Did ITV's Travel Guide program portray Dubai in a fair light?

ITV's program Travel Guide featured Dubai on this weeks program. five different groups of travellers were tasked with experiencing this destination and providing us with an insight in to their adventures. The travellers were all very different, a mature couple, a larger family, a family with older children, three young women and a gay couple who travelled with one partners daughter and her boyfriend. Their thoughts and comments made interesting viewing - whilst most seem to enjoy the experience and parts of the destination there was lotsof negativity surrounding what they thought about the destinations opulence. Having visited Dubai many times over a very long period of time let me try and give my honest opinion on who this destination will appeal to..... Guests who love luxury will love Dubai. It is exceptionally opulent but it's not intimidating. It's a destination that makes you feel as if your holiday is special and you should try and enjoy every minute. Fine food and fine dining is everywhere - and whilst prices are not cheap the quality makes dining good value for money. Alcohol isn't cheap (unsurprising in a country where most of the population is Muslim) but I have never found the prices to be vastly more expensive than those you would find in the centre of London. The range of hotels is vast - you can stay closer to the airport and the Creek where rates are reasonable or head for the beach area which is Jumeirah Beach and The Palm. The hotels along Jumeirah Beach offer a wealth of choice in terms of size, price and star rating - choose the six star Burj al Arab if you want something really special (I haven't stayed there but I have watched it in wonder from the beach!!) If you want something family orientated then head for the Mina al Salem, Al Qasr or the summer houses, other options include The Jumeirah Beach itself - one of the original hotels. There are many more including The Atlantis on The Palm or the Zabeel Saray - a property that only opened recently. Our travel experts will help you find the best hotel to suit your needs. Families who want to enjoy time together and lots of sunshine and very hot temperatures will love it - great sun protection is a must and for smaller children suitable sun wear is a must - all hotels have great outdoor areas - The Atlantis has it's own water park where the are rides and slides and the ultimate adventure - a chance to experience a Dolphin encounter - it may only be an hour long but I guarantee it will be amazing and the memories will last for ever. Head to the Wild Wadi if you are staying at Jumerirah - check whether your hotel offers complimentary entry. You can indoor ski, ski on sand dunes, spend a night in the dessert or try our some water-sports. If you are a shopper then Dubai is amazing.....forget the fact that Dubai has some of the best malls in the world the Souks fantastic - fruit, spices or gold.....your chance to negotiate and barter to your hearts content. Try and schedule in a visit to Al Karama - an interesting experience with some very interesting finds! Getting around in Dubai is easy. There are taxi's everywhere - clean and reasonably priced. There is a train (monorail- Dubai Metro) that runs from close to The Palm right along the coast to the airport and slightly beyond. The trains are clean, frequent and very reasonably priced - if only our transport system was half as clean and half as efficient.... If you are looking for a meeting venue Dubai is an ideal choice. If you want to stay just a few days en-route to The Far East, Indian Ocean or Australasia - it's a fantastic choice. Dubai is a great destination and I am not convinced that Monday nights program showed it off to best effect.  If you haven't been make sure you add it to your bucket list, everyone should go at least once in a lifetime - you might fall in love with Dubai and, if not, at least you tried it for yourself!!!!