Hotels in Dubai

Dubai Hotels

Thursday 24 July 2008 (UAE)

www.dubaifaqs.com

Dubai Hotels (Hotels in Dubai)


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General Hotels in Dubai information

Most hotels quote a price per room (not per person) per night and usually include breakfast. There is an additional 10% service charge and another 10% municipality tax added to Dubai hotel bills. Check in time is around 2pm and checkout at noon but late checkouts are normally available. Prices range from 100-150 dhs per night for bargain basement hotels (not easy to find many this cheap) to several thousand dhs for the most luxurious rooms. For overseas travellers, the best deals are usually found by booking a flight with an accommodation package included. It's usually difficult to find a good room for much less than AED 400-500 per night (as of end 2006 but see cheap hotels in Dubai for a list to try).

The standard of rooms in Dubai hotels ranges from adequate to mind-boggling with a higher proportion of 4 and 5 star hotels than in many other cities. Facilities often include swimming pool, gym, restaurants and bars, and other sports facilities such as tennis and squash courts. Most of the better hotels have good supervised facilities for children staying there.

The mind-blowingist hotels in Dubai during 2007 are the Burj Al Arab and Al Maha Resort. The Al Maha sounds expensive but is worth every penny. Or fil, in local currency.

Along the coast from Jumeirah and Umm Suquiem to Jebel Ali you'll find many of Dubai's more well-known hotels and beach resorts for example the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Sheraton, the Metropolitan Beach Resort, the Royal Mirage and a many other hotels. A number of high profile hotel brands have announced developments in Dubai including Versace, Armani (in the Burj Dubai - tallest tower in the world), and Donald Trump (the original design appeared to be in the form of a tulip but has since been changed to something a little more plain).

When checking in, it is normal to be asked to show a passport - some Dubai hotels will just make a copy, others will retain during the guest's stay. Although, technically, unmarried men and women should not share a hotel room, it is almost unheard of for a hotel to even ask if their guests are married. Having different surnames does not cause any eyebrows to be raised since it is normal in Arabic culture for the wife to keep her own name after marriage.

Usually the 4 and 5 star hotels (and some of the 3 star hotels) can arrange tourist or visit visas for guests, they will also do airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

Dubai hotel ratings

The Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) assigns hotels a 1 to 5 star rating based on criteria established in 1998 (6 and 7 star hotels such as the Burj Al Arab and Al Maha desert resort are not given a DTCM rating). As of 2008, a new, more stringent system is expected to be put in place with old hotels retaining their star classification under the old system but new hotels being measured under the stricter criteria.

August 2006 information

Dubai has a wide range of hotels and places to stay ranging from the Dubai Youth Hostel to the self-rated 7 star Burj Al Arab (see the list of cheap hotels in Dubai page for less expensive options). Many more hotels are planned or being built including 100 or so hotels on the Palm Islands, and another 150-200 hotel plots on Dubai Waterfront. There are about 30,000 hotel rooms available in Dubai as of mid 2006, another 8,000 hotel apartments with a further 18,000 rooms being added by mid 2008. Total number of rooms is expected to increase to 80,000 by 2010*. Despite these impressive figures, during 2006 there is a bit of a shortage of hotel rooms in Dubai and it can be difficult to find one especially during major events, conventions and conferences for example GITEX (an IT junket) and the Dubai Shopping Festival. Hotel room prices have been soaring through 2005 and 2006 with 4 and 5 star room rates of 800-1000 dhs per night, and sometimes double that or more at peak times. With occupancy rates of 80-100% most of the time, prices will remain high and probably increase further during 2007.

*September 2006 - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels update

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels announced they would build another 55,000 hotel rooms by 2011 (across the UAE, not just Dubai). Compare these numbers to Las Vegas - 42,000 rooms under development, Macao with 27,000, and Beijing & Shanghai with just over 10,000 rooms each (figures from Sep 2006).

25 November 2006 TRI Consulting report

A report released by TRI Hospitality Consulting said that by 2010 there would be 130 new 5-star hotels in Dubai, in addition to the total of 48 by the end of 2006 (there were 35 at the end of 2005). Other increases from 2005 to 2010 are four-star hotels from 35 to 51, three-star hotels from 39 to 50. It appears Dubai is concentrating on the posh tourist market. According to the report, there will be a supply shortage until 2008. Their calculation is that total rooms available by 2010 will be about 65,000 - a little below the governement estimate of 80,000 rooms.

09 July 2007 - DTCM update on tourist and room numbers

In 2006, Dubai had 415 hotels and furnished apartment providers with a total of about 40,000 rooms available for visitors. Hotels in Dubai received about 6.5 million guests (6.1 million in 2005) in 2006 with occupancy rates over 90% and room rates soaring due to the shortage of rooms. Dubai's hotels and serviced apartments will add about 10,000 rooms in 2007. Number of hotels in Dubai in 2007 is 325 (there were 303 hotels in Dubai in 2006). Dubai will add another 22,000 hotel rooms by the end of 2008 says the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). In 2015 Dubai expects to have 15 million tourists coming to visit, some of whom will stay in 389 hotels and 131 hotel apartments. The rest will have to sleep on the beach or in bus stops. By 2016 the DTCM says there will be about 94,000 hotel rooms in Dubai including almost 30,000 rooms in the Bawadi tourist development. This information from Gulf News article 09 July 2007.

Guesthouses and Boutique Hotels in Dubai

There are a couple of small boutique hotels that have sprung up in the Bastakia area of Dubai - something a little different from the glitz and marble of the usual run of the mill five-star accommodation.

Arabian Courtyard Hotel - main hotel building in Bur Dubai next to Dubai Museum but they have a small guesthouse in the nearby Bastakiya area with rooms with TV and brightly coloured bedspreads for 700-800 dhs per night. Tel +971-4-3519111 (main hotel), www.arabiancourtyard.com.
XVA - an art gallery with a handful of rustic rooms for 700-800 dhs per night. No TV but you have a nice range of paintings to look at. Tel +971-4-3535383, www.xvagallery.com.

List of hotels in Dubai (Dubai hotel list)

These are some of the popular hotels in Dubai.

Admiral Plaza Hotel - near the Bur Dubai souk area.
Airport Meridian Hotel - opposite the airport, very comfortable.
Airport Millenium Hotel - near the airport, very comfortable.
Al Khaleej Hotel
Al Khaleej Palace - Deira
Al Bustan Rotana Hotel - near the airport, very comfortable, good restaurants.
Al Maha Resort - expensive but one of those 'worth every penny' (or fil) type deals. Vastly superior to Bab Al Shams. A definite highlight of a trip to Dubai. Expensive.
Ambassador Hotel
Astoria Hotel - iconic hotel in the middle of the Bur Dubai souk area. Ancient by Dubai standards.
Avari Hotel
Bab Al Shams - a five star hotel in the desert but not the same as Al Maha.
Burj Al Arab - the symbol of Dubai around the world.
Capitol Hotel
Carlton Tower Hotel
City Centre Hotel - next to Deira City Center, handy for shopping.
Copthorne Hotel (163 rooms) - Sharia compliant meaning no alcohol, and separate swimming times for men and women. Marriage certificate not required for couples though. General Manager is Reda Mukhtar. Owned by Dhabi Islamic Bank, managed by Millennium Group. Open 19 January 2008. Location is Port Saeed area in Deira, near Deira City Center, tel +971-4-2950500.
Corp Executive Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha - for trendy executives (rooms have game consoles). Close to Mall of the Emirates. Opened July 2007.
Crowne Plaza - on Sheikh Zayed road near the Trade Center.
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City (open November 2007)
Dubai International Hotel - Airport transit hotel inside the Dubai airport terminal.
Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa - on the beach in Jumeirah, well known for Sho-Chos bar and Boudoir nightclub/lounge.
Dubai Park Hotel
Emirates Towers Hotel - tall twin towers on Sheikh Zayed Road, great views.
Fairmont Hotel - Sheikh Zayed road, high standard.
Golden Tulip Al Barsha - near Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha, open 01 June 2007, 125 rooms, owned by Noor Capital. Has Chinese, Indian & Lebanese restaurants, sports bar, night club, pool and usual other facilities.
Grosvenor House - in Dubai Marina with the splendid Buddha Bar.
Le Meridian Dubai - otherwise known as the Airport Meridian Hotel.
Le Meridian Jumeira Beach
Four Points Sheraton - Bur Dubai.
Grand Hyatt Dubai - near Garhood Bridge.
Hatta Fort Hotel - just before the border to Oman, a weekend getaway about an hour's drive from Dubai in chalet style accommodation with golf driving range and archery. Tel +971-4-8523211. Rooms 600-1000 dhs including an unspectacular dinner and band/duo but the surroundings are pleasant and scenic. Almost a historic landmark having been in operation for 30 years.
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
Hilton Dubai Creek
Holiday Inn Bur Dubai - 400 rooms, scheduled to open second half of 2008. Will be Sharia compliant - no pork or alcohol available.
Hotel Inter-Continental
Howard Johnson Hotel
Hyatt Regency - Deira, on the corniche. Home of the well-known revolving restaurant, another famous Dubai landmark.
Imperial Suites Hotel - 'friendly' ladies seem to congregate here.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) at Dubai Festival City (open November 2007) - InterContinental Hotel (498 rooms), Crowne Plaza (316 rooms) and InterContinental Residence Suites (212 studio, 1, 2, 3 bdrm apartments)
Jumeirah Beach Hotel - next to the Burj Al Arab on Jumeirah Beach Road, distinctive wave shaped building.
Jumeirah Beach Club - a beach club with accommodation on Jumeirah Beach Road near Safa Park.
Jebel Ali Hotel - closer to Dubai than several years previously. Famous for its pleasant gardens with wandering peacocks.
JW Marriott - home to a popular steakhouse restaurant.
Kempinski - overlooks Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates.
Metropolitan Resort & Beach Club - one of the older beach resorts near Dubai Marina - existed before any other development in that area.
Metropolitan Hotel - another well-established hotel in Dubai. Opposite Safa Park on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Marco Polo hotel
Novotel - next to the Dubai Conference Center.
Palace Hotel, The - The Old Town, Downtown Burj Dubai. Next to Souk Al Bahar (open December 2007).
Palazzo Versace Hotel - under development (Emirates Sunland Group)
Radisson SAS Hotel - on the beach near Dubai Marina.
Raffles Hotel, Wafi Center (owner, Raffles is the operator). Partly open 12 Oct 2007 with some rooms, 1 cafe and 1 restaurant. Official opening date 20-22 Nov 2007.
Ramada Hotel - one of the older hotels in Dubai, near the Bur Dubai souk area.
Renaissance Hotel - Deira.
Regent Palace Hotel - in Bur Dubai opposite the Bur Juman Shopping Center, home of the infamous Rock Bottom bar and nightclub.
Regent Beach Resort - good value for money beach (almost) hotel near Open Beach in Jumeirah.
Riviera Hotel
Royal Mirage Hotel - on the beach near Dubai Marina, one of the nicest places to stay in Dubai.
Rydges Plaza
Samaya Hotel Deira - open November 2007, near Dubai Creek, Perisan restaurant, 5 star.
Shangri La Hotel - high class hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road just before Defense Roundabout.
Seashell Hotel - one of the older hotels in Dubai, near Bur Dubai souk area.
Sheraton Deira - on the Deira side of Dubai Creek.
Souk Madinat - next to the Burj Al Arab. A complex of shops, restaurants, bars, hotel rooms with a traditional souk theme and canals with electric gondolas. Magnificent, a place worth visiting.
St George Hotel - in the Bur Dubai souk area, seems to have been there forever.
York International Hotel - near the Bur Dubai souk area on Bank Street. Somewhat infamous due to the hospitable nature of the female patrons in the bar.
Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina - open 03 January 2008, a beachfront resort.

Serviced Apartments in Dubai

Better Homes
Nuran Serviced Residences - launched by Emaar Properties Sep 2007 with 90 serviced apartments available in Nuran Al Majara Residences in Dubai Marina (location map). Sizes from studio to 3 bedroom, fully furnished including hairdryer, satellite TV, & safe. Building has conference room, pool, gym, jacuzzi. Rates are 650 dhs to 2700 dhs per night (depending on room type and length of stay) as of Sep 2007. Tel +971-4-4223666, email reservations@nuran.com, web www.nuran.com.
Rahat Service - launched by Jamal Al Habtoor Real Estate Sep 2007 with 15 one, two & three bedroom apartments available in Dubai Marina for short term lets. Fully furnished, internet, cable TV, telephone, housekeeping, 24 hr security. Tel +971-4-3639800, web www.habtoorhomes.com.

Abu Dhabi Hotels

Emirates Palace Hotel - at the end of the corniche, a spectacular place worth having a look at if you're in the area. Has hosted several exhibitions and concerts since it opened including Justin Timberlake, a troubador of some repute, on 06 December 2007. Emirates Palace won a couple of World Travel Awards in December 2007. One for the World's Leading Conference Hotel, and one for their grand suites being named the World's Leading Suites. The Emirates Palace auditorium is claimed to be the largest in the Middle East and Northern African Region (MENA) with an audience capacity of 1100.
Eva Hotel, expected opening 2010, 4-star, location Mina Street, operator Southern Sun Hotels.
Hyatt International (2009) will open a 200 room 5 star hotel in Capital Gate, part of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Named 'Hyatt at Capital Centre', it will be the first Hyatt in Abu Dhabi. There are already 3 in Dubai - Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency.
Jebel Dhana Resort - an isolated 5 star resort 240 km west of Abu Dhabi, part of Danat Hotel Group. Excursions to Sir Bani Yas Island, a sort of wildlife sancturary (closed for redevelopment through 2007). Drive along the E11 past Ruwais and look for the Danat Resort turn-off. Weekend rates 650 dhs per night plus taxes during August 2007. Tel +971-2-8012222, www.ncth.com.
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi opened August 2007. Rooms, suites, villas and serviced apartments (studio to 4 bdrm).

Fujairah Hotels (Fujeirah Hotels)

Al Aqah Beach resort (Le Meridien), 5 stars, tall building that stands out 30 min north of Fujairah on the coast.
Fujairah Hilton - on the beach close to central Fujeirah. Opened before anyone lived in the UAE.
Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa - 5 stars and 5 floors, opened April 2007, on the coast, a 30 min drive north of Fujairah (or 10 min south of Dibba). Free watersports (some) at their marine center, including glass-bottomed boat rides to Snoopy Island. Two restaurants and a bar.
Oceanic Hotel in Khorfakkan is actually in the emirate of Sharjah but is up the coast from Fujairah

Sharjah Hotels

Oceanic Hotel in Khorfakkan - on the east coast of the UAE. Tel +971-9-2385111, www.oceanichotel.com.
Samaya Hotel Sharjah - open by June 2008?

Rotana Hotels scheduled to open in the UAE

These dates from a press release dated Aug 2006. It would be prudent to confirm opening dates, or assume that there is a 6 month delay. Rotana Hotels are also opening some "Centro by Rotana" budget hotels in the UAE, during 2008.

Khalidiya Palace Rotana Resort, Abu Dhabi - early 2008
Park Rotana Hotel & Suites, Abu Dhabi - mid 2008
Amwaj Rotana Resort, Jumeira Beach, Dubai - end 2007
BurJuman Rotana Suites, Dubai - end 2006
Media Rotana Hotel, Dubai - mid 2007
Rose Rotana Suites, Dubai - mid 2007
Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa, Fujairah - January 2007
Fujairah Rotana Suites, Fujairah - mid 2008
The Cove Rotana Resort & Spa, Ras Al Khaimah - mid 2008