A playground for the world’s wealthiest, Dubai is a city where opulence knows no limits, so choosing the best hotels in Dubai can be a challenging task. With towering skyscrapers, extravagant shopping malls, and mind-blowing architectural feats, the city has become a global symbol of excess and luxury. Whether it’s the Burj Khalifa piercing the sky or the sprawling resorts lining the golden coastline, Dubai is designed to leave an impression.
In a city that offers an unparalleled level of indulgence, luxury goes beyond high-end shopping and private yachts. It’s about experiencing the very best in hospitality, from lavish hotels with cutting-edge design to desert retreats that combine seclusion with five-star service. In this guide, we explore the best hotels in Dubai and highlight the city’s top suites that promise the ultimate in comfort, privacy and indulgence.
[See more: The 13 Best Restaurants in Dubai]
One&Only The Palm
One&Only The Palm is a secluded retreat on a private peninsula of Palm Island. With spectacular views of the city skyline, the hotel is made up of around 90 accommodations, including guest rooms, suites and four private beachfront villas. The resort’s private marina allows guests to arrive by private boat or swift water taxi, providing easy access to Dubai’s renowned shopping and leisure attractions.
Guests can unwind along the private beach, lounge on oversized daybeds by the swimming pool, or retreat to one of the six air-conditioned poolside Cabana Suites. These cabanas feature indoor and outdoor lounge areas, LCD screens, wet bars and en-suite bathrooms with showers. For ultimate relaxation, the One&Only Spa by Guerlain offers a curated selection of treatments in its all-suite facility.
Dining at One&Only The Palm is led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, with three destination restaurants showcasing a range of international and local flavors. Light meals, refreshments, and afternoon tea can be enjoyed at Zest or through the 24-hour in-room dining service.
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For those looking to explore beyond the resort, a swift water taxi transfer takes guests to its sister property, One&Only Royal Mirage, home to eight additional dining venues. Private limousine transfers can also be arranged for reservations at Atlantis, The Palm’s acclaimed restaurants.
Top Suite: Grand Palm Suite
Located within the Manor House at the heart of the resort, the Grand Palm Suite offers expansive views of the Dubai skyline and the lush surroundings of One&Only The Palm. The suite’s outdoor terrace features majlis-style seating and a private sun deck, making it an ideal space to take in the scenery.
Spanning 2,691 sq ft, the one-bedroom suite is designed with Arabian influences, including Moorish archways, intricate wooden carvings and softly glowing lanterns. Guests staying in the suite benefit from the attentive services of a dedicated private host available 24/7, there to ensure you have everything you need.
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Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
Needing little introduction, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is known the world over for its inconceivably grand design and top-notch amenities. An absolute riot of color, pattern and overt lavishness, the hotel’s bold decor is not for minimalists. Jutting 1,000 feet into the Arabian Gulf on its own man-made island, it was created to represent the shape of a billowing Arabian dhow sail.
Often voted as the most luxurious hotel in the world (and a regular in Elite Traveler’s Top Hotels and Top Suites list), it has a helipad, Rolls-Royce transfers, a private beach, five swimming pools, nine restaurants and bars and over 200 gorgeous duplex suites. There’s also the extremely high staff-to-suite ratio (8:1), so your every need is more than taken care of.
Top Suite: Presidential Suite
In a place as flashy and exuberant as Dubai, it is be no easy feat to hold on to the title of most lavish. But the Presidential Suite has done just that – it’s featured in Elite Traveler’s Top 100 Suites for the past five years and beyond, with good reason. Unashamedly opulent, the two-story mezzanine is awash with royal tones and glittering gold.
The two bedrooms have master bathrooms complete with full-size Jacuzzis and separate dressing rooms. There’s a living room and a separate dining room for up to eight people, a library, plus two in-suite bars (because why have one when you can have two) that can be customized to stock your favorite libations. The suite comes with a world-class butler service, too.
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is a desert sanctuary like no other, nestled among the stunning dunes of Dubai’s Desert Conservation Reserve, 40 miles into the desert along the Dubai-Al Ain road. Don’t let the Bedouin-style tents fool you – this is ecotourism, UAE-style.
While solar energy heats the water, each luxurious suite still boasts a private pool, marble ensuite and sweeping views of the untouched desert. The hotel also comes with the ultimate in personalized service, with a ratio of three staff to every one guest.
Guests can unwind with indulgent spa treatments, embark on guided camel-back safaris or savor fine dining under the stars. Finish the day watching the sunset over the dunes while sipping luxury cocktails at the Terrace Bar before dining at Al Diwaan.
Top Suite: Presidential Villa
With over 5000 square feet of meticulously designed luxury, this suite is the ultimate in desert sophistication. Lucky guests can take in the views from the villa’s large wooden deck, with a private pool overlooking miles of sand dunes. Three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a majlis lounge are adorned with original antiques and artifacts.
Set apart from the other rooms and suites, the luxury of this suite is in its privacy, but it also benefits from Al Maha’s meticulous service; everything from the temperature of your coffee and swimming pool to the personal itineraries can be customized before your arrival.
Atlantis, The Royal
When it opened in 2023, Atlantis The Royal captured headlines as Dubai’s new go-to luxury destination, aided by a Beyoncé performance rumored to be the most expensive private show in history. Now, almost two years later, its striking architecture and positioning on Crescent Road, circling this city’s famous Palm development, ensures Atlantis The Royal remains one of Dubai’s finest stays, located on a private beach next to its sister property, Atlantis The Palm.
Its six interconnected towers, created with curved concrete blocks stacked 43 stories high, stand out even in a city where every type of building already exists. Only half of those six towers are dedicated to the hotel, with the other three handed over to private residences. Such is the scale, however, it still offers 795 rooms (including over 100 suites), 17 restaurants, 90 swimming pools and the longest stretch of private beach in Dubai.
Visually stunning from the outside, the hotel’s interiors meet the high expectations it so purposefully sets for itself. Behind the glitz, glamour and Instagram posts, Atlantis The Royal succeeds in being far more than a place to show off your wardrobe. From A-list celebrities to young families, the hotel is all things to all people. Hedonism and restoration are served in equal measure. For every vibing nightspot to put yourself on display, there is a quiet corner in which to disappear.
Top Suite: The Royal Mansion
Sticking with the hotel’s regal theme, its most impressive suite, The Royal Mansion, is an expansive 12,100-sq-ft, four-bedroom penthouse duplex. Interiors are suitably Dubai-esque — rooms gleam with gold accents aided by the flood of light that pours in through the sizable windows.
There’s an infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea and a private foyer, which features an olive tree that’s over 100 years old. In the evenings, the private bar and outdoor terrace with views over the city prove excellent spots for unwinding.
Sleeping up to nine adults across four bedrooms, it’s ideal for larger gatherings. The suite also features an expansive dining room with space for 12 guests, as well as an entertainment room, library and bar. Naturally, service is impeccable; a personal butler and private chef are on hand to take care of your every need.
Bulgari Dubai
It is somewhat of a challenge to make a stir in the luxury hotel scene in a place as extravagant as Dubai, but if anyone is up to the task, it is Bulgari. Set on a seahorse-shaped island in Jumeirah Bay, the hotel’s unmistakable white coral-esque structure was designed by Antonia Citterio Patricia Viel and opened in 2017. It brings an Italian style to the heart of the Middle East, with every aspect of the hotel crafted to the same standards as a piece of Bulgari jewellery.
Within the Dubai hotel grounds, there’s a plethora of amenities: six gourmet restaurants, private beach, manicured gardens, a mosaic-design outdoor swimming pool, an 18,300-sq-ft spa, beauty salon with hairdressers and barbers, and Bulgari’s first-ever Marina and Yacht Club, with 50 boat berths available.
The standout restaurant is undoubtedly the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant Il Ristorante by chef Niko Romito. Here, you can sample world-class Italian fare made with the freshest ingredients while looking out over the sparkling marina. The hotel is also surprisingly family-friendly, with a kids club and a separate pool.
Top Suite: The Bulgari Villa
At Bulgari Resort Dubai, it’s the Bulgari Villa that truly impresses. In addition to being the resort’s biggest accommodation, the 5,812-square-foot three-bedroom Bulgari Villa has its own beach, a huge oval pool and an imposing garden. Despite its immense size, the villa feels intimate and cozy with the warm decor in earthy tones.
Those fortunate enough to stay will also discover a private home cinema and a hammam. With a focus on safety and discretion, private security ensures you and your family are in safe hands.
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, the palatial resort on Dubai’s world-famous artificial island, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014 and remains just as luxurious as the day it opened. Everything here is on a grand scale: the outside pool, the 34,00-sq-ft spa, and a beautiful stretch of private beach.
While this resort puts you within touching distance of the city center, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah’s abundance of restaurants and bars allows you to experience the best of Dubai without leaving the property.
Top Suite: Royal Suite
Occupying the entire top floor of the hotel, the 16,867-sq-ft Royal Suite is, truly, fit for royalty. A private elevator takes you directly to the suite, which has double-height ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, and is outfitted in Italian marble and rich wood.
The lavish space has a staggeringly large 3,702-square-foot living room, but if that’s not enough, the 20-person majlis should suit your entertaining needs. Right off the living room is the terrace, with views of the Dubai skyline, including the iconic Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab.
Should you prefer a more intimate setting, head to the master bedroom, which connects to a 1,001-square-foot terrace and a white Italian-marble bathroom. Guests also enjoy unlimited access to the hotel’s exclusive Pearl Club as part of their stay.
Armani Hotel Dubai
The Armani Hotel is the first hotel from the world-famous Italian designer and bears all the hallmarks of his typical Italian flair. Guests are welcomed into the lobby by towering bronze arches that are designed to complement the architecture of its iconic home: the Burj Khalifa
Its high ceilings succeed in retaining the appropriate sense of scale; after all, you are in the tallest building in the entire world. The 160 rooms are sophisticated and elegant, all falling in line with the typical Giorgio Armani style.
All of the hotel’s restaurants (Armani Hashi, Armani Amal, Armani Ristorante and Armani Mediterraneo) are recognized as wonderful outlets in their own right. Ristorante, serving fine-dining versions of classic Italian dishes, is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the entire city and is certainly one of the most popular. Guests of the hotel also benefit from private access to Dubai Mall and even an exclusive nightclub.
Top Suite: Armani Dubai Suite
You’d expect a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani to be stylish, and the Armani Dubai Suite has all of his signature hallmarks – it’s all clean, subtle sophistication. The suite occupies the 39th floor of the building, offering bird’s-eye views of the bustling city below without the crowds.
The calming, neutral decor is a refreshing palate cleanser to the outrageous designs seen elsewhere in Dubai, but with glossy touches such as the polished wooden bathtub. The 4,200-sq-ft sanctuary has two bedrooms, living and dining rooms, a full-service bar, pantry, private gym and study, and all rooms blend seamlessly into one another – there are no door handles, only sleek sliding doors, which add to the zen-like atmosphere.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
The closest beachfront hotel to Downtown Dubai, this Four Seasons Resort is ideally located for those keen to explore the 1,200-store Dubai Mall. The property has touches of classic Four Seasons style but takes a lot of inspiration from Arabian and Middle Eastern culture.
Designers opted for understated luxury, which goes against the over-the-top style that many of its competitors have championed. Gold leaf ceilings and flickering lanterns adorn the walls of the lobby, which looks like the palace of an ancient Arabian sheik.
The hotel has eight restaurants, so guests can choose between Turkish, Peruvian, Japanese, Italian and French cuisine. There is also reserved space for those without children, with one of the two pools designated for adults only. The rooftop Mercury Lounge is the perfect place to watch the spectacular Arabian sunset with the Burj Khalifa in the background.
Top Suite: Royal Suite
The Royal Suite is situated on the fifth floor and is accessed by its own private elevator. The 6,458-sq-ft space is a marvel in opulence. A dramatic living area has been designed to feel like a ballroom with adjacent floor-to-ceiling mirrors giving the illusion of endless space.
Venetian chandeliers and a baby grand piano set the scene for a glamorous hosting space. The master bathroom is clad in high-quality white marble with gold touches. An oversized bath is a perfect place to relax after a long day. There is also a dedicated treatment room as well as catering facilities and a large sea-view balcony.
One&Only One Za’abeel
Surpassing even Dubai’s own bold architectural prowess, One&Only Za’abeel vivifies the cityscape with futuristic, inventive forms and shapes. Imagined to be a flamboyant – but classy– portal to the ritzy city’s heartbeat, One&Only Za’abeel soars to the sky, its entire footprint a party haven.
The property delivers on its ‘vertical resort’ moniker with a plethora of dining options and well-being services. Anne-Sophie Pic, the most successful female chef of all time according to Michelin, is one of many esteemed chefs to set up stall in The Link, a vertical high street offering not just restaurants, but fashion boutiques and a longevity hub by Clinique La Prairie (the only in the Middle East).
Villa One
Villa One invites guests to a cosmopolitan parlor scene, imbued with Arabian glamour. The vision of Jean-Michel Gathy, the suite has three distinct common areas to gather with friends, two magnificently arrayed king-size bedrooms and an unforgettable terrace, inspired by a decadent, black marble infinity lap pool.
Well-trained staff, a private cinema and a fully equipped gym complete the ticket. While Villa One accommodates a maximum of six guests, that can be increased to 12 with interconnecting rooms, making it perfect for a multi-generational trip.
Atlantis, The Palm
Sitting at the tip of the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis has become a tourist destination in its own right as well as one of the best hotels in Dubai. It is one of Dubai’s biggest hotels, with 1,500 rooms and over 20 restaurants.
As the name suggests, there is a distinct underwater theme running throughout the hotel and you are never far away from a splash of blue or a shell-patterned rug. The aquarium is also one of the biggest in the world, proudly hosting 65,000 inhabitants.
With a bowling alley and a giant waterpark, this is not the place to go for a peaceful stay, although relaxation can be found in the AWAKEN Spa. The dining options read like a who’s who of world-class chefs. Hakkasan, Ossiano, Nobu and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen are all located somewhere in the expanse.
Top Suite: Underwater Suite
Dubai is home to some of the most unique suites in the world, so calling the Underwater Suite at Atlantis The Palm one of the city’s most innovative is no small claim. Here, your only onlookers are of the aquatic kind. Floor-to-ceiling windows let you observe 65,000 marine creatures from the comfort of your suite, whether it’s a shark gliding by as you soak in the tub or a spotted ray drifting past your bed.
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai
An exclusive beachfront address right in the heart of the fashionable Dubai Marina and surrounded by gardens, the Ritz-Carlton Dubai has an aura that is more akin to the Mediterranean than the Middle East.
This is not so much a hotel as a citadel. The substantial grounds contain beautiful landscape gardens, six swimming pools and no less than eight restaurants. Guests can – and regularly do – remain on the grounds for well over a week and still not experience all it has to offer. The most lively of the restaurants is Caravan, where international buffets, including the famous London Social Garden brunch, are served. This Saturday brunch was good enough to be included in our list of the best eight brunches in Dubai.
If you over-indulge (and you will) during your stay, you have plentiful options to burn of the extra calories. The hotel is adjacent to two championship golf courses, the Emirates and Montgomery, and also has its own tennis courts and fitness spa. As a result, the Ritz-Carlton Dubai is a popular destination for the active.
Top Suite: Royal Suite
This traditionally furnished suite features opulent Italian marble and mahogany accents in the living room, dining area and two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The lounge flows through into the dining room, which includes its own kitchen, making this suite ideal for entertaining. The marble bathrooms are truly luxurious, boasting a sauna, steam room and whirlpool.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
Located in close proximity to Four Seasons Dubai and Bulgari Dubai, the Mandarin Oriental is in good company along a prime stretch of beach. But on a street littered with luxury hotels, this one manages to stand out spectacularly.
Guests are guided through the lobby by the Forest of Lights – two lines of bronze trees with leaf-shaped bulbs. You are already in a world of wonder before you even check in. Bronze trees are substituted for real, towering palms in the stretched-outside lap pool (one of five swimming pools) leading to the ocean.
The spa is easily on par with any other in the city, while the fitness center offers beach-based fitness classes in the morning before the sun gets too strong. The hotel really excels in the dining sector with the prominent Portuguese chef José Avillez serving Michelin-level fare at Tasca. The low ceilings and ambient lighting make it feel as if you are in one of Lisbon’s beautifully understated yet accomplished restaurants. Netsu serves terrific Japanese food, while delicious treats can be found in the Mandarin Cake Shop.
Top Suite: Royal Penthouse
There’s no need to choose between city or sea views at the Royal Penthouse at Mandarin Oriental Dubai, since this penthouse, perched high above, overlooks both the Arabian Gulf and the glittering Dubai skyline. With a private lift, you’ll step into the glamorous, split-level penthouse featuring a vast living room, a private gym, and an opulent dining room that seats 16.
The rooftop terrace, complete with a private pool, is the perfect spot for sunset cocktails. And when it’s time to unwind, the expansive bedroom comes with a marble-clad bathroom, steam room, and two walk-in wardrobes, ensuring relaxation comes easy.
