It’s been a popular spot lately for the moneyed classes and for regular tourists too. So what is it about Dubai? Sabelo Skiti finds out Some famous people have made Dubai their home - or have at least bought holiday houses there in recent years - while others continue to flock to the most famous city in the Gulf to seek their fortunes. Here's looking at what it has to offer - for the moneyed classes and the ordinary tourist too.story_article_left11) IT'S GOT STYLISH ARRIVALSDubai is home to over 70 five-star hotels, not to mention the famous Burj Al Arab seven-star hotel, in which one can buy the world's second-most expensive cocktail.I stayed at Le Meridien Hotel near the airport which, if you book the right package, could have you make the three-minute commute from the airport in the finest German limo.We arrived just after midnight, and we were greeted by friendly front-desk staff, who got us to our rooms in less than 10 minutes.Le Meridian is part of the Starwood chain of hotels and is home to a lot of expats.Scrumptious meals, both local and international fare, are served at the hotel restaurant, which is next to a cigar bar in the lobby area. The restaurant leads to one of two pools that come complete with a bar and is well hidden enough to allow guests to catch a tan in their most skimpy outfits. Yes, in the Middle East.If you're more serious about your swimming, there's a third, Olympic-sized pool next to the gym and spa.2) IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO SPEND YOUR MONEYMost of us love big, shiny things. And Dubai's "new town" is as big and shiny as they come.At over 11 million metres square, the Dubai Mall, at the foot of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is the biggest in the world, sporting the most high-end retail options. This mall is so big that if you were to walk its entire length and breadth, it would take, well, days.But, if like me, you're intimidated by the notion of 1200 retail stores and more than 200 food outlets, you could just while away the hours at the aquarium and underwater zoo, which is also situated inside the mall.It has the capacity to hold a gigantic 10 million litres of water.3) EVEN THE ARCHITECTURE IS FANCYOur tour guide said the city intended one day to be home to a replica of each of the world's top attractions.To that end, a real-estate development called the Falconcity of Wonders is aiming to replicate life-size versions of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, including the Great Pyramids and Hanging Gardens of Babylon, plus iconic world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal and a copy of New York's Central Park.block_quotes_start you might as well drive past the Sheikh's palace, where his special police Mercedes Benz G63 can be sometimes be seen parked outside block_quotes_endIn the meantime, it has the Burj Khalifa. At 828m, this skyscraper is the highest man-made structure in the world and was built by over 30 contracting companies.It has two observation decks complete with a curio shop and coin-operated binoculars to look as far as the eye can see.It costs around R500 per person to access the first deck at level 125 (some 456m off the ground) but to access the highest observation deck at level 148 (550m) is a bit more at R1410 per person.It should come as no surprise that the elevator taking you up moves at a blistering 10 metres per second. That alone should justify the prices.Besides the gigantic architecture, the "new town" also boasts a stunning man-made marina, also worth a visit, and you might as well drive past the Sheikh's palace, where his special police Mercedes Benz G63 can be sometimes be seen parked outside.Of course, a visit to the beachfront would be incomplete without a drive to The Palms, another manmade island that stretches some 22km to the sea and has homes, hotels, and other entertainment areas.full_story_image_hleft14) THERE'S CULTURE …For some history and culture, a trip to Dubai's "old town" precinct is highly recommended.It's delightful to walk the narrow streets and alleys in the souks, breathing in the many spices, the incense and the Arabic perfumes. Naturally, there is more than one way to get to old town: by road or crossing the river on makeshift barges.The latter is by far the more rewarding. Look to your left and see the sprawling "new town", complete with skyscrapers and expensive yachts on the marina, while to your right are the buildings of "real downtown", complete with the souks, where your rand stretches a little bit further.Quality seekers will need to be careful, though. As immersed as you'll be in old, "real", Dubai, don't be enticed by dodgy looking men selling everything from "Rolexes" and gold necklaces to designer bags, whose seams just never seem quite right.5) … AND FINE DINING WITH EXTRA TRIMMINGSWe had an excellent dining experience on The Bateaux, a dinner-cruise boat that sails up Dubai Creek while serving the best in local and international cuisine.The boat, which can accommodate up to 200 people, is very luxurious and encased in glass all around to allow for optimum viewing.Dinners are not too excessive by South African standards: R1,600 for a four-course dinner plus soft drinks. The unlimited house beverage package costs a little over R2,000 per person.story_article_right26) IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLDThe part that stood out for me the most was the desert tour, arranged by Arabian Adventures on our last night in Dubai.The company can organise anything from deep-sea fishing to helicopter rides to hot-air balloon trips.Our desert tour kicked off with our being collected from the hotel in massive four-wheel-drives, which took us out to the desert.Riding in SUVs over the dunes was truly something to marvel at - and got our blood flowing.Then, as if simply being in the desert was not special enough, there was a falcon show, camel rides and belly dancers - all wonderful.After dinner, a sumptuous buffet centred on a lamb barbecue, our night was completed with a shisha pipe experience. • Skiti was a guest of Emirates Airlines ..