26 of the best · Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Atlantis and One&Only on the Palm, Bvlgari and Madinat Jumeirah on the coast, Four Seasons DIFC and The Lana in the city, and heritage rooms by the Creek: with the restaurants, bars and spas each hotel lists.
Our 26 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Dubai.
Three MICHELIN Keys
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
An island in Jumeira Bay
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
On Marasi Bay
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
In-depth stories behind the list.
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.
The island resorts.
Home of Aquaventure
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
Three MICHELIN Keys
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
Talise Ottoman Spa
An Ottoman-inspired palace on the west crescent, home of the Talise Ottoman Spa and its hammams.
STAY and the Guerlain Spa
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
On the west crescent
A Raffles resort on the west crescent of Palm Jumeirah.
West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, DubaiExplore View on map
Beach resorts and Madinat Jumeirah.
An island in Jumeira Bay
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
On Jumeirah Beach Road
A beach resort on Jumeirah Beach Road, between Kite Beach and the city.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 2, DubaiExplore View on map
Madinat Jumeirah
The grandest of Madinat Jumeirah’s hotels, linked to the souk by canals and abras.
Taking bookings
Jumeirah’s newest resort on the Umm Suqeim shore, taking bookings on jumeirah.com.
Home of Tasca
A beachfront Mandarin Oriental on Jumeirah Beach Road, home of Tasca by José Avillez.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeira 1, DubaiExplore View on map
City hotels.
Over the Fountain
A Downtown tower hotel overlooking the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Luna on the roof
A city hotel in Gate Village, DIFC, with KIGO and the Luna rooftop bar.
Gate Village, Building 9, DIFC, DubaiExplore View on map
The Link
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
On Marasi Bay
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
Towers and beach.
A record-breaking pool
Twin towers on JBR beach, with the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building.
Home of Row on 45
Twin towers in Dubai Marina, home of Row on 45 and City Social.
Al Emreef Street, Dubai Marina, DubaiExplore View on map
Gardens on the sand
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
On JBR beach
A low-rise Ritz-Carlton on the beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence.
Al Mamsha Street, Jumeirah Beach Residence, DubaiExplore View on map
Heritage and dunes.
Inside the reserve
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
On the Creek
A palatial hotel on the Jaddaf Waterfront, across the Creek from Dubai Creek Harbour.
Jaddaf Waterfront, Al Jaddaf, DubaiExplore View on map
In the wind-tower quarter
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
38 of the best Restaurants
7 of the best Cafés
8 of the best Bars21 of the best Sights7 of the best Art & Culture
7 of the best Parks & Beaches8 of the best Walks
10 of the best Shopping
11 of the best Health8 of the best Property7 of the best Developments6 of the best Luxury Cars10 of the best Getting Around