The
Nojoum Hotel Apartments
are now considered by many to offer the best spotting and
photography options for Dubai Airport as well as offering good
value. The apartments are located a couple of blocks away from
the Sheraton Deira, they are set back further from the
approach/climb out which enables a more side on perspective of
aircraft for photography purposes. Ask for an high floor
apartment (501 is excellent) facing the airport and you are all
set. Each apartment has a large balcony where you can sit
outside and watch the movements go by undisturbed. An SBS is
useful for monitoring movements after dark, or for movements not
overflying the hotel
Location *** Great location and great weather!
Spotting *** Superb.
Nothing will be missed from your balcony. Both side of the
Emirates Terminal 3 are visible, along with most of the other
terminals and the bizz jet/freight aprons (due to the distance
involved you need to wait for the bizz to move in order to
identify it)
Photos ***
A good location to take photo's from the privacy of your own
balcony
Value *** Depending
on the offer this is generally better value than the Sheraton
with apartments varying from £70-£120 per night
The hotel can be booked on the website of
AGODA
Above :View of terminal 3 from the balcony
of the Nojoum
Great departure shots can be got from the
balcony of The Nojoum, this was taken with a 300 lens.
The Sheraton Deira Hotel is widely regarded as the best hotel at this very interesting and increasingly busy airport. The hotel has 6 floors with some rooms facing the airport. The airport is approximately one mile away and a taxi is required to get to and from the terminal. On top of the hotel roof there is an excellent swimming pool area with bar. From here you can see the runway and taxiways. In the
morning heat haze can be a real problem but this eases as the day goes along. Aircraft usually land over the hotel during the night and first thing on a morning and depart over the hotel during the main part of the day.
Many of the aircraft can be read off with the naked eye but certainly not all. The swimming pool area has
English style plug sockets so SBS came in very handy!
Location *** Great location and great weather!
Spotting ** The
rooftop is the place to be. Sit by the pool and watch the
movements pass by the airport. The pool deck is open between
approximately 0700-2230. Rooms ending in 10-15 will also give
views of the approach/climb out.
Photos ***
At the time of writing there were no problems using cameras to
obtain some excellent shots.
Value * Expensive
but well worth the money if you can afford it for a relaxing
holiday.
The hotel can be booked on the website of
AGODA
Above : View from roof of hotel with a 400 lens.
Above : View of inbound over the hotel taken with 200 lens.
General view from the rooftop pool area
of the Deira. Credit Paul Moiser
The Sheraton Deira can be expensive at
times but they do offer the use of their roof top pool for a fee of
around £25 pr day. Other less expensive hotels can be found in the
Deira district, some enthusiasts stay at one of these and then walk
or get a short taxi ride to the Sheraton and use the pool area.
A list of other hotels in the area can
be found
here
The
JW MarroittIs
another hotel in the Deira district which has airport views.
Location ** In the vicinity of
the Sheraton and Nojoum Apartments named above.
Spotting *** Ask for a high
level room facing the airport and you will get reasonable views
across the field and runways.With the aid of SBS nothing will be
missed. Room 134 has been recommended for it's views. The
rooftop pool area affords better views, however there are mixed
reports as to if the hotel management are lenient to spotting
from the pool area.
Photos * No
reports
Value *
Can be expensive, between £100-150 a room per night.
The hotel can be booked on the website of
AGODA
The
Holiday Inn Downtown Dubai
Is not reported as frequently as the
Sheraton above but offers similar facilities and at times can be
a more economical hotel. The hotel has a rooftop pool which
allows for great shots although you require a longer zoom than
what you would use at the Deira.
Location ** In the vicinity of
the Deira but located further away from the airport at about
1.5 miles from the runways
Spotting ** No
reports of actual airport views however depending on the runway
in use you would see all of the inbounds, or outbound's as they
pass by the hotel. Ask for a high level room overlooking the car
parks and you will be able to view the approach or climb out
depending on the runway in use.
Photos ***
Good photos can be taken from the rooftop pool although a 400
lens is required. The hotel rooms are tinted but moderate shots
are possible as shown below
Value **
Moderately priced, should be a little less than the Deira above,
although you do not get the views of the actual airport from
this hotel
Above: View from the hotel room at The
Holiday Inn Downtown Dubai. The windows are slightly tinted
however better quality shots can be taken from the rooftop pool
area. Credit: Tommy Morgan www.spottersblog.com
The hotel can be booked on the website of
AGODA
