36 Hours in Dubai

Still with nearly 6 hours to kill before our 11pm Emirates departure, I decided to check out the new-ish TWA Hotel.   T8 was sadly dead at 6pm on Thanksgiving Sunday.

Off to the JFK Airtrain for the ride over to Terminal 5.

Forrtunately, there are lots of signs and even arrows pointing the way to the TWA Hotel.

OK, this place is really cool and so nostalgic.

O-M-G.  

On the mezzanine level is a fabulous display of TWA uniforms from over the years.

And on the other side of the mezzanine, a Jean-Georges restaurant.

I headed up the walkway to check out the rooftop Pool Bar and Observation Deck.

This would be a great place to hangout and plane spot... in warmer weather.

Back downstairs and outside to AirTrain for the short ride to Terminal 4.

Emirates First Class to Dubai

After the Centurion Lounge closed, I walked landside to get my boarding pass and do the doc check dance,  Looks like a pretty full flight tonight.

And the usual non First pax in the First Class line.  Yeah, you know this is not going to be fast tonight.  After a couple of minutes, I gave up and used a Business Class line.

Back airside with batmandds, we had 90 minutes to kill with no lounge.  Most EK outstation lounges are closed including JFK.  As are all bars and sit down restaurants, despite websites claiming they were open until 11pm.  We walked to the Delta concourse to 1) kill time, 2) see if there was anything open, or 3) buy a day pass at the Delta Club.  We struck out with all three including the Delta Club.   So we headed back to A6 to wait.  The wheelchair brigade lined up and ready.

Boarding started around 10:15pm with the wheel chair brigade followed by Emirates usual not very First Class boarding.  "...First Class, Business Class, Skywards Platinum and Gold..."   But once on board, all is forgiven.  OMG. This is gorgeous.  Simply spectacular. 

My home for the next 14 hours.  

Great space and legroom.

On the ground, our pre-departure champagne was money-saving Veuve.

On board, lots of COVID precautions... a PPE kit in each suite, with all staff wearing masks and plastic coveralls and gloves.

Arabic coffee prior to departure.

Lots of cool electronics and controls in the suite.

And the suite control panel.

Not that we cared in our luxurious suites, but we were delayed for some 45 minutes for reasons unknown.  Once in the air, outstanding service, starting with Dom.

Delicious canapés.

The only COVID-catering change is wrapped bread.

But unwrapped, as good as ever.

The Vitello Tonnato was excellent.

The Beringer is a solid cab, but sadly today's was undrinkable.  I'm guessing corked.  Switched to the Léoville-Poyferré.

For my main, the beef fillet wiith sesame jus, potato terrine, asparagus, cipollini onions and red pepper coulis.

It was excellent, despite being a little well done.

For dessert, the Sticky banana pudding with warm caramel sauce was fabulous.  With a glass of Paradis. Heaven.

By 3am Easterrn time, I was ready for bed.   Very cool.

But before, I checked out the cool light show and full color palate.

I slept for a solid 5 hours.

Gorgeous sunset over Iraq.

The lights of Baghdad...

Great IFE options.

Dubai on our approach to DXB.

We arrived at the gate just after 9pm local.  What an incredible flight.  IMO, Emirates new 77W First Suites is the best First Class product in the skies.  Add in exceptional service, and this was a flight for the ages.  And in a recent First Class upgrade perk, we were escorted to fast track immigration by an Emirates First Class agent.

And we were in the beautiful arrivals lobby a few minutes later.

Dubai Marina Day

After a completely decadent 24 hours, we decided to try to work some of it off with a walk around the beautiful Marina.  Grosvenor House in the daytime.

Fascinated by the army of workers at this construction site.

Who knew that installing flooring took two workers and three supervisors?  LOL.

We logged nearly 5 miles according to my FitBit and then headed for the hotel pool.

And some shade in the available quasi-cabanas.

Great poolside service.

And a lighter lunch, excellent chicken caesar salad.

At 6pm, we headed downstairs... 

... and across to Tower 2 and the Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar.

And a panoramic pic from marriott.com...

For dinner tonight, we decided to go off property to the Ritz-Carlton and Amaseena, the hotel's Arabic-themed restaurant.   A pleasant 3/4 mile walk.

Pic from ritz-carlton.com...

Our delicious starter.

And a variety of spreads and dips.

Live musical entertainment but sadly, no belly dancing as truth in advertising is an apparent casualty. 

The main course from the grill.  Simply wonderful aromas.

OMG, the best lamb chops ever.

And as if we hadn't had enough to eat, a wonderful dessert spread.

Back in the Ritz-Carlton...

... and then the walk back to Grosvenor House.

Where we headed up to the 44th floor bar for a nightcap.

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The best jet bridge feeling... boarding Emirates New First Suites.

Ah yes, the good stuff on the ground at DXB.

Today's amenity kit.

After take off, another glass of Dom from our wonderful First Class flight attendant today, Tatiana from Belarus.

Today's menu.

Today's dellcious canapés...

... smoked salmon crepe parmentier with poached pear, houmous with lamb baharat and sweet potato tartlet. 

Yummy carrot and ginger soup with cheese croutons.

Traditional Arabic mezze.

Back for another round of Beringer. Much better today.

And the Léoville-Poyferré.

My Thai red prawn curry was excellent.

And chocolate brownie for dessert.

batmandds were chatting in his Suite 1A when hit a spot of turbulence.  Uh-oh.  There goes the Beringer.

So I relocated to Suite 2A, and promptly went to sleep for a good 5 hours.

About three hours out, I sampled the Light bites menu.  Sandwiches were a meh.

But the Murgh mahkanwala (aka butter chicken) was delicious.

And the pastry selection.

OK, really good.

Approach to JFK.

Cool view from tthe nose cam.

Eastern Airlines flies again.

Suite 1E with the crazy simulated windows with amazing HD camera view outside.

Another amazing Emirates First Class flight... in the best First Class cabin in the skies.  Truly a game changer.