The top choices for luxury hotels in a destination known for its luxury hotels are, unsurprisingly, outstanding. From the iconic Burj Al Arab, where suites are serviced by a team of butlers, to the hideaways on The Palm and family-friendly five-star resorts, there’s a little luxury to suit everyone.
While it may be easy to feel overwhelmed by all the glamorous options (beach clubs, gleaming towers, butler service, oh my), don’t panic…we’ve got you covered. These are the best luxury resorts in Dubai.
1. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
Step into the lobby of this luxury resort where you’ll be greeted with metal trees, killer views and top-class service. Spend your days lounging on a cabana looking out onto the Arabian Gulf, and your evenings in one of the onsite eateries, from Japanese Steakhouse Netsu by Ross Shonhan (where the flames from the kitchen make for some spectacular dinner theatre) to boho beach house Casa Amor (note that this is one for the cooler months). There’s also a relaxing spa (with that famous Mandarin Oriental scent), wellness studio (featuring ice baths and beach fitness classes) and rooms with views of the city’s skyline and alluring coast.
2. Bvlgari Resort Dubai
Located on Jumeirah Bay Island, this pretty designer resort boasts beach-view villas, garden-room villas and resort rooms. Here the service aims to be bespoke, with 24-hour personalised butlers, shoe shining, in-room dining and staff who aim to give their guests the very best experience (they’re a great help when it comes to organising experiences including personal shopping trips, tours of Old Dubai and desert safaris).
If you don’t want to move a muscle, the pool-front cabana beds are glorious, while the spa offers a range of treatments. On-site dining includes Japanese restaurant Hōseki, as well as beachfront dining at La Spiaggia (it’s beautiful in the candlelight after sunset).
3. Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa
Spend an evening sitting out on the terrace or in the grounds of Le Royal Méridien and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a tropical jungle, thanks to the amount of green space this hotel boasts. Set just off JBR Walk, and with views over the Arabian Gulf, the Palm and the city skyline, this is a great luxury base for a stay in Dubai.
Here you’ll find a large pool with a swim-up bar, plenty of poolside cabanas, clean well-appointed rooms, and a kids’ club if you’re looking for some entertainment for the wee nippers. There are plenty of eateries here, from the vibrant Indya by Vineet to the chilled out Le Deck, which turns into a cocktail bar in the evening. While this is a five-star hotel, it’s casual and unpretentious, making it a great choice for families.
4. Bab Al Shams
This desert resort gives guests a glimpse into what it’s like to live in the desert (well, a luxury taste at least). Recently given a facelift, with modern, lighter decor, the stone walls and carved arches still give guests a sense of a traditional Arabic building. Centred around a pool (with a swim up bar and a number of outdoor eateries), the hotel is chic and luxurious, and the activities here are plentiful.
Try dune bashing, falconry, horse riding or spend an evening star-gazing in the desert. The buffet dinner often comes with a show (whether it's a horse demonstration or traditional dancing) and the staff are friendly, but by far the best part of this hotel is the feeling of being far, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Desert bliss.
5. Anantara The Palm
Is there anything more luxurious than strolling out of your room and straight into a lagoon pool? The overwater villas here are gorgeous (and well worth the higher rate to secure one, although the regular rooms are none too shabby either). As well as the stunning lagoon and beach, the big draw at Anantara The Palm is the spa, where you can book in for a hammam experience, traditional Thai, Balinese or Arabian massage.
You’ll find relaxation rooms overlooking the pool, leafy plants in abundance and a beautiful indoor stepping stone path over water. If you can tear yourself away from the spa, the food here is delicious – grab a light bite in the swim-up lagoon bar, order up some traditional Asian cuisine at Mekong, or eat dinner overlooking the sea at Mediterranean joint The Beach House.
6. The Burj Al Arab
The iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab is the absolute gold standard in Dubai when it comes to luxury hotels. Each suite has a whole team (that’s right, team) of butlers available 24/7 to cater to your every whim, and the service throughout the hotel is no less attentive. Here you can take afternoon tea at the Skyview Lounge with views from the hotel’s highest point, or treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon at the Talise Spa.
Dining here is also a rather grand affair, with seven restaurants on site including French-Italian restaurant Al Muntaha and fine-dining Arabic offering Al Iwan. Let’s get one thing straight – understated it is not, so if you’re looking for a bling stay with all the trimmings, this is it. If gold decor isn’t your bag, look elsewhere.
7. One & Only The Palm
This beautiful beachside resort on The Palm feels like an absolute escape from reality. Private villas are nestled away from prying eyes – each has its own beautiful private pool and a view of either the sea or the garden. The decor is understated, chic and incredibly calming. Rooms in the main hotel are similarly stylish, with muted colours and soft furnishings.
Outside of the accommodation, grab a bite to eat at STAY by Yannick Alléno; this high-end French restaurant scored two stars in the Dubai Michelin Guide (and the terrace is a beautiful place to sit in the evening). Staff will happily arrange experiences from the hotel, such as a desert safari, while those travelling with children can make use of the kids’ club.
8. Jumeirah Beach Hotel
This gigantic, sail-shaped hotel boasts picture-perfect views over the Arabian Gulf on one side and the Dubai skyline on the other. The resort is large to say the least, with a central lagoon-style pool surrounded with lush grounds, but somehow manages to maintain attentive staff and plenty of cozy nooks and crannies so you never feel too hemmed in by other people.
If relaxing is your aim, the Talise spa does a world-class range of massages and treatments, while if you’re travelling with kids in tow, pay a visit to Wild Wadi waterpark (this place is good for grown-ups too, with genuinely the most nail-biting waterslides we’ve ever seen). For eats, Floor 24 offers incredible views on the skyline, while Nuska Beach is great for a sundowner.
