Best Luxury Hotels in United Arab Emirates
The tourism capital of the Gulf nations, the UAE offers year-round sunshine and glamorous resorts. Its two main cities: Abu Dhabi and Dubai are glitzy playgrounds, edged by a perfect coastline with azure blue seas. Dubai is home to the tallest tower on the planet, Burj Khalifa, a major draw for visitors and some of the world’s most opulent hotels. But it’s not only the more populated areas that attract visitors. Trips out to experience the country’s fascinating Bedouin desert culture offer an opportunity to view and engage with a culture completely disparate from the Western world. Here are our top places to stay in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai
Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel
(5 stars)The latest addition to the Aujan Group Holding portfolio is the Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel. It has 252 guest rooms and suites, with views of the city, the pool or Burj Khalifa. An entire floor is given over to wellness, with a spa offering Thai-inspired treatments, a gym and a swimming pool, plus there’s a tree-lined outdoor pool. Its Nine7one offers indoor and poolside dining; Kimura-Ya serves Izakaya-style menus by Chef Kohei Kobayashi, and the Punjab Grill provides Indian dishes. The rooftop is home to La Mezcaleria, serving international plates and cocktails, with live DJs. The Lobby Lounge and Bar is the place for relaxed drinks and snacks.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai
Pullman Dubai Downtown
(5 stars)Swim among the skyscrapers and soak in the outdoor jacuzzi, at the Pullman’s glass-walled pool terrace. The hotel, set on the banks of Dubai Creek, occupies 19 floors. Its highest rooms offer panoramic views of the canal and skyline, all provide a calming, neutral decorative palette, with suites adding pantries, living and dining spaces. It has six places to eat including the Brothaus Bakery – Bistro, The Backyard (a street-art-inspired garden terrace), the Swim & Tonic pool bar and lounge and the airy Bayside Restaurant & Terrace. There’s also a spa, a gym, a squash court and a pool for kids.