Dubai Hotel Tips by colin_bramso Top 5 Page for this destination

Al Mas Residence: Self-catering apartments.

There are very many blocks of serviced apartments all over Dubai, which is a very good alternative to hotels. They range from true 5-star to much cheaper apartments, so the choice is yours.

Unique Qualities: Al Mas is a middle-of-the-road block, everything you need, clean, well-serviced but not luxurious, with bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom. I'd rate it at 3-star.

Depending on the length of stay you can negotiate from the published price.

Excellent location close to the centre of Bur Dubai near shops, shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants.

Comparison: about average

Directions: Bur Dubai a short stroll to Bank Street, shops, souks, malls, the Creek.

Other Contact: almasfur@emirates.net.ae

Phone: +971 4 55 78 99

Theme: Other

Burj al Arab: Absolutely stunning hotel

Unbelievable! Built on a man-made island just offshore using the most modern materials.

To say the interior is opulent isn't doing it justice, it's breathtaking. It's certainly not to everyone's taste and it would be out of place, way over the top, in many countries. But what and where it is and in its setting it works.

Not many people can afford to stay and non-guests can't simply walk in to look around. You can book a visit through various tour operators, for afternoon tea for example, or you can book independently to eat in one of the restaurants or have a cocktail in the bar high above the Gulf.

Unique Qualities: The building itself, its standard of facilities, attention to detail, no-expense-spared quality.

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Just drive south along the beach road. It is part of the complex which also includes Wild Wadi, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Phone: +971 4 3017777

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.burj-al-arab.com

Le Meridien Mina Seyahi: Great beach location

The hotel is closed for renovation until late 2012.

On Jumeirah Beach about 25 kilometres from the city centre, and one of about 15 hotels stretched along the beach. Excellent 5-star quality, good choice of restaurants and facilities and a great beach club and garden area.

Unique Qualities: The great features are the beach club area and the dinner buffet in 'Waves'.

Address: Jumeirah Beach opposite Dubai Marina.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: Fax: +971 4 3993000

Phone: +971 4 3993333

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.lemeridien-minaseyahi.com

The One & Only Royal Mirage: One of the best five-stars

The hotels in Dubai are amongst the best in the world. In the city, stay at any overlooking the Creek...the Sheraton or Radisson are ideal. On the beach strip in New Dubai one of the best of the 5-star hotels is The One & Only Royal Mirage.

Unique Qualities: Low rise, modelled on traditional buildings in landscaped gardens.
Wonderful design and attention to detail. Absolutely top class true 5 star luxury.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In 'New Dubai' about 25 km from the city centre on Jumeirah Beach. If you are driving follow the signs towards Abu Dhabi, turn off Sheikh Zayed Road at Junction 4 and follow the brown signs which show the hotel's name.

Other Contact: info@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae

Phone: (+971) 4 399 9999

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Villa Rotana Suites: Bright modern boutique hotel

I've been shown over the hotel and have reports from people who've stayed here, and I can recommend it.

A small boutique hotel with only 118 suites & studio rooms which means it's friendly & personal rather than anonymous.

The suites have plenty of space and are ideal for longer stays.

The hotel does not serve alcohol but if you need a drink there are plenty of other hotels nearby with bars and clubs.

Unique Qualities: A new boutique hotel with big rooms, bright modern interior design & furnishings, extremely well-equipped rooms. Even the corridors are wide, light and bright.

Rooftop pool has great views across a traditional suburb to the ocean. A well equipped gym next to the pool.

A single restaurant, Moka Cafe, but it's open 24/7 with breakfast & lunch buffets and all day a la carte menu, so there's a wide choice of excellent quality food.

Address: Sheikh Zayed Road

Comparison: about average

Directions: On the new extension of SZR tourist/commercial strip, on the right as you travel from Dubai towards Abu Dhabi.

Other Contact: Email: villa.suites@rotana.com

Phone: +971 4 321 6111

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.villarotanahoteldubai.com

Jumeirah Beach hotels: Is construction a problem?

People often ask in the Forum whether their hotel will be affected by the massive construction projects in Dubai. Construction behind the string of hotels along Jumeirah Beach - including Sheraton, Hilton, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Royal Meridien, One & Only Royal Mirage and others - has largely been finished. There is now a very popular promenade of shops and restaurants.

Most of the construction work has been completed, and the global financial crisis put an end to other projects that were planned, so it's not really a major problem any more.

Unique Qualities: The main attraction of these hotels is the beachfront location and superb beach clubs. They also all have great restaurants and most have daily dinner buffets which are fantastic value.

Now there is also The Walk, a restaurant and retail area that is part of Jumeirah Beach Residence and has plenty of pavement cafes and restaurants for outdoor dining in the better months, which is October through April.

Address: Jumeirah Beach opposite Dubai Marina.

Directions: About 25km from the city centre right on the beach near Jebel Ali.

Theme: Hotel

Jumairah Beach Hotel: Stunning architecture

A huge beachside hotel, sister to Burj al Arab. Top quality 5-star hotel as good as any in the world. Relaxed and friendly, excellent lunch buffet.

Unique Qualities: All the facilities of a five star hotel, fabulous pool, private beach, shopping arcade, big choice of food outlests.

Address: On Jumeirah Beach, bout 20km from Dubai city.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just drive south along the beach road.

Other Contact: Fax: +971 4 3482273

Phone: +971 4 3480000

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.jumeirahbeachhotel.com

Express by Holiday Inn: No-frills hotel by Holiday Inn

Friends stayed here and gave a good report.

It's a no-frills hotel, which means that the staff to guest ratio is smaller than most hotels, they have only one all-day dining restaurant and they do not offer room service food & beverage.

But everything you need for a comfortable stay is provided - front desk, porters etc, good size rooms, daily room servicing. It has a small gym, laundry/dry cleaning service, a business centre. The rooms have tea/coffee making facilities plus a small fridge. And as you would expect, the hotel is well run by Holiday Inn.

The no-frills concept is reflected in good room rates and breakfast is included.

Our friends stayed here because it's close to where we live at Dubai Marina which made collecting them to take them sightseeing each day was convenient.

Address: In the Media/Internet City free zone in 'New Dubai'.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: From the city along Sheikh Zayed Road, turn off at the Media City signs. Hotel is in Knowledge Village at the opposite end of the street from where the Conference Centre is located.

Phone: + 971-4-4275555

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah: Probably the best

Friends, who do a lot of 5-star travelling, stayed here on a four day visit to Dubai and said it was the best hotel they've ever stayed in.

Al Qasr is Arabic for palace and the whole hotel has the design and quality of a Middle Eastern palace.

Unique Qualities: From the stunning driveway when you arrive at the hotel to the luxury of the entrance and the lobby, everything is 5-star.

There is a choice of fantastic rooms, large and beautifully decorated in traditional palace style.

It has everything you would expect of a true 5-star hotel, including nine restaurants and bars.

The staff are always ready to help, friendly and smiling.

It's part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex, which includes dozens of restaurants and shops at Souk Madinat. Its sister hotels in the complex are Mina A'Salaam, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Wild Wadi is also part of the complex, and all are just a short stroll away. Or you can take the guest abra around the man-made waterways that flow through the complex.

Address: At Madinat Jumeirah on Jumeirah beach.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: About 30km from the city centre in 'New Dubai'. Simply drive along Jumeirah Beach Road until you reach the complex.

Phone: +971 4 3668888

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.madinatjumeirah.com