Dubai Luxury Holidays

Dubai is seven hours from London and three to four hours ahead, which is why it works as a week of winter sun without the jet lag of a true long-haul beach holiday. Most people book it for one of two reasons: a beach resort with dependable November-to-March sunshine, or a few nights in the city on the way to the Maldives or Mauritius. The two sit close enough together that plenty of trips do both.

What a week in Dubai actually looks like

The appeal is breadth. In one week you can ski indoors in the morning and eat on a beach at sunset, or ride to the top of the Burj Khalifa and then drive forty minutes into the dunes for dinner. Almost everything is purpose-built and recent, and the practical effect of that is short transfers, English spoken everywhere and very little that can go wrong — which is why it suits a first long-haul trip, a nervous flyer or a family who do not want a complicated journey.

Where to stay

Choosing the right area is the key decision, because Dubai is large and spread out. Each district has a distinct character.

Palm Jumeirah

The iconic man-made island is home to some of the city’s most famous beach resorts, including grand family-friendly properties with waterparks and aquariums. It is the classic choice for a beach-led holiday with the wow factor.

Jumeirah Beach & JBR

A long, walkable stretch of sand backed by hotels, restaurants and a lively promenade. JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence) in particular suits travellers who want the beach on their doorstep alongside cafes, shops and an easy, sociable atmosphere.

Downtown Dubai

Stay here to be beside the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain and the vast Dubai Mall. It is the best base for sightseeing and city energy, though the beach is a short taxi ride away.

Dubai Marina

A forest of gleaming towers around a yacht-filled waterway, packed with restaurants and nightlife. Popular with couples and first-timers who want plenty within walking distance.

Things to do

Four things are worth planning the week around. A desert safari — dune driving, camels, falconry and dinner — is the one most people remember. The Burj Khalifa observation deck on the 124th floor is worth booking for sunset rather than the middle of the day. Old Dubai, around the Creek and the spice and gold souks, is the trading city that pre-dates the towers. And the waterparks, aquariums and theme parks are the reason a lot of families choose Dubai over a European beach.

When is the best time to visit Dubai?

November to March is the sweet spot: warm, sunny days in the high twenties, cool evenings and blue skies, ideal for combining beach and sightseeing. This is also when prices peak and the city is busiest. From April the temperature climbs, and the summer months of June to September are very hot — which is precisely when hotel rates fall and the pools, spas and air-conditioned malls and attractions come into their own. A summer Dubai deal can be remarkable value if you plan your days around the heat.

January is the coolest month of all, with an average high of 24.0°C. Our Dubai in January guide sets that weather against each package’s January price.

What does a Dubai holiday cost?

Dubai stretches across a wide range of budgets. The city break listed here starts at £529 per person for five nights including return flights from London. Twin-centre trips cost more because of the second destination and the longer stay: Mauritius and Dubai starts at £1,599 per person for twelve nights, and the Dubai and Maldives honeymoon at £1,779 for ten. Dubai and Bali starts at £1,249 for ten nights, with seven of them in Bali. Beachfront resorts on the Palm and Jumeirah Beach, and anything in a club-lounge or suite grade, are quoted individually. Half board and all-inclusive are widely available, and eating out runs from a few pounds in Old Dubai to tasting-menu prices on the Palm.

Timing moves the price more than most people expect. We priced 72 of our own holidays month by month in the cheapest month to book a holiday — December runs a median 22% above the same holiday’s cheapest month, November just 5%.

How we plan it

The decision that matters most is which district you stay in, because Dubai is spread out and the wrong base puts a taxi into every day. Tell us whether you want beach first, city first or both, and your consultant will match the hotel to that, book the things that sell out, and confirm the price for your dates. To add the Maldives, Mauritius or Thailand, we book the connecting flights as part of the same holiday. Every booking is ATOL 10713 protected.

Getting around

Dubai is easy to navigate. The driverless Metro is clean, cheap and air-conditioned, linking the airport, Downtown, the Marina and the Mall of the Emirates; taxis and ride-hailing apps are inexpensive and plentiful for everything else. Many visitors never need to hire a car — though if you plan to explore neighbouring emirates like Abu Dhabi or Ras Al Khaimah, a car for a day or two opens them up. Distances between districts are deceptively large, so factor in 20–40 minutes to cross the city and base yourself near whatever you plan to do most.

Food and dining

You can eat for a few dirhams at a Pakistani or Lebanese cafe in Old Dubai, or book a multi-course tasting menu from an internationally known chef Downtown or on the Palm. Friday brunch is a Dubai institution — a long, lavish, often free-flowing affair that many visitors plan their week around. Beach clubs serve all day; rooftop bars come alive at sunset. Alcohol is served in licensed venues, typically hotels and their restaurants, and the city is relaxed and cosmopolitan while remaining respectful of local customs.

Beyond the city

Two extensions are worth knowing about. Abu Dhabi, around 90 minutes away, adds the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Ferrari World and Warner Bros theme parks — an easy day trip or a one-night add-on. Ras Al Khaimah, to the north, offers a quieter, more nature-led counterpoint, with the region’s highest mountain and the world’s longest zipline. Many travellers split a week between a Dubai beach resort and one of these for a varied twin-centre feel without leaving the UAE.

Dubai also pairs well with a beach second leg. Our Dubai and Maldives twin-centre guide covers the night split, the connection and what the combination costs.

Practical tips

The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar, and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Dress is relaxed at resorts and beaches but more modest in malls and traditional areas — an easy balance to strike. The public-sector week runs Monday to Thursday with a half day on Friday, and the weekend is Saturday and Sunday, so malls, beaches and brunch spots are at their busiest then. Tap water is safe but most visitors drink bottled. And because summer heat is intense, plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening between June and September.

Who is Dubai right for?

Dubai suits first-time long-haul travellers who want the journey to be straightforward, families who want sun, pools and attractions in one place, couples who want good food without a twelve-hour flight, and anyone adding a city stop to an Indian Ocean beach holiday. It suits you less if you are after somewhere rustic or traditional. Dubai is modern by design and does not pretend otherwise.