The back story
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The back story
The grand hotels of Dubai: the back story
Resorts on the Palm and the Jumeirah shore, towers in Downtown and DIFC, and heritage rooms by the Creek: where to stay, and what has changed in 2026.
Hotels guide · by area
Dubai’s Grand Hotels: Dining, Bars & Spas
The grand hotels of Dubai area by area, with the restaurants, bars and spas each one lists, and what is closed for renovation.
What's onThis week in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah
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Three MICHELIN Keys
Atlantis The Royal
A staggered tower on the Palm’s crescent, with Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Jaleo, Carbone and the Cloud 22 pool.
Crescent Road, The Palm, DubaiExplore View on map
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Home of Aquaventure
Atlantis The Palm
The pink landmark at the end of the Palm, with Aquaventure Waterpark, FZN by Björn Frantzén, Ossiano and Hakkasan.
Crescent Road, The Palm, DubaiExplore View on map
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STAY and the Guerlain Spa
One&Only The Palm
A low-rise resort on the west crescent, with STAY by Yannick Alléno and Dubai’s only Guerlain Spa.
West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, DubaiExplore View on map
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On the west crescent
Raffles The Palm Dubai
A Raffles resort on the west crescent of Palm Jumeirah.
West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, DubaiExplore View on map
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Talise Ottoman Spa
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
An Ottoman-inspired palace on the west crescent, home of the Talise Ottoman Spa and its hammams.
The Jumeirah coast
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An island in Jumeira Bay
Bvlgari Resort Dubai
A resort on its own island, with Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, Hōseki, Il Bar and the Bvlgari Spa.
Jumeira Bay Island, Jumeira 2, DubaiExplore View on map
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On Jumeirah Beach Road
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
A beach resort on Jumeirah Beach Road, between Kite Beach and the city.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, DubaiExplore View on map
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Home of Tasca
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
A beachfront Mandarin Oriental on Jumeirah Beach Road, home of Tasca by José Avillez.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeira 1, DubaiExplore View on map
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Madinat Jumeirah
Jumeirah Al Qasr
The grandest of Madinat Jumeirah’s hotels, linked to the souk by canals and abras.
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Taking bookings
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Jumeirah’s newest resort on the Umm Suqeim shore, taking bookings on jumeirah.com.
Downtown, DIFC & Business Bay
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Over the Fountain
Address Downtown
A Downtown tower hotel overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
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Luna on the roof
Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre
A city hotel in Gate Village, DIFC, with KIGO and the Luna rooftop bar.
Gate Village, Building 9, DIFC, DubaiExplore View on map
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On Marasi Bay
The Lana, Dorchester Collection
Dorchester Collection’s Dubai hotel on Marasi Drive, with Dior Spa, Bitter Honey and Riviera by Jean Imbert.
Marasi Drive, Business Bay, DubaiExplore View on map
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The Link
One&Only One Za’abeel
A city hotel in the One Za’abeel towers, joined by The Link, the world’s longest cantilevered building.
The Link, One Za’abeel, DubaiExplore View on map
Dubai Marina & JBR
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Gardens on the sand
One&Only Royal Mirage
A low-rise resort in gardens on the Al Sufouh beach, home of Trèsind and DRIFT Beach Club.
Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, DubaiExplore View on map
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On JBR beach
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
A low-rise Ritz-Carlton on the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Al Mamsha Street, Jumeirah Beach Residence, DubaiExplore View on map
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A record-breaking pool
Address Beach Resort
Twin towers on JBR beach, with the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building.
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Home of Row on 45
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Twin towers in Dubai Marina, home of Row on 45 and City Social.
Al Emreef Street, Dubai Marina, DubaiExplore View on map
Old Dubai & the desert
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In the wind-tower quarter
XVA Art Hotel
Fifteen rooms around courtyards in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, with a gallery and café.
Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai, DubaiExplore View on map
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On the Creek
Palazzo Versace Dubai
A palatial hotel on the Jaddaf Waterfront, across the Creek from Dubai Creek Harbour.
Jaddaf Waterfront, Al Jaddaf, DubaiExplore View on map
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Inside the reserve
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Suites in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, about 65 km from the airport.
Dubai–Al Ain Road, Dubai (Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve)Explore View on map
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