Hotel Stay if not married. | ExpatWoman.com
 

Hotel Stay if not married.

45
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 05:09

Soo...I am getting married soon, here in Dubai. However the paperwork is taking a while, so not sure when.
I booked a hotel fro new year's for myself and my fiance (I am european and he is asian) (not that that matters but here sometimes you get treated differently depending on race..as you know)...sooo..in case we are not married by New Years eve....will we be able to take our hotel room in abu dhabi together????
I am sure many many tourists are not married and just come to visit...but still...i am a bit worried of having my new year's ruined ! OL

Anonymous (not verified)
0
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 December 2013 - 08:31
It is illegal. If anything goes wrong, a fight, drunken behavior, public upset or just an act of nature, then you may find yourself having to explain your position. ALL id's of hotel guests are studied by the police. That being said, plenty of people do it and are safe. Like you said, nationality plays a huge part. I would not do it. Well said. If you were tourists, it would be overlooked, but as residents, definitely do not do it. It is illegal and will risk your employment and future careers here. If you are both Muslim and unmarried (to each other) is is haram, and if you are caught, the penalties are sever. Don't risk it!! <em>edited by mrsb. on 02/12/2013</em>
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 December 2013 - 03:20
We lived in 4 different hotels for 3 months before we were married (both on separate employment residence visas) whilst we waited for partners work to organise his accommodation. We were never asked for a marriage licence. We did notice that several guests that arrived in dish dashes through the lobby with lovely looking European and Asian "ladies", and no one seemed to bat an eyelid. I have lived in the UAE for over half my life, and love it here. I have stayed in dozens of hotels, and this has never bee an issue. I'm not saying to do it... Just that it was never a problem for us.
45
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 December 2013 - 01:40
Soo...I am getting married soon, here in Dubai. However the paperwork is taking a while, so not sure when. I booked a hotel fro new year's for myself and my fiance (I am european and he is asian) (not that that matters but here sometimes you get treated differently depending on race..as you know)...sooo..in case we are not married by New Years eve....will we be able to take our hotel room in abu dhabi together???? I am sure many many tourists are not married and just come to visit...but still...i am a bit worried of having my new year's ruined ! OL I wouldn't risk it.
45
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 December 2013 - 23:45
so basically there is no certain rule. i think the receptionist just will ask randomly/when he or she wishes. Or it may be up to the management on how to handle a situation. It is definitely a race thing. (not saying they check "lower races" but they do check "certain races") so I will not risk it. I will actually write to the hotel. Hahaha...a wedding picture was not enough (below post)...well..that is just silly-imagine that ! I will tell you all how it went !
904
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 20:25
I stayed in hotels several times with my husband when we were newly wed, I was still on my dad's visa, we dont change our family name after marriage, they asked for IDs but they didnt ask for marriage cetificate. We used our driving licence at that time, I still use my licence sometimes as an ID for hotels check ins, never had issues & there is nothing on my driving licence that link me to my husband.
246
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 19:11
Some friends of ours got married overseas and stopped over in Dubai en route back to the States (they are both americans). Unfortunately, they did not have their marriage certificate with them (his dad took it as he was so sure our friend would lose it). They had their wedding photos but that was not accepted as proof of marriage. They were not allowed to stay in the same room.
45
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 18:48
Ok, i think I will not do it unless we are already married. We are both residents. and My fiance is Bangladeshi. If anybody will get checked he will ! hahahaha Yes, I do not think I would have to worry at all, if I came straight from Europe with another white guy...but just from different situations...we sometimes get treated very strangely...like at festivals...local people will come over and talk to me ,while they completely ignore him ! It is a weird country ! But thank you for the advise ! We would not do anything stupid-we are both muslim and do not drink-not even on New Year's...but still...all you need is a certain nosy receptionist from a certain country and the evening is ruined ! LOL
507
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 18:36
Or, here's an alternative - change the booking so it's only under the female name, and check in alone. He can just walk straight up to your room, and is very unlikely to be stopped and asked for ID I've visited several friends in who were staying in hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, mainly girlfriends. I just went straight to their rooms - only once was I stopped and asked for ID and that was at 11pm. All they did was call up my friend and check that she was expecting a guest.
2298
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:33
I said all expats who think that. Not all expats. As not all expats think that. There are still heaps of expats, HEAPS, who love it here, despite the different rules, and who love being part of the world that has been created, not trying to change it, or to sneak around the rules they don't think suit them.And those of us like that get crapped on and thrown in the basket with the ones who seem to hate everything about being here, but the pay slip. PAF is warming up now :) it's ok, I didn't expect you to answer anyway...
326
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:33
The rules have been broken for many decades. But before it was a wink, a shhh, it was not flaunted. Now it seems to be a case of oh tell them to shhh, they invited us here, we can do what we want, they need us. And those who agree and are still of the hush hush kind will mostly not reply as they account for the largest percentage, but thos who want to voice their dis-concern are the minority who voice it much louder.
326
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:25
I said all expats who think that. Not all expats. As not all expats think that. There are still heaps of expats, HEAPS, who love it here, despite the different rules, and who love being part of the world that has been created, not trying to change it, or to sneak around the rules they don't think suit them.And those of us like that get crapped on and thrown in the basket with the ones who seem to hate everything about being here, but the pay slip. PAF is warming up now :)
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:06
I can only share my experience - DH and I moved around between 3 different hotels for a period of 2 months, while we were looking for an apartment this year, and at no point were we asked by hotel staff to prove that we are married. Only one hotel actually asked for both of our passports and I was sure they'd want our marriage papers since I did not change my surname to DH's when we married... but nope, they didn't even mention it. Without knowing your skin color, nationality and religion it would be hard to comment.
144
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 13:03
I can only share my experience - DH and I moved around between 3 different hotels for a period of 2 months, while we were looking for an apartment this year, and at no point were we asked by hotel staff to prove that we are married. Only one hotel actually asked for both of our passports and I was sure they'd want our marriage papers since I did not change my surname to DH's when we married... but nope, they didn't even mention it.
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 12:55
OOpsie, I just want to say something. This attitude that many expats have that they created the country and the country would be nothing without them so they can do what they want, is creating many problems for the next generation. Younger Emiratis see this as you being racist against their beliefs, and it creates such issues. My son is a half half and is going through **** at the moment as the full Emieratis have this impression of expats, that expats consider them wrong and handicapped unless an expat is there to pick up the slack, and it is making a lot of issues for the next generation. [b'>So, I wish all expats who think this country would collapse without them would just pipe down.[/b'> I am so sick of my children coping the anger that these younger kids have because of people like this. The peoplke work together to build this country. All benefiting. Stop putting up your I am Expat Here Me Roar flag, and go back to what it used to be - when expats respected local rules, respecte3d locals, and the locals respected them back. why do you always refer to expats as if you are not one yourself ? Perhaps ER is air frying and has lost her perspective. This is EXPAT woman after all.
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 12:53
OP doesn't say her fiancé is a Muslim, but that he is Asian, which doesn't necessarily mean Muslim. If OP and her fiancé are both residents of the UAE, I wouldn't risk it. As tourists, perhaps it would work? I apologize, I should have said that I read it three threads earlier, in the civil marriage posts !
2298
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 12:17
OOpsie, I just want to say something. This attitude that many expats have that they created the country and the country would be nothing without them so they can do what they want, is creating many problems for the next generation. Younger Emiratis see this as you being racist against their beliefs, and it creates such issues. My son is a half half and is going through **** at the moment as the full Emieratis have this impression of expats, that expats consider them wrong and handicapped unless an expat is there to pick up the slack, and it is making a lot of issues for the next generation. [b'>So, I wish all expats who think this country would collapse without them would just pipe down.[/b'> I am so sick of my children coping the anger that these younger kids have because of people like this. The peoplke work together to build this country. All benefiting. Stop putting up your I am Expat Here Me Roar flag, and go back to what it used to be - when expats respected local rules, respecte3d locals, and the locals respected them back. why do you always refer to expats as if you are not one yourself ?
5400
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 11:02
OP doesn't say her fiancé is a Muslim, but that he is Asian, which doesn't necessarily mean Muslim. If OP and her fiancé are both residents of the UAE, I wouldn't risk it. As tourists, perhaps it would work?
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:43
Sorry, just read that the OP's partner is a Muslim, so I do not recommend it.
2264
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:42
Yes, they do check all ID or passport copies. Another thing is if one or both are Muslim, this will play a large part, or even with an Islamic name. I hear of on average 5 cases per year, mostly residents. But tourists have been prosecuted for this also. Yes 2020 is coming, but does this mean their moral standards have to drop? It's not about dropping moral standards (let's face it, a bit of a contradiction here, so let's not get all pious hey). It's about being realistic.
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:34
Yes, they do check all ID or passport copies. Another thing is if one or both are Muslim, this will play a large part, or even with an Islamic name. I hear of on average 5 cases per year, mostly residents. But tourists have been prosecuted for this also. Yes 2020 is coming, but does this mean their moral standards have to drop?
374
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:14
I'm also in a mixed marriage (European/Arab) and we are getting always asked for our marriage contract when while check in in a hotel within UAE. Even when my visa states already that i'm under husband sponsorship. Comment: Maaaaam - we need that for our records otherwise i need to book you in 2 single rooms. There is a big difference between tourists from abroad are checking in unmarried or a resident couple does the same, specially if there aren't the same heritage.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:06
The police are going to be mighty busy checking all those passports!
2264
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:05
Enforcing the laws would have a negative impact on the revenues of certain bars and nightclubs! Remember the story of someone buying the world's most expensive bottle of champagne in a nightclub here? As a reminder the purchaser was a Saudi. And Dubai expects 25 million visitors during the Expo 2020 - all of whom they expect to be married to stay in hotels? er not likely.
1617
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 10:04
Enforcing the laws would have a negative impact on the revenues of certain bars and nightclubs! Remember the story of someone buying the world's most expensive bottle of champagne in a nightclub here? As a reminder the purchaser was a Saudi.
2287
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 09:54
EmmaRitz, sorry, but your response is totally uncalled for. Nowhere did I suggest expats built this country (although technically they did, now that you mention it. 15% Emiratis here right?). However they did so because of the vision of the countries leaders. Nor did I demonstrate any disrespect of the laws in this country. I love living here, are proud to be part of this beautiful nation. My response to the OP is a practical one. I find it useless to scare away possible tourists with talk about it being illegal for an unmarried couple to book into an hotel, because really, if this country would enforce their law, that would have a devastating blow on tourism. And wether or not you like it, tourism is a major contributor to Dubai's wealth. Allowing it means coping with the issues that it brings.
1617
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 09:48
Of course you'll be fine, I've never heard of anything happening to tourists, only residents where alcohol is involved, or if they are maids etc. ER: this country would collapse without it's population of expats which is why they are here. You can't surely being saying that the 85% of the population isn't needed? Who is actually building the country? Driving the cabs? Cleaning our homes? Working in our shops? Nurses? Doctors? I also note that some who are relentless in stating the letter of the law now were less relentless when it suited them to do so.
2264
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 09:39
I agree, whilst technically it's illegal, if they enforced this rule the tourism industry would be dead over night. Just use your common sense really and don't do anything stupid. EmmaRitz, I totally get where you're coming from BUT the UAE has opened it's gates to tourism and all the 'infulences' that go with it. It is a fine balancing act, that for the most part the UAE does very very well. I'm sorry for the issues your children are having, but that's the problem of others, not them. I also find it hilarious when people harp on about 'respect' - how about certain people respecting OTHER counties rules when they go there? You can't have it all one way. Plus as I always say, respect is earned, NOT demanded. <em>edited by FairyDust on 29/11/2013</em>
326
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 09:32
OOpsie, I just want to say something. This attitude that many expats have that they created the country and the country would be nothing without them so they can do what they want, is creating many problems for the next generation. Younger Emiratis see this as you being racist against their beliefs, and it creates such issues. My son is a half half and is going through **** at the moment as the full Emieratis have this impression of expats, that expats consider them wrong and handicapped unless an expat is there to pick up the slack, and it is making a lot of issues for the next generation. So, I wish all expats who think this country would collapse without them would just pipe down. I am so sick of my children coping the anger that these younger kids have because of people like this. The peoplke work together to build this country. All benefiting. Stop putting up your I am Expat Here Me Roar flag, and go back to what it used to be - when expats respected local rules, respecte3d locals, and the locals respected them back.
2287
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 08:57
DSR, I admire you for your seemingly unlimited creativity when it comes to usernames. However when it comes to stating the laws of this countries you are relentless and lacking any form of flexibility or creativity. To the OP, DSR is right as always, it is illegal. However I would do it if I were you. This country would be nowhere if they refused all I married couples. Just don't go hugging and holding hands in public and you'll be oke.
26
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2013 - 08:48
It is illegal. If anything goes wrong, a fight, drunken behavior, public upset or just an act of nature, then you may find yourself having to explain your position. ALL id's of hotel guests are studied by the police. That being said, plenty of people do it and are safe. Like you said, nationality plays a huge part. I would not do it.
 
 

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