2 Best Hotels in Bur Dubai and the South Bank, Dubai

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We've compiled the best of the best in Bur Dubai and the South Bank - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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.

Pros

  • Close to cultural and historic areas
  • Quirky place with plenty of soul

Cons

  • Dated lobby and public areas
  • Some rooms are small
  • Street noise from people and traffic
Al Fahidi St., Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
4-351–9111
www.arabiancourtyard.com
Hotel Details
Credit cards accepted
173 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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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.