Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is a destination unto itself. This exclusive hotel is part of Madinat Jumeirah, a massive, one-of-a-kind beachside resort home to over 50 restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools, several miles of waterways and jogging trails, a traditional shopping center, a turtle sanctuary, and a theater. The 283 rooms and suites are large and luxurious, with top-notch amenities and large balconies offering serene views. With an impressive array of on-site activities (rock climbing, fitness classes, a swimming academy, water sports, live shows…you name it) and a beautiful private beach, only those looking to explore Dubai’s attractions will feel the need to venture out. Travelers wanting a luxe stay near Downtown Dubai should consider Taj Dubai.
Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is a destination unto itself. This exclusive hotel is part of Madinat Jumeirah, a massive, one-of-a-kind beachside resort home to over 50 restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools, several miles of waterways and jogging trails, a traditional shopping center, a turtle sanctuary, and a theater. The 283 rooms and suites are large and luxurious, with top-notch amenities and large balconies offering serene views. With an impressive array of on-site activities (rock climbing, fitness classes, a swimming academy, water sports, live shows…you name it) and a beautiful private beach, only those looking to explore Dubai’s attractions will feel the need to venture out. Travelers wanting a luxe stay near Downtown Dubai should consider Taj Dubai.
The 294-room Al Qasr is a seriously upscale, Arabian palace-style hotel with stunning interiors set in the exclusive Madinat Jumeirah resort in central Dubai. Comprising of lovely canal-like waterways and manicured tropical gardens that lead to a mile-long beach, the grounds are particularly impressive, as is the almost innumerable selection of facilities (a rock climbing wall, spa, playground for kids, and fitness center among them). While rooms suitably reflect the hotel's deluxe pedigree, the vastness of the resort can mean sluggish service and dining get very expensive. However, for guests who can afford the eye-watering room rates of this super-lavish hotel that may not pose an issue. Wi-Fi is fast and free.
The 294-room Al Qasr is a seriously upscale, Arabian palace-style hotel with stunning interiors set in the exclusive Madinat Jumeirah resort in central Dubai. Comprising of lovely canal-like waterways and manicured tropical gardens that lead to a mile-long beach, the grounds are particularly impressive, as is the almost innumerable selection of facilities (a rock climbing wall, spa, playground for kids, and fitness center among them). While rooms suitably reflect the hotel's deluxe pedigree, the vastness of the resort can mean sluggish service and dining get very expensive. However, for guests who can afford the eye-watering room rates of this super-lavish hotel that may not pose an issue. Wi-Fi is fast and free.
The 252-room luxurious five-pearl Raffles Dubai rises out of lush gardens and grounds in an impressive glass-and-stone pyramid structure. Spacious, light-filled interiors are sumptuous yet understated, tastefully displaying a blend of Middle Eastern and Asian design influences. Huge rooms and suites are cloaked in luxurious fabrics and materials with handcrafted decorative details, modern technology, lavish bathrooms, private terraces, and personal butlers on call 24/7. The hotel’s expansive features include seven restaurants and bars, a gorgeous pool with swim-up bar, and expansive spa facilities in the gardens. The hotel is far from the beach, however, and not within walking distance of most sights.
The 252-room luxurious five-pearl Raffles Dubai rises out of lush gardens and grounds in an impressive glass-and-stone pyramid structure. Spacious, light-filled interiors are sumptuous yet understated, tastefully displaying a blend of Middle Eastern and Asian design influences. Huge rooms and suites are cloaked in luxurious fabrics and materials with handcrafted decorative details, modern technology, lavish bathrooms, private terraces, and personal butlers on call 24/7. The hotel’s expansive features include seven restaurants and bars, a gorgeous pool with swim-up bar, and expansive spa facilities in the gardens. The hotel is far from the beach, however, and not within walking distance of most sights.
The five-pearl Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is a serene property overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah archipelago, set 30 minutes by car from Dubai's main attractions. Regal finishes are found throughout, from lush grounds leading to a private sand beach, to extravagant, marble-filled interiors. The 244 rooms have elegant decor, full kitchens, and furnished balconies, plus private pools or jetted tubs in higher-tier units. A huge pool with sunken bar, upscale drinking and dining, a kids' club enhance, and massage treatments are all available. For those looking to spend most their time on the beach's loungers, this is a good pick, but travelers wanting to be slightly closer to downtown may prefer the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
The five-pearl Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is a serene property overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah archipelago, set 30 minutes by car from Dubai's main attractions. Regal finishes are found throughout, from lush grounds leading to a private sand beach, to extravagant, marble-filled interiors. The 244 rooms have elegant decor, full kitchens, and furnished balconies, plus private pools or jetted tubs in higher-tier units. A huge pool with sunken bar, upscale drinking and dining, a kids' club enhance, and massage treatments are all available. For those looking to spend most their time on the beach's loungers, this is a good pick, but travelers wanting to be slightly closer to downtown may prefer the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
Spacious apartments set this simple, but well-maintained, three-and-a-half-pearl property apart from the more traditional hotels in Dubai’s bustling Deira District. The 118 apartment-style spaces offer full kitchens, washing machines, and up to three bedrooms. The modest amenities are solid and include a small pool, decent gym, and free Wi-Fi. A breakfast buffet is available for a fee at the restaurant, and there's 24-hour room service. The hotel is a great, affordable option for travelers in transit (it's an eight-minute drive to the airport), but its location isn’t ideal for tourists who want to be closer to the beaches or the main Dubai attractions. The Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, JBR Dubai offers similar rates but has typical resort amenities and a more tourist-friendly location.
Spacious apartments set this simple, but well-maintained, three-and-a-half-pearl property apart from the more traditional hotels in Dubai’s bustling Deira District. The 118 apartment-style spaces offer full kitchens, washing machines, and up to three bedrooms. The modest amenities are solid and include a small pool, decent gym, and free Wi-Fi. A breakfast buffet is available for a fee at the restaurant, and there's 24-hour room service. The hotel is a great, affordable option for travelers in transit (it's an eight-minute drive to the airport), but its location isn’t ideal for tourists who want to be closer to the beaches or the main Dubai attractions. The Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham, JBR Dubai offers similar rates but has typical resort amenities and a more tourist-friendly location.
This property, part of the large Swiss chain of upscale hotels, offers easy access to a public beach in the Jumeirah Beach area as well as to The Walk, a pedestrian strip lined with cafes and restaurants. The 294 large, modern rooms have minibars, small balconies, and sleek bathrooms with separate tubs and showers. Also on hand are a spacious fitness center, a spa with sauna, and meeting spaces. The major complaint is about ongoing construction in the area, which guests claim can cause considerable noise early in the morning.
This property, part of the large Swiss chain of upscale hotels, offers easy access to a public beach in the Jumeirah Beach area as well as to The Walk, a pedestrian strip lined with cafes and restaurants. The 294 large, modern rooms have minibars, small balconies, and sleek bathrooms with separate tubs and showers. Also on hand are a spacious fitness center, a spa with sauna, and meeting spaces. The major complaint is about ongoing construction in the area, which guests claim can cause considerable noise early in the morning.
A clean-cut and contemporary hotel on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, this four-pearl, 428-room Crowne Plaza is three minutes’ drive from Yas Marina F1 circuit and four from Yas Links golf club, but is somewhat removed from the main sights in town. Modern rooms are bright and elegantly decorated in cool neutrals, with deep bathtubs, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes. On-site features include an outdoor pool, squash court, well-equipped gym, and spa offering massage treatments, a sauna, and hair salon. Food at the three restaurants, including an all-day buffet and Middle Eastern eateries. For a more kid-friendly resort, check out the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, which is also closer to the center of town.
A clean-cut and contemporary hotel on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, this four-pearl, 428-room Crowne Plaza is three minutes’ drive from Yas Marina F1 circuit and four from Yas Links golf club, but is somewhat removed from the main sights in town. Modern rooms are bright and elegantly decorated in cool neutrals, with deep bathtubs, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes. On-site features include an outdoor pool, squash court, well-equipped gym, and spa offering massage treatments, a sauna, and hair salon. Food at the three restaurants, including an all-day buffet and Middle Eastern eateries. For a more kid-friendly resort, check out the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan, which is also closer to the center of town.
Geared toward families and business travelers visiting the embassy, the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai - Embassy District is a classic, upscale chain hotel choice in the older Embassy District. The surrounding neighborhood is not especially attractive, but it does offer easy access to the rest of the city via the BurJuman metro, which is within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The hotel's common areas are pleasant -- a bright lobby and interior courtyard with an atrium-style roof, an English sports pub, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and a sauna -- and the rooms are spacious and reasonably priced. Ample meeting spaces attract business travelers, and free parking and free Wi-Fi are extra bonuses, making the Holiday Inn is a solid, familiar choice for every variety of traveler.
Geared toward families and business travelers visiting the embassy, the Holiday Inn Bur Dubai - Embassy District is a classic, upscale chain hotel choice in the older Embassy District. The surrounding neighborhood is not especially attractive, but it does offer easy access to the rest of the city via the BurJuman metro, which is within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The hotel's common areas are pleasant -- a bright lobby and interior courtyard with an atrium-style roof, an English sports pub, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and a sauna -- and the rooms are spacious and reasonably priced. Ample meeting spaces attract business travelers, and free parking and free Wi-Fi are extra bonuses, making the Holiday Inn is a solid, familiar choice for every variety of traveler.
The Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa is an upscale, Thai-style hotel located on the secluded east crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's two artificial palm-shaped archipelagos. Arranged around several lagoon pools and extending to a white sand beach, the Anantara is certainly one of Dubai's prettier resorts, and it caters well to both romancing couples and families with kids. Over-water villas are particularly impressive, though all of the rooms come with excellent amenities. Rates certainly aren't cheap by any standards, and the location is awkward for sightseeing, but for a high-end holiday resort with plenty of facilities it's an excellent choice.
The Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa is an upscale, Thai-style hotel located on the secluded east crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, one of Dubai's two artificial palm-shaped archipelagos. Arranged around several lagoon pools and extending to a white sand beach, the Anantara is certainly one of Dubai's prettier resorts, and it caters well to both romancing couples and families with kids. Over-water villas are particularly impressive, though all of the rooms come with excellent amenities. Rates certainly aren't cheap by any standards, and the location is awkward for sightseeing, but for a high-end holiday resort with plenty of facilities it's an excellent choice.
The upper-middle-range Rose Rayhaan by Rotana - Dubai is centrally located on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road, close to a metro station and the Dubai International Financial Centre. Although not as palatial as some high-end Dubai hotels, rooms are classic and include convenient amenities like kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi -- plus stunning city views. There is an extensive international buffet breakfast each morning, though it's not included in all rates. The same restaurant serves a la carte lunches and themed buffet dinners, and there's a lobby cafe serving light snacks. An outdoor swimming pool (with a pool bar), spa, and fitness center are available in a separate building. It's worth considering the nearby Towers Rotana - Dubai, another Rotana property with more exciting dining options and more modern rooms.
The upper-middle-range Rose Rayhaan by Rotana - Dubai is centrally located on the busy Sheikh Zayed Road, close to a metro station and the Dubai International Financial Centre. Although not as palatial as some high-end Dubai hotels, rooms are classic and include convenient amenities like kitchenettes and free Wi-Fi -- plus stunning city views. There is an extensive international buffet breakfast each morning, though it's not included in all rates. The same restaurant serves a la carte lunches and themed buffet dinners, and there's a lobby cafe serving light snacks. An outdoor swimming pool (with a pool bar), spa, and fitness center are available in a separate building. It's worth considering the nearby Towers Rotana - Dubai, another Rotana property with more exciting dining options and more modern rooms.