The Emirate of Dubai has seen an unprecedented development boom in recent human history. As a result, the city became one of the biggest tourist hubs globally and built some of the most exciting hotels, but which are those precisely?
There are close to 600 hotels in Dubai, and it's not an easy feat to find the most interesting ones. For this very reason, we came up with the following list.
21. Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road – Dedicated to the fans of SZR
This hotel is located on the famous main artery of Dubai with one of the most impressive skyscrapers in the world.
The 545-feet (166-meter) tall hotel tower's legendary rooftop bar, Level 43 Sky Lounge, serves handcrafted cocktails, delicious food, and unparalleled scenic views of SZR.
The skyscraper has 383 guestrooms, three restaurants, a heated outdoor pool, and two bars.
Four Points by Sheraton offers a unique view of the iconic buildings on the Sheikh Zayed Road like the Emirates Towers, and you can even spot Burj Khalifa in the background.
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Four Points by Sheraton's rooftop pool is not big by any means, but the view is spectacular, and additionally, dipping in the refreshing water is priceless. The poolside sun loungers are perfect for chilling after a long day discovering Dubai's most exciting spots.
20. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences – The newest hit in Dubai
When you thought Dubai could not offer something more mindblowing, SLS opened up their newest hotel.
SLS Dubai Hotel is a fine example of architecture spanning 75 floors. It has 254 uniquely designed hotel rooms, 321 hotel apartments, and 371 branded residences.
The hotel has two restaurants, two bars, a coffee bar, and a rooftop terrace with stunning infinity pools. Marina Bay Sands in Singapore has finally got a real competitor!
The crown jewel of the tower is the last floor. Even by Dubai standards, the two pools on both ends are so epic that social media influencers are likely to book out the place for years to come.
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19. Address Sky View – Epic sky bridge
It's like the iconic Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai, just better. The location is nearly identical but on the other side of Burj Khalifa.
Dubai's newest addition is a skyline-defining 853-feet (260-meter) tall twin tower joined by a Sky Bridge.
As you can see in the photos below, the rooms have a perfect view of Burj Khalifa.
Spa pool's panoramic view on Downtown Dubai, including Burj Khalifa.
The two buildings connect at 722-feet (220-meter) height, making space for the 230-feet (70-meters) long stunning infinity pool - similar to Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
As if that was not spectacular enough, the hotel is home to the Sky Views Observatory. At 720 feet (219.5 meters) above the bustling streets of Dubai, you will find an 82 feet-long (25-meter) glass tunnel offering exceptional views of the city.
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18. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk – Ancient Egypt in the Emirates
Sofitel's latest hotel takes inspiration from ancient Egyptian civilization inside and outside. The hotel tower is shaped into a giant obelisk at a scenic distance from the city center.
The interior is splurged with Art Deco flair and details of the ancient Egyptian heritage like pharaohs and hieroglyphs.
Thanks to the distance from the heart of Dubai, you'll have the chance to see the Dubai skyline silhouette in its full glory.
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17. InterContinental Dubai Festival City – Hotel with a seethrough pool
Located at the shores of the Dubai Creek in the Dubai Festival City, this hotel has mesmerizing skyline panorama views. But that's just the beginning. It's the iconic infinity glass pool that makes it really stand out.
The pool stretches out of the building, extending it high above the ground. The glass bottom lets you see through right until the street level. Definitely not something for the faint-hearted, albeit it looks super cool.
The rooftop terrace with pools from above.
Dubai panorama from a private bathroom tub.
Presidential Suite Bathroom featuring Dubai's spectacular skyline after sunset.
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16. Me Dubai By Melia – Dubai in the year 2100
Designed by the world-famous Zaha Hadid Architects, entering Me Dubai By Melia will feel like boarding a futuristic spaceship.
All the fine details, including the furniture, had to be uniquely designed to complement the state-of-the-art architecture.
If you ever wondered how Dubai would look in the year 2100, you can get a quick glimpse of it here.
The Atrium's futuristic design.
Me Dubai By Melia Hotel Spa.
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15. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort – Thailand in the UAE
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has Thai-inspired water villas with bed-to-lagoon access. So wake up in the morning and have a refreshing swim in the blue lagoons.
Do you prefer the sea? The resort is the first to have over-water villas in the United Arab Emirates with panoramic views over the Arabian Gulf and direct access to the sea.
The view from your heavenly bathroom.
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14. Taj Hotel Dubai – The perfect panorama on Burj Khalifa
Some hotels in Dubai compete for the title of the tallest hotel tower, and some for the best views.
Taj Hotel belongs to this latter category offering an unseen panorama of Burj Khalifa and all of Downtown Dubai.
Taj managed to design a building to have the perfect view from all of its premises. The rooftop bar, the rooms, and even the bathrooms. Just take a look at these photos!
Maharaja Suite bath with view of Burj Khalifa.
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13. Burj Al Arab – Golden icon
Burj Al Arab needs no introduction. Its iconic shape is known all over the world. So let's dive into some quirky details.
The interiors have tons of gold, quite literally. 19,267 square feet (1,790 sqm) of 24K gold leaves have been used to decorate its interiors. It also has the world's largest Swarovski crystal ceiling with 21,000 blinging crystals, and the walls are made of Italian marble.
Not impressed yet? The duvets are made of eiderdown. These are the fallen feathers of the eider ducks in Iceland that people handpick.
I guess Burj Al Arab really deserves those self-proclaimed seven stars.
The indoor pool spa is set at 492-feet (150-meter) above the Arabian Gulf. Talise Spa is on the 18th floor, offering a spectacular panorama of Dubai.
Burj Al Arab's reception is decorated with real gold.
Around 19,267 square feet (1,790 sqm) of 24-carat gold leaf were used to adorn the hotel’s rich interiors, and more than 258,333 square feet (24,000 sqm) of Statuario marble are used throughout Burj Al Arab.
Deluxe Marina Suite comes with spectacular sea views.
Ristorante L' Olivo at Al Mahara - the underwater restaurant of Burj Al Arab.
Fun fact; the hotel's two top chefs hold five Michelin stars between them.
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12. FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai – The epicenter of partying
FIVE is the epicenter of fabulous living and partying in Dubai. Hip design, beachfront location, fabulous panorama on Dubai Marina, and massive parties. It's the definitive place for nightlife lovers.
Beach by FIVE - Beachfront spa with glass-walled pools.
The Penthouse Dubai on the 16th floor is an adults-only rooftop lounge offering majestic views of the Dubai Marina skyline.
Luvya party with DJs and amazing spectacles at Five Palms Jumeirah.
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11. Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf – Arabian-style houses & turquoise waterways
Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf was inspired by old Dubai, and it's so authentic you might think it was built centuries ago.
The Arabian-style houses are interconnected by turquoise waterways where abras (traditional boats) take you to your destination.
These water taxis can take you to one of the fifty (!) restaurants around.
Dubai skyline above the artificial marina of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf.
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10. W Dubai – Outrageously bold design
W hotels have the right kind of kitsch, the kind that lights up the fire in your eyes but won't make you sick. It looks overdesigned at first, but you will shortly start to appreciate all the exciting bits.
Fairy-tale? No, it's just the extravagantly pink lobby of W Dubai Hotel.
The hotel sits on the outer ring of Palm Island, giving you some of the best views of the Persian Gulf and the skyline of Dubai Marina.
The Turkish spa is decorated with sparkling mosaics.
W Dubai Hotel's rooftop bar is just as extravagant as you would expect.
Countless pools, a private sandy beach, and an extravagant spa are there to help you escape from your everyday life.
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9. Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates – Winterland in Dubai
When Mall of the Emirates opened its doors back in 2005, it was all over the news. Unlike any other mall, it has a giant ski resort inside.
It's the world's largest indoor snow park. So, if the heat is unbearable outside, you can visit the land of snow and ice.
Or, you can enjoy the view of this unique place from your air-conditioned room in the Kempinski Hotel.
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8. Al Maha Desert Resort – Sand dunes & starry nights
Enough of the hustle and bustle of city life? Head out to the vast deserts of the Emirates. Strictly speaking, it's not exactly in Dubai, but considering the traffic jams on SZR, you might arrive here closer than locals to their apartments in Dubai Marina.
Private pool with an endless view of the desert.
Discover the raw beauty of the rolling dunes and the indigenous wildlife and flora unique to Rub' al Khali – also known as the Empty Quarter.
How about a lantern-lit dinner on traditional Bedouin tables while listening to the sounds of nature?
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7. Atlantis The Palm – Underwater suites & water slides filled with sharks
Atlantis has to be the most famous hotel in Dubai, right after Burj Al Arab. It's the crown jewel of Palm Island and a city of its own.
In addition to this, it has one of the largest and most epic waterparks in the world.
Have you ever been on a slide that goes through a water tank filled with sharks?
If that's too wild for you, then you can enjoy a similar sight from your underwater room because Atlantis has them too.
How large is it this hotel exactly? It covers 113 acres and has 1539 rooms.
Atlantis The Palm's Underwater Bedroom
Atlantis Hotel's Ossiano Restaurant was awarded one MICHELIN star.
The restaurant offers a progressive fine dining experience surrounded by marine life swimming in large aquariums.
It's not just the speed that will make your heart race.
The water park's most extreme slide runs through a water tank filled with sharks.
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6. Gevora Hotel – The tallest hotel in the world
Dubai loves to break records; when it does, it's by a long shot. Gevora Hotel is one of the newest additions to the ever-growing number of towers, and it has taken the title of the world's tallest hotel.
At 1,169 feet (356.3 meters), it took the crown from another Dubai hotel, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, beating it by a single meter.
Gevora is located on Sheikh Zayed Road, and if you like this part of the town, that's another reason to stay here.
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5. XVA Art Hotel – Persian architectural heritage & creative modern art
XVA Art Hotel is situated in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which dates back to the 1890s.
In 2005 the Dubai Municipality agreed to fully restore Dubai's oldest neighborhood's old buildings and roads.
XVA mixes Persian architectural heritage with creative contemporary art. The result is a unique atmosphere of the historic environment spiced up with modernity.
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4. Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel – Sleep on one of the world’s most celebrated ocean liners
The unique ship of the British empire was immaculately restored to its historic glory. But instead of colonial business, the 13-deck ship is now docked and ready to receive guests.
The 215 refurbished rooms and suites are fitted with heritage furniture and all the modern stuff you would expect from a hotel.
Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel's private outdoor deck is nearly as good as if you could afford a yacht.
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3. One&Only The Palm Dubai – Glorious beachfront resort on the Palm Island
One&Only The Palm hotel is a secluded island sanctuary. It's located on Palm Island's tip, and it's encompassed by the sea.
This glamorous beachfront resort is an excellent choice if you are looking for a tropical island feel, but you want urban life to be ideally close by.
One&Only The Palm Dubai has the best spot if you want to enjoy the fireworks above Dubai Marina.
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2. Armani Hotel Dubai – Hotel in the world's tallest skyscraper
I'm sure Burj Khalifa does not require an introduction. Armani Hotel is housed in this iconic tower, and it's the only hotel in the world's tallest skyscraper.
This is your chance to experience how it feels to live a "high life".
If you are a fan of Giorgio Armani's work, you will be happy to know that all details were designed by him, from biscuits to the SPA, everything.
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1. Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai – Heritage & traditional architecture
If you miss authenticity in Dubai and prefer old towns over sparkling new skyscrapers, then this place is for you.
Al Seef Heritage Hotel is located on Dubai Creek's southern banks.
It's a network of 22 traditional mud houses with iconic wind towers, vintage playgrounds, and majlises – communal spaces. Here, you can experience Dubai as if it was the 18th century.
