1 Al Maha Resort And Spa
This scenic retreat was the UAE’s very first desert escape and still remains one of the most appealing. A romantic eco-resort, a stay here is like residing in a luxury desert camp designed for affluent Arab sheikhs.
Everything emulates an old world vibe – from the fortress-like lobby to the banquette seating and antique rifles on display. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Old Arabia before returning back to bustling Dubai. Luxurious rooms are styled like stand-alone ‘tents’ which are filled with wooden chests, Arabian antiques, and Oriental carpets.
Don’t forget to try out the handy binoculars to sneak a peek at the endangered scimitar-horned Oryx, bred successfully here as part of the DDCR’s conservation programme, or to take a dip in your private plunge pool. For the foodies, don’t miss out on the chance of a gourmet picnic lunch served out on the dunes or an authentic meal served alfresco at Al Diwaan.
Rooms from £554 per night, click here to book.
2 Four Seasons Resort Dubai
Lavish, centrally located and filled with relaxing charm – Four Seasons Resort Dubai is ideal for those seeking a stay with style. It’s also home to Mercury, one of the world’s coolest rooftop bars.
From the landscape gardens filled with colour and birds to the 237 rooms (all complete with balconies) this hotel is designed to keep you relaxed throughout a visit to Dubai. Don’t forget to make the most of the private white-sand beach, tennis courts and cluster of 10 delicious restaurants.
Roms come complete with pink, cream and blue interiors – as well as sleek bathrooms filled with metallic tiles. If the beach location isn’t romantic enough, the multitude of hip eateries (think Asian, Mediterranean and cocktails galore) are bound to seduce.
Rooms from £435 per night. Click here to book.
3 One&Only The Palm
If it’s exclusivity you want, look no further than One&Only The Palm. One of Dubai’s most secluded beachside resorts, a stay here offers everything from Michelin-starred cuisine and stunning interiors to the UAE’s only Guerlain Spa and a spectacular pool.
Location is everything here – the hotel is perched on the westernmost tip of the The Palm’s crescent with unrivalled views of Dubai Marina and endless serenity away from the city – which is still only 30 minutes away by car.
With a petite (for Dubai) 90 rooms and suites and four riad-like villas, the resort has a boutique hotel vibe. Interiors come with Moorish and Andalusian architectural themes, designed with horseshoe arches, geometric pattern and pools with an enchanting feel.
The rooms, complete with cream and bronze palettes, are some of the largest in Dubai – and all come complete with private balconies or terraces for added exclusivity. Prepare to be impressed by the spacious bathrooms, which all boast a freestanding bath, separate rainshower and Acqua di Parma amenities.
Devour extraordinary dishes at French fine-dining restaurant Stay by Michelin-starred Yannick Alléno, and enjoy set menu as well as the fun Pastry Library.
Rooms from £810 per night. Click here to book.
4 Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai
Escape to the man-made island of Jumeirah Bay for a stay at the Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai. A mere two-minute drive from the mainland, this hotel is still within 20 minutes of the city’s main attractions – whilst retaining an elusive feel with its island location and private beach at the same time.
Inspired by an upscale Mediterranean village, the resort is the work of renowned Milan-based architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Expect fabulous service from smiling staff – with plenty to keep you busy. Take a dip in the outdoor pool, exercise at the 24-hour fitness centre and relax in the elegant spa.
All 101 hotel rooms and suites offer an enormous private balcony to soak up the sea, as well as marble bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. For something even more private, book a stay at the 20 stand-alone villas that have private pools, outdoor terraces and butler services to enjoy.
For the foodie crowd, the restaurant jewel here is Il Ristorante by three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito, which serves modern Italian fare.
Rooms from £608 per night. Click here to book.
5 Burj Al Arab
Often hailed as ‘the world’s most lavish hotel’ the Burj Al Arab is a stay that’s bound to leave a lasting impression. Designed in the shape of a billowing sail, its opulent interiors offer everything from an award-winning spa to a seafood restaurant from British Michelin-starred chef, Nathan Outlaw.
Undeniably a Dubai landmark, the hotel’s surprisingly simple structure boasts endless luxury within. Golden columns, vibrant colours, heaps of gold leafing over 30 different types of marble. These include the rare Statuario marble, which was used by Michelangelo in his masterpieces.
Don’t be fooled however – whilst the interiors are overly elegant, the new outdoor terrace counters with understated luxury and a California-cool vibe. Stretching an impressive 300ft out into the sea, it features not one, but a duo of pools – including a saltwater pool that appears to disappear into the skyline.
With a staff-to-suite ratio of 8:1, expect to feel completely pampered from the moment you step over the threshold.The 202 suites each come complete with two floors and a sweeping suitcase, plus handy iMacs, printers and even gold TVs. Put simply, you’ll feel like royalty.
If peckish, fear not. There’s a vast nine restaurants and bars to choose from. Must-tries include Nathan Outlaw at Al Mahara (for a taste of Cornwall on the other side of the world) plus a few cocktails at Gold – foie gras and truffle oil negroni, anyone?
Rooms from £1,296 per night. Click here to book.