Hotels in Dubai - where to stay? That's one of the most common questions we get for All About Dubai. The city is home to some of the world's most luxurious and expensive hotels, but at the same time more affordable mid-range hotels have been built. Here are our favourites and tips on what to consider when booking a hotel in Dubai. [Updated 2022-11-29]
On this page we recommend our favourite four and five star hotels. In other words, slightly more expensive options. If you're looking for simpler accommodation that doesn't require as big a travel budget, we also have a page for cheaper accommodation in Dubai.
Do you have a short transfer in Dubai on your way to another destination and want to be close to the flight? Check out the page about airport hotels in Dubai.
Hotels in Dubai - our tips and favourites
Here we list hotels district by district, starting with our own favourites. There are four places to stay in Dubai that we like a little extra. Hotels we'd love to return to - and that we know you'll love.
Atlantis The Palm Dubai
We just can't help but love Atlantis The Palm. A complete resort with a theme of water, marine life and fun. Also has many great restaurants.
The hotel costs a bit, but it's perhaps the best family holiday you can find on this planet. In this case, we recommend booking directly with the hotel to get the best possible price.
" Read more about Atlantis The Palm
XVA Art Hotel
Newly renovated Arabic-style hotel, perfect if you want a smaller, more personal experience than the big hotels. And at a much nicer price tag. Friendly service. 13 nice rooms - although some are quite small - and good breakfast.
Located in Al Fahidi, one of Dubai's oldest districts, the hotel is well placed for exploring Dubai Creek and the city's exciting souks.
" Read more about XVA Art Hotel
JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel
A really great hotel for holidaying families. JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel is located right on the beach and is part of the larger JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort.
The hotel has two pools plus a children's pool and the white beach is made nice every morning. There are children's clubs and lots of activities. There is the option to add a really good all inclusive package, which is something we highly recommend.
" Read more about JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel
Moevenpick Hotel JBR
Five-star hotel on The Walk promenade in the comfortable JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residences, which are often reasonably priced in terms of range, service and location. The Moevenpick Hotel is not directly on the beach, but you can walk there in five minutes.
The hotel has a nice pool area and fresh rooms with sea views. An affordable option if you want to be close to the beach. Plenty of restaurants nearby.
" Read more about Moevenpick JBR
Beachfront hotels in Dubai
Many people want to stay in a hotel by the beach, and in Dubai you have to expect that it will cost a lot. Beachfront hotels are considerably more expensive than other hotels with similar services and facilities.
Thanks to the construction of The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's waterfront has been extended and more seafront hotels have been built.
Madinat Jumeirah
A stunningly beautiful hotel complex, built to resemble an Arab city. Madinat Jumeirah is Dubai's largest resort and consists of two hotels, Al Qasr and Mina A'Salam.
In total, Madinat Jumeirah has more than 600 hotel rooms and over 40 restaurants and bars. The location is great, on the beach next to the Burj al Arab, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Wild Wadi Water Park.
" Read more about Madinat Jumeirah
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
The hotel is expensive, expect rooms from 3000 SEK/night in the mid-season and much more expensive in the high season. But the service, location, rooms and restaurants are top class.
The Wild Wadi Water Park is next door (free entry for hotel guests) and the hotel has 5 pools and both a kids' club and a teen club. Perfect for a family looking to spice things up.
" Read more about Jumeirah Beach Hotel
JA Ocean View Hotel
Popular and affordable in the pleasant JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residences. One of the few beach hotels in Dubai that "only" has four stars, which means a lower price than the five-star beach hotels.
342 rooms with sea views, great breakfast and free buses to Dubai's shopping malls. The only downside is that the pool area is quite small and often in the shade, but so what when you're two minutes from the beach.
" Read more about JA Ocean View Hotel
Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Actually one of the more affordable beach hotels. The hotel is located in JBR, the same area as the Moevenpick Hotel and JA Ocean View Hotel above, and a good distance from central Dubai. But you can easily get into the city by metro.
If you want to visit Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, you're on the right side of town. If you're travelling with children, the Pirates Kids Club offers plenty of fun activities for the little ones.
" Read more about Sheraton Jumeirah
Hotels at Dubai Creek
Stay here if you want to get a feel for the old, charming, Dubai. This is where it all began and where the first luxury hotels were built.
Nice location for those who prefer to live in the noise of the city rather than near the sea and beach. Hotels are often reasonably priced.
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel
Classic Dubai hotel that keeps the style. This was one of the city's holdouts before the construction boom. Now a bit forgotten by those who want to stay by the beach or in Downtown.
Outdoor pool. Good restaurants, not least the Japanese one, and walking distance to the metro. Ask for a room facing the water!
" Read more about Sheraton Creek Hotel
Hilton Dubai Creek
Nice view of the city and the ships on Dubai Creek. Pool on the roof, admittedly quite small. A tip is to opt for an Executive Room, either when booking or by upgrading at check-in. Then you get rooms on the upper floors, with a balcony and beautiful views, and access to a lounge with snacks, food and drinks.
" Read more and book Hilton Dubai Creek
Hotels near Burj Khalifa / Downtown
If you want to be close to the shopping at Dubai Mall and the world's tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, then this is a great location.
You can also easily reach other parts of the city by metro. The only downside is that you'll be staying quite far from the beach, but many of the hotels will arrange transport to the beach.
Manzil Downtown Dubai
Popular hotel in Downtown Dubai, close to Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. Manzil has 2 restaurants, a sports bar with a focus on grilled food and beer on tap, and an Arabic buffet restaurant.
The hotel has a nice pool area that provides welcome coolness, as it is a good distance to the beach. Has transport to the Ibn Batutta and Mall of the Emirates shopping malls - and to the beach life at Jumeirah Beach.
" Read more about Manzil Downtown
The Palace Downtown Dubai
A full-scale hotel resort in the middle of the city. The Palace Downtown has an Arabian theme with the idea of recreating the feel of the Arabian Nights. Nice atmosphere.
Manages to be luxurious without being stiff and boring. Very good service. Here you can swim in the hotel pool and gaze up at the 828-metre high tower of the Burj Khalifa. The Palace has 7 restaurants, bars and cafés. Don't miss the Friday brunch!
" Read more about The Palace Downtown
Stay in a hotel in Dubai - take advantage!
Most expensive with beachfront hotel
The most expensive option is - unfortunately - to stay near the beach, as Dubai lacks both basic and mid-range hotels in beachfront locations. By the sea, it's almost exclusively five-star. If you want a sea view and close proximity to the beach, you'll have to pay.
A tip for those who want a sun and beach holiday without paying very high hotel prices, but at the same time getting the chance to experience Dubai, is to book a hotel in one of the nearby emirates Ras Al-Khaimah or Fujairah.
Many hotels there offer transport into Dubai so you can go shopping or check out sights like Burj Khalifa. And you get a beachfront hotel, with four or five stars, for a much lower price than a beach hotel in Dubai.
Affordable hotels in Dubai
If you don't need to stay near the sea, there are several affordable options. The hotels along Dubai Creek are more reasonably priced and the location is pleasant with both city pulse, souks and shipping.
To sit at Hilton or Sheraton Dubai Creek and watch the traditional dhows sail by is not bad at all. Another very nice option is the boutique hotel XVA Art Hotel near Dubai Creek in Bur Dubai.
Best way to book hotels in Dubai?
You probably have your own favourite website that you use for your hotel bookings. Most of the big ones, like Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com are pretty much the same. All About Dubai has its own favourite, and it's the latter.
We always book through Hotels.com. Price-wise, there's rarely much difference from other bookers - but double-check before you buy - but what stands out is Hotels.com's generous bonus programme.
If you become a member, you'll earn bonus nights that can be exchanged for free nights worldwide. Hotels.com is unique in this respect - that's why we've chosen it as our partner. So when you click on a hotel listing on this site, you have the option to book it through Hotels.com.
On this page at Hotels.com you will find discounted hotels in Dubai. If you would like any tips on hotels, please send an email to info@alltomdubai.se.
Hotels in Dubai - good to know
1. The staff at Dubai hotels work hard to make you feel at home, and you will. The level of service is high. Many are migrant workers from countries such as India, Pakistan and the Philippines.
To show your appreciation, feel free to leave a tip. It's not compulsory, Dubai doesn't have a tipping culture, but it does help make life a little better for those who work hard to make sure you have a good holiday. So tip, for example, by leaving some cash in your room for the cleaning staff when you check out. It's sure to be appreciated.
2. Hotels can often help arrange transfers from your flight. It's convenient, but sometimes a little unnecessarily expensive. It is easy, safe and cheap to take a taxi from Dubai airport. Read more on the page about Dubai airports.
3. Dubai charges a tourist fee to all those staying in hotels in the emirate. Hotels are not allowed to include the fee in the room rate, but it must be specified separately. You will see it as the Tourism Dirham Fee or TD Fee on your hotel bill. The fee varies according to the classification of the hotel. At most, in a five-star hotel, it is about 20 dirhams per room per night. If you stay at the hotel for a week, the charge is 140 dirhams, about 340 SEK.
4. There are around 700 hotels and apartment hotels in Dubai, with a total of more than 110,000 hotel rooms - and more are being built. So finding the right hotel is not easy.
5. The average price for a hotel night is just under 2000 Swedish kronor.In 2017, Swedish travellers paid, on average, 1993 kronor per night to stay in a hotel in Dubai.
Psst. Jumeirah Hotels + Wild Wadi = save money
We finish with a bonus tip! The local hotel chain Jumeirah has some of Dubai's most stylish and impressive hotels in its portfolio. Most famous is Burj al Arab - the sail-shaped, seven-star hotel that is often said to be the most luxurious in the world.
Other facilities include Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the fabulous resort Madinat Jumeirah (which we tipped you off about higher up on this page) and the delicious Zabeel Saray located at The Palm.
Hotels are often expensive, but there are exceptions. Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is a great place to stay that offers really good value for money. The location is a bit boring, but the hotel has free transport to several places in the city.
The reason we highlight Jumeirah Hotels a little extra, apart from the consistently good quality, is that guests at the hotel get free entry to the Wild Wadi water park - which is also owned by the hotel chain.
If you're planning to visit a water park, there's plenty of money to be saved by staying at one of Jumeirah's hotels.
Admission to Wild Wadi is 336 dirhams (autumn 2018), about 820 crowns, per person over 1.1 metres if you buy a ticket on the spot. For a family of four, this works out at just under 3,300 crowns per day.
To stay at for example Jumeirah Creekside Hotel costs from around 1800-3200 SEK per room per night, depending on when you book and the type of room, and that includes tickets to Wild Wadi and transport there.
We'll say it again. If you want to visit Wild Wadi, check out Jumeirah's hotels. Even the more expensive hotels can be a good deal when the entrance to the water park is factored in.
