
Best Design Hotels in Dubai
As a long-established luxury travel publication, The Luxury Editor is known for showcasing hotels that go beyond star ratings alone and focus on what really matters to discerning travellers seeking a memorable stay in a design hotel in Dubai. Service, design, atmosphere, sense of place and the overall quality of the guest experience all play a part in whether a property earns its place in our curated list.
Whether you are at the early stages of planning or already comparing a shortlist, our choice of design hotels in Dubai is a credible and useful guide, with easy booking options too.
Let us help you make searching for the perfect place to stay more inspiring, more informed and more enjoyable.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Bur Dubai
Raffles Dubai
(5 stars)Inspired by the pyramids of Egypt, the Raffles Dubai hotel is designed to mix Egyptian culture with Dubai’s contemporary style. All of the hotel’s rooms have customised and handmade ornaments and luxurious fabrics. You’ll be pampered in the extravagant saunas and steam rooms and can enjoy outdoor relaxation by the luxurious swimming pool. The hotel’s 7 restaurants include Japanese cuisine as well as traditional Arabian dishes. If you’re looking to do a little bit of shopping, you can go to Wafi Mall which is right next to the hotel.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
One & Only the Palm
(5 stars)One & Only The Palm Resort is a jewel in Dubai. Located on the Palm Island, it’s the reflection of stylish and prestigious design. You can enjoy astonishing panoramic views from your suite or take a walk on the lush private beach on the Palm Jumeirah. The One & Only has elegant and spacious rooms, suites as well as villas which are perfect if you’re travelling with your friends or family. The Beach Villas offer customised service and direct access to the amazing private beach. If you’re a fan of healthy dining, make sure you book your table at the over-water Marina Restaurant, Bar & Lounge. Guests can also enjoy dishes offered by the One & Only Royal Mirage in its 7 restaurants. You’ll have to take a water taxi to get there, though.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Trade Centre
One&Only One Za’abeel
(5 stars)Dubai and luxury are two words that go together like caviar and diamonds and with One Za’Abeel – part of the One&Only group – opening its opulent doors earlier this month, you can now stay at the group’s first urban resort set within the heart of Dubai, in the exclusive Za’abeel neighbourhood. Flanked by the royal palaces, a mere ten minutes from Downtown and Dubai International Airport and within walking distance of the Dubai World Trade Centre, One Za’abeel is the perfect base for both culture and business alike. One&Only are industry leaders when it comes to beach and nature resorts and now, in a flourish of awe-inspiring architecture from revolutionary designer Nikken Sekkei, they are taking everything they do best and transporting it to the Dubai skyline.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
The Lana – Dorchester Collection
(5 stars)The Lana – Dorchester Collection a new addition to the Dorchester Collection, officially opened its doors marking a significant milestone in luxury hospitality within the UAE. Designed by Foster + Partners with interiors by Gilles & Boissier, this waterfront property on Marasi Bay Marina offers panoramic views of Burj Khalifa. It features 225 rooms and suites, eight dining venues including collaborations with world-renowned chefs, and over 50 specially commissioned art pieces. Highlights include the UAE’s first Dior Spa and a unique design that emphasises space, light, and cultural influences. The hotel is situated near downtown Dubai, providing easy access to key attractions and exceptional transportation options, such as custom Rolls-Royces and a foiler boat.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
(5 stars)Exuding French elegance and inspired by Polynesia, this hotel is found on the East Crescent of The Palm. Choose between a bedroom, a suite, an apartment or a villa, some with balconies. All accommodations feature onyx, stone and dark wood furnishings, with a colour palette evocative of the South Pacific’s landscapes, the brand’s signature MyBeds, Illy coffee machines, pillow menus and French bath products. This Sofitel has six outdoor swimming pools, a private beach with netted swim areas and its own seaside Laguna Bar, as well as nine more venues in which you can wine and dine.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah
(5 stars)Stay beside one of Dubai’s most recognisable landmarks — the Palm Jumeirah — close to malls and the downtown area. All bedrooms have full height windows and balconies to maximise the views, and the outdoor pool is found beside the resort’s private beach; the latter offering a range of watersports. Guests can make use of a fitness centre and the Saray Spa, while younger travellers are well-catered for at the kids club. Also onsite are 10 restaurants providing everything from Korean to Italian, Japanese and Mexican cuisine. Book an Executive Level suite for access to the M Club Lounge.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Downtown Dubai
Address Downtown
(5 stars)Address Downtown in Dubai is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, directly opposite the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall. This contemporary property, part of the Address Hotels + Resorts, blends modern elegance with high-end amenities. It features 196 rooms and suites with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa or the Dubai Fountain, and offers amenities such as an infinity pool, a spa, a fitness centre, and multiple dining options. Its prime location provides easy access to major attractions and shopping destinations, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travellers.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Zabeel
Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre
(5 stars)Set within the iconic Burj Daman building and rising above the city skyline, the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre is home to 275 rooms and suites. This five-star retreat channels the glamour of the 1960s with Art Deco-inspired interiors, curated artwork, and panoramic views of Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa.
Dine at Bull & Bear, a contemporary steakhouse inspired by Wall Street legends, enjoy Mediterranean flavours at St. Trop rooftop lounge, or savour classic cocktails at Peacock Alley. The spa provides a serene urban sanctuary complemented by a modern fitness centre and rooftop pool overlooking the city. Just moments from DIFC’s high-end galleries, boutique shops, and restaurants, the hotel combines business convenience with leisure indulgence, making it a favourite among guests seeking refined elegance and world-class service in the heart of Dubai.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Bur Dubai
Palazzo Versace Dubai
(5 stars)The Palazzo Versace is located in the centre of the Culture Village and is an 8-minute walk from Downtown Dubai. The hotel’s interior design is custom-made by the House of Versace. The 215 hotel rooms and suites, as well as the 169 residences, have tailor-made Italian furnishing. The hotel offers excellent fine dining in its 8 restaurants with al-fresco terraces and 3 spectacular pools featuring mosaic tiles. For a bit of fun, The Palazzo Versace offers complimentary access to Nikki Beach Resort & Spa’s pools and beach.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
NH Collection Dubai The Palm
(4 stars)A glass-walled, crescent-shaped, cloud-high infinity pool (with an adjacent bar and shisha lounge) looks out across the beach to the city skyscrapers beyond. It epitomizes the luxe credentials of the new NH Collection hotel, Dubai The Palm. Rising 14-storeys, the property accommodates 227 bedrooms and suites and 306 serviced apartments, as well as three spa treatment rooms, a kids’ club catering to those aged four to 12, and multiple international dining options. NH Collection Dubai The Palm provides direct access to the West Beach and is situated in the South tower of the Seven Palm project.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai
SO/ Uptown Dubai
(5 stars)SO/ Uptown Dubai, debuting within Dubai’s innovative Uptown Dubai district, presents a five-star luxury experience that uniquely blends avant-garde design with luxurious amenities. The hotel features 188 fashion-inspired rooms with high-end finishes, panoramic city views, and distinctive dining options such as Uptown Brasserie and The Citronelle Club. A full-service ballroom, various in-house dining concepts, and the Uptown Spa developed in partnership with Anne Semonin Paris enhance the urban resort’s appeal. Additionally, 227 branded residences occupy the upper floors of the Uptown Tower, offering premium living spaces. The development, designed by architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, positions Uptown Dubai as a vibrant, mixed-use community integrating luxury commercial, residential, and leisure spaces.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Downtown Dubai
Armani Hotel Dubai
(5 stars)This Armani Hotel occupies 11 floors of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, but it has a separate private entrance. All rooms have Japanese tatami furnishing and lush fabrics. A prestigious dining experience is offered by each of the hotel’s 7 restaurants. For a night to remember make sure you go to the Armani Privé club. If you want to relax, you can enjoy the luxurious Armani Spa to enjoy special treatments with exclusive products.
