Emirates Airlines flies nonstop flights to Dubai from Kennedy Airport, starting at about $1,370 in May, according to a recent online search. Americans don’t need a visa to travel to Dubai, just a passport that is valid for roughly six months after your entry date. Some travelers who have Israeli stamps on their passports have reported problems being allowed entry, but Dubai has no official policy banning visitors who have also visited Israel, as do some other countries in the Middle East, like Syria and Libya.

This is the city that claimed the first seven-star hotel, so be ready to pay up. The Park Hyatt Dubai (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; 971-4-602-1234; www.dubai.park.hyatt.com) is in the quieter area of Deira and affords great city views. It has a great in-house spa, and a relaxing outdoor bar overlooking the harbor. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams, about $467 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar.

If you want to be closer to the action, the new Raffles in Wafi City (Sheikh Rashid Road; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com) is a good bet. The common areas are vast and daunting, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams.

The eight-room XVA Gallery in the arty Bastakiya neighborhood (971-4-353-5383; www.xvagallery.com), which feels like a North African souk, may be Dubai’s only boutique hotel. Rooms start at 500 dirhams.

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This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: April 20, 2008

The 36 Hours column on April 6 about Dubai misstated the service offered by Emirates Airlines between New York and Dubai. Emirates offers twice-daily service to Dubai from Kennedy Airport; it does not offer service from Newark Airport.

Source : www.nytimes.com