My stay in Dubai was for a special birthday and it really was a once-in-a-lifetime trip; everything in Dubai is bigger and better and more luxurious, including the beachfront hotels in Dubai!
I’m usually a budget traveller, but as I was travelling with family and we had two birthdays on the trip, we enjoyed splashing out a little while we were in the United Arab Emirates, however the hotel we stayed in is still significantly cheaper than the likes of famous Dubai beach hotels like The Atlantis or the Burj Al Arab.
So read on if you’re wondering what is the best beach hotel in Dubai and also if you’re looking for cheap beach hotels in Dubai!
Dubai coastal skyline
Top 10 best hotels in Dubai on the beach
Here’s a look at the best beachfront hotels Dubai has to offer, starting with my own experience and review, then some other options to fit different requirements or budgets to help you find the best beach hotels in UAE for your holiday.
Where I stayed - JA Oasis Beach Tower Apartments: Review
You’ll find the JA Oasis Beach Tower located on the famous The Walk on Jumeirah Beach Residence, right by the Dubai Marina, close to the Palm Jumeirah.
The JA Oasis Beach Tower is technically just across the road from the beach, but you’re on the beach in 30 seconds and the huge rooms all offer floor-to-ceiling windows with beach views and views of the Palm!
We stayed here for a week during September and although September is still a very hot time of year (normal peak season in Dubai is February - April), we were very comfortable here and being just steps from the beach and with two pools on-site made it a lot more enjoyable!
We chose to stay in serviced apartments because we’re a big family, we wanted the space to spread out and with a huge lounge area, fully equipped kitchen and two huge bedrooms with ensuites and incredible views - it was perfect for us.
Although these apartments have a kitchen area, they are also serviced apartments, so you can easily arrange dine-in room service from the restaurants downstairs. Breakfast can be included in your package depending on what you book and there’s also an amazing restaurant downstairs with a menu designed by Michelin-star chef, Greg Malouf. We only ate here a couple of times during our stay but we all loved it.
The staff were also so friendly and welcoming, they had even prepared two birthday cakes for us when we arrived in our room after they saw our passports and realised we had two birthdays in the group!
The hotel was also very easily able to organise activities for us, including desert off-roading, a desert camp and sand boarding day trip experience, jet skis on the beach and other water sports activities as well as transfers to the hotel and to famous sites like the Burj Khalifa.
Pros of staying at the JA Oasis Beach Tower:
Great location close to the beach
Great location close to lots of attractions
Huge apartments and rooms with amazing views
Perfect for those that prefer a more ‘self-catering’ style of trip
Wonderful staff
Great food options
One of the best beach hotels in Dubai for families or large groups
Cos of staying at the JA Oasis Beach Tower:
‘Apartment feel’ may not suit everyone if you usually prefer to stay at hotels
Perhaps not as luxurious as some may want to experience when in Dubai
Not truly beachfront, doesn’t have private beach access for the hotel
One&Only Royal Mirage Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach - for those who want the private beach access
Dubai Hotel Beach Access
If you’re looking for that private beach access but with all the same location perks as the JA Oasis, the stunning Royal Mirage is just steps from the JA Oasis Beach Tower in terms of location, but it also boasts 1km of beachfront for the resort.
There’s also 65 acres of gardens, 8 restaurants, a spa, 3 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts and complimentary tickets to Aquaventure Waterpark at the Atlantis Palm if you stay for three or more nights.
At the huge One&Only Royal Mirage property, you can rent a cabana on the white sand beach, enjoy a meal by the pool and enjoy views of the Arabian Gulf from almost every angle.
The property retains plenty of its traditional culture too, with a chic, stylish Arabian theme running throughout the property and a traditional Arabian courtyard which many rooms have a beautiful view of.
There are a variety of rooms to choose from, including rooms with balconies, terraces and full suites.
The Burj Al Arab - for those wanting the true taste of Dubai luxury
Burj Al Arab
Of course, if you’re still looking for the best luxury beach hotels in Dubai, then one of the world’s few 7-star hotel resorts is a must!
Located on its own island, you don’t get much closer to the beachfront than the Burj Al Arab: a Dubai hotel in the ocean - literally! And all suites offer ocean views too.
It’s no wonder that the Burj Al Arab is often called one of the best hotels in Dubai and even the world; you can choose to arrive in one of the hotel’s Rolls Royce fleet, or there’s a helicopter transfer service if you prefer!
With 3 pools including infinity pools, luxury cabanas, the Sky View Bar at 657 feet above the sea, spa treatments, luxury cabanas and an exclusive beach club, all guests get exclusive access to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel private beach.
Of course, the reputation of this hotel precedes it as one of the best luxury beach hotels in Dubai for couples and for many people who have the budget, this is part of the Dubai experience!
Atlantis, The Palm - for those wanting iconic Dubai hotels without the price tag
Atlantis, The Palm Dubai
Of course the Burj Al Arab is not within everyone’s budget particularly if you’re travelling as a family! But thankfully, rooms at the iconic Atlantis The Palm are a quarter of the price, literally!
The Atlantis is possibly the most recognised of all the 5 star hotels in Dubai, thanks to its iconic location at the tip of the Palm - the man-made island shaped like a palm tree off the coast of Dubai.
The hotel mixes traditional Arabian decor with a magical Atlantis water theme - bolstered by its huge on-site Lost Chambers aquarium, an underwater aquarium and the Aquaventure water park: the largest waterpark in the Middle East - which all guests get complimentary access to.
Of course you’re here because you want to know if this is a beachfront hotel in Dubai and of course it is! The Atlantis has its own private resort beach with stunning white sand and views of the Gulf.
The Atlantis is also great for families, besides the water park and aquarium there’s also an extensive kids club and kids activity programme. While adults can enjoy treatments at the spa or head to the fitness centre where personal coaches are available.
There’s a range of shops and boutiques on site and the hotel can arrange trips to the famous Mall of the Emirates, helicopter tours or other activities that are on your Dubai bucket list!
Plan your stay at one of the best beach hotels in Dubai for families
W Dubai, The Palm - for a more adult-focused stay on The Palm
The Mall
If you’re travelling with your partner or friends, you might want to avoid the family-focused setting of the Atlantis, in which case the W Dubai is a great option.
While it’s not exclusively for adults, the W Dubai is also located on The Palm but has a very different atmosphere which caters more to couples and adult groups.
The hotel offers a private beach, outdoor pools and multi-level deck areas with luxury cabanas available.
The 5-star hotel is colourful, modern and offers a buffet breakfast and on-site restaurant while still being located close to all the action at Jumeirah Beach, The Atlantis waterpark and the Mall of Emirates is a short drive away.
Royal Central Hotel The Palm - best beach hotel in Dubai for couples who want to stay on the Palm on a budget
Burj Khalifa
Yes, you really can stay on the Dubai palm on a budget at the Royal Central Hotel, offering rooms for prices under £200 per night and it boasts a private beach which is 1 minute walk away!
With a beautiful beach area and pool and terrace area with cabanas, fully equipped rooms with ensuite, a Mediterranean restaurant on site and buffet or continental breakfast available, you really get a bang for your buck staying here.
The hotel also has a tour desk which offers help booking tickets for tours, attractions, day trips or transfers to make the most of your Dubai vacation.
The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery - another budget friendly option on the Palm with a wellness resort focus
Dubai Marina
The Retreat Palm Dubai by MGallery claims to be the first wellness resort in the Middle East with a holistic focus on mind, body and soul throughout the hotel resort.
Located on the beach, in a quiet corner of the Palm, the hotel offers a wellness centre with rejuvenating experiences and treatments as well as interior with a natural, earth-focused finish.
There’s a range of spa facilities and treatments, including a traditional Hammam.
Rooms are more standard than other luxury hotels in Dubai but they’re still modern, comfortable and offer stunning ocean views.
The hotel also offers regular shuttle buses throughout the day to get to the mainland and the Mall.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa - for the same location but for families
If you like the sound of the quieter side of the Palm, the Sofitel Palm resort and Spa is almost right next door to The Retreat by MGallery!
This resort offers a Polynesian island resort theme with plenty of greenery throughout the resort, 6 pools and a private beach for guests.
There’s a Moana seafood restaurant, steak and grill restaurant, a Maui cocktail bar by the pool as well as an extensive spa facility with Polynesian beauty treatments.
There’s also a kids club and plenty of kids activities to keep them entertained, plus one of the pools has just 30cm of water - great for younger children to enjoy.
The size of the resort is huge, with spacious rooms - some of which come with a stunning free standing bath in the centre of the room.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel - for those who prefer to stay at hotels in Jumeirah Beach Dubai
If you’d prefer to stay on the mainland rather than the Palm, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the perfect place to stay on Dubai Jumeirah Beach and the reviews agree!
With its own private beach, 5 pools and 10 restaurants, this resort is like a small town - you’ll never run out of things to do!
Guests staying at the hotel also get free access to Wild Wadi Waterpark so this is one of the great luxury hotels in Dubai for families and kids to enjoy too.
The hotel has recently been renovated and offers rooms, suites and villas, all with ocean views and floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms are modern, comfortable, packed with amenities and many also offer terraces or balconies.
There’s also a rooftop bar and lounge overlooking the city, airport transfers available and the staff go above and beyond for all guests staying at the hotel.
Summary: the best Dubai Beach Hotels
The Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Palm area are perfect for finding the best beachfront hotels in Dubai for you, your trip and your group - whether you’re with your partner or large family group.
There’s a stunning range of Dubai beach hotel options and resorts available and also a pleasantly surprising range of budgets which I’d discovered on my own trip to Dubai.
Hopefully these recommendations and my own trip will give you some inspiration for your own trip and help you find the best hotels in Dubai.
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