Full of culture and charm, Bur Dubai is where you’ll find the Al Seef and Al Fahidi historic districts. With their mazelike souqs, heritage buildings, beautiful mosques, and abundance of street food vendors, this is the cultural heart of the city. Take an abra (traditional wooden boat) across Dubai Creek, and you’ll be in Deira, home of Dubai’s famous Gold Souk and Spice Souk.
But this is a city of contrasts, and in Bur Dubai, you’ll love getting a first-hand glimpse of both the modest buildings of Old Dubai and the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) dominating the city’s skyline from the top of the 150-meter-tall Dubai Frame. And if that’s not enough, downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, and the Dubai Mall (the world’s largest mall) are a quick 10-minute taxi ride away.
With so many things to see and do, you’ll want a nice hotel room to return to at the end of a jam-packed day. But with so many places to stay in Bur Dubai, you might have a hard time choosing the perfect hotel. So we’ve created a list of the 10 best luxury hotels in Bur Dubai to help you plan your dream Dubai getaway!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
- Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk (For luxury)
- XVA Art Hotel (For heritage vibes)
- FORM Hotel Dubai (For a boutique stay)
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Where to Stay in Bur Dubai
Situated in the northern end of the city, a stone’s throw from the Dubai International Airport, Bur Dubai isn’t an overwhelmingly large area, but it is important to understand a few things before booking a hotel room here.
If you’re searching for a hotel in Bur Dubai that’s in the heart of Old Dubai, you’ll want to choose a hotel in or near the Al Seef heritage district or the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. These will give you easy access to the area’s souks, shops, mosques, and more.
Alternately, you’ll find some truly luxurious options clustered around The Jaddaf Waterfront, which is a 15-minute taxi ride from the Al Seef heritage district.
The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Bur Dubai, UAE
1. Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai
Set right in the heart of the Al Seef heritage district and along the banks of Dubai Creek, the Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai is arguably the best hotel in Bur Dubai if you want to be based in Old Dubai.
Blending in with its heritage-style surroundings, the rooms and suites at Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai boast charming whitewashed walls, rustic wood ceilings and furnishings, and quirky vintage accents. But you’ll get modern touches, too, like a 47-inch HDTV, a Nespresso machine, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
You’ll be steps from all of Old Dubai’s souk-style shops and outdoor eateries, but if you want to dine at the hotel, Sabaa Cafe serves an Emirati and international buffet for breakfast and Middle Eastern fare for dinner.
2. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
When it comes to 5-star hotels in Bur Dubai, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk gets rave reviews – and it’s easy to see why.
You’ll love swimming laps in the magnificent outdoor pool, getting massages at the spa, and working out in the state-of-the-art fitness center. And once you work up an appetite, you’ll have three on-site restaurants and two bars to choose from.
When you’re ready to retire to your room, you’ll appreciate the stylish mid-century decor, comfy Sofitel MyBed, 55-inch flat-screen TV, and Nespresso coffee machine. Step into the bathroom and you’ll find a standalone soaking tub and a plush robe, perfect for relaxing after a long day!
3. XVA Art Hotel
XVA Art Hotel is another one of the best hotels in Bur Dubai if you want to be based in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, the oldest area of Dubai. That way you will have easy access to Old Dubai and Deira attractions like the Gold Souk, the Spice Souk, and the Dubai Creek.
XVA Art Hotel offers just 15 boutique rooms and suites, each individually themed and inspired by the history of the area. But no matter which you choose, you’ll get free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, a minibar, robes and slippers, and artwork from XVA artists.
If you’re feeling peckish, XVA Café serves Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian fare in the hotel’s three beautiful courtyards. There’s also an on-site boutique selling all sorts of local art, jewelry, pottery, and more.
4. Raffles Dubai
Raffles Dubai is always a great choice when it comes to 5-star hotels in Bur Dubai. You can choose from a variety of different rooms and suites here, including a two-bedroom Royal Suite. Opt for a standard Signature Room, and you’ll absolutely love the Middle East-inspired decor, handcrafted ornaments, pillow menu, and private terrace with city views.
When you’re not lounging around your room, you can splash around in the pool, work up a sweat in the fitness center, or get pampered at the spa. Plus, from the on-site Japanese restaurant to the Italian eatery, you’ll have multiple food and drink options to choose from at Raffles Dubai.
5. Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef
Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef is one of the coolest hotels in Bur Dubai. This is another great option if you want to be located among the shops and restaurants in Dubai’s old town. The hotel even offers free bike rentals so you can cruise around the area with ease.
The rooms here feature wall art depicting the Dubai skyline, four-poster beds, 47-inch HDTVs, retro minifridges, yoga mats, and subway-tiled en-suites with eco-friendly bath amenities. If you need more space, the King One-Bedroom Suite with Creek View gives you a spacious living area with an L-shaped couch and a spectacular black-and-white bathroom with a standalone soaking tub.
Other hotel amenities include a rooftop pool, a fitness center, Chapters lobby bar, and Skafos restaurant.
6. Ink Hotel
Another very cool hotel in Bur Dubai, INK Hotel is where to stay if you want to “have fun in Dubai!” This place caters to a younger crowd, and the 63 boutique rooms feature funky accent walls with maps of Dubai, a minifridge, a 40-inch smart TV, a workstation, and coffee and tea-making supplies.
Plus, you’ll love hanging out by the rooftop pool, sipping cocktails at the pool bar, working out at the pop-up gym, getting body and facial treatments at the salon, and trying out the high-tech INFRASLIMX machine. There’s also a coffee bar and a Mediterranean and Latin American-inspired bistro on-site.
7. FORM Hotel Dubai
FORM Hotel Dubai is one of the best hotels in Bur Dubai if you’re looking for style. FORM is Design Hotels’ first property in the Middle East and was inspired by Dubai’s traditional local boats (dhows), which you’ll see gliding along the nearby Dubai Creek.
The minimalist rooms feature light stone flooring, walnut wood furniture, custom mattresses, workstations, 49-inch smart TVs, en-suites with rain showers and Elemental Herbology toiletries, and large picture windows overlooking the creek.
Head up to the rooftop terrace and you’ll find a temperature-controlled lap pool, the Salũs Housetop lounge, and a 24-hour gym. And when it comes to eating, Long Hill Brassiere offers all-day dining, or, better yet, order room service via the hotel’s handy chatbot!
8. Palazzo Versace Dubai
Designed to look like a 16th-century Italian palace, Palazzo Versace Dubai is one of the most extravagant 5-star hotels in Bur Dubai, perfect if you’re really looking to splurge on your trip to Dubai.
This massive hotel boasts 215 rooms and suites and 169 residences, all designed by Versace. All guest rooms feature timber parquet flooring, Versace Home Collection furnishings, en-suites with Carrara marble tiling and handcrafted mosaics, and private balconies or terraces overlooking Dubai Creek.
Explore the property and you’ll find eight Versace-themed bars and restaurants, a palatial pool area lined by palm trees and loungers, a spa, a salon, and a fitness center.
9. DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel & Residences is an excellent hotel in Bur Dubai if you’d prefer to be situated a bit closer to Old Dubai and the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood.
Freebies include Wi-Fi, parking, and DoubleTree’s signature chocolate chip cookie, as well as use of the rooftop swimming pool and the state-of-the-art gym. You can also enjoy all-day dining at The Spice Tree, order poolside drinks and meals at SUNGLO M, grab coffee and Italian fare at LARTE, or order off of the in-room dining menu.
If that’s not enough, you’ll love the stylish, loft-style rooms, which feature plush beds with leather headboards, floor-to-ceiling windows, 55-inch flat-screen TVs, and en-suites with separate bathtubs and rain showers with Crabtree and Evelyn bath amenities.
10. Grand Hyatt Dubai
If you’re looking for hotels in Bur Dubai that are packed with amenities, the award-winning Grand Hyatt Dubai might be just what you’re looking for. You can spend your vacation basking in the Dubai sun at one of the four swimming pools, drinking and dining at the 13 food and beverage outlets, getting pampered at Ahasees Spa, and working up a sweat at the fitness center or jogging track.
Once you’re ready to relax, you’ll love the bright, mid-century-style rooms outfitted with Hyatt Grand Beds topped with luxury linens, chaise lounges, large flat-screen TVs, marble baths, and floor-to-ceiling windows with city views.
