Should you visit Dubai in the summer? Lessons from my first year in the UAE

"Should I go on holiday to Dubai in the summer, the hotels are a lot cheaper?"

It's a question I've been asked numerous times by family and friends back in the UK after spending several months in the UAE. A quick search on Google shows up tempting deals and offers that makes a trip to the Middle East very, very tempting, while many of the city's residents are actually looking to head in the other direction for cooler climes.

You see, without feeling the UAE heat in person, it's hard to imagine how physically debilitating it can be. 50C (yes, that's fifty degrees Celsius) is very, very hot. 50C with high humidity is excruciating. It will turn you into a soaking wet mess in moments, it will pull the oxygen from your lungs and the sun will feel like a punch in the face.

Don't jump off just yet, I'm just getting the really bad stuff about Dubai in the summer out of the way. The rest is actually a lot more positive, honestly.

Think great discounts, amazing indoor entertainment, evening activities and the jaw-dropping sights and sounds - there's nothing like that first taxi ride down Sheikh Zayed Road. Just don't think beaches and sunbathing.

Most of all, think air con. Nowhere in the world does it as good as the UAE. Bring a jumper, seriously.

The service industry here is second to none. Deliveries, taxis, cleaning and just about anything else you can think of is a click of an app away. It's almost too easy. I lived here alone for several weeks as a fairly incapable and lost traveller and it felt like the whole city had given me a permanent concierge service with anything on offer within a matter of minutes.

Water parks and swimming pools are abundant and most are cooled, so they don't overheat in the noon sunshine (for someone who has been mainly living in the UK, this still amazes me). I've often finished work, got quickly changed and dived into the local pool with my young boys for a couple of hours. Night swimming is brilliant - and you still dry off in minutes when you get out. There are night beaches as well.

We went on a staycation in an amazing hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah with a lagoon outside of the room - and very affordable compared in the busy winter months. We've had another in Abu Dhabi to enjoy the mainly-indoor, world-class theme parks. Again, with an incredible deal that you couldn't get in any 5* resort in the UK, where rain is always a risk to dampen your weekend.

On the subject of getting damp, waterparks are fine if you stay wet. I would advise picking up a fast pass so you don't end up stood in a queue while being slowly cooked - your kids and your sanity will appreciate it, despite the chunky cost.

The sea can't be cooled though and, quite frankly, it's hotter than how I have my baths. Someone forgot to turn the cold tap on. Best to avoid the sand and the sea.

If you think you'll feel claustrophobic spending so much time indoors, then you haven't seen Dubai's malls. There are many, with each offering their own vibe and entertainment, from aquariums to skiing slopes (everything is big!). The cinemas are incredible and abundant, the food is varied and fast and there are summer discounts in many stores. There are even mall runs for those wanting to keep active away from the blazing sun.

Despite the extreme heat, I have seen people sunbathing, walking down beaches at midday and even jogging. What did they all have in common? They all looked miserable, sweaty and very red.

Don't make the mistake of thinking of Dubai as a sunshine break. Think of Dubai in the summer as a city break with the chance to see the landmarks, experience the indoor activities and to enjoy the cuisine and shopping without the crowds and high prices.

So, should those family and friends book a holiday to Dubai in the summer months? Of course. Yallah! Just don't head to the beach.

Mark Thompson is a UK-based journalist and digital transformation expert. He is currently a consultant digital editor for Gulf News.