If you’re wondering where to stay in Dubai this year, we’ve rounded up a list of the 7 best luxury resorts and hotels to visit and experience in Dubai.
Dubai is more popular than ever as luxury vacation destination
Glamorous and opulent, with luxurious accommodations elevated to mythic proportions, the modern metropolis of Dubai inspires both wonder and controversy. The culture of extravagance synonymous with the city was hard to escape last month as beauty and lifestyle influencers flocked there for a Tarte Cosmetic marketing blitz. The spectacle continued when a separate group of actors and other celeb-adjacent influencers landed in Dubai for the grand opening of Atlantis the Royal, a new luxury beach resort that included a surprise concert by Beyoncé.
Morning mist over the Dubai marina district.
Even if you hate-watched or hate-read the coverage, you’d be forgiven for being a little curious wondering just how excessive are these luxury Dubai resorts? Ahead we’ve scouted out the most glitzy and over-the-top resorts of Dubai that will spark the imagination of even the most cynical amongst us.
The 7 best luxury hotels in Dubai for every type of traveler right now
1. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – Most Opulent
Rising up from a man-made island, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah is to Dubai what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. It is, in fact, taller.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.
The Basics: Built in 1999, the all-suite hotel is regarded as the world’s first seven-star hotel. It offers 199 luxury duplexes with private beach access, an 100,000-square-foot beach club with private cabanas and an adults-only infinity pool with eight of the world’s best dining and entertainment venues helmed by Michelin-starred chefs.
The Extras: This hotel literally sparkles with 1,790sqm of its interiors gilded with 24-carat gold leaf and a ceiling studded with 21,000 Swarovski crystals to represent the Milky Way. Think there aren’t any flowers in the desert? A team of up to six florists uses flowers shipped from Holland, Kenya, South Africa and Thailand to create arrangements throughout the hotel, including bespoke arrangements with the guest’s favorite flowers in their suite. Get the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had with a choice of 17 pillows from the pillow menu and the most luxurious duvets made from eiderdown harvested from abandoned eider duck nests in Iceland. One nest provides about 15-20g of eiderdown, and only 2,000kg are allowed to be harvested each year.
The Rate: Suites start at $1,400 a night.
2. ME Dubai Hotel — Best for Design Snobs
If you want to stay at a hotel with true design cred, the ME Dubai, part of the Meliá collection of luxury hotels, was designed inside and out by the late legendary architect Zaha Hadid. It’s the only hotel she ever designed, housed in her last project, The Opus.
The Basics: Opened in 2020, with only 93 rooms, the ME Dubai is one of Dubai’s rare five-star boutique hotels. It embraces all the hallmarks of Hadid’s works: futuristic curves, unexpected angles, daring colors and luminous spaces. Choose from two different themed rooms: “Vibe” is more avant-garde and cosmopolitan, inspired by the night in the city, and “Aura” warmer and more sensual, inspired by Dubai’s vast desert.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. The ME Hotel.
The Extras: Art connoisseurs will appreciate the gallery space hosting rotating exhibitions (not to mention Hadid’s specially designed furniture). For people who don’t like to abandon their wellness during vacation, the Technogym Biocircuit allows users to input their biometrics to create personalized workouts. Natura Bissé toiletries and spa treatments pamper while the open-air pool deck oozes relaxation with feather-soft lounge beds, complimentary coconuts and live entertainment.
The Rate: Rooms start at $343 a night.
3. Atlantis, The Palm – Most Family-Friendly
This entertainment destination is filled with bucket-list experiences for every traveler from thrill-seekers to foodies and explorers to spa-goers. It was the first hotel to inhabit the Palm Jumeirah (artificial archipelago of islands shaped like a palm tree), which means it’s ideally situated with private beach access and no bad views.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. The aquarium at the Atlantis.
The Basics: The 1.5 billion dollar resort opened in 2008 and was renovated in 2017 with 1,548-room ocean-themed rooms. It’s home to Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, the world’s largest waterpark with a total of 105 slides and attractions. Land-based fun include an all-ages entertainment hub with arcade games, bowling alley, and live music. There is no shortage of dining options — 23 in total including Chinese, Japanese, Arabian, and Lebanese.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. Atlantis – The Palm.
The Extras: The incomparable Underwater Suite features immense floor-to-ceiling windows that look into a mesmerizing marine animal aquarium where rays and fish glide right past your bed. Visit The Lost Chambers Aquarium to discover 65,000 marine animals and get up close and personal with sea lions, dolphins, and even sharks using a state-of-the-art helmet. Fine dining options abound: Gordon Ramsay and Giorgio Locatelli (which have kid-friendly menus) and Nobu, Hakkasan or Ossiano for special date nights.
The Rate: Rooms start at $650 a night.
4. Bvlgari Resort Dubai – Best for Minimalist Luxury Lovers
Ranking among the most expensive accommodations in Dubai, the elegant 5-star Bvlgari is built on its own private island of Jumeira Bay. The hotel pays homage to local Middle Eastern culture and is impeccably designed with the same luxury and quality synonymous with the Italian jeweler’s stylish creations.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. The Bulgari.
The Basics: Designed by the renowned architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, this 1.7 million-square-foot property opened in 2017 and encompasses six residential buildings, 15 private mansions, 101 guestrooms and suites, 20 villas with pools and gardens and Bvlgari’s first-ever Marina and Yacht Club. There are seven restaurants on site including Il Ristorante-Niko Romito, recipient of two-Michelin stars.
The Extras: Each room exudes a luxe Italian ambience, with custom-built contemporary furniture, lavish cashmere blankets, walk-in wardrobes and silk walls finished with sketches of Bvlgari’s crown jewels. That doesn’t mean families with young kids are left out as there are two kids’ clubs and extensive children’s programming. Think treasure hunts, cooking classes, costume parties and more. Guests have access to 24-hour breakfast and warm herbal tea and illuminated candles at turndown. If you book one of the 20 exquisite villas, you’ll have a 24/7 private butler catering to your every whim. And of course, the luxe bathrooms are stocked with plentiful Bvlgari bath products. Every guest also receives a woven beach bag personalized with their initials.
The Rate: Rooms start at $1,600 a night.
5. Habtoor Palace Dubai – Best Butler Program
This inaugural property of Hilton’s LXR collection sets the bar high in downtown Dubai in a regal Beaux Arts style building.
The Basics: French-themed decor and Louis XV-style furniture deck out the 182 guest rooms and 52 suites to resemble Parisian apartments. On-site are seven restaurant and bars, sprawling gardens, and two rooftop pools, the palatial Silk Spa, and a tennis academy.
The best luxury resorts and hotels to visit this year in Dubai. Habtoor Palace Dubai.
The Extras: The word Palace brings high expectations. Aside from the opulent surroundings, all guests get the royal treatment with 24/7 personalized butler service. The program goes above and beyond with packing services, garment pressing, and sunscreen spritzing while lounging at the pool. Butlers are accessible via WhatsApp any time of day.
The Rate: Rooms start at $210 a night.
6. Atlantis, The Royal — Most Buzzworthy
Atlantis’ second property on Palm Jumeirah was eight years in the making. It opened to much fanfare on February 8, 2023. See surprise Beyonce extravaganza above. Compared to Atlantis, The Palm, this property with its Tetris-like architecture is futuristic and elevated.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. Atlantis the Royal.
The Basics: Home to six towers, 795 rooms, suites and residences, and 90 swimming pools including Cloud 22. Cloud 22 is a breathtaking infinity pool on the hotel’s 22nd floor which boasts uninterrupted views of the Palm Jumeriah. There are 17 world-class restaurants and bars. This includes an impressive lineup of celebrity chefs including José Andrés, Ariana Bundy, Costas Spiliadis, Gastón Acurio and Heston Blumenthal.
The Extras: There are wow-factors at every turn. Here are just a few of the highlights. The hotel boasts the Middle East’s first and only permanent fire and water performance fountain (something we didn’t know was a thing) called Skyblaze. There are bespoke amenities from exclusive brands like Frette and Hermes await guests. There are also high-end boutiques like Valentino, Graff, and Orlebar Brown. Not only is there the Awaken spa which features a hammam, sensorium, salt room, snow sauna and chromotherapy lounge, but the Aeon clinic offers state-of-the-art treatments from IV therapy to BBL therapy, botox and thread lifting.
The Rate: Rooms start at $598 a night.
7. One&Only The Palm — Most Serene
The One&Only makes it possible to escape from all the hustle and bustle of Dubai. Its enviable location on the peninsula of Palm Jumeirah and its combination with Moorish and Andalusian architecture set amongst lush gardens, give it an exclusive and intimate atmosphere.
The best luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai. The swimming pool at One&Only The Palm.
The Basics: Opened in 2010, this low-rise boutique oasis consists of 91 rooms and four exclusive villas. All the elegantly-appointed rooms feel set in a residential environment — one with private beach access, of course. Starting at 700 square feet, the guest rooms are among Dubai’s largest. Choose from three on-site restaurants (including Stay with two-Michelin stars) overseen by Yannick Alléno.
The Extras: Poolside cabanas are fully air-conditioned and self-sustained. The exclusive Guerlain Spa is a total wellness retreat with advanced spa treatments. There are hair makeovers by celebrity stylist Alexandre Zouari and holistic nail therapies from podiatrist to the stars, Bastien Gonzalez. Luxe full-sized toiletries are provided by Acqua di Parma.
The Rate: Rooms start at $637 a night.
best luxury resorts and hotels in Dubai
That’s our take on where to stay in Dubai right now if you’re seeking one of the best luxury hotels or resorts for every type of vacation traveler. The seven wonders of Dubai! Which resort is on your bucket list, dear reader?
