With its dazzling architecture, meticulous design and obsession with detail, Dubai rewards creativity, innovation and ambition at every turn. This is a place where bold ideas are not only welcomed — they’re expected.
The result is a cityscape that constantly impresses, where every structure, space and skyline seems engineered to leave you in awe. But Dubai’s beauty isn’t just for show. Beneath the surface of its superlatives lies depth — thoughtful nods to heritage, reinterpretations of tradition and layers of cultural meaning embedded in contemporary forms. It’s no surprise that the city attracts some of the world’s most daring architects, designers and artists.
Whether it’s the sculptural reimagining of towers in the modern silhouette of Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Atlantis The Royal, interiors that transport you to 1920s Japan or views from the Burj Khalifa that narrate the tale of Dubai’s dramatic rise, the city continually challenges your expectations of place and perspective. Here are the most beautiful places in the United Arab Emirates’ crown jewel.
The Most Beautiful Dubai Hotel Suite
Perched across the 18th and 19th floors of Atlantis The Royal, the Royal Mansion is Dubai’s most extravagant suite — 12,142 square feet of sky-high indulgence crafted in marble, ivory and gold. With an in-suite elevator, a private entrance, high ceilings and a foyer home to 100-year-old olive trees, this duplex four-bedroom penthouse is fit for royalty and celebrities, like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who stayed here during the hotel’s grand opening.
Every inch of the suite is designed for lavish living. Of the four bedrooms (which can accommodate up to 10 guests), two primary suites boast private steam rooms and his-and-hers bathrooms. Frette bathrobes, pillow menus, spacious dressing rooms, walk-in wardrobes, free-standing bathtubs and Hermès amenities promise the utmost comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Palm Jumeirah, the gulf and the Dubai skyline. Additionally, the suite’s swanky living, dining and family rooms and spacious terraces are ideal for entertaining or simply relaxing on your Dubai holiday.
With sea-facing windows, the library is conducive for a quiet morning of work; the infinity pool and private sundeck allow the chance to unwind alongside astounding Palm Jumeirah peeks, the terrace’s dining area and outdoor kitchen provide a lovely setting to dine under the stars, and the entertainment room’s 98-inch screen LED TV was made for movie nights.
When you’re in the mood for company, mingle with guests indoors or at the sunken 10-seater majlis on the terrace, host a bespoke dinner cooked by one of the resort’s talented chefs in the ultra-stylish dining room and end your sky-high soiree with a nightcap handcrafted by a personal bartender in the private bar. Add in 24-hour butler service, turndown gifts and in-room check-in, and you’ve found Dubai’s most showstopping stay.
The Most Beautiful Dubai Pool
Set at a height of more than 300 feet, The Link at One Za’abeel is the centerpiece at the sophisticated urban resort One&Only One Za’abeel. An architectural marvel, the Link is the world’s longest cantilever, floating between two towers like a futuristic sky bridge. At its crown sits Tapasake, an adults-only rooftop pool club that channels the glamour of a superyacht. This Dubai pool club is an elegant spot for a bit of daytime decadence in the form of the UAE’s longest infinity sky pool, panoramic skyline vistas and plush pontoons perfect for sun-soaked lounging.
Order a round of cocktails and graze on Nikkei-style plates when the spot reopens in November after a major renovation. For an elevated poolside escape, book a private air-conditioned cabana complete with a bathroom and private deck with daybeds. As the sun dips low, DJ sets, skyline views and crafted cocktails set the tone for golden hour.
The Most Beautiful Dubai Restaurant
Designed by Paris-based architect Hugo Toro to feel more like a private residence than a restaurant, Gigi Rigolatto brings a sun-drenched slice of the Italian Riviera to Dubai’s J1 Beach. This 53,820-square-foot beachside escape unfolds like a cinematic vision of la dolce vita — lush Mediterranean gardens; a glistening pool framed by bougainvillea, jasmine and citrus trees; winding pathways that lead to shaded cabanas, sunbeds and a private beach, the Bellini Bar and inviting tables set on the covered terrace.
The 120-seat dining room evokes the spirit of a rustic countryside villa, with exposed brick archways, soaring ceilings, olive trees and hand-embroidered linens gracing tables, creating an atmosphere that feels both grand and deeply personal. A palette of earthy textures, lush foliage and subtle patterns pays tribute to the region while remaining unmistakably Italian in mood and material.
With live musicians drifting between tables and generous platters of seafood, pasta and wood-fired pizza served sharing-style, Gigi Rigolatto radiates the carefree indulgence of coastal Italy right in the heart of Dubai’s most stylish stretch of sand.
The Most Beautiful Dubai View
When it comes to naming Dubai’s most iconic single image, it’s undoubtedly the sight of the manmade islands scattered across the Arabian Sea along a shimmering coastline and backed by a skyline studded with sleek skyscrapers and contemporary façades. Sandy beaches, graceful mosque minarets, bougainvillea-strewn low-rise villas, glamorous yacht marinas and the golden expanse of desert in the distance complete the spectacular scene.
There’s no better place to take it all in than from the Four-Star At.mosphere Restaurant and Lounge, set at a breathtaking 1,450 feet on level 122 of the Burj Khalifa. Inside, the elegant French art deco aesthetic instantly impresses with mosaic-tiled floors, sculptural chandeliers, a sweeping staircase, mirrored ceilings and gold and jewel-toned velvet and leather seats. Still, it’s the floor-to-ceiling windows that are the headliners, affording awe-inspiring views of the city, best admired over a lavish meal or an afternoon tea above the clouds.
The Most Beautiful Dubai Bar
At Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach’s Mimi Kakushi, the art deco design by London-based studio Pirajean Lees instantly captivates. Drawing inspiration from 1920s Osaka, the jazz age and the opulent lifestyle of legendary Japanese silent film star Sessue Hayakawa, the interiors blend Japanese modernism with bold, theatrical flair. After all, the restaurant’s name is a nod to the popular bob hairstyle introduced in 1922 and worn by that era’s “modern girls” or moga (Japanese women who embraced Western fashion during that period.)
With hand-painted walls, traditional wood joinery and scallop-edged tables and a straw ceiling grid that discreetly conceals ventilation, every detail evokes a sense of curated nostalgia. A classic Japanese bar at the entrance leads into a dining room dappled in warm amber light from a bespoke stained-glass window. A sushi counter and open kitchen add more visual points of interest.
Sliding timber lattice screens offer both privacy and intrigue, while mirrored tables and walls and beaded curtains creatively filter sunlight throughout the day. With its rich layering of textures and elements such as lacquered reds, dark wood beams, tasseled pendant lights and velvet seating, Mimi Kakushi makes you feel like you’ve stepped into early-1900s Osaka.
On the equally appealing menu are dishes that present Japanese cuisine with contemporary flair, like wagyu and foie gras gyoza, while the extensive beverages menu boasts some of the finest cocktails in the city, along with sake, wine, beers and more.
