The most luxurious hotels in Dubai for when only opulence will do
Our favourite luxury hotels in Dubai, the birthplace of the seven-star stay
If you’re planning to seek out the sun any time soon, the UAE is a perennial favourite – and not just because of its not-quite-long-haul flight time from the UK (a reasonable seven hours). These are the best luxury hotels in Dubai ready to greet you with their inimitable Arabic opulence.
The city offers an ideal mix of beach, desert and urban life, with some of the most staggering man-made structures on the planet (and we’re not just talking about the waterparks).
There’s the aptly named Aura Skypool, suspended 200 metres above ground; the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa (at a whopping 828 metres); and the Edge Walk, where the brave can see the city from 220 metres up. Dubai is also home to artificial islands shaped like seahorses and the Palm, a man-made archipelago, where many of the most luxurious hotels can be found.
For those who would rather avoid the skyscrapers, stay out in the desert instead; Bab Al Shams, part of the Kerzner Group’s new Rare Finds collection, is less than an hour away by car from the centre but a world away in terms of architecture and volumes of concrete and glass.
Atlantis the Royal arrived with a bang (and a Beyoncé concert) at the start of 2023 – and more luxury resorts have made their debut in Dubai since, One&Only Za’abeel and the Lana among them.
If you're thinking about Dubai as a destination for winter sun later in the year, you'll want to browse our favourite Jamaica, Maldives and Cape Town hotels as well.
Read on for more of our favourite luxury hotels in Dubai…
Atlantis the Royal
Dubai is not lacking on the luxury-hotels front, but the scene got even more opulent at the start of last year, with the arrival of Atlantis the Royal, sister property to the already well-established Atlantis the Palm. To herald the new hotel, Beyoncé was flown in to perform at the opening party – the superstar was reportedly paid $24 million, with $100,000-a-night accommodation provided, of course.
As befits such an ultra-luxurious destination, there are several fine-dining restaurants, including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis. Families will enjoy days spent at the world’s biggest waterpark, Aquaventure, which is located within the wider Atlantis resort.
One&Only the Palm
From the beach at One&Only the Palm, you’ll be able to admire both the Arabian Gulf and the city’s famous skyscrapers. Dining options at the hotel include a seafood restaurant with views of the water, a poolside terrace and a French eatery with two Michelin stars.
At the Guerlain spa, guests can enjoy reflexology, Thai massages and radiance-boosting facials by the French brand. Afterwards, relax in an (air-conditioned, of course) poolside cabana. To reach the rest of the city, simply board the One&Only boat to make the short voyage from your palm-lined paradise.
Mandarin Oriental Dubai
The Mandarin Oriental group’s Dubai outpost is on Jumeirah Beach. As with every luxury hotel in the emirate, there are some world-class restaurants on-site, plenty of palm trees and majestic views of the skyline.
At the Japanese restaurant, steaks are cooked on straw instead of coal, which allows for temperatures of 1,000 degrees Celsius for perfectly seared cuts. There’s also a caviar bar, a cake shop and a Portuguese restaurant. The vast spa has its own hammam suite, and treatments are more like rituals.
Bulgari Resort Dubai
It may be in the heart of the city, but Bulgari Resort Dubai will feel like a world away. The vast estate has been designed to resemble a Mediterranean village, with sea-facing apartments, 15 private mansions and a marina and yacht club. Guests can also book one of the villas, each of which has a pool, garden and view of the Arabian Gulf.
Other facilities at the resort include a twice-Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, a spa and a beach club, and there’s an indoor pool for serene swims overlooking the skyline. The resort is on Jumeirah Bay, a man-made island in the shape of a seahorse (this is Dubai).
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
Perhaps the luxury hotel that put Dubai on the map, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is one of the most iconic emblems of the emirate, thanks to its sail-shaped architecture. It also took luxury to new heights, as the first seven-star hotel in the world.
Inside, there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar for cocktails with a view up on the 27th floor, an outpost of acclaimed Italian restaurant L’Olivo, the original of which is in Capri, and a dazzling atrium for afternoon tea. The Talise Spa is equally opulent, with a colourful, colonnaded pool for swims overlooking the skyline.
Raffles the Palm
Dubai doesn’t do subtle, as is clear to see with one look at the Raffles outpost there (and its five domes). The lavish resort is home to a 500-metre private beach, a Cinq Mondes spa and six restaurants, including the Japanese Matagi, a pâtisserie and Le Jardin, where you can enjoy an all-day menu out on the terrace overlooking the gardens or amid the interior’s chandeliers and columns.
Accommodation options range from rooms with a balcony facing out to the Arabian Gulf to private villas with gardens and private pools. Each comes with a butler, on hand around the clock.
Four Seasons Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Another luxury hotel on Jumeirah Beach, this Four Seasons resort has everything you’d hope for in a Dubai stay – namely, a pool with cabanas, a spa and views of both sea and skyline. Don’t miss sunset at the Mercury Rooftop for cocktails overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa. Afterwards, head to Sea Fu for sushi, sashimi and more views of the Arabian Gulf.
The concierge can arrange trips out into the desert, or you can stay put in your poolside cabana.
One&Only Za’abeel
Another luxury arrival to the Dubai hotel scene recently, One&Only Za’abeel opened its doors in December and is a striking addition to the emirate’s already dazzling skyline. The hotel is formed from two skyscrapers, connected by a 100-metre-high cantilever that contains the Link: a futuristic boulevard with various restaurants and bars, along with a spectacular swimming pool.
Star chefs recruited to man the kitchens include Anne-Sophie Pic and Tetsuya Wakuda. Inside, it only gets better, thanks to interiors designed by Jean-Michel Gathy.
Jumeirah Al Qasr
This Dubai hotel is a true Arabian palace – and one you’ll certainly want to spent 1,001 nights at. The regal decor features carved columns, canopied beds and intricate doors. There are French, Thai, Indian and Lebanese restaurants, but it’s hard to beat the setting of the hotel’s Italian eatery, which is set at the end of its private pier.
Al Qasr, which sits within the wider Madinat Jumeirah complex (where you’ll find sister Jumeirah hotels such as Al Naseem and Mina A’Salam, along with a souk and serene waterways), also has an ice-cream parlour, cocktail bar and adults-only pool.
Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort
An hour’s drive from the centre of Dubai, Bab Al Shams is an excellent choice for anyone hoping to experience the desert as well as the bright lights of the city. The property, which was designed to resemble a traditional fortified village, is part of the Kerzner group’s (which owns One&Only resorts) Rare Finds collection.
Activities on offer at the hotel include falconry displays, archery and, of course, camel rides. For the ultimate adventure, tour the golden dunes in a four-wheel drive or see the desert from above in a hot-air balloon.
The Lana
Dubai is one of the most excessive places on the planet – seven-star hotels, dazzling skyscrapers, man-made islands (and even rain droplets) – and so it’s no surprise that it has the luxury hotel scene to match. Joining the fold is the Lana by the Dorchester Collection, in the heart of Downtown Dubai and just a 20-minute drive from the airport. Also nearby are some of the emirate’s landmarks, such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
The 30-storey structure has incredible views of the skyline from many of its rooms and suites, a restaurant by the star Basque chef Martín Berasategui Olazábal, and a rooftop pool and spa allowing for more glimpses of the local architecture.
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
The Nikki Beach brand has travelled the world since it first opened in Miami a quarter of a century ago, swiftly appearing on the equally glamorous shores of St Tropez. It took a while to make its way to Dubai, arriving on the Pearl Jumeirah waterfront at the end of 2016. The resort is so much more than just a beach club, with four restaurants and lounges, and, of course, the brand’s signature cabanas, each of which has its own pool for private parties.
If you overdo it on the cocktails, simply locate the spa for a Clarins or Elemental Herbology treatment and a time out.
Siro
There’s no denying that Dubai is a destination that’s popular with sports stars, so it’s the fitting location for the Kerzner (of Atlantis and One&Only fame) group’s new fitness brand, Siro. The health-focused hotel is located within the same building as its sister property, One&Only Za’abeel, inside this striking architectural addition to Dubai’s already elaborate skyline.
The wellness hub is home to a 1,000-square-metre gym, with studios for yoga, meditation and strength-training, and there’s a ‘recovery lab’ for treatments including cryotherapy and acupuncture. Guests will be able to book tailored wellness programmes, too.
Armani Hotel Dubai
Fashionistas will feel at home at the Armani Hotel in Dubai, which features the brand’s signature stylish aesthetic. Also catering to the fashion crowd is the hotel’s direct access to the Dubai Mall.
It’s located inside the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, so staggering skyline views are a given. The hotel spans 11 floors, with Italian design and Arabian hospitality uniting to make this one of the best hotels in Dubai; it has a spa, a heart-shaped outdoor pool and, naturally, an Michelin-star restaurant.
Oberoi Al Zorah
This hotel is not technically in Dubai, but it is a great choice for anyone hoping to see a quieter side of the region and still be within a 40-minute drive of all the action. The Oberoi Al Zorah is in Ajman, one of the lesser-known of the United Arab Emirates. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy the beach resort’s pristine beaches and lagoons, and the neighbouring mangroves, which span a million square metres.
Spend your days kayaking in the mangroves, sailing the Arabian Sea on a fishing trip or lying prone at the spa, before heading into Dubai for the evening. There’s a championship golf course, designed by the American golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, too.
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