See Dubai in style with Katie McGonagle’s guide to upselling the emirate
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Going the extra mile comes as standard in Dubai – with the world’s tallest building, most lavish hotels and most indulgent shopping outlets, this is not a place for half measures.
But what about clients who want to push the boat out further? Whether they’re celebrating a special occasion or splashing out on a no-expenses-spared escape, Dubai has more to offer clients who want it, and are willing to pay for it.
While upgrades and add-ons might not always be good news for your clients’ bank balances, they are good news for yours thanks to the enhanced commission available on upgraded rooms and flights, VIP excursions and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Add to that the opportunity of earning extra client loyalty with a holiday they’ll never forget, and you’ll both end up ahead.
Flying Start
While holidays are exciting, getting ready for them is anything but – and although you can’t go round and pack your clients’ suitcases for them (unless you’re feeling really dedicated, that is), you can ease their journey with an upgrade.
Emirates passengers flying First or Business Class not only get the lie-flat beds, spacious seating and top-notch food you’d expect, but they also enjoy a free chauffeur-driven transfer within 70 miles of their UK airport. That covers Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, extending to 150 miles from the Scottish city for First Class passengers.
On arrival in Dubai, they’ll also receive a complimentary transfer to their hotel in a luxury Volvo for passengers in Business or a specially commissioned Mercedes for First.
Even if they can’t justify the price of an upgrade, they can still avoid airport stress with a fast-track security pass or lounge access – book through add-ons providers such as Holiday Extras, from £3 and £16 respectively – followed by private transfers in Dubai. Hayes & Jarvis destination manager Zoe Betchley says: “We would always recommend upgrading to private transfers. The price difference is minimal and there is no waiting, making it worth every minute. Upgrade costs start from just £5 per person each way.”
Or for those who really want to start their break in style, Gold Medal can arrange a helicopter transfer from the airport to helipad-ready hotels such as the Burj Al Arab, Atlantis the Palm and Waldorf Astoria The Palm, meaning guests can start sightseeing as soon as they arrive.
The Suite Life
Access to an exclusive club floor can be enough to elevate a hotel stay above the ordinary: Gold Medal highlights the “excellent facilities and benefits” at Waldorf Astoria The Palm and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, while Hayes & Jarvis favours the club rooms at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Imperial Club at Atlantis the Palm for their private check-in, complimentary drinks and food available all day.
Travel 2’s Ricky Wason, general manager of short-haul product and purchasing, also has a tip for club floor fans. He says: “The Ritz Carlton offers one of the best club lounge facilities, with upgrades costing from as little as £51 per room per day. The upgrade includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from midday, and could be seen as a mini all-inclusive package.
“Breakfast is served in the lounge until 11am, there is complimentary wireless internet, and the lounge even has a dedicated club concierge on hand to cater to any requests.”
Wason also recommends looking out for special offers such as the 20% discount plus half-board upgrade for guests of Sofitel the Palm, for travel from November 1.
“For around £100 a day, visitors can upgrade from a luxury palm view room to a junior suite with separate living area, walk-in wardrobe and views over the Arabian Gulf; or for families, the same amount will transfer them from a one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom with nearly twice as much space.”
If a simple upgrade doesn’t quite cut it, the Burj Al Arab has introduced a Best of the Burj Signature Dream Experience which leaves no hospitality stone unturned. Guests are picked up in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, whisked to their luxurious suite in the iconic hotel, and treated to a six-course degustation dinner and signature spa treatment. They also enjoy Hermes amenities, private butler service and daily in-suite breakfast – and all for a cool £1,018 a night.
Finer Dining
Friday brunch is an institution in Dubai – a weekly event akin to our Sunday roast – but why settle for an average option when you could have one with all the trimmings? Jazz Brunch at The Ivy is just that, with a three-course set menu full of favourite dishes, or the more daring Taste of The Ivy Degustation menu offering eight indulgent courses followed by an unlimited selection of cheese – all with accompaniment from swing singer Ciaran Fox. Prices range from £50 for either menu with soft drinks, or from £66 with unlimited cocktails or house beverages or from £99 with champagne.
After that mid-morning feast, suggest clients wait for another day to sample the elegant afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab – they’ll want their appetites to be on top form for the exquisite sweet and savoury pastries at the Sahn Eddar atrium restaurant (from £110 when pre-booked through Hayes & Jarvis).
That’s not all the gourmet grub this six-star hotel has to offer: the view is as interesting as the menu at underwater Al Mahara restaurant, while Premier Holidays suggests sampling every flavour on the Culinary Flight, which includes one course in each of the hotel’s five restaurants.
With its habit for attracting Michelin-starred chefs from around the world, Dubai’s cuisine is as cutting-edge as it gets, with restaurants such as Stay at One&Only The Palm featuring food as contemporary as its decor, under the guidance of three-starred French chef Yannick Alléno – ideal for an extra-special evening.
Or for after-dinner drinks, Gold Medal tells its clients to head for sister hotel the One&Only Royal Mirage, where the Jetty Lounge sports unbeatable views over Dubai’s skyscraper-dominated skyline, or fun-filled beachfront Barasti Bar at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort.
Play Away
Add-ons are the quickest way to boost commission while guaranteeing a good time – but upgrading to VIP excursions takes that a step further.
The classic trip up the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, might seem so obvious that clients could book it themselves, but Attraction World can tag on lunch at the chic Armani Hotel, which occupies several floors of the building and features the Italian designer’s signature style (from £105 per adult and £75 per child).
A desert safari is a similar staple of most first-time trips, but high-end operator Platinum Heritage offers its journeys in a 1950s vintage Land Rover, travelling through the desert to a Bedouin camp for falconry, traditional music and dance, and dinner under the stars (private vehicles from £535 for up to four people).
If that’s a bit steep, suggest taking a standard tour but upgrading to a private option: Do Something Different offers private versions of its Safari, Camel Riding and Sand Boarding (from £150 per car), and Dubai Helicopter Ride (from £550 for 15 minutes, both for up to six people).
Or for those who want the best of both worlds, escape the city for Al Maha Desert Resort: a Spa Indulgence day package starts at £166 including the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve entrance fee, any 60-minute treatment, full-day access to the pool and spa facilities, lunch and a gift voucher worth £17.
