Dubai is a real travel hotspot

The glossy magazines are unanimous – Dubai is THE playground of the rich and famous,

TV jetsetter Piers Morgan concurs, even though he says that about everywhere he seems to go.

But there's no doubting this ludicrously rich Arabian delight is like nowhere else on earth.

In a relatively short space of time it has even outdone the Americans, making everything bigger and better than anything Stateside and, at times, making Las Vegas look like Little Wenlock with fairy lights.

So what's it like?

Well, for a start, it's hot – very hot.

No matter what time of year you go. Autumn and spring are probably the best with temperatures hovering around 27C (81F) but summer can be unbearable for people of a traditional English nature at 41C (106F) in July and August.

Those of a ginger persuasion may be better off staying indoors, where the welcome wall of air conditioning greets you everywhere like a polar blast.

And staying indoors is a pretty good option given all that Dubai has to offer amidst its mountain range of skyscrapers, shopping malls and salubrious hotels.

You could happily shop 'til you drop, but be warned, the prices are roughly the same – if not a little dearer – as those you will find back home.

Still, there are plenty of malls to choose from and getting around is relatively cheap with taxis on hand at every turn (few people walk anywhere in Dubai – it's too hot and very spread out). Just be careful to make sure your driver understands where you want to go; it's not unusual for destinations to get lost in translation and you will end up paying the full fare.

One attraction not to be missed is iFly, an indoor skydiving school.

Here you will be plunged into a wind tunnel high above the ground and taught how to hover gracefully or flail around hopelessly – all while your cheeks are battered with air at up to 150mph.

The instructors make it look so easy. It isn't at all – but it is great fun and a chance to try something which, if nothing else, will blow the cobwebs and jetlag away.

After that, there's a host of restaurants to tackle across a predictably wide budget range.

For a top of the tree feast, we ate at the Khan Murjan, offering a wide mix of Arabic dishes with an authentic atmosphere and outdoor seating (air conditioned, of course).

One of the flagship hotels in the state is Atlantis, The Palm; set out on a man-made island with its iconic step-through design it epitomises the luxury and grandeur of the resort.

Without doubt, it's one of Dubai's most photographed buildings and has been the setting for various TV shows and films, including the X Factor, when Dannii Minogue used it as her 'Judge's House' base in 2009.

However, not many people are aware that it is surrounded by the biggest (and most exciting) water park in the Middle East.

The huge 42-acre Aquaventure includes play areas for all ages – including the Leap of Faith, reputedly the fastest waterslide in the world.

At 27 metres high and 61-metres long, it takes its name from that terrifying moment you edge over the point of no return, unable to see what comes next, before hurtling down the slide, passing under a shark filled tank before splashing down into a clear blue lagoon.

Sounds scary – but fear not – you go so fast, you don't have time to worry about the sharks. Or even keep your eyes open . . .

The park itself is on a par with Disney's finest (praise doesn't get much higher than that) and is open to non-residents for around £80 for a family ticket.

A visit to the hotel is a must just for the drive out there and to see how the other half really live. The 30ft high glass sculpture in reception will take your breath away alone – and there are plenty of other distractions, as well as an immaculate private beach.

The Atlantis doesn't dominate this amazing city's skyline however.

That honour goes to the Burj Khalifa, which stands an incredible 829 metres tall (2,723 feet) and is currently the tallest structure in the world.

It officially opened in January 2010, although its luxurious apartments on the lower levels were snapped up long before.

The views are breathtaking and queues are generally short, thanks to an efficient booking system.

Family tickets can be bought for around £50 and are often available from your hotel – but can also be bought in advance from the base of the tower itself.

The Burj is surrounded by a 30-acre lake, which shoots water 150 metres (500ft) into the air in the world's biggest fountain display.

The fountain is 275 metres long and features a set display to Arabic music every 20 minutes after 6pm. It features a staggering 6,600 light bulbs, 50 coloured projectors and cost an eye-watering £165 million to create.

The displays are free and always attract large crowds to the lake, but there is plenty of room and if you miss one show, it's not too long to wait for the next.

The Dubai Mall next door is everything you would expect, featuring the top names in fashion and jewellery with price tags to match.

But it does also house an enormous public aquarium, a SEGA entertainment zone for children and even its own ice rink.

Unsurprisingly, there is an abundance of top class hotels throughout the city.

We stayed at the stunning Shangri-La Hotel, conveniently situated just a few minutes drive from all the major attractions.

In fact, it's an attraction itself, offering stunning views across the entire flat region and the sea beyond.

The rooms are spacious and luxurious, finished to perfection and offering every modern convenience at the touch of a button – possibly the best hotel room I've ever stayed in.

Topping things off was the chic rooftop terrace and Amwaj restaurant downstairs which serves up a huge range of meals to suit all tastes, together with fine wines and a luxury setting.

It's highly recommended even if you're not a guest – especially as hotels are one of the few places you can legally buy alcohol in this Islamic state.

Be warned though, you may need deep pockets as even a modest bottle of wine will set you back more than £30.

Overall, that's a small price to pay in the scheme of things for lapping up the atmosphere and one-in-a-lifetime experience of delicious Dubai.

The added attraction of a trip to Dubai are twice-daily direct flights from Birmingham with Emirates. Few airlines offer the comfort and facilities of Emirates, coupled with genuinely friendly staff.

Business Class comes with a premium price, but if you're in the mood to treat yourself it is well worth it for the six-hour flight.

The hustle and bustle of Dubai's main airport is eased by Emirates' smooth organisation and clear information, taking much of the stress out of the beginning and end of your break.

Fact file:

• Emirates (www.emirates.com/uk) or 0844 8002777) offers a return Economy Class flight from Birmingham to Dubai from £485 per person, including all taxes.

• A double room at Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, starts from AED 840 (approx £142) per night. Visit www.shangri-la.com or call 0800 0283337.

• iFLY first time flyer package from £32 per person - www.iflyme.com

• For information about Dubai contact Tourism and Commerce Marketing on www.definitelydubai.com or 020 7321610.

• Day passes for Aquaventure at Altantis, The Palm are AED 200 (£33) for guests over 1.2 metres tall and AED 165 (£27) for guests under 1.3 metres (infants 0-2 years of age go free), For further information visit www.atlantisthepalm.com