6 Best Hotels in World Trade Centre Area and Burj Dubai, Dubai

This funky budget accommodation by the Emaar group (The Address hotels) puts you close to the action; it's right across the street from the Dubai Mall and behind the DIFC, meaning plenty of shopping and dining is within walking distance. Rooms are stripped bare and fairly small, but modern and comfortable, with unexpected luxuries for a three-star hotel, including rainwater showers and designer beds. The public areas are quirky and contemporary, with an open, art-gallery feel, and there are unexpected services, such as public Playstations, locker rooms, and a laundry. There's also a reasonably priced attached restaurant, as well as a convenience store.

Located in the world's tallest building, the Armani oozes style and sophistication. Lobby styling is impeccably contemporary and lusciously expensive, with dim lighting, cafe latte eramosa stone, and zebrawood panels. This perfectly minimal feel may pinch at some guests, but others will adore the curved dark walls and tasteful oriental silk furnishings along with the ubiquitous five-star high thread-count white Egyptian cotton linen in the rooms. Armani hotel does not have a concierge team, but "lifestyle managers" are available around the clock. Guests are expected to behave as they are treated—like royalty.

With 51 floors and more than 550 rooms, the Conrad is the largest hotel in the business district, but the grandiose size does not stop there, rooms are very spacious, with standard rooms looking more like family suites, and the deluxe suites topping more than 1,000 square feet. The lobby has titanic proportions, complete with back-lit marble walls, columns, and a Gatsby-esque sweeping staircase. Meeting and conference facilities are a winner for the business market, with mammoth rooms that can divided in multitudinous ways, and easy access to the DIFC and the World Trade Center. It is, however, the pool area that tends to blow guests away—you'll forget you are in the middle of the central business district within the 2,000-square-foot rooftop refuge complete with lawns and gardens and a summery lounge with a DJ, all run by slick Purobeach beach club.

This is just one of many very reasonably priced hotels to open recently in Dubai, making a shopping stopover accessible to all budgets. The Hilton Garden Inn is very comfortable, with spacious rooms, sheets with a high thread count, and light neutral furnishings. Public areas are minimalist, as is the connecting restaurant. The family packages, queen rooms with fold-out sofa bed, and on-site pool make this a good choice for families. Ski Dubai is also close by.

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.