PLACES TO STAY
Luxury City Hotels in Dubai
Dusit Thani
Sheikh Zayed Rd • 04 343 3333 • www.dusit.com • DD
What sets the Dusit apart is its gentle welcoming Thai hospitality, from the “Sawadee-ka” greeting to the Thai canapés. The spacious rooms cater well to the business traveller, but it’s worth paying extra for Club Rooms.
Fairmont
Sheikh Zayed Rd • 04 332 5555 • www.fairmont.com • DD
Convenient for business, shopping and sightseeing, the hotel’s architecture and plush rooms ooze elegance and style.
Grosvenor House
Dubai Marina • 04 399 8888 • www.grosvenorhouse-dubai.com • DD
Spacious well-appointed rooms at this swanky hotel have marina or sea views. Guests can use the beach and access water activities at its sister hotel, the Royal Meridien.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers
Sheikh Zayed Rd • 04 330 0000 • www.jumeirahemiratestowers.com • DD
The city’s most stylish business hotel occupies one of the two landmark Emirates Towers. The spectacular lobby is a sight in its own right, while the attached Boulevard mall has several good places to eat.
Radisson Blu Hotel
Baniyas Rd, Deira • 04 222 7171 • www.radissonblu.com • DD
The oldest five-star in the city, this hotel is centrally located, and has comfortable rooms and lovely creek views from small balconies. The superb selection of in-house restaurants and bars is one of the best in the city.
Shangri-La
Sheikh Zayed Rd • 04 343 8888 • www.shangri-la.com • DD
One of Dubai’s classiest city hotels, it boasts immaculate service and beautifully furnished rooms designed in contemporary Asian style, plus several excellent in-house restaurants.
Grand Hyatt Dubai
Al Qataiyat Rd, Bur Dubai • 04 317 1234 • www.hyatt.com • DDD
With marvellous views over Creekside Park across to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, this massive property also boasts myriad attractions within the hotel. There’s a wonderful interior rainforest garden with dhow bottoms embedded in the ceiling, and a variety of bars and restaurants.
The Palace Hotel
Downtown Burj Khalifa • 04 428 7888 • www.theaddress.com • DDD
Overlooking the Dubai Fountain, this luxurious offering is designed in lavish mock-Arabian style. Facilities include three international restaurants, a spa and excellent business facilities. Despite its close proximity to the busy Dubai Mall, a stay here still offers a calm and tranquil experience.
Raffles Dubai
Sheikh Rashid Rd • 04 324 8888 • www.raffles.com • DDD
The Middle East’s first Raffles combines warmth and luxury with impeccable service. Its enormous rooms have great views from the distinctive Egyptian-style pyramid building, which gels with the nearby Wafi shopping complex.
Luxury Beach Hotels in Dubai
Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Resort
Al Sufouh Rd, Jumeirah • 04 399 3333 • www.marriott.com • DD
This dated resort hotel is nothing much to look at but boasts one of Dubai’s best stretches of beachfront, backed by splendid palm-studded gardens dotted with several swimming pools. Rates are generally lower than in nearby places, making this one of the most affordable marina resorts.
Westin Mina Seyahi
Al Sufouh Rd, Dubai Marina • 04 399 4141 • www.westinminaseyahi.com • DD
An elegant addition to Dubai’s five-star coastline, Westin Mina Seyahi boasts spectacular views over the Arabian Gulf. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped; some, but not all, have balconies. Other facilities include a spa, gym, several bars and restaurants, and excellent water sports.
Atlantis, The Palm
The Palm Jumeirah, • 04 426 0000 • www.atlantisthepalm.com • DDD
Located at the top of the Palm Jumeirah, this vast complex has a wide choice of rooms, most with views over the Gulf. The ultimate in luxury, however, are the Lost Chambers suites with underwater views into the lagoon. Among the numerous facilities are a water park, a dolphinarium and a kids’ club, making it ideal for families.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Jumeirah Rd • 04 301 7777 • www.jumeirah.com • DDD
Jutting into the sea, this iconic property provides the ultimate in personal attention – from your arrival in a Rolls Royce, to the staff greeting you in the flamboyant foyer with welcome refreshments, cold towels, incense and dates, to the personal butler in your duplex suite. The interior is a little gaudy for some tastes, but the spectacular coastal views, especially from the Skyview Bar, make up for it.
FIVE Palm Jumeirah
No. 1, Palm Jumeirah • 04 455 9999 • www.fivehotelsandresorts.com • DDD
Nestled in the iconic Palm Jumeirah, this resort offers a peek into the jet-setting lifestyle of Dubai’s A-list crowd. Enjoy great drinks and stunning sunsets at The Penthouse, the rooftop pool club and lounge; and savour the flavours of Southern Italy at Quattro Passi, the Italian ristorante.
Jumeirah Al Qasr
Madinat Jumeirah • 04 366 8888 • www.madinatjumeirah.com • DDD
The opulent Jumeirah Al Qasr resort (“the Jumeirah Palace” in Arabic) is graced with enormous wooden doors, elegant arches and charming Moroccan stonework. Throughout the hotel you’ll find mashrabiya screens, Moroccan lamps and lovely terracotta urns. There’s also a gorgeous white-sand beach and views of the Mina A’Salam and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Palm Jumeirah • 04 453 0000 • www.jumeirah.com • DDD
Despite its extravagant built and luxury service, this hotel often offers affordable rates. The outside looks like an Ottoman palace, while the interior boasts an array of restaurants, bars and public areas. A beach plus infinity pool completes the package.
Mina A’Salam
Madinat Jumeirah • 04 366 8888 • www.madinatjumeirah.com • DDD
This resort’s old-style Arabian architecture is inspired by the ancient towers of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and by the windtower architecture of the Al Fahidi area in Dubai. Rooms have inlaid furniture, rich Oriental lamps and Arabesque-patterned prints and tiles. Lattice balconies overlook the man-made waterways and splendid beach.
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa
Pearl Jumeirah • 04 376 6162 • www.nikkibeach.com • DDD
An immaculate resort that stretches across the waterfront of Pearl Jumeirah. It is home to Café Nikki, a bistro famous for its Friday brunches, along with the popular Nikki Beach Club, known for a four-tier sheesha terrace and lounge.
One&Only Royal Mirage
Al Sufouh Rd, Dubai Marina • 04 399 9999 • www.oneandonlyresorts.com • DDD
One of the world’s most romantic resorts, this exotic Moroccan-inspired hotel is set in palm-filled gardens with serene ponds. The white-sand beach has elegant white umbrellas and regal VIP canopies overlooking the Palm Jumeirah.
Ritz Carlton
The Walk at JBR, Dubai Marina • 04 399 4000 • www.ritzcarlton.com • DDD
Dubai’s sumptuous Ritz Carlton lives up to the reputation of the renowned chain, with lots of marble, chandeliers, Persian carpets and fresh flowers, and also palm-filled gardens and a white-sand beach.
Luxury Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa
Salam St • 02 656 1000 • www.abu-dhabi.anantara.com • DD
This opulent waterfront resort, with its spectacular location overlooking extensive coastal mangrove swamps, makes for a winning combination of luxury and nature. The Arabian-style interior is nicely done, and there’s also a gorgeous spa and several fine restaurants.
Fairmont Bab al Bahr
Between the Bridges • 02 654 3333 • www.fairmont.com/babalbahr • DD
Huge but homely five-star hotel, with sumptuous rooms and views over a creek and Sheikh Zayed Mosque. All rooms have lavish bathrooms, plus there’s a fitness centre and a private beach. Chef Marco Pierre White has two restaurants here.
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Al Bateen St • 02 666 6888 • www.intercontinental.com • DD
The Intercontinental is a spacious and relaxing five-star option set at the quiet western end of Downtown. The idyllic beach and huge pool are a major draw, as are the in-house restaurants.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
Corniche Rd West • 02 811 5555 • www.jumeirah.com • DD
One of Abu Dhabi’s most chic addresses, occupying one of the five soaring Etihad Towers. Rooms here boast a crisp contemporary design and all mod-cons.There’s also a large private beach with three pools, and a spa.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Island • 02 407 1234 • www.hyatt.com • DD
Located on a 9-km (6-mile) stretch of beach, with its own landscaped garden, the Park Hyatt has become one of Abu Dhabi’s most desired locations. It is just a short drive from the city, but a world away in terms of tranquility. Camp Hyatt, housed within the hotel premises, is an exclusive facility offering fun activities for kids.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Qaryat Al Beri • 02 509 8888 • www.shangri-la.com • DD
Lavish Arabian-style hotel with rooms overlooking either the long private beach, or one of the swimming pools. It also has a lovely spa and fine restaurants, while all the amenities of the Souk Qaryat al Beri (see Bain al Jessrain) are right next door.
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Corniche Rd East • 02 813 7777 • sofitel.com • DD
One of Downtown’s newest and most alluring hotels, with plenty of cool contemporary style. The Art Déco-inspired high-rise building offers brilliant views from the upper floors, while the chic Jazz ‘n Fizz Bar has become established as one of the area’s most fashionable hangouts.
St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Saadiyat Island • 02 498 8888 • www.stregissaadiyatisland.com • DD
A sprawling modern resort situated on a long, idyllic stretch of Saadiyat Island beach. The monumental mock-Tuscan design is a little overwhelming, but the lush grounds create an enjoyably rustic atmosphere, while facilities include several excellent restaurants and a stunning swimming pool.
Yas Hotel
Yas Island • 02 656 0000 • www.marriot.com • DD
Upmarket (but often surprisingly affordable) hotel at the heart of the swanky Yas Marina development. Built directly over the F1 Grand Prix circuit and wrapped in a spectacular illuminated canopy roof, the hotel is one of the city’s most memorable modern buildings. Inside, everything is the height of contemporary cool, from the immaculate rooms to a string of very chic restaurants and bars.
Emirates Palace
The Corniche West • 02 690 9000 • www.emiratespalace.com • DDD
Choose from amongst the Coral, Pearl and Diamond Rooms, Khaleej Suites or Palace Suites at Abu Dhabi’s grandest hotel. All rooms feature wide plasma TVs and extras such as welcome cocktails, flowers and fruit in the room, plus butler service.
Inexpensive and Moderate Hotels in Dubai
Ahmedia Heritage Guesthouse
Near Al Ahmadiya School, Deira souk • 04 225 0085 • www.heritagedubaihotels.com • D
Book here for a real taste of heritage flavour. Located on the Deira side of the creek, this guesthouse has spacious, traditionally styled rooms in a bright courtyard building.
Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa
Al Fahidi St, opposite Dubai Museum, Bur Dubai • 04 351 9111 • www.arabiancourtyard.com • D
Views of this historic area from the Arabian Courtyard are some of Dubai’s most fascinating. The Arabian-inspired rooms are spacious and the staff friendly.
Barjeel Heritage Guest House
Shindagha, Bur Dubai • 04 354 4424 • www.heritagedubaihotels.com • D
An attractive heritage guesthouse in a stunning setting along the historic Shindagha waterfront. The nine rooms are beautifully decorated in traditional Arabian style and there’s also a good little in-house restaurant serving local-style food.
Golden Sands Hotel Apartments
Al Mankhool St, Bur Dubai • 04 355 5553 • www.goldensandsdubai.com • D
Comfortable self-catering accommodation in studios with kitchenettes, close to supermarkets and shops in Bur Dubai. All rooms have a TV and telephone. Free shuttle bus to Jumeirah.
Ibis World Trade Centre Hotel
Next to the Dubai Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sheikh Zayed Rd • 04 332 4444 • www.ibishotel.com • D
One of Dubai’s better bargains, the Ibis offers small, clean and stylish rooms in an excellent midtown location. The catch, however, is that there’s no service or extras for this price, so don’t expect someone to help with your bags. The hotel restaurant, Cubo, offers decent Italian fare.
Orient Guest House
Al Fahidi Roundabout, Bur Dubai • 04 353 4448 • www.heritagedubaihotels.com • D
Situated in a renovated courtyard building in the historic Al Fahidi neighbourhood, this boutique hotel is as delightful as it gets. The traditional rooms with high ceilings are decorated in Arabian and Indian style and the quiet courtyards are wonderful for relaxing.
Raintree Hotel
Garhoud Rd, Deira • 04 209 5111 • www.raintreehotelsdubai.com • D
Centrally located behind Deira city centre, this smart and competitively priced modern hotel offers excellent service, plus a gym and a rooftop swimming pool.
XVA
Al Fahidi • 04 353 5383 • www.xvahotel.com • D
An elegant hotel in a restored courtyard house, XVA is full of atmosphere. The stylish hotel rooms are minimalist in design. Don’t expect any extras here; but who needs them when you can hear the call-to-prayer echoing through the streets?
Four Points Sheraton
Khalid Bin Al-Waleed Rd • 04 397 7444 • www.fourpointsburdubai.com • DD
Convenient for Bur Dubai souks, Dubai Museum, the Al Fahidi neighbourhood and Burjuman Mall shopping, this standard hotel is popular with business travellers and tourists on stopovers.
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
Garhoud • 04 230 8555 • www.jumeirah.com • DD
Furnished with modern art and contemporary designs, this wonderful hotel offers top-notch facilities and gorgeous views of the creek.
Inexpensive and Moderate Hotels in Abu Dhabi
Al Ain Palace Hotel
Corniche Rd East • 02 679 4777 • www.alainpalacehotel.com • D
One of the oldest hotels in the city, it may look its age but still enjoys large, comfortable rooms, a friendly atmosphere and competitive prices. It also boasts a surprisingly extensive selection of places to eat and drink, making it an attractive option for those who don’t feel like heading out after a hot day’s sightseeing.
Andaz Capital Gate
Capital Gate • 02 596 1234 • www.hyatt.com • D
This very smart but also competitively priced hotel is located in the famously leaning Capital Gate tower. It boasts cool modern rooms and amazing views from its higher floors. There’s also a great spa and a stunning pool.
Hilton Abu Dhabi
Corniche Rd West • 02 681 1900 • www.hilton.com • D
The Hilton’s excellent restaurants and bars have made this hotel a favourite of expats in Abu Dhabi. The hotel boasts beautiful swimming pools and a Corniche-front beach, lined with shady palm trees. It also offers an array of water sports. Accommodation choices include a variety of spacious and comfortable rooms that come with many little extras – some even offer Gulf views.
Le Royal Meridien
Khalifa St • 02 674 2020 • www.lemeridien.com • D
All the beautifully appointed rooms at this contemporary hotel have sublime views of both the Corniche and the Arabian Sea, and there are a couple of nice pools concealed amongst the peaceful walled gardens.
Mercure Abu Dhabi Centre
Hamdan St • 02 633 3555 • www.mercure.com • D
Centrally located, this old hotel looks worn around the edges but is a good choice thanks to its rock-bottom rates and brilliantly central location. Good street views from higher floors.
Millennium Hotel
Khalifa St • 02 614 6000 • www.millenniumhotels.com • D
A swanky but very reasonably priced hotel. It has elegant and expansive rooms with splendid views over the Corniche, Lulu Island and out to sea. Ideally positioned for Downtown sight-seeing, there is also a small swimming pool.
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort & Towers
Corniche Rd East, Tourist Club area • 02 677 3333 • www.sheraton.com/abudhabi • D
Set right on the Corniche, there are good water and leisure activities at this resort hotel, and its beachside sheesha spot is truly lovely. Eat at the excellent restaurants on site.
Southern Sun
Al Mina St • 02 818 4888 • www.tsogosun.com/southern-sun-abu-dhabi • D
Located in central Downtown, this smart but affordable modern hotel has a gym and rooftop pool, plus a couple of top-class restaurants.
Traders Hotel Quaryat al Beri
Khor al Maqta • 02 510 8888 • www.shangri-la.com/abudhabi/traders • D
Overlooking Maqta Creek, this above-average mid-range hotel (part of the Shangri-La hotel group) has very smooth service and, for the price, a surprising amount of style. Modern rooms and public areas are decorated with colourful minimalist decor, and there’s also a small pool plus private beach.
Beach Rotana
10th St, Al Zahiyah • 02 697 9000 • www.rotana.com/beachrotana • DD
A vast resort-style hotel in the heart of Downtown, with smart rooms, a small stretch of beach, private beach club and spa, stunning Al Maryah Island views. It also houses one of the city’s best places to eat and drink – the Finz restaurant (see A Corniche and City Walk) which offers great seafood.
Beyond the Cities
Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa
E99 coastal highway, Fujairah • 09 244 9888 • www.rotana.com • D
On beautiful Al Aqah Beach, this luxury east coast resort offers a blissful beachside break from the big cities, with upmarket style and facilities for well under the price of similar hotels in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi. It lies close to the equally large, though less overpowering, Le Méridien Al Aqah.
Al Ain Rotana
120th St, Al Ain • 03 754 5111 • www.rotana.com/alainrotana • DD
The best hotel in Al Ain, centrally located and with a fine array of five-star facilities. The lovely gardens and pools are great for daytime lazing, while the hotel’s excellent restaurants, including the Arabian-style Min Zaman and the lively Trader Vics, are enjoyable places to relax after dark.
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab
200 km/120 miles from Abu Dhabi • 02 886 2088 • www.qasralsarab.anantara.com • DD
Looking like something out of Lawrence of Arabia, this magical fortress-style resort sits majestically in the middle of the desert surrounding the spec-tacular Liwa Oasis, the UAE’s finest area of unspoilt wilderness. Rooms feature five-star luxuries and there are private villas, each with a pool and butler service.
Kempinski Hotel Ajman
Ajman • 06 714 5555 • www.kempinski.com • DD
In the tiny emirate of Ajman, just north of Sharjah, the Kempinski offers a convenient retreat from the big-city bustle of nearby Dubai. Despite this beachfront resort’s dated appear-ance, the hotel remains profoundly relaxing, with fine gardens, a beautiful pool and a private white-sand beach perfect for idle lounging.
Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort
E99 coastal highway, Fujairah • 09 244 9000 • www.lemeridien-alaqah.com • DD
On idyllic Al Aqah Beach with the Hajar Mountains forming the backdrop, this towering resort is one of the east coast’s major landmarks, with five-star facilities and huge grounds. It’s a good place to set up diving trips.
Melia Desert Palm
Al Awir Rd, Al Ain highway • 04 323 8888 • www.desertpalm.ae • DD
On the fringes of Dubai, around a 20-minute drive from the airport, the intimate Melia Desert Palm resort offers an idyllic retreat from the hectic pace of urban life. The superbly equipped rooms come with private pool and all mod-cons, while the surrounding polo fields create an enjoyably country atmosphere, and the luxurious spa is second to none.
Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa
Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (60 km/37 miles from Dubai) • 04 832 9900 • www.al-maha.com • DDD
Idyllic desert retreat in the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Rare wildlife roams the grounds, almost giving the whole place a feel of an African bush camp, while the lavishly appointed tented suites offer plenty of luxury, including private plunge pools.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Islands Resort
Sir Bani Yas Island (a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi) • 02 656 1399 • www.sir-bani-yas-island.anantara.com • DDD
One of the UAE’s most magical – and unusual – places to stay. The resort is located on Sir Bani Yas Island, transformed by Sheikh Zayed in the 1970s into a remarkable nature reserve teeming with wildlife ranging from indigenous Arabian oryx to prancing giraffes. The main resort itself is one of the country’s most palatial, and there are also two separate luxury eco-lodges – Al Yamm and Al Sahel – deeper inside the reserve.
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa
Emirates Rd • 04 809 6498 • www.meydanhotels.com/babalshams • DDD
Spectacular resort hidden away in the desert, just a 45-minute drive from Dubai. Built in the style of a traditional Arabian fort, the resort has top-class facilities including a stunning infinity pool and the memorable Al Hadheerah open-air desert restaurant. This is a great place to enjoy desert activities, such as camel riding and falconry displays.
PRICE CATEGORIES
For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
D under AED 600 DD AED 600–1500 DDD Over AED 1500