
Best Resort Hotels in United Arab Emirates
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 resort hotel in United Arab Emirates. 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 resort hotels in United Arab Emirates 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.
Abu Dhabi Emirate, Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
(5 stars)The all-inclusive resort is a top choice for a luxurious family holiday. Located on pristine white sands next to the Arabian Gulf, there is an abundance of outdoor and indoor activities; from tennis, paddleboarding, personal training sessions and so much more – guaranteed to entertain all ages. There are seven different room types, five suite types, and two villa types to choose from, all of which are generously proportioned and stylishly appointed. The resort has seven restaurants, offering a truly international selection of cuisines and an ambiance suited to every occasion – with one restaurant reserved exclusively for villa-only residents. The hotel has four bars to enjoy a sociable drink; for an elegant experience, guests can quench their thirst at the lobby bar or a more relaxed vibe the swim-up pool bar is a perfect choice. And for the ultimate in relaxation guests can relax or rejuvenate at the wellness spa; Anjana is the largest spa on Saadiyat Island and guests are spoilt by the myriad of luxury treatments available.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
Royal Central Hotel The Palm
(5 stars)Enjoy exclusive beach access at this funky 207-bedroom hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows proffering direct views of the Arabian Gulf and The Palm, an internationally recognised landmark. Guests can dine at its Royal Grill, Choi (a Pan Asian-themed venue), on Latino street food by the infinity pool at the cabana-lined Hush Beach and all day in the fine La Maison restaurant. Speciality coffees are served at Barista’s Corner, there’s the Tal Spa for a touch of pampering and you can try an array of water sports just steps from your suite. Royal Central Hotel is a 5-star family-friendly resort.
Abu Dhabi Emirate, Abu Dhabi
Bab AlQasr Hotel
(5 stars)True opulence awaits you inside the Bab Al Qasr hotel with its lobby filled with palms and plush seating in shades of cream and red. Beautiful views abound outside the window of each luxurious room designed for the ultimate in rest and relaxation. The hotel features an exclusive collection of restaurants and a distinct Moroccan influence in both dining and decor. Relax and rejuvenate in the hotel’s spa or lounge poolside and soak up the sun. The hotel also boasts a fitness centre and a hair salon, and can organise tours and excursions.
Dubai Emirate, Dubai, Business Bay
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.
Sharjah Emirate, Ajman, Sharjah
Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa
(5 stars)The city’s newest beach resort comes under the international Sheraton banner, making it popular with Western visitors seeking an international vibe with five-star facilities. It’s also a family-friendly choice, offering babysitting services, a kids’ club, a games room and a dedicated pool for guests with children. The Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa also has 349 bedrooms, a private beach area, another outdoor pool, a gym, a beach grill, a seafood market, a buffet restaurant, a cafe and a cigar lounge. While it is a cosmopolitan hotel, there’s plenty of Arabian influence, not least in the decorative accents. Some rooms have balconies and sea views, while the top room — the Presidential Suite, is a palatial affair with three bedrooms and a private pool.
Sir Bani Yas Island, Da‘sah
Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara
(5 stars)Stay in one of 64 bedrooms and suites or a pool villa overlooking the Arabian Gulf at Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara. All room categories come with private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, the brand’s own bath products and classic furnishings in neutral shades, featuring Emirati motifs inspired by the surrounding desert. Eat and drink in five restaurants and bars; book treatments in the spa; and swim in one of three temperature-controlled swimming pools — including an enormous infinity pool beside the ocean, containing mini islands with palm trees. Kids have their own club with a programme of activities and adults can take part in watersports, or exciting excursions.
Abu Dhabi Emirate, Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
(5 stars)For movie lovers desiring a world of colour and creativity, whether solo or making memories with kids, delved into the world’s first-ever Warner Brothers themed hotel in Abu Dhabi, as part of the Hilton’s Curio Collection. After fun-filled days at the resort’s kid-friendly pools and Yas Island theme parks, you can relax and rewind in the hotel’s various rooms and suites. Inspired by your favourite Warner Brothers characters, each room features amazing views through floor-to-ceiling windows as well as drink facilities to ensure your stay meets your every need. And to feed that built-up appetite after all the family fun, there are five WB on-site dining facilities to choose from, including their very own signature restaurant, The Director’s Club for movie-scene-inspired sophisticated dining and The Overlook for specialised cocktails and a view.
