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

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.

Dubai's first boutique hotel still has a faithful following of on-trend and artsy guests. Housed in a century-old mansion in the old creekside Fahidi district, the property has just 14 unique and quirky rooms set around two intimate courtyards. Each room is individually designed by local professionals and personalized by local art. Within the complex is one of the hippest galleries in the city, which hosts prestigious exhibitions of avant-garde arts, film festivals, and product launches throughout the year. XVA also has a cool courtyard café that serves light and traditional Arab fare, and a fabulous cup of Turkish coffee. Note, no alcohol is served.