unmarried couples in hotels

[maryos]

I understand that it is illegal for an unmarried couple to live together in Dubai, but does this also apply to hotel accomodation?

I know some of the high-end hotels in Dubai, have a reputation for being used by prostitutes, which whether it is true or not, would suggest either that hotels are somehow exempt or that it is simply overlooked (perhaps for sake of tourism industry?)

If I visit my husband-to-be (presumably irrelevant) while he is staying in a hotel, am I basically breaking the law? (presumably I am also running the risk of being taken for a hooker)

Any comments much appreciated!

[cairogal]

Yes, you're breaking the law. I have seen some hotels ask for details and others not at all. A colleague of mine was staying w/ her boyfriend (both people in their 40s) in the Burj Al Arab, and even the woman checking them in, although not directly asking for proof of marriage, was a bit cheeky with my colleague.

In a nutshell, all could go well or they could make a stink. If you and your spouse are both westerners this seems to lessen their concern. If one of your was Muslim it might make things more difficult.

[Maz25]

I think that it depends on the hotel. A few years ago, some friends of my mum wanted to visit Dubai with us. The wife had no amount of difficulty obtaining the visa (they were engaged at the time) and a written promise that they would not engage in immoral behaviour was asked before the visa was issued (at the last minute). The visa was obtained via a travel agent. On the other hand, the hotel couldn't care less that they were not married; they just wanted the hotel bill paid and that was it!! As has been said, I think that if you are a Westerner, whilst they might disapprove, they would be less inclined to say anything, especially with the smaller hotels.

[hari]

When I was in Oman, I used to visit my wife in Dubai and was staying in hotels. They required any id with photo ( for both) and kept a copy of it may be for security reasons. They were not asking whether we are married couples or not. We used to stay in Fourpoints sheraton, Chelsea hotel, Ibis trade centre etc. In Dubai there will not be any problems if everything goes well. Unfortunately ,if anything unusual happens then it will be a nightmare.

[dizzyizzy]

I stayed with my boyfriend at the Premier Inn at the Green Community and we never were asked anything, staff was very friendly with us. He's brit and I'm mexican but I have been told I look more or less of arab descent (moroccan, etc.), but still, no one asked any proof of marriage from us. Surely is different for other emirates.

[Elphaba]

There is rarely a problem in major hotels, provided you behave sensibly. The big tourist hotels don't care and have numerous overseas visitors who are unmarried. All hotels take passport copies here - by law.

Best just to act as if married & refer to each other as husband and wife and that is what the hotel will assume. Different surnames is not an issue (I haven't changed my name for example) particularly as Arabic women tend to have different surnames to their husband's anyway.

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[hopeful]

My mum and her partner have been together for years..20 odd, not married, they visited Dubai ten years ago and had no problem. They booked through a tavel agent in the UK so I don't know if this makes a difference.

[maryos]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Different surnames is not an issue particularly as Arabic women tend to have different surnames to their husband's anyway.

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Thank you very much - that pre-empts the next question I was going to ask

[Pasanada]

Friends of mine stayed in a hotel in Diera last week, she's British, he's Spanish. Although they're not a couple and only work collegues, they were not challeneged by the hotel.

Copies of their passports were taken but this is also normal practice for hotels in Spain so they weren't bothered about this.

I did notice there were plenty of Chinese hookers on the street corner across from the hotel, I didn't venture into the hotel nightclub to see what the score was in there though! LOL

[Gaza]

I have been to Dubai twice on holiday before we were married. No questions asked at immigration and none whatsoever at the Hilton Dubai Creek.

If they did try to enforce the law it would be devastating for the tourist industry.