How we choose the best hotels in Dubai
Each hotel on this list has been independently selected by our editors, who know the destination and have stayed there themselves. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury and boutique hotels and lesser-known spots that offer an authentic, insider experience of a destination. We always look for beautiful design, a great location and warm service, as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.
1 Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
The minimalists are marching on. From the 2,000 square metres of 24-carat gold leaf lining the walls to the 21,000 Swarovski crystals embedded in the ceiling, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is the epitome of Arabian opulence. Since its construction on Jumeirah Beach in 1999, the Burj has been as much a symbol of Dubai as the Eiffel Tower is of Paris.
The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s fame shows no sign of waning, bolstered by the Michelin-starred Al Muntaha restaurant and the recent addition of the terrace.
If the pool deck is a lesson in pared-back luxury, the rest of the show is a Baz Luhrmann-style production, with crystal ceilings, silk wallpaper and gold-plated iPads. In a country where one-upmanship is a record, this place remains audacious.
2 One&Only Royal Mirage Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Open for over 25 years, this hotel is an old standby in Dubai, even if you don’t know it. This sprawling, manicured beach resort is a vast oasis of tropical gardens and pools, but the rooms have an intimate feel, thanks to three distinct zones, each with its own Arabian-inspired personality.
3 Four Seasons Resort Dubai At Jumeirah Beach
In a city where new hotels seem to spring up overnight, the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has a timeless appeal. Modeled after the region’s traditional wind towers, it feels as if it was built a century ago rather than 2014, with its intricately carved archways and gleaming marble interiors.
The sprawling grounds include two lagoon-style pools and a private beach lined with shaded loungers. Rooms with high ceilings and balconies or terraces overlooking the Arabian Sea or Dubai’s glittering skyline only add to the grandeur of the property.
4 Golden Sands Boutique Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Some come to experience a gentler pace of life, others to explore the fascinating stretch of the Creek, others for the authentic cuisine and superb local produce. Still others simply come to savour the peace and tranquility of Dubai’s mystical aura.
Golden Sands Hotel Creek is a 5-star boutique hotel located in the heart of Dubai’s heritage. With 150 luxurious suites and rooms, the hotel is an ideal base from which to enjoy a unique perspective on Dubai’s most historic district.
5 The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
A private Rolls-Royce Phantom is parked at the entrance and porters in top hats and tails are stationed at the door, but despite this, arrival at the Lana is discreet. This is the first Dorchester Collection hotel in the Middle East, and it is a sign of Dubai’s maturity that the group behind iconic properties such as The Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles has decided to bring its distinctive brand of understated, quiet luxury to the city.
6 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
25hours Hotel One Central is located right next to the World Trade Center station on the Dubai Metro Red Line. This is what this hotel is all about. Smart, surprising and oh-so-sexy, it entertains guests from dawn to… dawn. Its many pleasures include excellent cuisine, the city’s hottest entertainment venue, gallery-worthy art, a superb spa and a prime location overlooking the Museum of the Future.
7 Atlantis the Royal, Dubai, UAE
Atlantis The Royal welcomes you to an experience that will completely redefine your vision of luxury. Where the highest level of service sets a new standard of excellence. It’s the place where something incredible happens every moment of your stay.
Any retreat that bills itself as “the world’s most ultra-luxury experiential resort” doesn’t do subtlety, but here, it’s exactly the point. Located next to its famous sister, Atlantis the Palm, on Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah, the eye-catching curves of Atlantis the Royal contain 795 rooms, suites and penthouses, 17 restaurants and bars, a 2km beach and more than 90 pools.
The suites and penthouses elevate the experience even further with landscaped terraces and glass-walled pools.
8 Bab Al-Shams Desert Resort in Dubai
Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Arabia at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, where unique experiences await at every turn. Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement between the luxurious comfort of our resort and endless possibilities for adventure.
Bab Al Shams slowly reveals itself, its sandstone exterior – an ode to traditional Emirati forts – half-hidden by spindly date palms and sand dunes. In a city that so often leans towards excess, Dubai’s grand dame of desert resorts works its magic with restraint.
Bab Al Shams remains true to its desert setting. In the newly opened standalone spa, which houses men’s and women’s hammams carefully crafted from green-veined Cipollino Nuvolato marble, select treatments feature De L’Arta, a locally-grown skincare range made from Tetraena qatarensis, a shrub found in abundance around the resort.
9 The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Center
Nestled in Dubai’s prestigious International Financial Centre, The Ritz-Carlton DIFC embodies the epitome of refined luxury.
With over 28,000 square feet of event space, one of the city’s largest ballrooms and a well-connected location in the heart of the financial hub, this Art Deco-inspired hotel is a favourite among business travellers.
Set against a backdrop of bustling business centres, fine dining and cultural delights, this opulent retreat beckons discerning travellers. Rising majestically with its 14-storey limestone façade, the hotel exudes understated elegance. Indulge in the hotel’s exceptional facilities, seamlessly blending business and leisure.
With two metro stations at your disposal and the vibrant nightlife of Downtown Dubai within reach, The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC stands as the gateway to the Middle East’s most exciting city, offering an unrivalled experience of sophistication and discovery.
10 Taj Hotel, Dubai
A captivating blend of Taj Dubai’s illustrious heritage and impeccable hospitality blended with contemporary luxury and distinctive local touches.
A bastion of modern luxury, a champion of local heritage, Taj Dubai wears both hats with ease. An antidote to the region’s obsession with beige, the hotel is a carnival of colour and its diverse restaurants are brimming with personality and satisfied guests. It may be located in the business district, but here, it’s all about indulgence.
Taj Dubai is an urban icon in one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. Boasting world-class dining, wellness facilities and a range of activities, it stands out among Taj hotels in Dubai.
