Top Hotels in Dubai for 2027: Where to Stay, From Atlantis to the Desert

Dubai never stands still, and neither does its hotel scene. New openings, big refurbishments and a fresh round of awards mean the list of places worth booking keeps changing. So whether you’re planning a winter-sun escape, a milestone birthday or a long weekend of pools and fine dining, these are the hotels we’d book for a stay in 2027 – starting with the two that, for us, sit at the very top.

1. Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah

If one hotel sums up modern Dubai, it’s this one. Atlantis The Royal opened on Palm Jumeirah in 2023 and has collected just about every accolade going since – including the only Three Michelin Key rating in the UAE, a place among The World’s 50 Best Hotels and a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating.

The building itself is a showstopper: a stack of offset blocks rising 43 storeys above the Palm, with views across the Gulf on one side and the Dubai skyline on the other. Inside, you’ll find a lobby with a vast jellyfish aquarium, a fire-and-water fountain show at the entrance, and Cloud 22, the infinity sky pool on the 22nd floor that has become one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Then there’s the food. The line-up reads like a who’s who of the world’s most famous chefs, from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (which holds a Michelin star) to Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Jaleo by José Andrés, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Estiatorio Milos and Nobu by the Beach. You could stay a week and eat somewhere new every night.

Cloud 22 at sunset, with the whole of the Palm laid out beneath you, is one of those Dubai moments you’ll talk about for years.

Best for: once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, food lovers and anyone who wants the full “only in Dubai” experience.

2. Atlantis, The Palm

The original Atlantis opened at the tip of the Palm in 2008 and became an instant icon – that pink, arched silhouette is still one of the most recognisable buildings in the Middle East. Nearly two decades on, it remains one of the best all-round resorts in the city, and it’s the one we’d pick for families.

The big draw is Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest waterparks, with more than 100 slides, rides and attractions plus its own stretch of private beach. Below the hotel, The Lost Chambers Aquarium lets you wander through tunnels and halls themed around the legend of Atlantis, surrounded by thousands of marine animals.

Atlantis, The Palm has also quietly become one of the region’s great dining destinations. It is home to three Michelin-starred restaurants: FZN by Björn Frantzén, which holds three stars, plus Ossiano – with its floor-to-ceiling aquarium views – and Hakkasan, which hold one each.

Best for: families, thrill-seekers and anyone who wants a resort with everything on the doorstep.

Staying at one Atlantis and curious about the other? The two sit next to each other on the Palm, so it’s easy to book a table or a day at Aquaventure at its sister resort.

3. Bvlgari Resort Dubai, Jumeira Bay

Set on its own seahorse-shaped island just off the Jumeirah coast, the Bvlgari Resort feels a world away from the city, even though Downtown is only a short drive away. Designed by Italian architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, it blends Mediterranean calm with Gulf light: low-rise buildings, shaded courtyards, a private marina and yacht club, and a large spa. Dinner at Il Ristorante – Niko Romito is a highlight. It holds two Michelin Keys.

Best for: couples and anyone after understated, grown-up luxury.

4. One&Only The Palm

If Atlantis is Dubai at full volume, One&Only The Palm is the quiet, elegant alternative. With fewer than 100 rooms, suites and villas set among Moorish- and Andalusian-style buildings and gardens on the Palm’s western crescent, it feels more like a private estate than a hotel. Beachfront villas come with their own pools, and the kitchen is led by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. It’s another two-Michelin-Key property.

Best for: honeymooners and a properly peaceful escape.

5. The Lana, Dorchester Collection

The Dorchester Collection’s first hotel in the Middle East opened in 2024 on Marasi Bay, a short walk from Dubai Mall. Designed by Foster + Partners, it has 225 rooms and suites, every one with its own terrace, a rooftop infinity pool facing the Burj Khalifa, and restaurants from chefs including Jean Imbert and Martín Berasategui. In just a couple of years it has earned two Michelin Keys.

Best for: a stylish city break with the best of Downtown on your doorstep.

6. One&Only One Za’abeel

For a city stay with serious wow factor, look up – literally. One&Only One Za’abeel sits within One Za’abeel, home to The Link, which holds the Guinness World Records title for the world’s longest cantilevered building. The Link is where you’ll find the hotel’s restaurants and bars, while the Tapasake pool, high above the city, has sweeping views towards Downtown. There’s also a longevity-focused spa by Clinique La Prairie.

Best for: design fans, business travellers and skyline lovers.

7. Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa

No trip to Dubai is complete without the desert, and Al Maha is the classic place to experience it. Set within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, its suites each come with a private pool looking out over the dunes, where Arabian oryx and gazelles roam. Mornings are for falconry and camel treks, evenings for star-filled skies and total quiet.

Best for: adding two nights of desert calm to a city or beach stay.

8. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

A low-rise beach resort with one of the best views in the city: the Downtown skyline rising behind the sand. It’s relaxed, polished and brilliant for families, with easy access to both the beach and the city. It holds a Michelin Key.

Best for: a classic beach holiday with the city close by.

One to watch: Burj Al Arab

Dubai’s most famous hotel closed in April 2026 for an 18-month restoration, with a reopening expected towards the end of 2027. If you’re planning a trip for late 2027 or beyond, keep an eye out – its return is set to be one of the biggest hotel stories of the year.

Planning your 2027 stay

Dubai’s most comfortable months are roughly November to March, when days are warm and sunny rather than scorching – which also makes them the busiest and most expensive. Booking early pays off, especially for school holidays, Christmas and New Year. Shoulder months such as late October and April can offer better value, and many resorts run their best offers over the summer for those who don’t mind the heat.

Whatever your budget, it’s worth checking what’s included – breakfast, waterpark access and transfers can make a big difference to the real cost of a stay. And if you can, mix it up: a few nights on the Palm, one or two in the city and a night in the desert is the perfect way to see every side of Dubai.