36 Best Hotels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ahmedia is a boutique and budget-friendly option in the heart of old Dubai. The bustling commercial area brims with tradition, with some of Dubai's oldest buildings, the spice souq, gold souq, and Deira fish market a short walk away. Three heritage Emirati houses surround an interior courtyard; the rooms have solid furnishings, wooden ceilings, and Persian carpets on cool stone floors. What the hotel lacks in modern glitz, it makes up for with friendly service and a surprising number of amenities given the price including butler service, Turkish bath, and a tour desk.

The Arabian Courtyard is caught between the bustle of the exotic Indian Meena Bazaar and business district, and the historic Al Fahidi Quarter; this is reflected in its inability to adhere to either style completely, but hover in the center. The interior has ornate fretwork and heavy wooden furniture, offset by vibrant silky fabrics. There’s a lively restaurant on-site with excellent biryanis and Bollywood singing or dancing most nights. The exterior is geometric and attempts to match the fort that now houses the Dubai museum. The clientele includes leisure travelers visiting the cultural center of Old Dubai, or those conducting business within the bazaar and souks.

The style icon that put Dubai on the tourist map, the Burj Al-Arab has to be one of the most famous hotels in the world, and its graceful lines have been featured in numerous design magazines. The press christened it the world's first seven-star property, though that accolade is played down by its owners, Jumeirah Hotels. The decor throughout is sumptuous Arabian with deep pile carpets and acres of gold plate. The suites-only property has set new standards of service in the region. There's a check-in desk on each floor and every suite has a butler for personal service. You can also book helicopter transfer or arrange a Rolls-Royce to pick you up from the airport. The hotel prides itself on its ability to satisfy even the pickiest guest, and so has many services in addition to its standard leisure programs. The public can't gain access to the hotel (except with a restaurant or bar reservation) because it sits on a man-made islet just offshore, so you'll have a ton of privacy, but you'll be paying for the privilege.

Part of the InterContinental Hotel Group, this lower priced sibling provides most of the facilities available next door at the Intercontinental Festival City at a couple of hundred dirhams less. Minimalist decor, neutral walls, and carpeting make the rooms seem more expansive than they are, and glass screens between the bedroom and bathroom keep the areas bright. King suites are enormous, reasonably priced, and can fit a family of four. The pool and sundeck area are laid out in a comfortable manner, making it a great place to relax and check out the views across Dubai Creek toward the Burj Khalifa. There are a couple of decent dining options on-site, but the Festival City shopping complex is only a short walk away, providing plenty of extra options.

Like the summer houses preferred by the Arabian sheikhs, Dar Al Masyaf offers an intimate hideaway for those who want seclusion. Each two-story courtyard house, complete with barjeel (traditional wind tower), comprises a number of spacious rooms and suites that surround a private pool. Although the attractions of Madinat Jumeirah are nearby, Dar Al Masyaf can only be reached by taking a hotel abra (wooden boat) across the waterway that links the hotels with the surrounding properties. Guests can luxuriate at leisure, tucked away from the hustle and bustle while their private butlers serve cooling drinks. Some villas have direct beach access, others are in verdant gardens or surrounding inner courtyards with trickling water features. This hotel really is something out of Arabian Nights.

Emirates Towers is an icon and a favorite of wealthy business travelers who consistently vote it one of the world's best. The triangular building displays acres of structural metal, with transparent walls rising up through soaring cathedral-like proportions, and gray and black marble accenting the natural light. The furnishings have sensuous curves, contrasting with the sharp angles of the structure itself. Rooms take a "less is more" approach,Scandinavian- in style, with touches of art nouveau. One floor is dedicated solely to women guests, with all female staff and Chopard in-room cosmetics fridges - like a mini-bar for beauty. The many eateries on-site and below at the Boulevard mall (including Hakkasan, The Ivy, and La Cantine du Faubourg) are a magnet for resident expats, as is the excellent Talise spa and fitness center.

As Bur Dubai's largest hotel, with a colossal 600 rooms and almost 200 serviced apartments, this property makes a real statement. The building is designed in two sweeping sensuous curves and is surrounded by 37 acres of beautifully manicured grounds on Dubai Creek. On-site amenities are extensive, including an ample choice of eateries, a nightclub, kids club, cinema, and a large sports club. Big free-form pools sit among tropical gardens. Public areas are on a grand scale, decorated with flourishes and flounces popular in the 1980s. Rooms are spacious with a classic international design, including pale stone, and tan and brown hues. The Grand Hyatt has excellent conference facilities and often holds large conventions.

The crowning glory of Wafi City (an ancient Egyptian-inspired mall), this majestic glass pyramid houses a classy five-star hotel. It's a beautiful property—albeit extravagantly opulent. The theme goes overboard only in the huge lobby where Egyptian columns overwhelm the space. The rest of the hotel is more subtle, with contemporary Arabic and Asian design themes that increase in grandeur with the price of the room. Suites are very generously sized, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows leading to wide terraces, many with views of Dubai Creek and the downtown skyline. There's a lovely pool, complete with gold mosaics, and a luxurious spa. The hotel may be older than some of Dubai's five-star properties, but remains incredibly plush, and is frequented by high-profile visitors.