Where to sleep in Dubai?

You don't know where to sleep in Dubai? Don't panic! I will tell you everything you need to know in this article and give you the best areas and addresses I have visited.

If you are planning to go to Dubai very soon, I advise you to start planning your stay as soon as possible, because the best accommodations and offers usually sell  out pretty fast in the city, despite the abundant offer of hotels. The emirate is one of the most luxurious destinations in the world, but rest assured: with a little searching, it is possible to find some very good deals for your accommodation in Dubai.

The choice of the area in which you will sleep, the type of accommodation you will choose and especially the budget you will spend are essential points to find the hotel of your dreams.

If this is your first stay and you don't know yet where to sleep in Dubai, read this article! 😊

HOTELS IN DUBAI WITH A GOOD QUALITY/PRICE RATIO

For those of you who are in a hurry, I'll give you directly 3 rather nice addresses to stay in the emirate, with a good quality/price ratio.

Dubai is the city of luxury and excess, so you might as well indulge yourself in the hotels (keeping an eye on the budget though).

• Millennium Plaza Hotel - located in the financial district of the city, this hotel is perfect for business travelers (but not only!). There is an in-house restaurant, pool, spa and wellness center, and bars/cafes to relax in. Rooms are also well-decorated and spacious, and are often very well priced compared to other hotels in Dubai.
  
  
• Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City -  The Holiday Inn Festival City is a great example of a 4-star hotel in Dubai! The decor is sleek, beautiful and the hotel is conveniently located. They even offer a daily breakfast buffet where kids can eat for free! The rooms are modern and sleek, and the quality is really good for a Holiday Inn! This is one of the last places I tried in 2020..

WHAT IS THE BEST AREA TO SLEEP IN DUBAI?

From my point of view, there isn’t really a best neighborhood to sleep in Dubai. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Your choice will depend on the attractions and activities you plan to do during your stay..

THE DISTRICT OF DEIRA: IDEAL FOR SHORT STAYS

Deira is a great choice if you are looking for a good value neighborhood and are only staying a few nights.

It's not my favorite area to sleep in Dubai, but it's true that the deals are pretty cheap!

Why? First of all, because the most affordable hotels in the city are in Deira. If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Dubai and don't want to enjoy a luxury hotel, the best accommodations at the best rates are usually in Deira. Secondly, you won't be far from the Dubai airport, while still being close to the city center. And thanks to the metro, there's no need to worry about wasting time in transit!

By staying in Deira, you'll find yourself in the old center of Dubai, and thus in a neighborhood that doesn't lack authenticity.

Visiting this neighborhood will allow you to dive into the past of Dubai: whether by walking through the maze of alleys, various souks (gold souk, fish souk, spices, perfumes ...) or during your visit of the fortress-museum Al Fahidi (the museum of Dubai is one of the must-see visits during your stay), it is all the culture, traditions and customs of the emirate that you can discover.

The museum is open every day from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm, except on Fridays when it opens at 2:30 pm (fee: 3 AED/adult and 1 AED/child.)

Moreover, there are very good restaurants in Deira, in which you can taste a typical cuisine of the emirate... And of course, the famous sunset over Dubai and its creek: a must-see from the docks or on board an abra (a traditional wooden boat)!

BUR DUBAI: TO DISCOVER ANOTHER FACE OF DUBA

Located on the opposite bank of the river, opposite Deira, Bur Dubaï is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.

If you don't know where to stay in Dubai, Bur Dubai, along with the Deira district, is an excellent choice.

There you will be able to experience the real Dubai atmosphere and the way of life of the inhabitants of old. As in Deira, you can also visit the traditional markets in the area, including the Old Souk, where you will find many souvenirs to take home. The fabric and spice markets are also a real treat for the senses!

Most importantly, visit the Heritage Village (a museum of the city's evolution) where you will be able to see a faithful recreation of a traditional Bedouin village; as well as the Diving Village, where you will learn about Dubai's maritime past.

Bur Dubai is also full of traditional stores, charming little streets and great little restaurants with a real local atmosphere.

KHOR DUBAI /DUBAI CREEK: ANOTHER GREAT IMMERSION IN THE AUTHENTIC DUBAI

If you really want to know everything about the origins of Dubai, opt for an accommodation in the picturesque district of Khor Dubai. Indeed, it was from this inlet that it all began: pearls were exported, which was the origin of Dubai's formation.

DOWNTOWN DUBAI: TO FIND YOURSELF IN THE HEART OF MODERN DUBAI

Downtown Dubai is the most lively and dynamic area of Dubai. It is perfect for a stay alone, as a couple or with children.

A must-see during your stay in Dubai,you have to visit this district no matter what during your stay because it represents the Dubai of tourism, the modern Dubai. It is there that you will fully realize the luxury and excess that exist in Dubai.

In this downtown area, you will find yourself in a colorful neighborhood and close to the city's top attractions. Most of these attractions have broken many records:

• the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa (163 stories),
• the largest shopping mall in the Arab world, the Dubai Mall with its 1,200 stores;
• the largest fountain in the world, which offers a show every evening between 6 and 11 pm.;
• a gigantic aquarium…

In fact, if you take a room in a hotel located along the Sheikh Zayed Road (the main artery that crosses Dubai), you will be ideally placed: you will be right in the heart of the city and will be able to visit the main tourist sites nearby on foot. Unless you opt for the metro, since you will be in the middle of the "Red Line", the line that runs through the city from north to south.

The problem is that in the Downtown Dubai, there are many hotels with a wide range of prices. Yes, unfortunately, the majority of the accommodations have prices that go hand in hand with the excessiveness of the place. On the plus side, you'll have a great chance of getting a spectacular view of Dubai's landmark, the Burj Khalifa tower, from your room.

JUMEIRAH AND THE PALM JUMEIRAH: BEACHFRONT NEIGHBORHOODS FOR SUN AND RELAXATION

If you are looking for peace and relaxation, choose to stay in the Jumeirah or Palm Jumeirah districts! These residential areas are full of luxury establishments that offer you all kinds of facilities without even having to leave their complex.

Your stay will include swimming pools, beautiful sandy beaches where you can enjoy various water activities, and incredible water parks! You can even go for a camel ride! In short, it's the ideal solution for family stays and for those who only come to Dubai to enjoy the sun and be pampered!

Don't let that stop you from going to the Madinat Jumeirah souk in Jumeirah to do some shopping in its stores and dine in its restaurants. You can also go to The Walk, a gigantic promenade located in front of the sea. You'll find lots of chic boutiques and a famous shopping mall, The Beach.

And in the evening, you can party in the bars and discotheques and marvel at the illuminations of the skyscrapers while enjoying the view of the marina, and of course the Burj Al Arab. 

On the palm-shaped artificial island of The Palm Jumeirah, the choice of hotels is not lacking either. But here it is luxury that is in the spotlight. So, if you don't mind staying a little further away from the center of Dubai (think about renting a car to make your travel easier) and especially if you can afford a luxurious suite, head to The Palm!

First on the list is of course "The Atlantis" hotel. It offers the best of Dubai's luxury, namely spacious and unforgettable rooms, free access to the giant water park of the complex, the Aquaventure Waterpark, but also the possibility to observe thousands of marine animals (sharks, rays....) in the Lost Chambers Aquarium or to swim with dolphins in the lagoon, the Dolphin Bay.

Alternatively, you can also enjoy the "Jumeirah Mina A'Salam" hotel with its free access to the Wild Wadi Water Park.

DUBAI MARINA: THE ALTERNATIVE TO DOWNTOWN DUBAI

Dubai Marina

is also a residential area. You can find accommodation in a pleasant and modern atmosphere. Be careful though! It is also one of the most lively areas of the city, especially in the evening. There is a lot of entertainment.

The district is full of good restaurants where you can taste good small dishes typical of the emirate, but also delicious recipes from around the world. There is no lack of choice! You can also do all the shopping you want, take a boat cruise or even take a walk in the evening on a 10 km long promenade, the Dubai Marina Walk. The view of the Marina and the sea is exceptional in the late evening. You can even go zip-lining, with an incredible descent that will take you over the marina and the skyscrapers: strong sensations guaranteed!

An additional advantage of staying at a hotel in the marina is that you will always have this priceless view of the Persian Gulf.

If you don't know where to sleep in Dubai, it's a very nice choice, both for the neighborhood and the view!

WHERE TO SLEEP FOR CHEAP IN DUBAI ?

To get cheap accommodation in Dubai, you will have to make concessions over your stay, especially on the location. Note, for example, that hotels near the airport offer cheaper rates. However, if you look hard enough - even on a limited budget - you may find that your (and your wallet’s) happiness in areas closer to the center, or even in Downtown Dubai.

Voici un exemple des prix que vous pouvez trouver dans les divers quartiers de Dubaï. La simulation porte sur un séjour d’une semaine pour deux adultes en haute saison (décembre à avril : du 11 janvier au 18 janvier 2022) et en basse saison (juin à septembre : du 5 juillet au 12 juillet 2022) touristiques. Cette simulation a été effectuée sur la plateforme Booking.

DEIRA and BUR DUBAi

These two neighborhoods are the oldest in Dubai, but they are still very much alive and their hotel prices are among the most affordable.

Jumeirah

There are very few good value hotels in the Jumeirah district, as it is located in front of the sea and therefore very popular with tourists.

One of the only establishments which has a good quality/price ratio remains the "Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach". Located in the Jumeirah Beach Residence (between the beach and the Marina), you can book a room for two for a week with a sublime view of the sea, from $1,116 in high season to $534 in low season. You can enjoy a spacious suite, a restaurant and a bar. It is a very good deal for a city like Dubai!

DUBAi MARINA

DOWNTOWN DUBAÏ

If you want to stay in the center of Dubai at a very good price, you will have to choose a private accommodation (a small apartment or a studio). On the other hand, if you want to stay in a hotel room, you will have to pay at least $1,136 per week.

AND FOR A HIGHER ACCOMMODATION BUDGET?

City of excess par excellence, there is no shortage of high-class hotels in Dubai. You will be spoilt for choice!

Downtown Dubai

In Downtown Dubai, it is impossible to miss the Burj Khalifa tower, one of the symbols of the emirate. It and the fountains at its feet offer a wonderful show every night over the city. And to make the most of it, I advise you to take a suite in the hotel that occupies a few of the tower’s floors, "the Armani Hotel". In high season, count $5,706/week and around $3,180 in low season.

The 5 star hotel "Palace Downtown" on the banks of the Dubai Lake which surrounds the Burj Khalifa will not let you down either, and you will have to pay at least $3,700 in high season and $2,515 in low season.

Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah

This is the island where you will find the most beautiful palaces in the world. As I mentioned above, the hotel "Atlantis The Palm" is at the top of the list. To stay there for a whole week, you will need at least $2,685 in high tourist season and $1,568 in low tourist season. But at that price, you will also get free access to the hotel's water park, a beautiful aquarium, a private beach and more than one pool..

Deira

Among the best hotels in the Deira, district, I recommend the "Al Bandar Rotana - Dubai Creek", a charming modern establishment with a sublime view of the Dubai skyline. Expect a budget between $501 and $725 to sleep there. An incredible price for this 5-star accommodation with five restaurants, a Fitness & Wellness club, a gym, meeting rooms and state-of-the-art facilities.

Bur Dubai

The Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights is one of the most exclusive hotels in the Bur Dubaï. area. But if you really want to treat yourself to a dream stay, book the Raffles Dubai. This pyramid-shaped building has incredible suites with a great view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai skyline. Rates range from $1,300 to $2,090 depending on the time of year.

DUBAi MARINA

Again, there is no shortage of luxury hotels in the Marina area. For example, you can stay at the prestigious "Address Dubai Marina" which offers direct access to the Dubai Marina Mall.

However, there are also luxury hotels with much more affordable prices, such as the 4-star "Millennium Place Dubai Marina" (between $615 and $834/week) or the "Wyndham Dubai Marina" with its beautiful view of the marina (between $370 and $600/week).

Are there alternatives to hotels in Dubai?

Like everywhere else, there are more than just hotels in Dubai! For example, you can rent an apartment - this is the best solution if you are traveling with your family or if you are planning a long stay in Dubai (a week or more).

You will find many offers on the Marina side at around 1,135 dollars/week. You can also book whole apartments in the old districts of Deira or Bur Dubai for less (around 794 dollars/week). In the city, you will have to pay at least $1,139/week (up to $4,544). As for Palm Jumeirah, large luxury villas are available there. But expect having to pay a minimum of $14,770/week!

However, you should know that these hostels are not mixed. You can either sleep in a women's dormitory or in a hostel reserved for men. The "Welcom Tourist Hostel" for example offers beds from $104/week. But be aware that if you decide to share a room with a private person, you can find much cheaper offers!

Tip: Book your room in advance, as hotels in Dubai are very popular whether in high or low season.

My article is now finished. I hope I could help you to answer your question "Where to sleep in Dubai?”!