Dubai’s best luxury beach hotels

Dubai has the Worlds most luxurious hotels – but what are the best?

Dubai has a lot going for it. Great weather, white sand beaches, loads of fun things to see and do, great shopping and of course those incredible luxury hotels.

There are three main areas depending on what you want. Jumeirah beach is the original beach hot spot and where you will find the iconic Burj Al Arab. This area is close to the downtown city centre area. A little further along you have ‘The Walk at JBR’. This is a fun beachfront area full of shops and restaurants with plenty going on. Five star hotels here are some of the best value beach hotels in Dubai. Then there is the iconic Palm island. This engineering masterpiece is a series of man made islands designed to look like a palm tree. Palm island is home to lots of the newest, biggest and most luxurious beach resorts.

There are so many great hotels but let’s look at some of the best. All of these offer beachfront living at it’s finest and each offers something a little different to the next, so something for everyone….

BULGARI

This is one of the newer hotels which is actually a private island resort just off the coast of Jumeirah. It has a really good beach club with private cabanas and a kids club.  The hotel design is inspired by an upscale Mediterranean village and brings elegant Italian style to Dubai. There is a lovely private beach and also a private marina and yacht club adding to the upscale feel. There are only 101 rooms so it is a small hotel in Dubai terms. It also has some amazing private villas with private pool, some of which have direct beach access. This is a great choice for people who don’t like high rise glitz and would prefer elegant European style and luxury.

NIKKI BEACH

This is a smaller boutique style hotel with a cool contemporary feel. It has a great beach club and one of the few hotels in Dubai to offer private pool villas. It is the only resort on Jumeriah Pearl island so has a sort of remote feel about it, even though it is close to downtown and Dubai Creek. This is one for people who like their hotels sleek and cool with a laid back luxury beach club vibe.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

This is one of Dubai’s newest luxury hotels. It is on Jumeirah beach and one of the closest hotels to downtown. So great for people looking to hit the malls. The hotel has been stylishly and tastefully designed and has a real wow factor. Foodies will love the Michelin standard meals from Portugal’s most prominent chef. This is a great hotel if you want to stay in something brand new and want to be close to downtown.

RITZ CARLTON

This is a great hotel, close to the entertainment of ‘The Walk at JBR’. It is a low rise colonial style resort with extensive grounds where there are lush gardens, home to lots of singing birds and numerous pools, with the long sandy private beach beyond. If you like lots of outside space to enjoy this could be the hotel for you. It is especially good for families with lots going on at the hotel including a kids club, as well as plenty to do nearby.

ONE & ONLY THE PALM

This is one of Dubai’s most intimate and romantic boutique style beach hotels. It is a very attractive low rise hotel in an elegant Andalusian style and offers privacy and personal service to its guests. This is one of the Palms most luxurious hotels. The location right on the edge of the Palm means you will enjoy absolute peace and quiet on the secluded private beach. This is a great hotel for couples looking for a romantic retreat and a popular choice for honeymooners.

ATLANTIS THE PALM

This is one of Dubai’s most iconic and recognisable hotels. It offers 5 star luxury with a marine based theme, aimed at families looking for lots of fun. The resort is a destination in itself with a vast array of amenities and activities on site, so you may not leave the resort at all. All guests get unlimited access to the hotels own waterpark and it’s fantastic aquarium. Families will love the Atlantis and the kids have various kids and teen clubs to enjoy, as well as a bowling alley, arcade and of course the vast white sand beach. There are 23 eateries at the resort, so unless you plan a long trip you won’t get a chance to try them all. Definitely one for the families or the young at heart. If you want a quiet relaxing hotel you might want to rethink this one.

ATLANTIS THE ROYAL

Atlantis the Palm has a brand new sister hotel next door. Atlantis The Royal is redefining luxury in Dubai and is setting the new standard. This is ultra luxury at its best and this shining new landmark on Palm island is Dubai’s most exclusive address. A combination of ultra luxury, sophisticated style and a fun, lively vibe. Get your phones out for the instagram worthy Nobu beach club or the stunning rooftop lounge bar and infinity pool at Cloud 22. Enjoy Dubai’s best rooms, where the exclusive penthouse suites, come private infinity pools and terraces overlooking the Gulf.

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING TO DUBAI….

Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit where you have hot sunny days but without the blistering heat of Summer. The winter months are great too if you want to get away from the UK winter for guaranteed sun and temperatures in the low to mid 20’s.

There are direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle. The flight takes about 7 hours. The cheapest flights tend to land in the middle of the night, so balance the extra cost of the nicer flight times with the fact you have to pay for one less night at the hotel.

Big religious events like Ramadan may mean slim picking for events in the city and it could affect tours and public transport. Bear this in mind when booking. Ramadan runs April 12th-May 11th (2021)

It is actually illegal for unmarried couples to share a room in Dubai. This is rarely enforced in international luxury resort hotels. You should keep public shows of affection to a minimum though. If you are stopped by the police for kissing in public and they find out you are unmarried that could cause issues.

As Brits we all love a drink. Even though a Muslim country, there are lots of great bars in the hotels of Dubai and you are welcome to drink alcohol. Keep your drinking to bars, hotels and clubs though as drinking and generally being drunk in public is a big non-no.

The UAE is a Muslim country and their laws and customs are very different to ours. On the whole they are a very polite and tolerant society although you should double check what is and what isn’t considered both polite and legal before travelling.

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