Fodor's Expert Review Jumeirah Beach Residence

The largest single-building project on the seaward side of Dubai Marina the biggest single-phase construction project in the world, this residence offers 6,500 apartments in 36 high-rise blocks. At the base of the rather dour-looking towers, lies The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, a 770,000 square foot outdoor mall that holds such community facilities as gyms, restaurants, and spas. Friday afternoon to evening often provides a study in Dubai automobiles, as traffic jams of parading Ferraris and Lamborghinis get stuck trying to make their way down the single lane to the strings of five-star hotels. The Beach is another mall area with some very pretty restaurants and a cinema complex. In front of both is the public beach, bounded by the private sands occupied by hotels. There is an excellent water play park here, with a wet play area for toddlers and giant inflatables offshore for older kids.