Hotels in Dubai

Dubai might just be one of the most fascinating places that you can visit, especially if you are one who marvels at the capabilities of man. There is no other place on Earth that has such an array of incredible architecture and so many feats of engineering within such close proximity. Not to say that Dubai is small, though. The city of approximately 2.5 million is large enough to comfortably lose yourself in all that the city has to offer.
Most people visit Dubai to either shop or conduct various types of business. However, the fantastic shopping opportunities are not all that Dubai has to offer. Whilst in Dubai, many people also enjoy the areas outside of the city which offer travellers the chance to experience vast deserts of beautiful sand or beaches lapped by crystal clear blue waters. Within the city there are palaces, temples and museums among the many things to see and do, and these are open to the public almost all year round.

Where to stay in Dubai

When deciding where to stay in Dubai, each famous district in the city has something special to offer. As you will see, every one of them plays a vital role in helping to define Dubai as a multicultural oasis of history, art, cuisine and lifestyle. In these places, great Dubai hotels can be found, and every hotel offers more than enough charm to make your stay a memorable one.
Scroll up this page to see our Dubai hotel map. There, you can also sort and compare hotels according to price, guest rating and neighbourhood. Read on to learn more about the most popular areas of Dubai. And don’t forget, with Hotels.com Rewards, you can collect 10 nights to get 1 night free.

Downtown Dubai

While spending your holidays in Dubai, staying in the area formally known as Downtown Burj Dubai will give you the opportunity to see much of what the city has to offer. All of Dubai’s most impressive buildings and sights are there, such as the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountains. You will have plenty of activities to take part in, whether you are with your family, a business partner or your significant other. There are zoos, shopping malls and interesting neighbourhoods to see, and if you are into the arts, there are plenty of great art museums and theatres.

Jumeirah Beach

Jumeirah Beach is an excellent choice to consider when deciding where to stay in Dubai. The beach, with its glorious white sand, stretches for miles. There are also plenty of resorts and hotels all situated along the Jumeirah Road. Wild Wadi Water Park is one of the main attractions at the beach, which features lots of great waterslides and fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Old Dubai

If it is tradition and history that you are after, a trip to Old Dubai will quench that thirst thoroughly. The Souk, for example, is a very old market that features all kinds of items for sale, both traditional and modern. The building and stalls are ancient, and while shopping there you can’t help but feel as if you have entered a special moment in Dubai’s history. The Grand Mosque is also in this area, and it’s considered to be at the centre of Dubai’s cultural and religious heart.
When you are ready to book your next trip to Dubai, Hotels.com Rewards offers 1 free night when you collect 10.

Things to do in the city

Dubai is filled with educational and cultural experiences that you can immerse yourself in World-class shopping and dining can be found almost everywhere you look. Family activities are also plentiful, and provide the perfect bit of fun for you and your loved ones. When you look for your hotel in Dubai, it is a simple task to find accommodation situated near the types of activities that you love.

Shopping

Shopping malls are scattered all throughout the city, and each one is larger and more opulent than the next. Shopping in malls makes up so much of the Dubai experience that you really can’t say that you have been to the city without at least checking out some of the most popular ones.
The Wafi Mall is a shopping experience that you just can’t pass up. This mall is focused on the arts and has more than 300 stores dedicated to paintings, sculpture, historic works and new pieces by up-and-coming artists. The IBN Battuta Mall is incredible, and it is one of the largest malls in the world. It could take you days just to see every store inside this mall, but thanks to the unique layout and theme you do not have to see the whole thing to get the feeling that it inspires. By simply walking through the front doors you will feel that you are experiencing something that is out of this world.
Perhaps the most famous mall in Dubai is the shopping resort called Mall of the Emirates. If you have ever heard the tales of people skiing inside a mall in Dubai, it is here that the skiing happens. Its inclusion of Magic Planet helps make Mall of the Emirates one of the most family-friendly malls in Dubai.
The malls in Dubai aren’t the only places to shop. If you are looking for something a bit more cultural and traditional, there are plenty of markets to be found in and around the city. These markets sell many crafts and hand-made items that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Dining

A trip to Dubai would never be complete without visiting some of its world-class restaurants. One of our favourites is Pierchic. This restaurant serves up some of the best European seafood dishes that you can imagine. Adding to the magic is the fact that the restaurant sits out on the water of the Arabian Gulf, with the only access to it being a walk down a beautiful, long pier.
At Hilton Dubai Creek, there is a culinary gem called Table 9. This restaurant is perfect for anyone who loves and appreciates the craft of cooking. Some of the world’s top performing chefs come to Table 9 to showcase their creations and the guests get to experience some of the most incredible dishes in the world as a result.

Traditional foods

Emirati food is delicious, and no trip to Dubai is complete without trying it. There are also some traditional dishes and drinks that shouldn’t be missed. One of our favourites is the famous Manousheh, which is a tasty dish is made from seasoned cheeses and meats, all wrapped up in flatbread. Other dishes such as Chelo Kebab, Al Machboos, Tabbouleh, and Baba Ganoush are also tantalising local favourites.

Museums

A trip to a museum is sometimes the best option while travelling, and in Dubai there are a lot to choose from. Whether you are interested in the arts, archaeology, technology, antiques or past means of transportation, you will find a museum to fit your interests. The Al Fahidi Fort, which is directly across from the Grand Mosque, houses the Dubai Museum. The Fort itself is a wonder to behold, and the museum within features many great exhibits which depict the history of Dubai. Almost all holidays in Dubai include a trip to the Al Fahidi Fort and its wonderful history museum, and it’s certainly one of our favourites.

Family friendly

The Wonderland Theme & Water Park is always a popular choice for families, since it offers an amusement park atmosphere in the comfort of an indoor, air-conditioned, mega structure. LEGOLAND® Dubai is another fun destination, particularly for families with smaller children. Some highly enjoyable water-based activities are on offer such as Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, located in the Dubai Mall, and the Dolphinarium at Creekside Park. The park, which is Dubai’s oasis of green, is also home to Children’s City, a learning centre that encompasses science, astrology and nature.
All the best hotels in Dubai offer an array of activities designed to keep the little ones entertained. With so many choices, it’s no wonder that so many families travel to Dubai for their holidays.

Weather & seasonality - when to visit Dubai

No matter when you decide to go to Dubai, it is almost guaranteed that the weather will be sunny. The weather in Dubai is typically nice and hot in the daytime, and cool at night, all throughout the year. To find the best Dubai hotel deals, plan to go to Dubai from May to September, as peak season is during the cooler months from October to April.

Getting around

The journey from Dubai airport to the city centre takes about 30mins and is the fastest and most convenient way to get to your hotel.
There are many ways to get around Dubai, and all are very easy to use. Travelling by taxi is one of the more common methods of getting around the city, but when you have further destinations to get to, taking a bus is also a good option. There are a couple of trains that you can take between select destinations. One is the Monorail, and the other is the Metro. These serve as faster alternatives for getting around and they are very popular with visitors to the city.

Practical information

• • Language: Arabic, but English is commonly spoken in the hotel and tourism industry.
• • Time zone: UTC+04:00
• • Currency: Arab Dirham, but all major credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in hotels and larger stores.
• • Drinking water: Safe to drink, but taste varies depending on region. Bottled water is a good option.
• • Emergency aid number: 999