The 17 Best Hotels in Dubai To Book With Points [Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Hilton]

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a large, glamorous city with hundreds of hotels. Travelers to the Arabian hub can have curated, intentional stays, as nearly every major hotel brand has at least 1, if not several, options.

With high hotel competition in Dubai, prices are often reasonable, especially in the low season (summer), which is great news for visitors spending either cash or points. Here are some of the best choices for where to stay in Dubai, from luxurious resorts to top-value lodgings, high-rise hotels, and beyond, where you can earn or redeem hotel points.

Where To Stay in Dubai

Dubai’s waterfront city has various neighborhoods, including islands. It can often be busy and filled with traffic, so it’s best to stay close to planned activities.

Downtown Dubai

If you want to play tourist, opt to stay downtown, where most of the city’s major tourist attractions are: the massive Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain, Dubai Old Town, and Souk Al Bajar. That said, hotels in this area can be more expensive than other areas, and there isn’t as much in the way of bars, restaurants, or nightlife. It’s better for shopping and enjoying Dubai’s famous landmarks.

Dubai Marina

This area is one of Dubai’s best hangout spots for travelers who want to enjoy the social aspect of lively restaurants, resorts, and nightlife. Dubai Parks and Resorts is about a 20-minute drive away, a complex that includes Motiongate Dubai, Real Madrid World, Legoland Dubai, and Legoland Water Park Dubai.

Jumeirah

This waterfront area is perfect for enjoying the sand and the sea, but also has access to cute restaurants, shops, bars, and cafes.

Palm Jumeirah

This palm-tree-shaped set of artificial islands is home to some of Dubai’s most opulent hotels and the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk. From here, you can catch great views of the skyline and coast.

Deira

This inland area is set in the north of Dubai Creek, a saltwater inlet where traditional dhow boats glide. You can enjoy shopping at some of the city’s markets. An excellent spot for exploring Dubai’s history and culture, it’s home to Dubai’s Gold Souk and the Women’s Museum at Bait Al Banat.

Al Barsha

This newer neighborhood has some of Dubai’s best shopping and dining, including the Mall of the Emirates, which features indoor skiing.

The Arabian Desert

Dubai has numerous city activities, but is also home to a unique natural landscape: the warm sands of the Arabian desert. Consider a desert hotel or resort if you want to relax in a more serene environment and enjoy desert activities.

Hot Tip:

Although Dubai feels very safe, the U.S. State Department rates the UAE as a Level 2 destination (exercise increased caution) due to the threat of drone or terrorist attacks.

The 6 Best Marriott Hotels in Dubai

If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy loyalist, it can be difficult to decide where to stay in Dubai. The city has more than 60 hotels under the Marriott umbrella, from affordable to glamorous and everything in between. Here are our top picks.

1. The St. Regis Downtown Dubai

The St. Regis Downtown Dubai has the perfect location in Business Bay for viewing the city’s highlights, just a 20-minute walk from downtown Dubai’s highlights and right on the Dubai Water Canal Walk. Rooms are luminous, with light flooding in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, with contemporary furnishings and gold finishes. This is Dubai, after all, so glitz and glam are at the forefront. The hotel almost feels like it’s floating over the canal — opt for a canal-view room for the best views.

The hotel might be one of the most affordable St. Regis properties, especially in the hot summer months. Rooms start at $160 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Hot Tip:

If you love St. Regis but would prefer to be elsewhere in the city, opt for the St. Regis The Palm instead. Some rooms have views of the sea and Dubai’s iconic skyline.

2. Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, is the spot if you’re looking for a family resort in Dubai. It features 10 restaurants, a kids club, and a beachfront pool. All rooms have balconies that overlook the city or the sea, and the hotel sits on the sprawling sands of Palm Jumeirah. An excellent value for your money, there’s an outdoor fitness area, bike rentals, and a spa. Room rates start at $134 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

3. Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai

Set in the Dubai Marina, Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, is a waterfront property where even the lowest-category rooms look over the Arabian Sea. The hotel feels classic and regal, with marble bathrooms and traditional decor, but it still has funky and fun elements like an Asian-inspired spa, a kiddie game room with ball pit, and various outdoor dining and drinking areas. Room rates start at $155, but you may score a summer award redemption for as low as 33,600 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

4. The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, is a beachfront oasis located in the Dubai Marina district. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like archery, tennis, yoga, and volleyball, dip into 6 pools, hit the spa, and visit 9 restaurants. There are even kids activities and a waterslide for the little ones. All guest rooms and suites come with balconies that overlook the Arabian Gulf or the sprawling gardens, and the room decor brings in some of the local culture, with Arabic art and textiles. Room rates start at $180 or 76,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Hot Tip:

Foodies should consider staying at Dubai’s other Ritz property, the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, as it’s located near several Michelin-star restaurants.

5. Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai

About 40 miles outside of Dubai, set in the expansive Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, is Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. One of the most unique Marriott properties in the world, each of the 42 private villas comes with an outdoor plunge pool, a set of binoculars to gaze at the Arabian oryx that roam the property, and an easel to paint what you see: the vast, hot sands of the desert. Rates include all meals, plus 2 desert activities daily, such as falconry, desert walks, and sundowners. You can add on camel or horseback rides, stargazing, or desert dune bashing. Villa rates start at $750 or 100,000 Marriott points per night.

6. W Dubai – The Palm

Choosing between W Dubai – Mina Seyahi and W Dubai – The Palm is tough, but we love W Dubai – The Palm’s private beach area and multi-tiered pools, which have both adults-only spaces and children-approved areas. There’s also a kids game room, a beauty salon, and interesting dining and drinking options, such as a speakeasy and a rooftop bar. In typical W fashion, rooms are bold and colorful, featuring disco-tiled walls, Arabic graffiti, and tones like gold and purple. Room rates start at $147 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Hot Tip:

Marriott points are easy to come by if you get a Marriott co-branded credit card. You have various options, but if you’re in the market for a no-annual-fee credit card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card is a great deal. Even with a $0 annual fee, you can get bonus points on specific purchase categories. Earn up to 14x points on Marriott purchases and 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.

The 4 Best IHG Hotels in Dubai

IHG One Rewards has a decent footprint in Dubai, with nearly 30 hotels across various IHG brands, from affordable Staybridge Suites to trendy Hotel Indigo and luxury InterContinental properties. Many of the IHG hotels in Dubai, even the fancier ones, are fairly affordable, especially if you visit in the summer, which is low season due to the heat. Here are the best IHG hotels in Dubai.

1. Vignette Collection Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort

The seaside Vignette Collection Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort is on the Palm Jumeirah, inspired by the bright, art-deco vibes of Miami and the eighth phase of the moon. The hotel has all the amenities and activities you’d want for a successful vacation, including beach access, infinity pools, an all-day coffee shop, kids programming, and even a basketball court. Guest rooms are simple but bright, modern, and comfortable — and many feature sea views. Rates start at $132 or 21,000 IHG One Rewards points, and half-board packages are available.

2. InterContinental Dubai Marina

Families will enjoy a stay at InterContinental Dubai Marina, where kids eat free and there are special dedicated kids activities. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the boats cruising in and out of the marina, and the hotel has a bespoke art collection — admire the pieces around the hotel’s lobby and other shared spaces. Children, in particular, will love the large, bright red penguin sculptures that perch over the outdoor pool. Room rates start at $169 or 22,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

3. voco Dubai The Palm

The beachfront voco Dubai The Palm is perfect for beachgoers who want to relax on the white sands of The Palm. The hotel’s infinity pool offers gorgeous views of the sea, the skyline, and the Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel, but the beach area, complete with comfy lounge chairs and umbrellas, is also an excellent hangout spot. Rooms are bright with large windows and pops of bold colors, including yellow and turquoise amid the crisp white bedding and beige drapes. Room rates start at $137 or 21,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, and half-board packages that include dinner are also available.

4. Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown

Just a short walk from the massive Dubai Mall, Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown is one of this list’s most affordable and best value properties, whether you’re booking with cash or points. Rooms are vibrant and colorful, with eclectic rugs, murals, graffiti, and large windows overlooking Dubai Creek. Kids also eat free at this hotel and will love the funky hanging hammock pods that dangle over the infinity pool. Meanwhile, parents will enjoy views of the creek and cityscape. Room rates start at $93 or 14,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Hot Tip:

Snap up one of IHG’s best credit cards to earn additional points: the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card. The card’s current public offer is: Earn 140,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

The 4 Best Hyatt Hotels in Dubai

Hyatt has beautiful hotel properties in Dubai, from the stunning Park Hyatt Dubai to the Andaz Dubai The Palm. Here’s where you should stay in Dubai to earn or burn World of Hyatt points.

1. Park Hyatt Dubai

A quick drive from the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club and just 15 minutes from the Dubai Airport (DXB), Park Hyatt Dubai is ideal for any traveler. Children can enjoy the giant chess set, play areas, kids club, various swimming pools, and splash pad. Couples or friends can relax at the adults-only pool, play golf or tennis, or indulge in a treatment at the lavish spa. With an expansive pool area where solo travelers can discover a quiet corner and large rooms with balconies, the Park Hyatt Dubai feels like a sprawling resort while still close to the city center. Rates at this Category 6 hotel start at $160 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

2. Andaz Dubai The Palm

Andaz Dubai The Palm is a luxurious retreat that’s incredibly affordable, especially if you visit in the off-season. The rooms have unique touches that differentiate them from your classic beige-and-white hotel room. Think colorful stained glass elements, rounded edges, and geometric patterns and angles. The hotel has 2 pools, including a massive infinity pool, and gorgeous skyline views at every turn, including from the guest rooms. Rates at this Category 5 start at $95 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

3. Grand Hyatt Dubai

Grand Hyatt Dubai is a giant hotel with more than 700 rooms, each subtly designed with muted ochre tones featuring views of the skyline and Dubai Creek. The outdoor pool is enormous, and we love that there’s also an indoor pool, because it can be too hot to swim outside in Dubai at certain times of year. But the outdoor swim options go beyond just a pool. The hotel also has a waterpark, with 15 slides and rides, a surfing lagoon, a wave pool, a beach lagoon, and a kids splash area, and guests get free, unlimited access to it. The Grand Hyatt is one of the best-value Hyatt properties in Dubai, with rates starting at $103 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

4. Hyatt Centric Jumeirah

Another top-value Hyatt property in Dubai, Hyatt Centric Jumeirah is a boutique lifestyle hotel near the La Mer public beach and the Jumeirah Mosque. Rooms are stylish and sophisticated, with big windows opening up to the Arabian Sea and pops of color, art, and trendy throw rugs. This hotel is probably a better fit for adults, as children under 5 aren’t allowed in the outdoor pool, and children 6 and over must be accompanied by an adult in the pool at all times. There are also 2 bars and 2 restaurants, offering Nikkei and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a variety of cocktails and drinks. Room rates at this Category 4 hotel start at $95 or 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Hot Tip:

Wondering if getting a Hyatt credit card is worth it? We vote yes. Opt for The World of Hyatt Credit Card, which offers a free night certificate annually at a Category 1-4 Hyatt property and World of Hyatt Discoverist status.

The 3 Best Hilton Hotels in Dubai

Hilton Honors points offer excellent value in Dubai. The Hilton portfolio has more than 30 properties across several different brands, so there’s bound to be a property that fits your budget, dates, and travel style. From Curio Collection hotels to the chic Conrad and luxe Waldorf Astoria, here are the best hotels for Hilton fans to stay at in Dubai.

1. Conrad Dubai

Right across from Dubai World Trade Centre, the Conrad Dubai features luxurious, classical guest rooms and suites with Nespresso machines, plush carpeting, and sea or skyline views. Family rooms have practical details like kitchenettes and washing machines. The Conrad Spa has 10 treatment rooms, a Turkish hamman and indoor pools, but the outdoor pool, which sits beneath a marble arched waterfall, is ideal for those steamy Dubai days. The property also has 5 diverse restaurants, so you don’t have to leave when your appetite hits. Room rates start at $120 or 35,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

2. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

The Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is ideal for leisure travelers searching for a luxurious and pampering hotel stay, complete with personal concierges who can help you with whatever you might need. Light streams into the guest rooms through the large windows, offering views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline. Some rooms also come with sea-facing balconies. They also have large soaking tubs and king-sized plush beds. Our review of Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah has a full tour. Your biggest choice will be to hit the 12-treatment-room spa, one of the pools, or the white-sand beach. There’s also a kids club and 7 on-site restaurants. Room rates start at $192 or 71,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Hot Tip:

If you love the Waldorf Astoria properties but want to be closer to Dubai’s action, stay at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Center instead.

3. Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton

Located near the more local Deira neighborhood, Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai sits on the banks of Dubai Creek, ideal for travelers on a budget who want to get to know a more authentic version of the city. Its charming rooms have wooden beam ceilings, double-door Juliet-inspired balconies, and the entire property feels more like an Arabian palace than a hotel. Traditional Arabic restaurant Sabaa has a welcoming courtyard terrace that feels magical on a warm Dubai night, and there’s even a vintage playground for children. Although there aren’t many other amenities, guests can use the pool, spa, and fitness center at the nearby Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef. One of the most affordable hotels on our list, room rates start at $53 or 16,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Hot Tip:

Bulk up your Hilton Honors point balance by getting one of Amex’s co-brand Hilton credit cards. We suggest the Hilton Honors American Express Card, which gets you complimentary silver elite status. You also earn 5x points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, plus 7x points at Hilton.

Bonus: American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts in Dubai

Cardholders of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, and Centurion^® Card from American Express can book Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) hotels, which offer travelers perks like:

• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary daily breakfast for 2 people
• $100 experience credit, unique to each property
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout

Numerous luxury hotels in Dubai are members of Amex FHR, including the famous Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and a few already mentioned on this list, so head to the FHR website to search options.

Hot Tip:

Considering a stay in nearby Abu Dhabi? Check out our guide to the best points and miles hotels in Abu Dhabi.

Final Thoughts

Dubai is a playground for travelers, with luxurious experiences, endless shopping options, numerous theme parks, and every type and brand of hotel you could ever want. If you’re confused about where to stay in Dubai, think about the kind of trip you want and what neighborhood seems most appealing. Then consider some of the points hotel options on this list to see if they work for your budget.