Travelling as unmarried couple in Dubai

Let me first state that I've lived in Dubai for a solid 19 years (years 0 to 19). In these 19 years, I have done almost everything there is to do in Dubai and been almost every place there is to go (including going to night clubs even though I was under age).

At the outset, let me clarify this:

I'd wish to visit Dubai with my girlfriend, but after reading this travel advices and this question on sex and couples in Dubai I started to get a little worried about it.

I truly believe that this is one of those cases of Western media sensationalizing news from the East. Dubai is a city in a Muslim country. You should take the same precautions in Dubai as you would in ANY Muslim country.

I now live in Ottawa, Canada. Legally, I am not allowed to smoke a joint in public. I can still do it though (without consequences) as people often do if I don't see any cops around me. The same applies to jaywalking. Now, let's say I do do it in front of a cop- there is a good chance I will get prosecuted and to many people this would seem like a very tiny thing to get prosecuted for...but it happens.

So, public intimacy in Dubai: if there are cops around you, avoid it!

How should I book an hotel? Must I book two singles?

Not at all necessary. Even though I've lived in Dubai, I've booked hotels in Dubai and in neighbouring cities for parties and there have been no issues.

Could it be a problem if we walk together in the city and go together at restaurants and malls without being married?

No. There are unmarried couples walking around everywhere without prosecution.

Tourism in Dubai

It is important to understand that with the globalization of the population in Dubai, there has a been (for the better) an injection of common sense in the way laws are applied. Dubai, as an economy, relies on oil and tourism. The oil won't last forever.

As a tourist, I'd urge you to have the same precautions in Dubai as you would in any MUSLIM country. Apart from that, there is a growing party scene, great restaurants and insanely large shopping malls that await you.

Although me(Arab) and my girlfriend(New Zealander) hold different passports, we lived together in hotel in Dubai. No problem. But try to not bother anyone.