Dubai: Stop at the top of the world

Dubai Mall. Photo / Supplied

Once upon a time Patricia Greig had the good fortune of a luxury stopover in Dubai.

It's almost eerie, that sense of impermanence that hangs over a traveller's head during a stopover.

The insides of the airport will soon be returned to, there's very little time between trips in that winged metal tube that will take you home, and you hang like a drifter between time zones, holiday and real life, Europe and New Zealand, old countries and new. It can be unsettling, but it needn't be.

About 70.4 million passengers passed through Dubai's international airport in 2014. Chances are, if you're travelling to or from Europe from New Zealand, you're likely to spend some time in the United Arab Emirates.

Trust me, there's a long flight in between. Should you have even the tiniest inkling of an idea to prolong your stopover, it is an inkling that should be explored to its full potential.

1. Arabian Adventures

On a tight schedule, the last thing I wanted to do was figure out Dubai's public transport. Arabian Adventures run 76 adventure/leisure/dining tours using what seems to be every mode of transport available, from helicopters to camels. All of the excursions can be booked exclusively, and the company provides multilingual guides and trained drivers (I'm sure I saw someone do a U-turn on to a motorway off-ramp. Getting a driver is a wise move).

It's easy to book using the Arabian Adventures website so you are organised to be picked up with your day planned before you arrive.

2. Dubai Mall

My Arabian Adventures driver and guide safely and informatively delivered me to the world's biggest mall (as big as 50 football fields). It has an aquarium, an ice rink, a Sega theme park, the world's largest candy store, and every luxury brand imaginable. The place is huge - it's almost so huge you don't know what to do with yourself except wander around a small portion of it. I was conscious of what would and would not be respectful behaviour in Dubai, or how I would be made conscious of it.

It's not as though someone is measuring hemlines, but mall security can and will issue discreet reminders if a patron's behaviour is disrespectful.

3. Armani Spa

Armani Spa. Photo / Supplied

On the other side of the Dubai Fountain (you guessed it, it's the world's largest) is Armani Hotel and Spa. It's incredibly exclusive and booking is essential - you need to be expected. Every detail of Armani Hotel is planned. It has seven restaurants, 160 incredible rooms and suites and, of course, the spa. Duration of spa appointments depend entirely on how much time you have and treatments are personalised. The spa complex also offers saunas and steam rooms for a complete hydrothermal experience, a swimming pool and a gymnasium. Bookings can be made on the website.

4. Burj Khalifa

The view from At.mosphere. Photo / Supplied

The elevator in this building travels at 10m a second and your ears will pop at least twice as you zip to the 125th floor but, for what is arguably the best view in Dubai, it's absolutely worth it. At 555m, the Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building and it's worth making an event out of your trip by indulging in high tea at At.mosphere, on Level 122.

At.mosphere is a unique dining experience, with views of the city and the Arabian Gulf, and an exquisite menu by chef Jerome Lagarde. It will leave you feeling on top of the world.

The writer was hosted by Dubai Tourism.