7 Best Hotels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Name: Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa
Address: Al Fahidi St., Bur Dubai, Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: 4-351–9111
Price range: $$
Location: The South Bank

Dubai was built on oil and gold, and it shows. In the last decade or so, luxury and glamour have become synonymous with Dubai; it contains one of the highest ratios of five-star hotels in the world.

Although few would say that Dubai is an inexpensive place to stay, there are more budget-friendly options than ever before. Also, due to the glut of five-star hotels, it's also easier to find a great deal if you search carefully and have flexible travel dates. The deals are not always cash-based, so look for value-added packages; incentives might include complimentary meals in signature restaurants, spa treatments, and access to water parks or companion hotel beaches. Most four- and five-star hotels in Dubai have an executive floor or club. If you book a "club room," access to the club area, breakfast, evening cocktails, and canapés are often included in the rate. Considering the sky-high price of alcohol, those benefits may make it worthwhile to pay a higher rate. Note that Internet prices and rack rates might not include a 10% municipality tax and 10% service charge, so read your booking details carefully.

Peak tourist season is from November to April when the weather is mild. Prices drop as temperatures soar and also during Ramadan, but services are curtailed at this time.

Location is the prime consideration after checking your budget—what's the main reason for your visit to Dubai? If sunning and water sports are your prime objective, you'll probably want to stay in a beach resort around Jumeirah or Dubai Marina. For shopping and dining, stick to Downtown, and if you want culture and history then older areas around Bur Dubai and Deira are best. If it's just a quick overnight, there are plenty of options around the airport.

Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa

$$ | Al Fahidi St., Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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.

Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City

$$ | Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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.

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel

$$ | Al Rebat St., Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Many of the airport hotels are good value, but Jumeirah is definitely one of the best as most packages here include both access to Wild Wadi water park and the beach at Jumeirah's glamorous Zabeel Saray resort on The Palm. Rooms are designed with contemporary and clean lines, with open plan bathrooms, cool stone floors, and plenty of space (premier rooms sleep four). Although the room size and water park access makes it a good family choice, there is also a rooftop 21-and-over bar to escape to, complete with a glass-sided lap pool. The hotel is directly across the street from Dubai Creek Golf Club, just a five-minute taxi ride to the souks and traditional areas of Old Dubai, and 20 minutes to Downtown Burj Khalifa.

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Le Meridien Mina Seyahi

$$ | Al Sufuh Rd., Al Sufouh 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This old dame might seem a little tired, but there's still plenty of reasons to stay here. It's in prime position on a lovely quality beach just north of the Dubai Marina, and the grounds remain lush and extensive, especially now that guests can also access the newer Westin next-door. The resort is fun-packed, with plenty of water sports on offer, five pools, tennis, great kids club, and the pumping Barasti Beach bar (in itself, a Dubai institution). Despite its age, the resort still offers well-maintained rooms with classic styling and all the five-star features you'd expect to find, making it a great option for mid-budget travelers.

Meliá Dubai

$$ | Kuwait St., Port Rashid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Italian-designed (Marco Mangili), Spanish-owned, with an Indian flagship restaurant, sleek and yet in an undeveloped area of Dubai, the Meliá is certainly a hotel of contrasts. There are few five-star hotels in this older part of Dubai, so when Meliá opened in 2011 it was a pleasant surprise. Public areas are dramatic, well sculpted, and sophisticated. The large rooms are plush and contemporary, and have exceptional oval baths. There is a small rooftop pool and bar with skyline views of Dubai's space-age towers, shipyards, and the Persian Gulf. The spa is well worth a visit, offering hydrotherapy, Moroccan bath, and a wide range of treatments.

Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre

$$ | Baniyas Rd., Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

For diehard shoppers, this location attached to the Deira City Centre mall can't be beat. The Pullman is divided into two parts, hotel and "residences," the latter of which start with studios and extend to two-bedroom apartments with kitchen and laundry. Interiors are bold and contemporary, with good quality linens and a swathe of other five-star services at a four-star price. Other benefits include golf across the road, minigolf for the kids, a tennis court, and a lovely rooftop pool area.

Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay

$$ | Al Abraj St., Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

For those who are willing to forgo the glamorous side of Business Bay in exchange for five-star luxury at a four-star price, the Steigenberger is perfect. It sits in a growing hotel area (along with the Oberoi and Taj), which will expand further with canal works creating the new Dubai Creek. Despite not having fountain views, the Burj Khalifa is still easy to spot, and you're walking distance from the Dubai Mall and Souk al Bahar. Both rooms and public spaces are neutral and modern, except for the lively, hipster-styled Brothaus Bakery. The greatest asset Steigenberger have are their staff. The hotel is known for friendly and accommodating service, a rarity in the city.

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