Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s Club Suite. Credit: Jumeirah International LLC
Dubai imbues its luxury hotels a regal touch. From magnificent Andalusian courtyards and romantic canals to handcrafted mosaics and grand crystal chandeliers, the city’s top properties pull out all the stops to transport you to an Old World fairytale.
Add impeccable service into the mix and you’ll realize that it’s easy to feel like royalty in these sumptuous stays, even if you were not born into it.
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
With its magnificent white sail gracing the Jumeirah coastline, this Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star tower is a luxury icon in Dubai. Fine carpets, Statuario marble and a cascading lobby fountain help set the tone for this fantastical — if somewhat eclectic — hotel.
The royal treatment begins before you even set foot inside this glamorous retreat, when you choose whether to arrive by helicopter (via the famed helipad where Roger Federer played against Andre Agassi in 2005) or a chauffeured Rolls-Royce.
Once you’ve made your grand entrance, settle into one of the hotel’s palatial duplex suites, decked out in exquisite marble, plush furnishings, ornate mirrors and gold details. Even the tech is fit for a king — in addition to 21-inch iMacs, widescreen HD TVs and remote-controlled curtains, you’ll have use of a 24-karat gold iPad for ordering almost anything your heart desires.
And, of course, a private butler is available 24 hours a day to fulfill requests, such as cruising the Arabian Gulf in a private yacht or sightseeing around Dubai in an Aston Martin.
Jumeirah Al Qasr. Credit: Jumeirah International LLC
Jumeirah Al Qasr
You will feel like nobility as soon as you arrive at this Four-Star jewel. The property, inspired by a sheikh’s summer residence, welcomes you with majestic horse sculptures rising out of an impressive fountain.
Latticed arches, patterned rugs, twisted columns and hanging lamps add a regal Arabesque touch to the sumptuous accommodations. Balconies affording views over the lush, landscaped gardens and canals of Madinat Jumeirah complete the stately scene.
For the ultimate in pampering, treat yourself to an afternoon at the resort’s sprawling Four-Star Talise Spa. Precious metals take center stage during the Shiffa 24-Karat Gold Hammam, an opulent offering that consists of a gold clay body mask and a full-body massage using gold-infused precious oils and jasmine petals.
Jumeirah Mina A’Salam. Credit: Jumeirah International LLC
Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
This stylish Four-Star stay channels the grandeur of Arabian palaces of old with its sand-colored architecture, Bastakiya-inspired wind towers and meandering canals leisurely plied by dhow boats.
Property-wide design details are a nod to the rich heritage of the region — think tiled mosaic floors, plush carpets and dark-wood furniture. Elegant units continue the majestic motif with ocean views, marble bathrooms and Arabian-inspired furnishings in royal shades of purple, fuchsia and gold.
But beauty is more than skin deep at this queenly retreat, where exclusive experiences reign supreme — explore the grandeur of the coast on a private luxury yacht, book a romantic beachfront dinner under a starlit sky at Greek eatery Shimmers or partake in an alfresco Thai massage in a tucked-away garden gazebo.
One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai. Credit: One & Only Resorts
One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai
The Four-Star treasure looks the part of an Arabian palace with its 65 acres of lush gardens, but what makes a stay here even more special is the hotel’s private beach. The secluded stretch of sand is a major highlight, and the property makes sure the ocean views remain front and center in every room — though the best vistas can be found from the Instagrammable infinity pool at Drift Beach Club.
To make the most of your eminent escape, book the Royal Suite. The nearly 3,500-square-foot gem was built to impress with two sumptuous bedrooms accented by brightly hued furnishings and dark woods, a dining room with seating for eight, an expansive marble bathroom with an oversized soaking tub and a balcony overlooking Palm Island Bay.
