#1 in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 6,500/night
"The 1999 Tom Wright sail, the most photographed hotel in the world, the working Dubai icon."
9.7Room & Design
9.9Service
9.8Location
Why this rank, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah opened in December 1999 on its own artificial island 280 metres off Jumeirah Beach, the Tom Wright-designed sail-shaped tower that has become the most photographed hotel in the world. 202 duplex suites only across the 56 floors; the Royal Suite at 780 sqm on the 25th floor, the Sky Suite at 770 sqm on the 26th, and the Two-Bedroom Royal Suite at 720 sqm are the property's most-requested accommodations. The interior gold-and-marble register (8,000 sqm of 22-carat gold leaf, 24 different varieties of marble) is the property's signature decorative language. Al Mahara underwater restaurant runs the formal dinner anchor; Skyview Bar on the 27th floor handles the cocktail programme with the most-recognised Dubai skyline view. Forbes Five-Star recognition has been continuous since the programme's expansion to the UAE. Best for the iconic Dubai stay where the address itself is the trip.
Best room: Royal Suite, 780 sqm, sea view
#2 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 4,000/night
"The 2023 Palm Jumeirah Atlantis Royal, Beyonce inaugural concert, the working contemporary Dubai resort flagship."
9.7Room & Design
9.8Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Atlantis The Royal opened in February 2023 at the tip of Palm Jumeirah, Kerzner International's USD 1.4 billion sister property to Atlantis The Palm. 795 rooms and suites across two crystalline towers; the Royal Mansion at 2,100 sqm with private elevator and the Royal Sky Pool Villa with private pool are the property's signature accommodations. The pool deck includes the world's only Cloud 22 sky pool on the 22nd floor cantilevered out 36 metres over the property's central plaza. The dining roster is unprecedented in luxury-hotel scale: Nobu by the Beach, La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Estiatorio Milos, Ariana's Persian Kitchen, Resonance by Heston Blumenthal. The February 2023 Beyonce inaugural concert anchored the property's working luxury-celebrity association. Best for the contemporary Dubai resort stay at the working architectural-and-dining headline of 2023-2026.
Best room: Royal Mansion, 2,100 sqm, sea view, private elevator
#3 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 2,800/night
"One&Only's Palm Jumeirah villa-resort, 800 metres of private beach, the working ultra-luxury Dubai address."
9.6Room & Design
9.8Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, One&Only The Palm opened in 2010 on Palm Jumeirah's western crescent on a 65-acre private estate, with 800 metres of private beach (the longest private beachfront of any Palm Jumeirah hotel). 90 rooms, suites and villas across the Moorish-Andalusian-influenced low-rise property. The two-bedroom Palm Beach Junior Suites and the four-bedroom Palm Manor with private pool and butler service are the property's signature accommodations. STAY by Yannick Alleno holds one Michelin star and is the formal dinner anchor; Zest handles the casual register; the Bar Carre handles the cocktail programme. The Guerlain Spa is the working in-house wellness programme. The low-rise architecture and the 90-room scale produce a different Dubai-luxury register from the high-rise tower properties: more European riviera-resort than skyscraper-and-beach. Best for the ultra-luxury Dubai stay with private-beach scale.
Best room: Palm Manor, four bedrooms, private pool, butler
#4 in Dubai
Jumeira Bay Island, Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 3,200/night
"Bulgari's Jumeira Bay Island resort, the working ultra-luxury Italian-design Dubai address."
9.7Room & Design
9.8Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Bulgari Resort Dubai opened in December 2017 on the artificial Jumeira Bay Island, a seahorse-shaped island connected to Jumeirah Beach by a 300-metre bridge. 101 rooms and suites and 20 mansions and villas across the property, designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. The Bulgari Suite at 380 sqm, the Bulgari Mansion at 1,900 sqm, and the Marina-facing Pool Villas are the signature accommodations. Il Ristorante by Niko Romito holds one Michelin star and runs the working Italian-tradition dinner anchor; the Bulgari Yacht Club and the Pool Bar handle the daytime and cocktail programmes. The Bulgari Spa across the property runs the wellness curriculum. The Jumeira Bay Island position is the structural difference from the larger Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach properties: smaller scale, more private island feel, ten minutes from Downtown Dubai. Best for the Italian-design ultra-luxury Dubai stay.
Best room: Bulgari Mansion, 1,900 sqm, private pool, sea view
#5 in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 2,400/night
"The 2019 Mandarin Oriental on Jumeirah Beach, the working family-and-business Dubai flagship."
9.6Room & Design
9.7Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai opened in 2019 on Jumeirah Beach, the only Mandarin Oriental in the UAE. 178 rooms and 78 suites across the property; the Royal Mandarin Suite at 720 sqm with four bedrooms, the Mandarin Suite at 350 sqm, and the Penthouse Suite with private terrace are the signature accommodations. Tasca by Jose Avillez (Portuguese with Michelin-trained chef) and Etoiles by Mauro Colagreco (two Michelin stars at Mirazur, the property's signature rooftop) run the dinner programme. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental across multiple floors operates as the property's wellness anchor. The Jumeirah Beach position gives an unobstructed view of the Burj Khalifa across the bay, which produces the iconic Dubai skyline photograph without leaving the property. The Dubai International airport drive is 25 minutes; the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa are 15 by car. Best for the Dubai beach-and-skyline stay at Mandarin Oriental service tier.
Best room: Royal Mandarin Suite, 720 sqm, four bedrooms, sea view
#6 in Dubai
Business Bay, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 3,000/night
"Dorchester Collection's 2024 Dubai debut, the working European-Palace business-and-leisure Dubai address."
9.6Room & Design
9.5Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, The Lana, Dorchester Collection opened in February 2024 at Marasi Drive in Business Bay, Dorchester Collection's first Middle East property. 225 rooms and suites across the Foster + Partners-designed tower. The Royal Suite at 600 sqm with Burj Khalifa views, the Lana Suite at 220 sqm, and the Penthouse Suite with private terrace are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Riviera by Jean-Georges, Jara (Asian-fusion), and Dior Spa Cheval Blanc on the property. The Marasi Marina position places the property between Downtown Dubai (5 minutes by car), DIFC (10 minutes), and the new Business Bay corporate cluster. The Lana represents the most-significant Dubai luxury opening of 2024; the Dorchester Collection's family service standard applies. Best for the Dubai business stay where the Business Bay-DIFC corridor matters and the brand standard is at the European-Palace level.
Best room: Royal Suite, 600 sqm, Burj Khalifa view
#7 in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 2,400/night
"The 2014 Four Seasons on Jumeirah Beach, the working Four Seasons Dubai luxury flagship."
9.5Room & Design
9.7Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach opened in November 2014 on Jumeirah Beach, the working Four Seasons Dubai flagship. 237 rooms and suites across the beachfront property. The Royal Suite at 730 sqm with sea view, the Four Seasons Suite at 145 sqm, and the multi-bedroom suites are the property's signature accommodations. Forbes Five-Star recognition has been continuous since 2017. The dining programme includes Sea Fu (Asian seafood, the working dinner anchor), Coya (Peruvian-Latin with a Mayfair sister), Nusr-Et Steakhouse (the salt-bae Dubai outpost), and Mercury Lounge (the rooftop cocktail venue with Burj Khalifa view). The Four Seasons Spa occupies a dedicated wing. The Jumeirah Beach position places the property between Downtown Dubai (15 minutes by car) and Dubai Marina (15 minutes), which suits the leisure-and-business hybrid stay. Best for the Dubai stay at Four Seasons service tier with the Jumeirah Beach position.
Best room: Royal Suite, 730 sqm, sea view
#8 in Dubai
Downtown Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 2,000/night
"Armani's Burj Khalifa hotel, Giorgio Armani's design across the world's tallest building, the working Downtown Dubai address."
9.5Room & Design
9.7Service
9.8Location
Why this rank, Armani Hotel Dubai opened in 2010 inside the lower 39 floors of the Burj Khalifa, designed by Giorgio Armani as the working Armani brand-statement hotel. 160 rooms and suites only across the property; the Armani Signature Suite at 1,140 sqm and the Armani Suite at 200 sqm are the signature accommodations. The Burj Khalifa address means the Armani Hotel is the only hotel inside the world's tallest building; the Armani/Pavilion lounge runs the cocktail programme on the lake-facing terrace adjacent to the Dubai Fountain. The dining programme includes Armani/Ristorante (Italian), Armani/Hashi (Japanese), Armani/Mediterraneo, Armani/Amal (Indian), and Armani/Deli. The Armani/SPA across one of the property's floors runs the wellness anchor. The Downtown Dubai position places the property at the Burj Khalifa-and-Dubai-Mall pedestrian-walkable cluster. Best for the Downtown Dubai stay where the Burj Khalifa address and the Armani brand-design integration matter.
Best room: Armani Signature Suite, 1,140 sqm, Burj Khalifa view
#9 in Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,800/night
"The 2016 Madinat Jumeirah contemporary addition, the working Jumeirah-resort-cluster anchor."
9.5Room & Design
9.6Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Jumeirah Al Naseem opened in 2016 as the contemporary addition to the Madinat Jumeirah resort cluster, alongside the heritage Mina A'Salam, Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf properties. 430 rooms and suites across the beachfront property. The Royal Suite at 800 sqm, the Beach Pavilion at 400 sqm with private pool, and the multi-bedroom suites are the signature accommodations. The dining roster across Madinat Jumeirah includes 50+ restaurants and bars including Pierchic over the water, Folly by Nick & Scott, and Khaymat Al Bahar on the Madinat waterway. The property's connection by abra (traditional water taxi) across the Madinat waterway to the souk produces the property's defining Dubai-experience asset. The Burj Al Arab is visible from the property's beach. The Madinat Jumeirah position is between Burj Al Arab (5 minutes' walk) and the broader Jumeirah Beach corridor. Best for the Madinat-cluster Dubai stay with full Madinat resort access.
Best room: Beach Pavilion, 400 sqm, private pool, sea view
#10 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Ultra-luxury . ***** · from AED 3,000/night
"The 2022 Raffles on Palm Jumeirah, the working ultra-luxury heritage-brand Palm address."
9.6Room & Design
9.7Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Raffles The Palm Dubai opened in October 2022 on Palm Jumeirah's western crescent, Raffles Hotels & Resorts' Dubai debut. 389 rooms and suites and one Royal Mansion. The Royal Villa at 4,500 sqm with private beach access (the largest royal villa on the Palm) and the Presidential Suite at 1,000 sqm are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Matagi (Japanese), Maiko (rooftop sushi with Burj Al Arab view), and Piatti by the Sea (the Italian beachfront restaurant). The 100,000 sqm property includes the Cinq Mondes spa, the largest spa on Palm Jumeirah, and the Aqua Park with seven pools. The Raffles butler service runs across all room categories at the working Raffles service tier. The Palm western-crescent position faces the Burj Al Arab and the broader Dubai skyline. Best for the Palm Jumeirah ultra-luxury heritage-brand stay.
Best room: Royal Villa, 4,500 sqm, private beach
#11 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,800/night
"The 2008 Palm Jumeirah Atlantis, Aquaventure water park, the working family-resort Dubai flagship."
9.3Room & Design
9.5Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Atlantis The Palm opened in September 2008 at the tip of Palm Jumeirah, Kerzner International's working family-resort Dubai property. 1,544 rooms and suites across the property; the Royal Bridge Suite at 924 sqm (cantilevered between the property's two towers with the iconic view across the Palm), the Underwater Suite with floor-to-ceiling Ambassador Lagoon glass, and the multi-bedroom Presidential Suite are the property's most-requested accommodations. The 17-hectare Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium on the property run the family-resort programming. The dining programme includes Nobu (the founding Dubai Nobu), Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay, Hakkasan, and Wavehouse for the family-casual register. The Palm tip position is the working tourist-iconic Dubai address. Best for the Palm Jumeirah family-resort Dubai stay.
Best room: Royal Bridge Suite, 924 sqm, Palm view
#12 in Dubai
Dubai Creek, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,500/night
"The 2005 Park Hyatt on Dubai Creek, the working quieter alternative to the Palm-and-Beach corridor."
9.4Room & Design
9.6Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, Park Hyatt Dubai opened in 2005 on Dubai Creek in the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the working quieter alternative to the Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach corridors. 223 rooms and suites across the Andalusian-Moorish low-rise property. The Park Suite at 88 sqm, the Diplomatic Suite at 145 sqm, and the Royal Suite at 220 sqm are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Thai Kitchen, Brasserie du Park, and Cafe Arabesque. The Park Hyatt Spa across the property runs the wellness programme. The Dubai Creek position is the working alternative to the iconic-tourist-corridor Dubai properties: the Creek is the historic original Dubai waterway, with the Park Hyatt looking across the creek to old Deira and the Dubai International Financial Centre eight minutes by car. The lower entry rate combined with the Park Hyatt service tier produces the working Dubai stay for World of Hyatt elite members. Best for the quieter Park Hyatt Dubai stay.
Best room: Royal Suite, 220 sqm, creek view
#13 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,400/night
"The 2013 Anantara on Palm Jumeirah, over-water villas, the working Maldivian-style Dubai resort."
9.3Room & Design
9.4Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Anantara The Palm Dubai opened in 2013 on Palm Jumeirah's eastern crescent, the working Maldivian-style Dubai resort with overwater villas (the first hotel in Dubai with this format). 293 rooms, suites and villas across the property; the Anantara Pool Villa with over-water deck and direct lagoon access is the signature accommodation. The dining programme includes Mekong (Asian), Bushman's (South African), and Crescendo (Mediterranean). The 800-metre private beach combined with the over-water villa product gives the property the Maldivian-resort register at one-third the Maldives-resort cost. The Anantara Spa is the working wellness anchor. The Palm eastern-crescent position is fifteen minutes by car from Dubai Marina and twenty from Downtown. Best for the working Maldivian-style stay in Dubai at the entry-level Anantara rate.
Best room: One-Bedroom Over-Water Villa, lagoon view
#14 in Dubai
DIFC, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,800/night
"The 2019 Waldorf Astoria in DIFC, the working business-and-luxury DIFC anchor."
9.4Room & Design
9.6Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre opened in 2019 in the DIFC business district, the working business-and-luxury DIFC anchor. 275 rooms and suites; the Royal Suite at 320 sqm and the Astoria Suite at 100 sqm are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Bull & Bear (American steakhouse), St Trop (French Riviera), and Lana Lusa (Portuguese). The Waldorf Astoria Spa runs the working in-house wellness programme. The DIFC position is the working financial-district address (UBS, Goldman Sachs, and the Dubai International Financial Centre courts are within four blocks); the Burj Khalifa is six minutes by car, Dubai International ten. The Waldorf Astoria service tier combined with the DIFC working-business position produces the working Dubai business-and-luxury hybrid stay. Best for the DIFC business-and-luxury Dubai stay at Waldorf Astoria service tier.
Best room: Royal Suite, 320 sqm, DIFC view
#15 in Dubai
JBR, Dubai Marina · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,800/night
"The 2021 Address Beach Resort, world's highest infinity pool at 294 metres, the working JBR Marina anchor."
9.3Room & Design
9.4Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, Address Beach Resort opened in 2021 at JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) on the Dubai Marina coast. 217 rooms and 217 residences across the 77-floor tower. The 294-metre-high infinity pool is the world's highest outdoor infinity pool and the property's defining architectural feature. The Royal Suite at 500 sqm and the Presidential Suite are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Zeta Seventy Seven on the rooftop, ZenZi at the beach, and the working all-day venue. The JBR Marina position is between Dubai Marina nightlife (five-minute walk) and the JBR beachfront promenade. The Address brand (Emaar Hospitality's flagship Dubai brand) is the working contemporary Dubai-developer hotel format. Best for the JBR Marina Dubai stay at the working contemporary Dubai-developer luxury tier.
Best room: Presidential Suite, sea view, infinity pool access
#16 in Dubai
JBR, Jumeirah Beach Residence · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,600/night
"The 1998 JBR Ritz-Carlton, the working heritage Ritz-Carlton Dubai address."
9.4Room & Design
9.6Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai opened in 1998 at JBR on Dubai Marina coast, the working heritage Ritz-Carlton Dubai property. 294 rooms and suites across the Mediterranean-Andalusian low-rise property. The Royal Suite at 380 sqm, the Presidential Suite at 290 sqm, and the multi-bedroom suites are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes BLUE Restaurant & Bar (the working dinner anchor), La Baie (the rooftop cocktail venue), and Caravan (the all-day buffet). The Ritz-Carlton Spa across the property runs the wellness programme. The JBR position is between Dubai Marina (five-minute walk) and the JBR beachfront promenade; the property pre-dates the Marina tower development by a decade and retains the original low-rise palm-and-fountain register that the newer Marina properties have abandoned. Best for the heritage Ritz-Carlton Dubai stay outside the newer Marina-tower properties.
Best room: Royal Suite, 380 sqm, sea view
#17 in Dubai
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,500/night
"The 1997 wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the working family-resort Jumeirah-beach address."
9.3Room & Design
9.5Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Jumeirah Beach Hotel opened in 1997 on Jumeirah Beach adjacent to the Burj Al Arab, the working family-resort Jumeirah-cluster anchor and the wave-shaped sister property to the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. 598 rooms and suites and 19 beach villas across the property. The Beachfront Royal Suite at 400 sqm, the Premium Leisure Suite at 100 sqm, and the multi-bedroom Beach Villas are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Al Khayal, La Veranda and Beachcombers. Wild Wadi Waterpark access is included with the room rate for the family-resort programming. The Jumeirah Beach position places the property next to the Burj Al Arab, with the property's beach lounges visible from the Burj Al Arab terrace. Best for the Jumeirah-cluster family-resort Dubai stay at the working heritage Jumeirah address.
Best room: Beachfront Royal Suite, 400 sqm, sea view
#18 in Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,500/night
"The 2003 Madinat Jumeirah Mina A'Salam, traditional-Arabic design, the working heritage Madinat property."
9.3Room & Design
9.5Service
9.7Location
Why this rank, Jumeirah Mina A'Salam opened in 2003 as the founding Madinat Jumeirah hotel, alongside Al Qasr, Dar Al Masyaf and Jumeirah Al Naseem in the Madinat Jumeirah resort cluster. 292 rooms and suites across the traditional-Arabic-design wind-tower property. The Royal Suite at 230 sqm and the Ocean Deluxe Suite are the signature accommodations. The Madinat Jumeirah 50-restaurant dining roster across the property (including Pierchic over the water, Folly by Nick & Scott, Pai Thai in the Madinat waterway) is the working dining advantage of staying at any Madinat property. The abra (traditional water taxi) connection across the Madinat waterway to the souk produces the property's defining Dubai-experience asset. The Madinat position is five minutes' walk to the Burj Al Arab and within the broader Jumeirah Beach corridor. Best for the Madinat-cluster heritage Dubai stay.
Best room: Royal Suite, 230 sqm, Madinat view
#19 in Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,400/night
"The 2017 FIVE Palm Jumeirah, party-pool programming, the working contemporary Palm party-resort."
9.2Room & Design
9.3Service
9.6Location
Why this rank, FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai opened in 2017 on Palm Jumeirah's eastern crescent, the working contemporary Palm party-resort. 470 rooms and suites and 4 penthouses. The Skyhouse Penthouse, the Sky Five-Bedroom Penthouse, and the multi-bedroom Sky Suites are the signature accommodations. The Beach by FIVE pool deck runs the party-programming with the working Dubai pool-party calendar (DJ residencies, brunches with party programming, and the Friday-and-Saturday day-party register). The dining programme includes Maiden Shanghai (Chinese), Praia (Mediterranean rooftop), and Cinque (Italian). The Palm eastern-crescent position is ten minutes by car to Dubai Marina, twenty to Downtown. Best for the Palm Jumeirah party-resort Dubai stay.
Best room: Skyhouse Penthouse, sea view, private pool
#20 in Dubai
Business Bay, Dubai · Five-Star . ***** · from AED 1,200/night
"The 2012-2014 Marriott Marquis Business Bay, the working business-and-Bonvoy Dubai address."
9.2Room & Design
9.4Service
9.5Location
Why this rank, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai opened across two towers in 2012 and 2014 on Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay, the working JW Marriott Marquis Middle East flagship and one of the world's tallest hotels (355 metres across the two towers). 1,608 rooms and suites across the two towers. The Royal Suite, the Presidential Suite at 320 sqm, and the multi-bedroom suites are the signature accommodations. The dining programme includes Prime68 (the 68th-floor steakhouse), Bridgewater Tavern, Vault rooftop, and Izakaya. The Business Bay position is the working Dubai business address (Marasi Drive, the working Dubai canal, runs at the property's base); the Burj Khalifa is eight minutes by car. The Marriott Bonvoy points-earning at scale combined with the JW Marriott service tier produces the working business Dubai stay for Marriott Bonvoy elites. Best for the Bonvoy-aligned business-and-Downtown Dubai stay.
Best room: Presidential Suite, 320 sqm, Burj Khalifa view
