World City Guide

Hotels

Dubai’s number of quality of hotels is continuing to grow, with new openings and more hotels planned for the future, with the massive Palm Islands project slated to bring another influx of luxury options to the city.

Sales tax of 10% and service charges of 10% are automatically added to the bill at checkout; tipping of porters is also expected.

Due to the current geo-political situation in the region, many hotels have been cutting their rates and offering special deals, with Dubai hotels set to remain good value for the forseeable future.

The prices quoted below are the lowest standard rates for a double room, including VAT, service charge and breakfast, unless otherwise specified.

Business

Al Bustan Rotana
This ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ member, under the leadership of Imad Elias, is one of Dubai’s most established five-star luxury business hotels. It is very conveniently located within easy reach of both the airport and the city centre. The 300 guest rooms are split between standard rooms, the ‘Club Rotana’ executive floor – with its own business centre and secretarial support – and a range of luxurious suites. The first floor rooms offer direct access to the outdoor pool and the four tennis courts. The largest conference space is the Grand Rashidiya Ballroom, which can seat up to 1500 delegates. Leisure facilities include a private beach club at Jumeirah and the Bodylines Health Club at the hotel.

Al Garhoud Road, PO Box 30880
Tel: (04) 282 0000. Fax: (04) 282 8100.
E-mail: albustan.hotel@rotana.com
Website: www.rotana.com
Price: From Dh1200

Emirates Towers
These two ultra-modern skyscrapers are the tallest buildings in the Middle East. Part office, part hotel, the towers are very conveniently located for doing business in Dubai, right at the heart of the Central Business District. Each state-of-the-art room is geared towards business guests – there is access to the Internet via high-speed modem points and the in-room TVs as well as individual fax/printer/copy machines, each with their own fax number. The deluxe rooms even have their own chaises longues. The conference centre has 17 meeting rooms and the hotel also has 14 offices for guests to use.

Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 72127
Tel: (04) 330 0000. Fax: (04) 330 3030.
E-mail: info@emirates-towers-hotel.com
Website: www.jumeirahinternational.com/towers
Price: From Dh750.

Grand Hyatt
Bravely opened in March 2003, this new offering from the Hyatt group has quickly established itself as one of Dubai’s finest hotels. This 674-room hotel pitches itself at the business crowd, with its great location on Dubai Creek and a conference and convention centre capable of holding up to 2000 delegates. The hotel, with its 15 hectares (37 acres) of grounds, boasts no fewer than 14 venues in which to eat and drink. All of the standard leisure facilities are backed up by the Grand Spa, which has a range of massage treatments and, for those travelling with families, dedicated swimming pools for both children and toddlers. One unusual feature is a 650m (2132ft) jogging track situated in the landscaped grounds.

Al Qutaeyat Road, PO Box 7978
Tel: (04) 317 1234. Fax: (04) 317 1235.
Website: www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com
Price: From Dh650.

Sheraton Deira Hotel
This central 224-room hotel is justifiably popular with both the domestic and international business communities. The rooms have all mod cons, with three telephone lines, voice-mail, trouser presses and large safes. A number of state-of-the-art conference rooms are available to meet the different requirements of its business guests, with the centrepiece – Al Massah Ballroom – catering for up to 1200 people. Other plusses include complimentary airport transfers, a rooftop pool with views over Dubai’s skyline and no fewer than nine eating and drinking venues. For days off there are also free shuttle transfers to the Sheraton at Jumeirah Beach.

Al Mateena Street, PO Box 5772
Tel: (04) 268 8888. Fax: (04) 268 8876.
Website: www.sheraton.com
Price: From Dh1100.

Luxury

Burj Al Arab
The ‘Arab Tower’, which has become one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of Dubai, is truly unlike any other hotel on the planet. Rising, like something out of a Bond movie, from its own man-made island in the Arabian Gulf, this multi-storey monster is an oasis of true luxury. All rooms are sumptuously designed suites with wide-screen TVs and all mod cons, although the garish overuse of gold and bright colours does not suit all tastes. Even the cheapest rooms have their own dining table and individual business centres, complete with laptop and printer. There are also in-room Jacuzzis. As the price of the suites rise, so do the number of facilities, with additional extras like snooker tables, cocktail bars and even private cinemas. The most expensive place to stay in Dubai remains one of the most unique hotels in the world.

Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 74147
Tel: (04) 301 7777. Fax: (04) 301 7000.
E-mail: reservations@burj-al-arab.com
Website: www.jumeirahinternational.com
Price: From Dh4000.

Ritz-Carlton Dubai
This top-drawer hotel is one of the best on the Jumeirah Beach strip and a model of casual elegance. There are only 138 rooms, making it one of the smaller hotels in this area, which results in more personal standards of service, with over 350 staff members. The low-rise buildings and soft terracotta hues make this building look more like a European hacienda than a hotel in 21st-century Dubai. Leisure facilities include three swimming pools – one with a swim-up bar – tennis courts, squash courts, a gym and a cigar bar. Business facilities include 209sq metres (2250sq ft) of function space and 88sq metres (950sq ft) of meeting space, as well as 24-hour secretarial support. Another plus is that all rooms have either a sea-facing patio or a balcony with sea views.

Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 26525
Tel: (04) 399 4000. Fax: (04) 399 4001.
E-mail: rcdubai@emirates.net.ae
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com
Price: From Dh1500.

Moderate

Landmark Hotel
For a budget, four-star hotel that is centrally located, this accommodation is difficult to beat. The 160 en-suite rooms are clean and well kept and the staff are friendly and helpful, although the hotel has few frills. One bonus is the free parking that the hotel provides for its guests. The modern, glass-fronted hotel also has a small business centre and a swimming pool.

Nasser Square
Tel: (04) 228 6666. Fax: (04) 228 2466.
Price: From Dh400 (excluding breakfast).

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers
The Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort & Towers is one of the best value luxury hotels on Jumeirah Beach and an excellent place for one to stay for both business and leisure. The 255 rooms are spacious and comfortable, with the ‘Towers’ floors offering the use of a dedicated lounge, complimentary breakfast and 24-hour butler service. Leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, floodlit tennis courts and a well equipped gym, while the hotel caters for corporate clients with a business centre and the Al Sufough Ballroom, which can hold up to 350 delegates.

Jumeirah Beach, PO Box 53567
Tel: (04) 399 5533. Fax: (04) 399 5577.
E-mail: sherjum@emirates.new.ae
Website: www.sheraton.com
Price: From Dh700 (excluding breakfast).

Other Recommendations

Al Maha Resort
This luxury retreat draws on the classic image of Dubai in times gone by, as an Arabian desert land, crossed by nomadic tribes. The ‘eco-friendly’ style is very low key, as the decor and facilities are moulded so as to have as little impact on the surrounding desert as possible. There are 30 suites available in a hotel that also puts an emphasis on personal service, with a staff-to-guest ratio of three to one. Al Maha Resort can organise four-wheel desert safari trips or camel treks into the surrounding deserts. The only drawback is that it really does feel a million miles from anywhere and getting to the city centre can take over an hour. In terms of meeting facilities, the hotel can cater for groups of up to 20. The hotel is surrounded by a protected nature reserve.

Al Ain highway (by four-wheel drive vehicle), PO Box 7631
Tel: (04) 343 9595. Fax: (04) 343 9696.
E-mail: almaha@emirates.com
Website: www.al-maha.com
Price: From Dh4400 (including all meals and activities).

Hatta Fort
This mountain retreat is situated in the Hajar Mountains, a one-hour drive from Dubai city centre. The breathtaking scenery of the mountains is the main attraction in a hotel that is comfortable without being truly luxurious. Sports facilities include a crazy golf course, a shooting range and a gym, while the hotel-organised four-wheel drive ‘wadi bashing’ safari tours are also very popular. For travellers in a hurry, there is a helipad that can connect with flights to and from Dubai’s international airport. The guest rooms are all situated in chalet-style accommodation, spread over the hotel’s 32-hectare (80-acre) gardens. The hotel gardens can cater for cocktail and various other theme parties, for up to 2000 guests, while the main conference room can accommodate up to 100 delegates.

Sharjah, PO Box 9277
Tel: (04) 852 3211. Fax: (04) 852 3561.
Website: www.hattafort.com
Price: From Dh600.