From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, these are the top five hotels in the Emirates
Sandy beaches, superlatives, glittering cities and plenty of sun: April is the ideal travel time in the seven United Arab Emirates. We present the best hotels.
It should be on the beach, but also with quick access to the city, luxury and activities on offer: Finding the perfect hotel for a beach holiday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not that easy. Because there are now so many that the decision is difficult. Reviews from guests help – especially when there are hundreds of thousands. More than 623,000 ratings on the HolidayCheck booking platform were recently included in the annual award hotels. We present the winners in the UAE.
1. Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites: Dream view at the dream beach in Dubai
Dubai, the emirate with the capital of the same name, which lies in the desert and borders the Persian Gulf, is a popular destination for beach holidaymakers. Because from November to April they move temperatures at a pleasant 25 to 30 degrees, the sea lures with 25 degrees water temperature. The sun shines eight to ten hours a day. And at night it cools down pleasantly. The Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites is located directly on the one kilometer long, white sandy beach of the artificially created island “The Palm Jumeirah”.
The special feature of the relatively small 5-star hotel with 316 rooms is the view of the skyline of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf from every room. The city center with the tallest structure in the world, the 828 meter high Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall are about 30 minutes away. If you want to refresh yourself in fresh water after a stroll through the city, you will find two swimming pools in the garden of the beach hotel.
2. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers: Highest viewpoint in Abu Dhabi
Gold for the hotel “Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers”: The 5-star hotel in Abu Dhabi has received the HolidayCheck Award for at least five years in a row. That has now brought him the Gold Award. Golden prospects for couples who will find ideal conditions for a relaxing holiday in the beach hotel on the elegant Corniche promenade. The 376 rooms are located between the 27th and 60th floors in one of the architecturally striking towers and offer breathtaking views of the sea and the city.
If you want to swim, you can go to the hotel’s private beach or to one of the three swimming pools. A fitness center with a personal trainer invites you to do sports, the spa to relax and a total of twelve restaurants and bars. One of them is located on the “Observation Deck at 300” – the highest viewpoint in Abu Dhabi.
3. The Cove Rotana Resort: Idyllic cove in unknown Ras al Khaimah
The Emirate of Ras al Khaimah is 90 minutes by car from Dubai. Compared to its neighbors, it is still relatively unknown, which is also reflected in the price-performance ratio. It has a lot to offer besides endless golden beaches like Flamingo Beach: from the Jebel Jais Mountains to a hill fort, the Dhaya Fortress, desert dunes, the Wadi Shawka or the last pearl farming village on the Arabian Gulf. “The Cove Rotana Resort” is located in a bay on the 65 km long coast of the insider tip emirate.
The hotel is built on the hillside and has a private 600 meter long white sandy beach. There, guests like to hang out in the “Breakers Strandbar” to enjoy a leisurely view of the sea while sipping a hookah. The spa also offers relaxation with Arabic beauty treatments, massages, a whirlpool and a steam bath. For active people there is a gym and water sports such as diving, sailing, surfing and water skiing. Children are welcome guests here – there is also a playroom and a playground for them. And of course a swimming pool.
4. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort: Privacy in the lagoon
Exclusive beach holiday on the world-famous, man-made island of Palm Jumeirah: The “Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort” off the coast of Dubai awaits you with a 400-metre-long private beach of golden-yellow sand, three turquoise-colored bathing lagoons and Thai-inspired luxury. A special feature are its over-water villas, which are often found in the Maldives. This type of glass-floored accommodation – for observing the colorful marine life – is the only one in the UAE.
Guests can try all water sports activities here, ride long-tail boats or be pampered in the spa. Or soak up life and gulf views in the whirlpool, then swim in the 50-meter infinity pool. If you get hungry, you can go to one of the bars at sunset and then there are various restaurants with delicacies from Arabic, Asian, Australian and Spanish Kitchen for optional.
5. Conrad Dubai: Elegant vacation in the center of Dubai
Swimming pool with palm garden on the sixth floor and a view of Dubai’s financial and shopping district: The hotel “Conrad Dubai” is centrally located, right next to the metro and just a two-minute walk from the Dubai World Trade Center – and yet gives the feeling of staying in a holiday oasis . Various restaurants and bars such as the Korean bar Kimpo, which serves Korean street food, and elegantly furnished rooms with skyline views also impress.
All options are open to guests: Either to visit the city of superlatives and, for example, to visit the “Museum of the Future” after just one subway stop, or to go to the beach. A free shuttle bus takes beach fans to La Mer beach in 15 minutes.