Exploring Dubai in Style: A Luxury Travel Guide to the City’s Finest Hotels

Few places on earth redefine luxury quite like Dubai. Rising from the golden sands of the Arabian Desert, this glittering metropolis blends futuristic ambition with Middle Eastern allure. From rooftop infinity pools overlooking the Burj Khalifa to private villas floating on turquoise waters at The Palm, Luxury Holidays to Dubai are an invitation to experience indulgence on an entirely new scale.

Here, every detail is curated to impress — Michelin-starred dining in the sky, spas infused with Arabian oils and gold dust, private desert safaris beneath starlit skies. But beyond the opulence, Dubai is a city that surprises: a tapestry of cultures, artistry, and warmth that welcomes every traveller with open arms. To learn more about the city’s rich mix of culture, dining, and design beyond the hotels featured here, explore the official Visit Dubai

In this exclusive guide, we explore Dubai’s most extraordinary hotels — the places that capture the essence of five-star perfection, where architecture, service, and atmosphere merge into pure magic. Whether you’re seeking a serene beachfront retreat, a glamorous urban escape, or a palatial desert hideaway, Dubai offers something truly unforgettable.

THE BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH – The Symbol of Modern Luxury

The world’s most recognisable hotel

No guide to Luxury Holidays to Dubai is complete without the Burj Al Arab. Rising like a billowing sail from its private island, this icon of global luxury sets a standard that others can only aspire to. Designed to astonish, it’s not simply a hotel — it’s an experience.

Inside, guests are welcomed by a 180-metre-high atrium gilded in 24-carat gold. Every suite is a two-storey masterpiece featuring panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of the Arabian Gulf, a private butler on call 24/7, and Hermes amenities in the marble-clad bathrooms. The Royal Suite — a 780-square-metre duplex with rotating beds and private cinema — is among the most lavish on the planet.

Dine above the clouds

Dining at the Burj Al Arab is as sensational as its setting. Al Muntaha, perched 200 metres above sea level, serves modern French cuisine paired with skyline views, while Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara delivers Italian fine dining beneath a mesmerising aquarium dome. Even afternoon tea at the Skyview Bar feels like theatre in the sky.

Why it’s perfect for discerning travellers

The Burj Al Arab is ideal for those who believe luxury should leave a lasting impression. From Rolls-Royce transfers and private beach cabanas to exclusive Hermès spas, every moment feels cinematic. It’s the ultimate statement for couples celebrating milestones or travellers seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Awake & Wander Tip: Ask your travel specialist about combining your Burj Al Arab stay with a private desert retreat or an Emirates First Class flight — for a seamless experience of indulgence from take-off to turndown.

Explore More with Awake & Wander

At Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, we create tailor-made Luxury Holidays to Dubai that reflect your personal style. Whether you dream of exclusive upgrades, hidden-gem dining, or curated experiences that most travellers never see, our travel experts are here to make it effortless.

ATLANTIS THE ROYAL – The Pinnacle of Oceanfront Extravagance

Where architecture meets imagination

On the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis The Royal has redefined what it means to stay in style. The architecture alone is a spectacle — a series of interlinked towers resembling a modern-day palace in the clouds. Every space is designed to capture light, water, and air, creating an atmosphere that feels both futuristic and distinctly Dubai.

Step inside and you’re met with scent-infused marble corridors, art installations by international designers, and a lobby that glows with fire and water features. The sense of arrival is immediate. This is where Luxury Holidays to Dubai reach their most theatrical heights.

Suites suspended above the sea

Atlantis The Royal offers more than rooms — it offers worlds within walls. Each suite opens onto a balcony with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf or Dubai’s glittering skyline. The Sky Pool Villas are especially remarkable, each featuring an infinity pool hovering hundreds of feet above the sea. Inside, expect walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths, Frette linens, and butler service at the touch of a button.

For an unforgettable evening, Cloud 22 — the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool and lounge — has become Dubai’s most coveted sunset spot. Guests sip signature cocktails as the city transitions from golden hour to neon.

Michelin-starred dining and beyond

Atlantis The Royal is home to 17 world-class restaurants and bars, including eight helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. Guests can savour Peruvian-Japanese fusion at Nobu by the Beach, modern British fare at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, and refined Chinese at Ling Ling. Even breakfast becomes an event, with freshly baked pastries and ocean views from Gastronomy.

Beyond dining, the resort’s wellness concept rivals the world’s best. AWAKEN Spa offers crystal sound therapy, tailored aromatherapy rituals, and signature hammam experiences that echo ancient Arabian traditions. Families will love the resort’s connection to Aquaventure Waterpark — yet adults can easily retreat into serenity at one of the private Royal Beach cabanas.

Ideal for: families, honeymooners, and style-seekers

Atlantis The Royal is a destination in itself, where multi-generational families and couples find equal delight. For travellers who want their Luxury Holidays to Dubai to feel both playful and indulgent, it’s unrivalled.

Explore More with Awake & Wander

Awake & Wander’s travel specialists can design bespoke itineraries that blend oceanfront relaxation at Atlantis The Royal with a desert escape or cultural immersion in Old Dubai. Every itinerary is tailored, every transfer private, every moment perfectly timed — ensuring your holiday flows as effortlessly as the Arabian tide.

Discover our latest Luxury Holidays to Dubai experiences on our website or speak with our experts on 01495 400011 to begin crafting your next journey.

ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI – Where Design Meets Tranquillity

The essence of understated luxury

At the base of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, lies one of the most elegant and restrained hotels in the Middle East: the Armani Hotel Dubai. Conceived by Giorgio Armani himself, this property defines sophistication through simplicity — an art form rarely mastered in a city built on spectacle.

From the moment you arrive, the tone shifts. The lobby is a study in muted tones and polished stone, with scent and sound curated to calm rather than impress. The result is a sanctuary of balance, where contemporary Italian minimalism meets Arabian warmth. For travellers seeking Luxury Holidays to Dubai that celebrate refined taste over grandeur, this hotel is the embodiment of that ideal.

Suites designed for serenity

Each of the 160 rooms and suites reflects Armani’s signature aesthetic: clean lines, custom furnishings, and bespoke textiles in soothing earth tones. The design encourages stillness — even the lighting has been tailored to enhance a sense of calm.

The Armani Fountain Suite provides direct views of the Dubai Fountain shows below, while the Armani Signature Suite spans 390 square metres of pure tranquillity. Guests can order in-room dining or personalised styling assistance through the hotel’s Lifestyle Managers, who handle every request quietly and efficiently.

Dining as performance

The Armani Hotel hosts several outstanding restaurants that echo the brand’s devotion to detail. Armani/Ristorante blends classic Italian recipes with global flair, while Armani/Amal serves fine Indian cuisine accompanied by a panoramic view of the dancing fountains. For something informal yet polished, Armani/Deli brings a taste of Milan to Dubai, with artisan breads and coffee presented with effortless grace.

Every dining experience is beautifully choreographed — service is never hurried, flavours are refined, and presentation is art.

Wellness and personalisation



The Armani/Spa continues this theme of balance, offering personalised therapies designed to restore harmony through bespoke oils and mineral-infused treatments. The experience is intimate and peaceful — an ideal contrast to the energy of Downtown Dubai just outside.

This is also one of the most strategically located hotels for travellers who want to explore Dubai’s icons: the Dubai Mall, Opera District, and DIFC dining scene are all within walking distance.

Ideal for: business travellers, couples, and those who appreciate refined calm

Unlike many of Dubai’s grand hotels, the Armani offers a quiet kind of luxury — elegant, precise, and deeply personal. It’s for those who value space, privacy, and design excellence.

AL MAHA, A LUXURY COLLECTION DESERT RESORT & SPA – The Heart of the Arabian Sands

An oasis of tranquillity in the dunes

While Dubai dazzles with glass and gold, true connoisseurs of luxury know that some of the city’s most profound experiences lie far beyond the skyline. Just forty-five minutes from Downtown, Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa invites guests to step into another world — one of silence, stillness, and spectacular natural beauty.

Set within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Maha is a sanctuary for both the soul and the senses. Here, dunes roll endlessly into the horizon, oryx graze in the distance, and the air carries the scent of warm sand and wild sage. For travellers seeking Luxury Holidays to Dubai with a difference, this resort captures the region’s authentic spirit while maintaining exceptional standards of comfort and exclusivity.

Bedouin-inspired suites with private pools

Al Maha offers just 42 private suites, each built in the style of traditional Bedouin tents but finished with all the refinements of modern luxury. Inside, handcrafted Arabian furniture, brass lanterns, and fine textiles evoke the history of desert life. Step outside, and a private infinity pool overlooks the dunes — perfect for a sunrise swim as the desert awakens.

Every suite includes personalised butler service, private dining options, and sunset camel treks or nature drives through the conservation reserve. The sense of seclusion is total, yet every detail feels effortlessly managed.

Dining beneath the stars

The resort’s Al Diwaan Restaurant is a highlight, offering locally sourced dishes infused with Middle Eastern flavours. Guests can dine on the terrace as lanterns glow across the dunes or enjoy private dining beneath the desert stars — a moment of magic that perfectly encapsulates the intimacy of Luxury Holidays to Dubai.

For relaxation, the Timeless Spa is one of the UAE’s best-kept secrets. Treatments use organic Arabian ingredients — frankincense, rose, date oil — and views extend across the sands from every treatment room.

Ideal for: couples, honeymooners, and those seeking quiet elegance

Al Maha is not a place for show — it’s a place for connection: to nature, to stillness, and to yourself. It’s where time slows, and every sunrise feels like a gift.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE – YOUR LUXURY HOLIDAY PROTECTED

When planning Luxury Holidays to Dubai, peace of mind is every bit as important as indulgence. At Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, every booking comes with ATOL protection and Supplier Failure Insurance, ensuring that your investment — and your experience — are safeguarded from the very first step.

We work only with trusted, hand-picked partners across Dubai, from internationally renowned hotel groups to private tour specialists. That means every transfer, excursion, and stay meets the highest standards of safety and reliability. Whether you’re flying Business Class to the Burj Al Arab or embarking on a private desert safari from Al Maha, you can travel with total confidence knowing you’re protected every moment of the journey.

Our Take:

“Luxury is more than fine hotels — it’s the comfort of knowing that every detail has been handled by experts who care as much about your journey as you do.”

WHY BOOK YOUR LUXURY HOLIDAYS TO DUBAI WITH AWAKE & WANDER

At Awake & Wander, every holiday begins with a conversation. We take time to understand what luxury means to you — because true indulgence is deeply personal. For some, it’s a sky-high suite overlooking the Palm; for others, it’s silence beneath a thousand desert stars.



Our expert travel designers don’t rely on generic packages. Instead, they curate bespoke itineraries tailored to your style, interests, and pace. We partner with Dubai’s most exclusive hotels and experience providers to ensure seamless connections, thoughtful touches, and unique privileges that elevate your journey.

You can expect:

• Personalised planning from a dedicated UK-based expert
• Exclusive upgrades and value-added extras at selected properties
• Private transfers and guided experiences on request
• 24-hour support before, during, and after your trip
• Financial protection under ATOL and Supplier Failure Insurance

When you choose Awake & Wander, you’re not just booking a holiday — you’re commissioning an experience designed entirely around you.

FINAL THOUGHTS: DUBAI, REIMAGINED

Dubai has always captured the imagination, but its true beauty lies in its balance — between extravagance and elegance, innovation and tradition. Whether it’s the drama of the Burj Al Arab, the contemporary artistry of the Armani Hotel, or the timeless calm of Al Maha’s desert, each moment tells a story of craftsmanship and care.

Luxury Holidays to Dubai are no longer just about glamour; they’re about choice — the freedom to design your perfect version of indulgence. With Awake & Wander Luxury Travel, that freedom becomes effortless.

Call 01495 400011 today, or use our bespoke holiday search tool to begin creating your Dubai itinerary. Because where every journey begins with you, every memory lasts a lifetime.

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