We list the best hotels, hostels, B&Bs and guesthouses in Dubai as recommended by travel experts from CNN, Lonely Planet, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, New York Times and more. All hotel recommendations have been referenced with customer reviews and we only listed places that have at least a 4 out of 5-star customer review rating.
Best cheap hotel in Dubai: FORM Hotel Dubai
Best boutique hotel in Dubai: Taj Dubai
Best luxury hotel in Dubai: Resort One&Only The Palm
“The most romantic resort in Dubai, this hotel has four different hotels to choose from; while they differ in appearance and amenities, they are all tranquil, private, and spacious.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Dubai.
“Al Qasr offers a distinctive Arabic flavor. Step inside the lobby and the scent of freshly cut rose petals — which are scattered into a center pool — hits you square on, while rooms look out onto Arabesque waterways and the Persian Gulf.”
“Mandarin Oriental did their homework when launching in the Middle East. The Asian heavyweight’s ornate urban low rise is spread across a prime patch of affluent Jumeirah. A Prada-draped mix of locals and expats are already elbowing for tables at the sunlight Noor lounge.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s Best New Hotels of 2019.
“Not only is the five-star Kempinski hotel a shopper’s dream (it’s attached to Mall of the Emirates), it looks out onto the most bizarre scene in the desert — Ski Dubai, one of the largest manmade ski slopes on the planet.”
“Opened in 2014 on Palm Jumeirah island, the 319-room Waldorf-Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is a palatial spread.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Dubai.
“Tailor-made for wallet-watching globetrotters, Rove is a hip launch pad with sassy, contemporary decor and such millennial must-haves as a an outdoor pool for chilling, a 24-hour gym, a industrial-styled cafe plus a hangover-friendly 2pm checkout.”
“Any retreat that bills itself as “the most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world” is not going for subtlety – but here, that’s very much the point. Sitting alongside its famous sister, Atlantis the Palm, on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis the Royal’s eye-catching curves contain 795 rooms, suites, and penthouses, 17 restaurants and bars, a 1.2-mile beach, and more than 90 pools.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s Hotlist 2023.
“Since rising off Jumeirah Beach in 1999, the Burj has been the symbol for Dubai as much as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. And despite fierce competition, this homegrown star is still regarded with a mixture of affection and awe.”
Featured in CN Traveler’s 2020 Gold List.
“City explorers with a romantic streak will be utterly enchanted by this low-lying, luxe lakefront contender with its winning alchemy of old-world class and Arabic aesthetics. Rooms are chic and understated.”
“This charmer occupies a century-old wind-tower house smack dab in the Al Fahidi Historic District, off Al Fahidi St. Its 13 compact rooms sport whitewashed walls decorated with art that picks up on local themes.”
“Why book? To experience the most un-Dubai hotel of Dubai hotels: edgy (not glossy), design-forward (not traditionally Arabesque), and breaking boundaries through partnerships with the city’s coolest establishments and a playful dose of Euro cool.”
Featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Hotlist.
“This is the first resort in the World Islands—but what does that mean, exactly? The development has been starting and stopping for years and is more of a curiosity than a destination…so far. With the hotel’s easy accessibility to Dubai and its sweeping view over the skyline, there’s nothing else like it: It feels like a tropical escape, but the skyline is close enough to touch. It’s the ultimate staycation.”
Featured in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Hotlist.
“Though in the moderate range, you still get five-star accommodation at the Amwaj Rotana. For half the price of the luxury resorts you get a room on JBR Walk, the area where locals show off their souped-up Jeeps and million-dollar Ferraris.”
“Amid the historic quarter’s galleries and shops, Orient Guest House occupies an Old World courtyard house with 11 rooms of traditional Arabian furniture and fabrics.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Dubai.
“The Dubai Al Barsha is Accor Adagio’s largest and arguably most luxurious property, with 199 Champagne-hued apartments featuring state-of-the-art kitchens, private laundry facilities and sweeping views of the Dubai skyline and the Burj Al Arab.”
“Exuding the feel of an exclusive private estate, it has rambling gardens, several pools and Moorish-influenced suites daubed with teal and purple colour accents and outfitted with all requisite 21st-century tech touches.”
Recommended by:
Fodors, CNN, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CNN, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
New York Times, Forbes, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Fodors, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes
Recommended by:
CN Traveler, Forbes
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Telegraph
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet, Telegraph
Recommended by:
CN Traveler
Recommended by:
CN Traveler
Recommended by:
CNN
Recommended by:
New York Times
Recommended by:
CNN
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Dubai is an emirate and a city in the United Arab Emirates famous for its ultramodern architecture, shopping complexes, and vibrant nightlife. The city is the home to Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower with a length of 830 meters, as well as Dubai Fountain.
Some of the best neighborhoods of Dubai are:
Al Quoz
Al Quoz is a hip neighborhood that is home to urbane locals and visitors. It is an area where the arts and music community collaborate for exhibitions, concerts and Good Vibes market. The neighborhood has chic cafés such as RAW Coffee Company and Tom & Serg.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a neighborhood that is renowned as a finance and commercial hub in the city. DIFC also has various art galleries that encourages art scene in the city. Furthermore, the neighborhood also has some stylish restaurants in the city.
Deira
Deira is among the oldest neighborhoods in the city and it is different from the other neighborhoods in the city. The neighborhood also has Spice Souks, Gold Souks, Bastakiya, and Dubai Museum.
Dubai Design District
Dubai Design District is a neighborhood that is about arts, design, fashion, and all the things that are contemporary and creative. The neighborhood hosts pop-up exhibitions as well as concerts and fashion shows. In this neighborhood, it is not uncommon to find people grabbing some coffee, going to meeting, checking out latest design and fashion scene.
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Jumeirah Lake Towers is a chilled out and cool neighborhood that has exceptional food outlets that offers unique ethnic foods. It is also an area with offices and skyscrapers.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in Dubai.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Dubai, then book FORM Hotel Dubai. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews. Also check out our list of the best cheap hotels in Dubai.
You like some luxury but don't like the famous chain hotels. If you're looking for the best boutique hotel in Dubai, you should check out Taj Dubai. It's a very cool hotel that has been highly recommended by travelers and experts.
Also check out our list of the best boutique hotels in Dubai, it's a manually curated list of the most unique and romantic hotels in the city.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Dubai, then go for Resort One&Only The Palm. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it. Also check out our list of the best luxury hotels in Dubai, it's a manually curated list of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in the city.
Looking for a good and affordable private room or cozy dorm in Dubai? Check out Dubai Beach Host. The hostel has been highly rated by backpackers. Also check out our list of the best hostels in Dubai.
Try Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates or Hotel Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach if you're looking for a delicious breakfast. Both Dubai hotels have excellent customer review ratings for breakfast.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $60 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $100 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Dubai hotel then you can expect to pay around $250 per night.
If you're looking for a room with a view, then try the Hotel Palace Downtown, it offers some amazing views of fountains in Dubai.
Looking for a dive in a nice swimming pool? Try Resort One&Only The Palm or the One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, both have excellent reviews for their swimming pools.
Dubai Red Dune Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandboarding & BBQ. Take a dune drive across the red sands outside Dubai while exploring the desert by 4WD vehicle. You’ll experience the thrill of dune bashing, sandboarding, and a camel ride. Price: $41.
Dubai Burj Khalifa: Level 124 & 125. Witness unforgettable, panoramic views over Dubai from the observation deck of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. Let your jaw hit the floor as you are elevated up 125 floors to fantastic 360-degree views over the Arabian Gulf. Price: $30.
Dubai Guided Sightseeing Boat Tours. Step aboard your high-speed craft at Dubai Marina, and hold the rails as your skipper opens the throttle and speeds you over the waves. Whizz around the man-made archipelago of Palm Jumeirah. Price: $43.
More things to do in Dubai
Do you love bustling city life and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to see the world in a different light by exploring new cultures and traditions? Or do you simply want to travel somewhere exotic and exciting this year? If so, then pack your bags and get ready to explore one of the most fascinating cities in the Gulf region – Dubai! The capital of the UAE is not just an ordinary city, but a place that has transformed itself from a humble fishing village into one of the fastest-growing cities in the world within the last few decades. With its outstanding architecture, vibrant nightlife, mesmerizing beaches, jaw-dropping hotels, shopping centers, and many more attractions; Dubai is not just about skyscrapers but also about sandy beaches, man-made islands and historical sites.
Dubai is a tourist hotspot and has something for everyone. From the famous Burj Khalifa to Jumeirah Mosque, there are plenty of attractions to captivate your eyes and make your visit memorable. Dubai is also known as the shopping capital of the world with its world-class hotels, malls, and boutiques run by some of the best brands in fashion. You can shop all day long without even feeling tired! If you’re looking for an exciting beach destination, head to Dubai Marina or JBR to enjoy spectacular sunsets while sipping on coconut water. Or if you want adventure then climb the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa or take a tour in sand dunes. No matter what your interests are, you will find them in Dubai.
Dubai is a hot destination, with its year-round sunshine and the average temperature hovering around 29 °C. The best time to visit this amazing city would be during the winter season, when there are fewer tourists and the weather is cooler.
Dubai is known for its scorching hot weather throughout the year. However, if you want to experience the best of Dubai, then avoid visiting during the summer months (June-August) or during Ramadan. The best time to visit Dubai is in autumn (September-November). It’s a great time to visit as it coincides with the cooler temperatures and less humidity that occur during this season in Dubai. When you visit Dubai, apart from experiencing world-class shopping malls and luxurious hotels, don’t forget to explore other attractions like historical sites, museums, art galleries and more. You should also head out of town and explore some of the nearby desert dunes or go on a boat trip on one of Dubai’s many waterways. So what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now!
Dubai is a city of many faces. With just one visit, you will never be able to capture the essence of this spectacular place. The most popular attraction in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa, which is also the world’s tallest building and a symbol of Dubai’s economic success. Other attractions that you can visit include the Dubai Museum (a must-see for those who love history), Dubai Creek, Jumeirah Mosque, Palm Jumeirah Island, and many more.
Tourists can stay in any of the five-star hotels in Dubai, which are located all over the city. Most of these hotels are close to shopping malls, high-end restaurants and bars, beaches or golf courses, so you will never feel like you’re too far away from some sort of entertainment. Many of these hotels offer a wide range of facilities such as gyms, swimming pools and kids clubs. Some hotels also offer access to a private beach for their guests. If you’re traveling with your family, then it’s recommended that you stay in one of the many family-friendly hotels in Dubai. These resorts offer babysitting services, special rooms for kids and toys for their entertainment. Dubai is home to the world’s only 7-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab. There are plenty of options to choose from when deciding on how to spend your vacation in Dubai!
Dubai is a hub of attractions. It is a city that has something for everyone and you will never get bored in this city because there are too many things to do. Whether you want to explore the beauty of ancient buildings, head out for a night on the town, or indulge in some retail therapy, Dubai can cater to your every need. Apart from these, there are also plenty of water sports activities such as jet-skiing, parasailing and diving that you can enjoy with your family and friends. In short, Dubai offers an amazing experience to its visitors.
To many people around the world, Dubai is synonymous with summer vacations. However, people also ask: “Is it safe for travelers?” The answer to this question is a resounding yes. Contrary to what many people think, Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world. Dubai has been ranked as the 5th safest city in the world by Mercer’s Quality of Living Report. Further, crime rates are exceptionally low and police officers are everywhere you go. The UAE government takes its safety and security measures very seriously, and tourists can feel totally at ease visiting this beautiful country. In fact, Dubai is actually safer than many other countries, including neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan!
Dubai is a city that has no match in the Gulf region. It is not just a city of skyscrapers, but also one where you can go for a swim and relax on the beach. Dubai brings together the best of both worlds – world-class hotels and beaches coupled with excellent desert safari and an astonishing variety of food to cater to every palate. It’s no wonder why people from all over the world come to Dubai to experience this unique blend of culture and tradition. So before you spend your vacation at home next year, book your ticket now!
Want to get to know the city a bit better? Check out our guide about where to stay in Dubai, it includes recommendations about the best areas, museums, attractions and other things to do.
If you like our list of the best hotels in Dubai, then you should also check out our selection of boutique hotels in Abu Dhabi or luxury hotels in Mumbai.