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Where to stay in Dubai

Dubai stretches about 30 km along the coast, from the old creek in the north to Dubai Marina in the south, so pick your base by what you want most. Stay in Downtown for the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall; in Business Bay for newer hotels at lower prices next door; in Old Dubai for the souks, the creek and the cheapest rooms near the airport; in Jumeirah or on the Palm for beach resorts; or in Dubai Marina and JBR for a beach with restaurants and the tram. November to March is the best time to visit; from June to September it's well over 40°C.

Dubai

Find your area, then your hotel

Tap one of our picks, or any area, to see its hotels on the map, what it costs, where we'd book and how long it takes to get around.

In short: our pick for each kind of trip. Tap one to see why.

Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Should you stay in

Downtown Dubai?

Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall & the fountains

What a night costs

Budget
$120
Mid-range
$245
Luxury
$680

4th cheapest of 6 areas, about $135 a night less than Palm Jumeirah.

Where we'd book

The verdict

The district around the Burj Khalifa, with the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Fountain and the Opera, and some of the city's best-known hotels.

  • Stay here if
  • First-time visitors
  • Shoppers
  • Families who want the big sights close by
  • Look elsewhere if
  • You want a beach outside the door
  • You're on a tight budget
  • You want old-town character

Minutes to the sights

  • Dubai Mall8 minwalk
  • Burj Khalifa14 minwalk
  • Dubai Opera15 minwalk
  • City Walk49 minwalk
  • Museum of the Future57 minwalk

Stations and airports

5 min to Burj Khalifa. Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station on the Red Line, linked to the mall by a long air-conditioned walkway, plus taxis everywhere.

  • From Dubai International AirportRed Line metro to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, or about 20 minutes by taxi30 min
Read the full Downtown Dubai guide →

Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Minutes planned with the OpenStreetMap walking routes (Valhalla) for a weekday, including walking and waiting · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more

Dubai questions

What is the best area to stay in Dubai for first-timers?

Downtown Dubai puts the big sights within easy reach and is 5 minutes from Burj Khalifa. Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) are good alternatives.

Which area of Dubai has the cheapest hotels?

Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) and Business Bay, with budget hotels from around $70 and mid-range around $120–$175 a night.

Where should families stay in Dubai?

Jumeirah has the best mix of parks, calm streets and sights for kids. Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah are good alternatives.

Where is the best nightlife in Dubai?

Dubai Marina & JBR has the most bars, restaurants and late nights.

Is it worth staying outside central Dubai?

It can save around $260 a night on a mid-range room compared with Palm Jumeirah, but adds travel time. Old Dubai (Bur Dubai & Deira) is 20 minutes, Dubai Marina & JBR is 40 minutes and Jumeirah is 25 minutes from Burj Khalifa.