirates is the best option. There are a lot of places where you can immerse yourself in the Bedouin way of life, but if you need a starting point to explore the UAE, Abu Dhabi is the best place to visit. For tourists, Abu Dhabi hotels come as a blessing as it provides you with the respite and comfort you need and that too at an affordable rate.

There are a lot of places that you can explore in and around Abu Dhabi and the best part is its proximity to Dubai. You can easily eat at restaurants in Dubai in the day and come back to rest at your hotel in Abu Dhabi on the very same day! But, there are lots of myths people have about these hotels.

Some of the most common myths about Abu Dhabi hotels are:

There are many restrictions at Abu Dhabi hotels:

Many people believe that given the fact Abu Dhabi is an Islamic country; there are extremely strict rules and regulations that one has to follow, even as a tourist. This is not the case in reality. Like many developed countries, Abu Dhabi is very tolerant of global culture and as a tourist; you need not worry about following any specific rules. Of course, every hotel has its own sets of rules and probably dress codes at some places; like is the case in any hotel in any part of the globe, but if you feel a visit to Abu Dhabi hotels will be claustrophobic, you are very wrong.

All Abu Dhabi hotels are extremely expensive:

This is another myth that deters people from visiting Abu Dhabi. Yes, it is true, there are a lot of hotels in Abu Dhabi that fall under the bracket of extremely expensive, but there are an equal number of good hotels that are available at low costs as well! The price of a hotel depends on many factors like location, brand name, reputation, facilities etc. If you are keen in staying in one of the bigger hotels, but do not want to spend a lot, plan your trip in advance. If you book your tickets in a window of 8-10 months prior to your trip, you have a high chance of getting throw away rates for hotels.

There is a ban on alcohol and pork in Abu Dhabi:

This is a fair point for tourists. A lot of people enjoy a drink or two while they are on a holiday and it will be a real downer if there is a restriction on alcohol. Considering the acceptance of globalism and foreign culture that Abu Dhabi is known for, the government has allowed a lot of hotels to serve alcohol to its guests. Of course, alcohol is only permitted for foreigners and it is illegal for the locals to consume it. The same goes for pork, which can be consumed by foreigners and not locals. Unlike restaurants in Dubai, not all hotels serve pork and alcohol and if you want to consume these two items, check with your hotel beforehand.

These are a few myths people have about Abu Dhabi. When you visit the country, staying at Abu Dhabi hotels will ensure that your holidays are memorable and fulfilling.

The basics of moving to Dubai

Fantastic infrastructure, world-class facilities, great careers and no taxes! Why wouldn’t anyone grab the opportunity to move to Dubai? Dubai is the place to be if you want to be a part of rapid development and progress. However, moving to a new place will always raise several questions. Read on to get some clarity about what moving to Dubai will be like to help you make a smooth transition.

The first and most important thing to do is do your research about the financial institutions in Dubai. This is especially important because the financial institutions in Dubai are quite different from other countries. It is recommended that you do this before landing in the city. Once you land, you must set up your bank account. This takes a few weeks, since you will need your residency visa. Till then you must make provisions for cash through an international account. You can also check with the HR of your company to find out if they can help you set up accounts faster.

Another thing you must take care of is figuring out housing in Dubai. You may buy a house in Dubai once you move there, however there are certain restrictions. Expatriates can purchase only certain developments, so you must figure out which ones those are. Also, the deposit you will need to pay will be quite substantial. It is advisable to do some research and comparisons online before making any decisions. You can also rent. Renting definitely has lesser hassles.

Besides figuring out financial institutions and housing in Dubai, you need to have an employment visa which is a legal document which allows you to work and stay in the UAE. On arrival, you must get health card made and then have a residence permit stamp on your passport and your labor card. This is especially important if you are going to be working in the private sector. The health card is mandatory for obtaining a residence visa and a labor card. The health card is issued after medical and blood tests. You must renew your health card every year and your residence visa every three years.

If you want to be moving to Dubai with your family (spouse and children), your family must apply for an entry residence visa and then within 30 days of arrival in the UAE apply for a residence stamp. This visa will remain valid only if the individual does not travel outside the country for more than six months. For a newborn child, the parents must apply for a residence visa within 4 months of birth. There are also provisions for applying for residence visas for maids. These can be looked at in detail online.

Getting a driving license can be done through a training school. Although there are 36 countries from which UAE allows for a transfer of license. Residents of these countries with a valid driving license need not take a test to get a driving license. Getting a cellphone number requires you to submit certain documents that can be figured out online. The service will be available to you in a couple of days. A similar process is followed for Internet service.

Dubai is an expensive place to live in, so make sure you do not underestimate the costs of living here.  Negotiate everything, especially your salary before deciding to move. Good luck on this new chapter in your life!