Dubai is a city that wears many hats and that is famous for luxury, innovation, and bigger and better everything. It is a place where people go shopping not only to buy things but also as a separate type of traveling. Shoppers will find big, beautiful super-regional and even mega-size malls that are new and among the largest and most full-featured in the world. Periodically, one can seriously get lost in the world of shopping malls of Dubai whether you are an active shopper or just an architecture and attraction enthusiast. Let’s dive into the top three shopping destinations in Dubai: namely the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and Ibn Battuta Mall.
Dubai Mall: The Ponderous Shopping Titan
Dubai Mall is the highlight of shopping in Dubai and can single-handedly lay claim to the title of the largest shopping mall in the world. Sprawling over 10 million sq ft of leasable space, the mall is home to over 1200 outlets, and over 200 food outlets boast of luxury brands in fashion apparels accessories, gourmet food really fascinating entertainment destinations.
Key Attractions
- Ice Skating Rink: Equally important and quite surprising, Dubai Mall is equipped with an Olympic ice-skating Fink. This is also drawback as this facility can offer a perfect shield from the desert heat and at the same time be an interesting entertaining facility for people of any age. Skates can also be hired from within the premises, and this provides a kind of relief in the form of a session of rollerskating.
- Aquarium / Under Water Zoo (AE): Dubai Aquarium and underwater zoo, situated in the central island of the mall hosts over one forty species of aquatic animals ranging from sharks, rays to thousand of fish. The main tank of the aquarium acting as its centerpiece contains 10 million liters of water; the tank is suspended and is among the biggest in the world. Tourist can readily walk through the tunnel 48 meters in length and observe the aquatic life more closely.
- SEGA Republic: SEGA Republic is a concept of the indoor amusement with two floors connected in the mall. It provides both kids, and adults with entertaining activities such as fun rides, games and other attractions. It is the ideal location for children and adults to have a great time and to entertain.
- Dubai Fountain: Adjacent to Dubai Mall, you will locate the Dubai Fountain that is currently the world’s largest choreographed fountain. It offers daily shows based on the music being played and gives the viewers a rhythmic show of water, light, and sound. Most shows are in the evening and are among the must-watch performance for anyone accessing the mall.
Dining Options
Like most shopping malls across the globe, Dubai Mall is host to hundreds of eating joints ranging from fast food joints to expensive Restaurants. Here are a few notable mentions:
- At. mosphere: This restaurant is situated in the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa a facility that provides a beautiful setting for the restaurant apart from the tasty food that it offers.
- Social House: restaurant that can be described as informal eating establishment that serves a variety of cuisines Asian, Western, Middle Eastern.
- Texas Roadhouse: This American steakhouse inspires the food lovers to grab some mouth-watering food which includes ribs, steaks and many others.
Shopping Experience
Dubai Mall boasts a record of over 1,200 outlets hence making it a shoppers’ delight. Some of the brands it stocks include the established fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel among others, and the relatively cheaper brands such as Zara, H&M among others. The mall also boasts several several flagship stores as well as exclusive stores, the mall is ideal for the fashion conscious individuals.
Mall of the Emirates: The Elegant Oasis
Mall of the Emirates another famous place among shoppers is elegant and majestic. Originally established in 2005; it has been categorically rated as one of the most outstanding shopping destination in Dubai; characterized by fusion of luxury shopping and novelty icons.
Key Attractions
- Ski Dubai: Among the facilities, Ski Dubai is the most visited place and the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East region. Covering an area of 22500m2, this fabulous arena where winter sports can be practiced all year round is aimed at skiing and snowboarding as well as tobogganing. There is a Snow Kingdom, moving, dancing and animatronics with temperature -1 to -2 degrees Celsius and a mountain with 5 different slopes. Tourists are able to hire equipment; there are programs where one can interact with penguins making the trip magical.
- Magic Planet: Magic Planet is an indoor children-theme park as it contains games, rids and other forms of entertainment. There are video games from the earlier years such as ‘Arcade’, ‘Bumper Cars’, and the whole thing interest children and teenagers who are likely to be accompanying their parents shopping.
- VOX Cinemas: Self-styled film enthusiasts can head to VOX Cinemas located at Mall of the Emirates to watch movies in style. This multiplex also houses, the IMAX and the 4DX facilities, making it an ideal place to watch blockbuster movies in comfort.
Dining Options
Currently, Mall of the Emirates has many food service outlets to offer for a quick bite, and for, special occasions for of course the higher end brands of eating places. Some highlights include:
- Almaz by Momo: Serves North African and Middle Eastern food with an excellent presentation of food In a well illuminated area.
- Apres: This particular restaurant is adjacent to Ski Dubai and it’s known to offer both; delicious European alpine food and the stunning view of slopes.
- P. F. Chang’s: An excellent place for Asian cuisine which is renowned for its addictive Thai lettuce wraps and palate-tingling spices.
Shopping Experience
Certain amenities associated with Mall of the Emirates include over 600 stores, fashion and accessories, electronic shops, home stores, and so on. Fashion dome and luxury wing of the mall have the vision of some of the famous franchisable brands of the world like Cartier, channels, Valentino. If you are interested in the newest fashion trends or bright home accessories, this mall presented an extensive and very glamorous range.
Ibn Battuta Mall: The Themed Adventure
This mall was named after Morocco’s famous traveler, Ibn Battuta and it is architecturally and organizationally different from other malls. Ibn Battuta Mall was officially inaugurated in September 2005 and has total leasable area of space in excess of 534,000 square meters and is acclaimed to be the world’s largest themed shopping malls, Consists of six courts where each of them represents the courtyards of the countries that Ibn Battuta visited .
Key Attractions
- Themed Courts: Also, six of them represent different styled courts, Chinese, Indian, Persian, Egyptian, Tunisian, and Andalusian courts are well fancied. Just like the famous traveler Ibn Battuta, you get the feeling you are traveling through the universe every time you are at Ibn Battuta Mall – at least when it comes to shopping.
- Novo Cinemas: Among the Novo Cinemas, those situated at Ibn Battuta Mall prove to be the best. The cinema complex consists of numerous multiplexes, including IMAX and 3D, guaranteeing the variety of the popular movies.
- Sky Zone: Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park inside the mall and this is actually a place that provides entertainment for everyone specially for people who wants to be active and even playful. The center has freestyle trampolining, Dodge Ball courts, and the Foam Pit among other facilities.
Dining Options
The type of restaurants available in Ibn Battuta Mall can also be described as diverse since the mall bears an international theme. Some popular spots include:
- Shakespeare and Co. : This restaurant has a kind of Guilded-Age themes and offers customers unusual dishes.
- Nando’s: Popular for its peri-peri chicken, this restaurant presets a fast food, yet mouth-watering meal service.
- Yakitate: A specialty store in baked goods, conducted business of sushi, tempura, sashimi, and other Japanese culinary specialties.
Shopping Experience
Ibn Battuta Mall currently has over 270 stores and is considered larger than power cities but not as large as the mega malls; it has a unique selling proposition of being cultured and allowing shoppers to relax. Details involve fashion retailing, electronics retailing, retailing of home products and specialty retailing. These themed courts also contain information concerning specific cultures and often contain displays and shows that make the trip to the shopping center more informative and fun.
Conclusion
With the said malls, shopping does not only involve the purchase of consumer goods, but it equally spells out experiences. Every mall has what can be described as different qualities that they present themselves as the package that is suitable for consumer’s preferences.
Dubai Mall: Dubai Mall is, indeed, a wonderful place that includes everything for everyone, starting with exquisite shopping and ending with an exceptional dining experience and such attractions as the Dubai Aquarium. The fact that is it quite large and offers such a diverse selection of things to do make it essential for anyone visiting Dubai.
Mall of the Emirates: Mall of the Emirates imposes the most with sophistication and Ski Dubai, the indoor ski slope in the Middle of the desert. Along with luxurious malls and restaurants, one gets a stylish and thrilling experience.
Ibn Battuta Mall: Ibn Battuta Mall presents a concept and an experience in shopping that is organized within the journey of the famous traveler, Ibn Battuta. Due to its appealing