The upscale Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai is centrally located within walking distance to a metro station and the Dubai International Financial Centre. The 302 rooms are warm and inviting and include minibars, free Wi-Fi, and Burj Khalifa or sea views -- but bathrooms are a bit dated. The multiple dining facilities are a highlight, with restaurants ranging from an all-day international restaurant to Vietnamese and Cantonese restaurants. Buffet breakfasts are not included in all rates. Wellness features include an outdoor pool, large fitness center, squash courts, tennis court, spa, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. Business travelers appreciate the seven meeting rooms and business center. Travelers looking for lower rates and to be within walking distance of tourist attractions may want to consider Manzil Downtown Dubai, but there are fewer features.
The upscale Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai is centrally located within walking distance to a metro station and the Dubai International Financial Centre. The 302 rooms are warm and inviting and include minibars, free Wi-Fi, and Burj Khalifa or sea views -- but bathrooms are a bit dated. The multiple dining facilities are a highlight, with restaurants ranging from an all-day international restaurant to Vietnamese and Cantonese restaurants. Buffet breakfasts are not included in all rates. Wellness features include an outdoor pool, large fitness center, squash courts, tennis court, spa, hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. Business travelers appreciate the seven meeting rooms and business center. Travelers looking for lower rates and to be within walking distance of tourist attractions may want to consider Manzil Downtown Dubai, but there are fewer features.
The Best Western Premier Deira Hotel (formerly Traders Hotel) is an upscale business hotel located in busy Deira district, a short drive from the airport. Although not the most luxurious 4-pearl hotel in town, it does tick all the boxes, especially for the business traveler. Rooms are spacious and quiet, with solid amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Hotel highlights include a small indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, a shisha lounge, and a buffet restaurant. However, note that the neighborhood is somewhat unattractive, and that unlike other comparable hotels this property lacks a full spa.
The Best Western Premier Deira Hotel (formerly Traders Hotel) is an upscale business hotel located in busy Deira district, a short drive from the airport. Although not the most luxurious 4-pearl hotel in town, it does tick all the boxes, especially for the business traveler. Rooms are spacious and quiet, with solid amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Hotel highlights include a small indoor pool, a well-equipped fitness center, a shisha lounge, and a buffet restaurant. However, note that the neighborhood is somewhat unattractive, and that unlike other comparable hotels this property lacks a full spa.
Billing itself as the “world’s most luxurious hotel,” Burj Al Arab is a destination unto itself. Situated just off the coast of Dubai on an independent island, visitors can access the grounds by attending high tea in the afternoon or dining in one of seven restaurants. Almost every aspect of the property is meant to evoke extreme decadence, from the butler assigned to each of the 60 floors to the 24k-gold iPads in two-story suites. Some guests have felt the phenomenally expensive prices to be unjustified for the food and the service, which can occasionally be disorganized, though most are happy to shell out for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Billing itself as the “world’s most luxurious hotel,” Burj Al Arab is a destination unto itself. Situated just off the coast of Dubai on an independent island, visitors can access the grounds by attending high tea in the afternoon or dining in one of seven restaurants. Almost every aspect of the property is meant to evoke extreme decadence, from the butler assigned to each of the 60 floors to the 24k-gold iPads in two-story suites. Some guests have felt the phenomenally expensive prices to be unjustified for the food and the service, which can occasionally be disorganized, though most are happy to shell out for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Part of the Jumeirah chain, this gigantic waterfront resort is oriented toward families on vacation and offers a plethora of activities to keep guests of all ages occupied. Situated in a large glass building shaped like a wave, 617 guest rooms offer modern features like iPod docking stations and wide-screen interactive LCD TVs. This upscale property offers four pools, a separate building with fitness and entertainment centers, a kids’ club, a bar at the end of the adjacent marina with sweeping views of Dubai, and a host of leisure activities. With more than a dozen dining and bar options available as well as a spa, guests may choose not to leave the premises, though downtown Dubai is only a 15-minute cab ride away.
Part of the Jumeirah chain, this gigantic waterfront resort is oriented toward families on vacation and offers a plethora of activities to keep guests of all ages occupied. Situated in a large glass building shaped like a wave, 617 guest rooms offer modern features like iPod docking stations and wide-screen interactive LCD TVs. This upscale property offers four pools, a separate building with fitness and entertainment centers, a kids’ club, a bar at the end of the adjacent marina with sweeping views of Dubai, and a host of leisure activities. With more than a dozen dining and bar options available as well as a spa, guests may choose not to leave the premises, though downtown Dubai is only a 15-minute cab ride away.
The Panorama Hotel Bur Dubai is a functional value hotel that's somewhat in need of renovation. Located on a busy street in a nondescript area populated mostly by electronics stores, its entrance is directly adjacent to a bar and club that generates much nighttime noise, though guests have noted the din is less audible from the fifth floor of the property. Some rooms are older while others are updated, with the latter offering bright spaces and shiny surfaces. Amenities are generally limited, though a free continental breakfast is offered.
The Panorama Hotel Bur Dubai is a functional value hotel that's somewhat in need of renovation. Located on a busy street in a nondescript area populated mostly by electronics stores, its entrance is directly adjacent to a bar and club that generates much nighttime noise, though guests have noted the din is less audible from the fifth floor of the property. Some rooms are older while others are updated, with the latter offering bright spaces and shiny surfaces. Amenities are generally limited, though a free continental breakfast is offered.
Despite its luxury amenities and five-pearl resort experience in the heart of Dubai's commercial city center, the Grand Hyatt Dubai is not as expensive as might be expected. Rooms are large and comfortable, with luxury linens and amenities; the luxury spa offers every imaginable pampering service; and there are large indoor and outdoor pools, a sprawling indoor garden, and 13 restaurants that range from an American-style steak house to an authentic Lebanese eatery. Business travelers and tourists could lose themselves in this expansive oasis that offers nearly every possible experience. Those who do leave the expansive premises will find the Financial Centre, World Trade Centre, Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa all nearby, a metro station with two minutes’ walk, and the airport a 10-minute drive away.
Despite its luxury amenities and five-pearl resort experience in the heart of Dubai's commercial city center, the Grand Hyatt Dubai is not as expensive as might be expected. Rooms are large and comfortable, with luxury linens and amenities; the luxury spa offers every imaginable pampering service; and there are large indoor and outdoor pools, a sprawling indoor garden, and 13 restaurants that range from an American-style steak house to an authentic Lebanese eatery. Business travelers and tourists could lose themselves in this expansive oasis that offers nearly every possible experience. Those who do leave the expansive premises will find the Financial Centre, World Trade Centre, Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa all nearby, a metro station with two minutes’ walk, and the airport a 10-minute drive away.
Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is a destination unto itself. This exclusive hotel is part of Madinat Jumeirah, a massive, one-of-a-kind beachside resort home to over 50 restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools, several miles of waterways and jogging trails, a traditional shopping center, a turtle sanctuary, and a theater. The 283 rooms and suites are large and luxurious, with top-notch amenities and large balconies offering serene views. With an impressive array of on-site activities (rock climbing, fitness classes, a swimming academy, water sports, live shows…you name it) and a beautiful private beach, only those looking to explore Dubai’s attractions will feel the need to venture out. Travelers wanting a luxe stay near Downtown Dubai should consider Taj Dubai.
Jumeirah Dar al Masyaf is a destination unto itself. This exclusive hotel is part of Madinat Jumeirah, a massive, one-of-a-kind beachside resort home to over 50 restaurants and bars, three outdoor pools, several miles of waterways and jogging trails, a traditional shopping center, a turtle sanctuary, and a theater. The 283 rooms and suites are large and luxurious, with top-notch amenities and large balconies offering serene views. With an impressive array of on-site activities (rock climbing, fitness classes, a swimming academy, water sports, live shows…you name it) and a beautiful private beach, only those looking to explore Dubai’s attractions will feel the need to venture out. Travelers wanting a luxe stay near Downtown Dubai should consider Taj Dubai.
The 294-room Al Qasr is a seriously upscale, Arabian palace-style hotel with stunning interiors set in the exclusive Madinat Jumeirah resort in central Dubai. Comprising of lovely canal-like waterways and manicured tropical gardens that lead to a mile-long beach, the grounds are particularly impressive, as is the almost innumerable selection of facilities (a rock climbing wall, spa, playground for kids, and fitness center among them). While rooms suitably reflect the hotel's deluxe pedigree, the vastness of the resort can mean sluggish service and dining get very expensive. However, for guests who can afford the eye-watering room rates of this super-lavish hotel that may not pose an issue. Wi-Fi is fast and free.
The 294-room Al Qasr is a seriously upscale, Arabian palace-style hotel with stunning interiors set in the exclusive Madinat Jumeirah resort in central Dubai. Comprising of lovely canal-like waterways and manicured tropical gardens that lead to a mile-long beach, the grounds are particularly impressive, as is the almost innumerable selection of facilities (a rock climbing wall, spa, playground for kids, and fitness center among them). While rooms suitably reflect the hotel's deluxe pedigree, the vastness of the resort can mean sluggish service and dining get very expensive. However, for guests who can afford the eye-watering room rates of this super-lavish hotel that may not pose an issue. Wi-Fi is fast and free.
The 252-room luxurious five-pearl Raffles Dubai rises out of lush gardens and grounds in an impressive glass-and-stone pyramid structure. Spacious, light-filled interiors are sumptuous yet understated, tastefully displaying a blend of Middle Eastern and Asian design influences. Huge rooms and suites are cloaked in luxurious fabrics and materials with handcrafted decorative details, modern technology, lavish bathrooms, private terraces, and personal butlers on call 24/7. The hotel’s expansive features include seven restaurants and bars, a gorgeous pool with swim-up bar, and expansive spa facilities in the gardens. The hotel is far from the beach, however, and not within walking distance of most sights.
The 252-room luxurious five-pearl Raffles Dubai rises out of lush gardens and grounds in an impressive glass-and-stone pyramid structure. Spacious, light-filled interiors are sumptuous yet understated, tastefully displaying a blend of Middle Eastern and Asian design influences. Huge rooms and suites are cloaked in luxurious fabrics and materials with handcrafted decorative details, modern technology, lavish bathrooms, private terraces, and personal butlers on call 24/7. The hotel’s expansive features include seven restaurants and bars, a gorgeous pool with swim-up bar, and expansive spa facilities in the gardens. The hotel is far from the beach, however, and not within walking distance of most sights.
The five-pearl Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is a serene property overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah archipelago, set 30 minutes by car from Dubai's main attractions. Regal finishes are found throughout, from lush grounds leading to a private sand beach, to extravagant, marble-filled interiors. The 244 rooms have elegant decor, full kitchens, and furnished balconies, plus private pools or jetted tubs in higher-tier units. A huge pool with sunken bar, upscale drinking and dining, a kids' club enhance, and massage treatments are all available. For those looking to spend most their time on the beach's loungers, this is a good pick, but travelers wanting to be slightly closer to downtown may prefer the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
The five-pearl Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is a serene property overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah archipelago, set 30 minutes by car from Dubai's main attractions. Regal finishes are found throughout, from lush grounds leading to a private sand beach, to extravagant, marble-filled interiors. The 244 rooms have elegant decor, full kitchens, and furnished balconies, plus private pools or jetted tubs in higher-tier units. A huge pool with sunken bar, upscale drinking and dining, a kids' club enhance, and massage treatments are all available. For those looking to spend most their time on the beach's loungers, this is a good pick, but travelers wanting to be slightly closer to downtown may prefer the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.