Dubai is a city where luxury knows no limits, and its hotels are no exception. From opulent skyscrapers to serene desert retreats, these iconic properties redefine extravagance with unparalleled service, breathtaking design, and world-class amenities. Whether it’s round-the-clock butlers, private infinity pools, or panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, these hotels set the gold standard for indulgence. Here are five of Dubai’s most legendary hotels, where luxury is not just a standard — it’s an art form.
Atlantis The Royal
Atlantis The Royal is Dubai’s ultimate expression of luxury, pushing the boundaries of extravagance with its bold design and world-class amenities. Home to 795 rooms and suites, 17 restaurants, 17 boutiques, and 90 swimming pools, this hotel is made for those who want to experience Dubai in its most lavish form. Cloud 22, its sky-high infinity pool, offers unparalleled views, while 44 suites and penthouses feature private glass-sided pools, allowing guests to swim in the sky.
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the hotel moves beyond the Atlantis The Palm’s underwater theme, embracing light, space, and elevated luxury. Its sprawling spa is a sanctuary of indulgence, featuring a salt cave, hydrotherapy pool, hammam, and chromotherapy sauna, with treatments incorporating local ingredients like oud, dates, and Gulf Sea salt. The hotel’s environmental initiatives include marine conservation, educational programs, and scientific research focused on the surrounding area.
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
When Jumeirah Burj Al Arab opened on December 1, 1999, it was the tallest hotel ever built at 321 meters and quickly became known as the world’s first seven-star hotel — a testament to its unmatched opulence. With gold leaf, marble, and 210 custom crystal installations, its lavish design exudes grandeur.
More than just a hotel, Burj Al Arab became a symbol of Dubai’s ambition, cementing its status as an icon of luxury. Twenty-five years later, it remains a benchmark for extravagance, featuring over 30 types of marble, bespoke furnishings, and record-breaking indulgences like the world’s most expensive cocktail and the largest tin of caviar.
Beyond its striking design, exemplary service defines the experience. Michelin-starred chefs, expert mixologists, florists, and private butlers cater to every detail. The hotel even has its own camel, Musafir, and a fleet of Rolls-Royces and BMWs for seamless city exploration.
A quarter-century since its debut, Jumeirah Burj Al Arab remains the gold standard of luxury hospitality, continually setting new benchmarks in service and sophistication.
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort
A serene desert resort designed to resemble a traditional Arabian fort invites you to leave behind the bustle of Dubai and unwind amidst golden dunes. Just a short drive from Dubai, this resort combines traditional Arabian architecture with modern luxury. Recently renovated, the resort features 115 spacious rooms and suites designed with light, airy interiors, while still maintaining authentic Arabian elements.
Beyond its stunning design and exceptional cuisine, Bab Al Shams offers a wealth of activities that allow guests to immerse themselves in the desert landscape. Whether it’s taking a camel ride through the dunes, enjoying the live performances or simply relaxing by one of the three large swimming pools, this resort provides an ideal blend of relaxation and adventure. Bab Al Shams Desert Resort is a hidden gem that captures the essence of Dubai’s heritage, offering a serene, luxurious escape in the heart of the desert.
As the sun sets, Al Hadheerah, the resort’s outdoor restaurant, comes to life with live music, traditional performances, and an immersive dining experience under the stars, making every moment at Bab Al Shams a true escape into Arabian heritage.
Bvlgari Resort
Bvlgari Resort Dubai blends traditional Middle Eastern architecture with the refined elegance of Milanese design. Located on the man-made island of Jumeirah Bay, the resort features 101 rooms and suites, as well as 20 villas with private pools and gardens. Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the resort’s low-rise structure is complemented by expansive balconies offering views of the Arabian Gulf or the Dubai skyline, while Mashrabiya-style latticework brings a sense of local heritage to its luxurious design.
The resort’s true opulence is evident in the suites and penthouses. Forty-four of these accommodations feature private glass-sided pools suspended in the air, while the penthouses boast expansive indoor living and dining areas, as well as large landscaped terraces. The marble-clad bathrooms, complete with tubs overlooking the Arabian Gulf, add to the resort’s grandeur. Every suite and penthouse comes with complimentary airport transfers, personalized butler service, and daily breakfast.
High-end amenities of the resort, in line with the brand’s philosophy, offer both elegance and substance. Guests can indulge in the Bvlgari Spa, stay active at the fitness center, unwind at the exclusive beach club, and enjoy the luxury of the Marina and Yacht Club. The five dining venues serve exquisite international cuisine, enhanced by the legendary Italian hospitality that defines Bvlgari.
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, is a refined beachfront retreat that blends contemporary elegance with relaxed luxury. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s glittering skyline, the resort’s prime oceanfront location sets the stage for both tranquil days by the water and sophisticated evenings under the city lights.
The rooms and suites reflect Mandarin Oriental’s signature sophistication, with interiors in warm earth tones accented by tangerine, teal, and gold. Premium materials such as Statuario marble and Persian travertine enhance the sense of understated luxury, while floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and terraces frame breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf or the Dubai skyline.
The spa is a epitome of wellness, inspired by the region’s natural landscape, from dune-like curved ceilings to deep blue flooring reminiscent of the sea. Offering Asian and Arabic-inspired treatments infused with 24-karat gold, the spa provides separate relaxation spaces for men and women.
The Monaco Grand Prix boasts a legacy that spans nearly a century. The race was the vision of Antony Noghès, a wealthy Monegasque passionate about promoting motorsport in the region. Inspired by the success of the Monte Carlo Rally, which had been held in Monaco since 1911.
Dubai is a city where luxury knows no limits, and its hotels are no exception. From opulent skyscrapers to serene desert retreats, these iconic properties redefine extravagance with unparalleled service, breathtaking design, and world-class amenities.
Most of the time, dining out is not an end in itself. Whether to satisfy hunger, catch up with a friend, or close a business deal, restaurants often serve as a backdrop to your life’s story unfolding, fulfilling basic needs rather than demanding undivided attention. But some restaurants defy this notion.