Cheap hotels in Dubai are not easy to find. Dubai is one of the world's most expensive hotel cities and most hotels are four or five stars and cost accordingly - but there are affordable options. Here are our tips!
Dubai's very cheapest budget hotels are rarely very nice, so our tips on this page focus mainly on affordable two- and three-star hotels. Hotels that are clean, fresh and can be recommended with a clear conscience.
One thing to keep in mind is that it is impossible to find a cheap hotel near the beach. In Dubai, all beach hotels are luxurious and quite expensive. Almost all beachfront hotels have five stars, a few have four.
Not just looking for budget accommodation? On this page you will find all our tips for hotels in Dubai.
10 x cheap hotels in Dubai
Cheap hotels are mainly found in the older parts of the city, Bur Dubai and Deira, in somewhat secluded locations that often mean you'll have to travel some distance to the sights and the beach.
But it doesn't have to be so bad anyway, both taxi and metro is cheap and convenient.
Barjeel Heritage Guest House
If you don't want to stay in one of Dubai's many luxury hotels from international chains, here's our top tip.
Small-scale, thoughtful and charming. Beautiful location overlooking the water and boating on Dubai Creek. A friendly Bed & Breakfast with nine individually decorated rooms set around a courtyard. Close to the metro and markets.
" Read more about Barjeel Heritage Guest House
Orient Guest House
Reminiscent of Barjeel Heritage Guest House and run by the same owner. A restored old house in the historic Bastikya area, it's an interesting alternative to Dubai's expensive global chain hotels.
The hotel, actually more like a B&B, has 11 Arabic-style rooms and a cosy courtyard with a café. Free wifi. Rooms from around 1100 SEK depending on the season and when you book.
" Read more about Orient Guest House
Novotel Dubai Deira City Centre
A hotel with four stars and good guest ratings, which can actually be had for under a thousand crowns a night sometimes. It's a bargain - and an obvious tip if you're looking for cheap hotels in Dubai.
The hotel has 188 rooms, a restaurant, bar, gym and outdoor pool. The location is great if you want to be close to the airport, but less so if you're planning a beach holiday or want to visit attractions like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall or places like Dubai Marina.
" Read more about Novotel Dubai Deira City Centre
Rove Downtown Dubai
Many cheap hotels in Dubai are located in the older parts of the city or near the airport. It's harder to find budget accommodation in newer parts like Downtown or Dubai Marina, but this is a shining exception.
Rove Downtown is just a few minutes' walk from Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
The hotel is large, with more than 400 rooms, and has a gym, restaurant, outdoor pool - and its own cinema. The hotel is 3-star, which helps keep the price down, but it's still a solid option.
Sometimes costing just over SEK 1,000 per night, but the price varies greatly depending on the season and how heavily booked it is. Even if you have to pay around 1500 SEK per night, it's still good value.
A good choice for families with children who don't want to spend all their travel money on accommodation.
" Read more about Rove Downtown
Rove Dubai Marina
We really like the mini chain Rove. The company has a knack of establishing itself in areas where hotels are otherwise relatively expensive, and always gives very good value for money.
This hotel is one of the most affordable options in Dubai Marina. A fresh facility with 384 rooms, restaurant, gym and outdoor pool.
You can walk to the marina in a minute and to the pleasant promenade of The Walk in JBR in just under ten minutes.
What about price? From around 700 SEK per night at the very least, although it often gets more expensive than that. Even double that can be considered affordable.
" Read more about Rove Dubai Marina
Queen Elizabeth 2
It may sound a bit backwards, but one of the most luxurious and lavish cruise ships of all time is now actually one of Dubai's best budget hotels.
Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed under the flag of the classic shipping company Cunard Lines from 1969 to 2008. The ship was then sold to Dubai and has now been transformed into a different kind of hotel.
The hotel ship has more than 220 rooms, three restaurants and two bars, indoor pool, spa and fitness centre. She is berthed at Mina Rashid Port, right where Dubai Creek meets the sea.
The situation is not bad. Many of Dubai's most popular attractions, such as museums and the traditional souks, are close by.
Expect a room to cost from around SEK 900 per night. Not bad for sleeping on such a posh ship.
" Read more about Queen Elizabeth 2
Citymax Bur Dubai
Large hotel with 691 rooms, 3 restaurants and a small rooftop pool, located in the older part of Dubai. Relatively good quality accommodation, but there are better rooms and worse rooms.
If you get a room that you're not happy with for any reason, let us know. The staff are friendly and usually able to help.
A room costs from around SEK 490, but the price varies according to the season and booking mode.
" Read more about Citymax Bur Dubai
Holiday Inn Express Dubai - Safa Park
Great location and free shuttle to the beach and Dubai Mall/Burj Khalifa. Breakfast and wifi included in the price.
Not a luxury hotel, but stable and fresh, and one of the best options in Dubai for those who want to hold back on hotel costs. From around 900 SEK, depending on the season and time of booking.
" Read more about Holiday Inn Express Dubai
Ibis Al Rigga
Located close to the airport and can be a good option for those who want a airport hotels in Dubai for a stopover or short stay.
No great charm, definitely no luxury, but you're close to the metro which will take you to all the city's sights. Buffet breakfast and free wifi. Minimum price 500 SEK/night, but 800-900 SEK is more common.
" Read more about Ibis Al Rigga
Akas-Inn Hotel Apartment
A medium-sized apartment hotel, with 66 rooms, in the Al Barsha district. The Mall of the Emirates shopping mall is within walking distance.
Plus, the hotel has a rooftop pool, though admittedly quite small. The rooms are large and have kitchenettes, so this could be a good budget option for families.
Book cheap hotels in Dubai - tips!
New hotels are being built all the time in Dubai and existing hotels sometimes get worse with age - and sometimes bad hotels are transformed into better ones under new management.
The only way to be sure you're really finding the best of Dubai's cheap and affordable hotels, just when you're about to travel, is to learn how to search for hotels the right way.
For example, if you use Hotels.com (but other hotel sites work the same way), do this:
Search for your dates first. Then set a maximum price. When it comes to cheap hotels in Dubai, a reasonable price per night is 1500 SEK. This will ensure that no more expensive hotels appear in the list. Then sort by guest rating, in descending order. In a flash, you have a list of the most popular hotels in a certain price range.
Just be aware that hotels with a small number of guest reviews can get unreasonably high ratings, so keep track of how many have actually reviewed.
(Page updated 2019-10-08)
Me and my husband are pennies with limited income need a small studio near metro or bus for a month. Is there anyone who can find cheapest ?
My daughter and I stayed at "Al Karama", not a hotel you might brag about when you get home, but it has everything you need, which in our case was: bed, toilet/shower and AC. also very nice staff.
50m. to skytrain station!
Highly recommended!!
We always stay in apartment hotels. Several times at Auris botique hotel in Al Barsha. Cheap 600-700 kr per night. Free wi-fi, pool on the roof, clean and tidy own kitchenette and washing machine, right next to the Mall of Emirates.
Close to Metro