1. Burj al Arab
The Burj al Arab is the world’s only “7-star” hotel and has rightly claimed its place as one of the most famous hotels in the world. Shaped like a sail, this unique hotel is the 4th tallest hotel in the world at a staggering 321m. Despite its huge size though, the hotel only has 202 rooms giving it an exclusive, boutique feel. The Royal Suite, (only the 12th most expensive hotel suite in the world!) costs an epic $24,000 US dollars a night and boasts two bathrooms with full-size Jacuzzis, a private dining room, a library, a cinema and a private butler!
If your budget can’t quite stretch to those dizzying heights, treat yourself to High Tea at the hotel alongside tickets to the iconic Burj Khalifa…a luxurious experience you won’t want to miss (and a chance to take a sneak peek at how the other half live!).
2. Atlantis the Palm
If you’re looking for somewhere a little magical to stay on your Dubai holiday, look no further than the incredible Atlantis the Palm hotel. Set on its own man-made archipelago, this jaw-dropping hotel has to be up there as one of the most photographed hotels in the world – and for good reason! The hotel has no less than 15 incredible restaurants and its own water park, dolphin lagoon and magical aquarium – the Lost Chambers of Atlantis.
If you want to visit Atlantis the Palm for the day, you can buy tickets for the Aquaventure waterpark and the Lost Chambers of Atlantis aquarium, even if you’re not staying on-site. Enjoy a day splashing around on some of the most incredible waterslides in the world, the perfect way to cool off on Dubai’s notoriously hot days, before exploring the 10 stunning chambers of the aquarium.
If high tea is more your thing, you can also experience a luxury afternoon tea experience at the hotel where you’ll enjoy an assortment of finger sandwiches, pastries and scones accompanied by traditional Arabic tea in opulent surroundings.
3. Al Maha
Image Credit Mark Kirschner
Every room at this lavish hotel, from the Bedouin Suites (strictly for the plebs) up to the Presidential Suite, features a private temperature-controlled pool and sun deck so that you never have any need to mix with the other guests. As you’re based in the desert (which is so often easy to forget when you’re in Dubai!) guests can take part in many desert-related activities such as camel treks, champagne and strawberries in the desert and even falconry, with guests invited to take two of these incredible excursions during their stay.
There is free roaming wildlife around the property, which is reached by a long sandy desert track leading you right away from the busyness of the city. The perfect romantic retreat from the city’s buzz.
4. Lapita Hotel
Right in the heart of the brand-new Dubai Parks and Resorts area of the city, the newly-opened Lapita hotel will transport you to a Polynesian paradise in the heart of the desert. Unwind at the signature on-site spa and enjoy classic spa treatments, a beauty centre and healing aromatherapy as well as a huge family pool and kids club to keep the little ones entertained.
Best of all, you’ll be within walking distance of the new theme parks which opened last year, including Motiongate Dubai, LEGOLAND Dubai, and Bollywood Parks Dubai.
5. Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates
Did you know that you can ski in Dubai? Yep – there’s an actual snow dome right in the heart of the Dubai desert! And at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates you can enjoy dinner in your own private dining room overlooking the Ski Dubai ski slope on one side, and the epic Dubai skyline on the other. Many of the hotel’s 393 rooms benefit from these amazing views, but it’s the insane Aspen Chalets which really draw in the crème de la crème of Dubai’s elite. These suites offer the comfort of a cosy and rustic skiing lodge (with views to match!) in one of the hottest places on Earth.
Even if you can’t afford the luxury of the Kempinski Hotel, you can still visit Ski Dubai. At the world’s largest indoor ski park, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing on the slopes as well as extra special attractions like a meet the penguins experience.
Planning a trip to exciting and vibrant Dubai? Don't forget to pre-book your tours and attractions to save you time and money on your Dubai holiday.
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