Amy Adejokun
Section editor
A luxury hotel in the middle of the desert, the Al Maha is a small wonder. Stay there to recharge your batteries, discover the desert and to be indulged by the staff. An exceptional destination recommended for all couples.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Al Maha Resort - © Al Maha Resort
Al Maha Resort - © Neil Corder / Al Maha Resort
In the middle of the desert, 28 miles south of Dubai. Allow 1 hour for airport transfer.
spa, Turkish bath, wellness, keep fit, massage, sauna
horse riding, archery, gym, fitness
Whether you've come to Dubai for a beach holiday, shopping, luxury break, a romantic escape, a family holiday or even an extreme sports holiday, the Pullman has something for everyone. One of our favourite hotels in Dubai, the Pullman Emirates Mall has a great location just behind one of Dubai's most popular shopping centres and halfway between the city centre and the main beach area. The hotel itself has a couple of roof-top pools overlooking the emirate for miles out. The restaurants are top notch, as are the spacious rooms. A great all-rounder for couples and families, the Pullman is in our top 10.
The three-star Citymax al Barsha hotel is one of two hotels of the same chain in Dubai. It is also one of the few truly budget hotels in the emirate, which is a great option for travellers on a budget. The hotel is good-value without being cheap and nasty. Guests here can be sure that the rooms will be clean and that service will be friendly at all times. Located in the al Barsha area just behind the popular Mall of the Emirates (where you will find Dubai's ski dome), the hotel is also near an area that has a relaxed local feel, which isn't a given in Dubai! Most hotels tend to feel like they are in the middle of nowhere due to development happening in stages. The hotel is ideal for large groups and for families on a budget, or travellers wanting to hold on to their money in order to be able to splurge on shopping instead of accommodation.
For an unrivalled welcome and a soothing atmosphere in the midst of the heaving metropolis, a stay at the Dusit is a necessary breath of fresh air. With great service and its simple restful Thai-inspired decor, the Dusit Thani has great views of the city's new business district and its rooms have lovely no-fuss open-plan bathrooms with lit aromatherapy candles to welcome you. The hotel also has a good range of quality restaurants including the sumptuously-designed best Thai restaurant in Dubai which will take you all the way to Thailand's mesmerising royal palaces and back.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
With a contemporary, luxurious and a bit uncluttered style, it has an original location at the entrance of the commercial district, which also houses the skiing center of the Middle East, Ski Dubai. This hotel is more convenient for a shopping and discovering the city than it is for enjoying the seaside. Families should know: everybody will appreciate down-hill sledding or snow ringo, two activities offered at Ski Dubai.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Al Madinat by the luxury hotel chain, Jumeirah, which also opened the renowned Burj al Arab, is without a doubt one of the best resorts in Dubai. Set on a man-made lake, guests can get around by abra (small traditional wooden boat) which makes a change from Dubai's busy roads. Al Madinat is a village in its own right; guests won't want to leave! With beautifully decorated rooms, a pleasant outdoor pool, gardens to get lost in, a huge spa, over 45 food and beverage outlets and one of the best beaches in the city, the resort is definitely in our top three. Although some may find the décor a little gaudy, especially upon arrival, the resort is a quality one and definitely worth the extra spend. The atmosphere is relaxed and Al Madinat offers something for everyone, from a fun kids' club to a beautiful spa. Al Madinat, meaning 'city' in Arabic, offers a good balance between intimacy and social events making the resort ideal for couples as well as families and groups of friends. Even the likes of George Clooney and Sharon Stone have graced the resort with their presence!
Images Stéphanie Poli.
As a small structure with an undeniable charm, the Jumeirah Beach Club is a verdant haven of relaxation. Located on the edge of one the most beautiful beaches in Dubaï, this establishment is convenient for those who like both leisure and sports, and the various facilities offer an opportunity to practice all, from squash to sailing, basketball to volleyball.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
The One & Only Royal Mirage 'Arabian Court' resembles a small palace straight out of A Thousand and One Nights and enjoys a pleasant setting at the heart of a vast and beautiful oasis, right on the seafront. You can't fail to be impressed by its superb stylish decor, influenced by Arabic design - every little detail is there to be admired. Add to this the gorgeous beach, the delicious cuisine, and the wide range of activities on offer, and you have the perfect all-round destination.
The Burj Al Arab appears on the horizon, rises out of the fog along the coastline in Jumeirah, visible from skyscraper terraces all over the city, like a myth seen in books. A real gem in its architecture, seeing the legendary hotel, the only seven star hotel in the world, is like seeing the Taj Mahal in India. It is a real architectural feat that should not be dismissed for being too showy, too brash, too contemporary, but rather revered as a symbol of this city that is no less than over the top! The hotel sits quietly glimmering in the sun along a long and wide sandy beach. The interior takes a while to grow on you, but the services and facilities are irreproachable. It's definitely worth a stay at least for a night, or if it is too pricy for your budget then do drop by for tea, but book early.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
The Burj Al Arab appears on the horizon, rises out of the fog along the coastline in Jumeirah, visible from skyscraper terraces all over the city, like a myth seen in books. A real gem in its architecture, seeing the legendary hotel, the only seven star hotel in the world, is like seeing the Taj Mahal in India. It is a real architectural feat that should not be dismissed for being too showy, too brash, too contemporary, but rather revered as a symbol of this city that is no less than over the top! The hotel sits quietly glimmering in the sun along a long and wide sandy beach. The interior takes a while to grow on you, but the services and facilities are irreproachable. It's definitely worth a stay at least for a night, or if it is too pricy for your budget then do drop by for tea, but book early.
Images Stéphanie Poli.
The lifestyle Armani Hotel Dubai is nothing short of stunning. With every angle and curve that has been carefully studied to give the desired effect, the hotel is without doubt one of the best in the city, which is a huge statement to make, especially in Dubai, where the standard of hotels is generally very high. Mr Armani has overseen every single detail of this hotel, from the scents used throughout the hotel, to the embossed chocolates sold in the deli on the ground floor. The result is astonishing. What separates the hotel from the rest is firstly, its location, right inside the Burj Khalifa, and second, the sense of space of the hotel. Slick, sophisticated and contemporary, the hotel is a veritable success. The only downfall is that you could be anywhere in the world as there is no reminder of the destination's culture and traditions. The hotel is best-suited to couples and friends looking for the crème de la crème in luxury.
Part of the Leading Hotels of the World label, the prestigious H Hotel, formerly The Monarch, is unrivalled in every way and is easily one of the best, if not the best, hotel in the city. Exclusive, The H is quietly and self-satisfyingly elegant without being pretentious. Unlike the brash hotels where the quality doesn't always match expectations, The H is all about quality and sophistication, and although on the pricy side, is definitely worth saving that extra bit to stay here. Not only is the atmosphere relaxed, but the staff is friendly and efficient, and no expense has been spared to make the rooms beautiful, spacious, stylish and up to date technology-wise. Throw in a fantastic range of high quality restaurants and bars, and a good location, you have your perfect hotel! Ideal for all types of guests, whether for leisure or business, the luxurious high quality H Hotel is ideal for friend, families and couples alike. Walking into The H can be likened to the feeling of slipping into a hot steaming bath...
One of the most elegant hotels in Dubai, where the spirit of the Emirates has been beautifully captivated, One and Only The Palm is a must for anyone with the budget to stay here. Being located on The Palm, it feels fairly isolated from the rest of the city, but this also accentuates its calm and tranquil holiday atmosphere. Everything from the spacious sea-front villas with private pools to the Alleno restaurant is of an extremely high standard and will not leave any guest wanting more. Ideal for a romantic getaway, we wouldn't however recommend this hotel for families due to the lack of facilities for children and the alarmed looks you may get if your children are on the boisterous side!
The all-new Intercontinental hotel opposite the Festival City marina has what it takes to turn rivals green with envy! Some parts of it are vast; others more intimate, but its multiple styles and modernity are plain for all to see. Don't miss out on all the restaurants and facilities here, indeed, every effort has been made to ensure the height of luxury and make yours a comfortable and pleasant stay. The fine design, bay windows, lighting effects and grand furniture combine to make this an ulra-stylish hotel that has successfully lured some of the world's best chefs to prepare its cuisine, including the Frenchman Pierre Gagnaire. The somewhat outstanding rooms also deserve a special mention.
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.
Zabeel Saray took us by surprise by its sheer size, but for a luxury family resort of this size, the interior architects have done a great job in making it as opulent as a boutique hotel. Dripping in red and blue glass, velvet upholstered throne-like chairs and a fountain bigger than the average apartment all just in the lobby, gives this hotel a majestic appearance that is hard to rival. The service standards are top-notch and the facilities on offer are as exclusive as in the latest Mondrian in New York. The Jumeirah Hotel Group, has once again, surpassed itself with this latest addition to an already glimmering portfolio. Ideal for a wide-ranging clientele, from families to couples, the resort has something for everyone.
Aesthetically one of the best hotels in Dubai, as well as one of the best located but seriously lacking the service needed to go with the fantastic surroundings. Ideal for adults but could be seen as a little fussy for the kids who will nevertheless be very happy in the large pool looking out onto the Burj Khalifa Tower. Along with its great facilities the hotel also houses one of the most sought-after bars, the Neos, on the 63rd floor which is a real celeb hangout. Watch people's eyebrows raise slowly in an impressed arch as you tell them where you are staying...
By Rooksana Hossenally. Images Stéphanie Poli.
This is the second Atlantis hotel in the world. Is Atlantis The Palm, the flagship resort on Dubai's first Palm Island, a gem of a hotel or a monster of excess? Actually, it's both of them! It is perhaps the hotel that best represents Dubai, built as it is from scratch between the sea and the desert. A symbol of grandiose delusions, it is nothing less than a 'kingdom of superlatives'. Next to this immense and (in places) kitsch resort with its multitude of ultramodern facilities and restaurants staffed by award-winning chefs, hotel residents and day-trippers alike can enjoy a huge aquatic park. It is like a city within a city, making it ideal for families, but if you are looking for charm and intimacy, you're probably better off elsewhere!
This hotel review is a translation from the French published on our French site Easyvoyage.com.