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Dar Al Masyaf

Nestled amidst the waterways of Madinat Jumeirah, these villas, arranged around their own landscaped courtyards, can be booked individually or, if you have a large group, you can take charge of the entire two-story home. Built in the same old Arabic style as the rest of the resort, these are chic and discreet, and popular with large Gulf families who prefer to be secluded from prying eyes. Each has their own butler who is available in the shared lounge area should you require assistance (or daily from 6pm to 8pm if you require a complimentary gin and tonic). Rooms are larger and more sumptuous than at neighboring hotels Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr — at at least 60 square meters (nearly 646 square feet), each has at least one large terrace (some lead directly onto lawns, others have sea or waterway views) and can comfortably accommodate a family of four. The facilities are the same as for Al Qasr but are closer to the sea and also share their own exclusive pools.

Madinat Jumeirah PO Box 75157;

Telephone: 04-366-8888; 04-366-7788;

Cost AED 3,900

Location Jumeirah

Number of rooms 254 rooms, plus 29 suites

Rooms sqm 60-130

Conference facilities Yes

Pool/Sauna Yes

Beach access Yes

Training facilities Yes

spa yes

Parking/Valet Yes

Licensed Bar Yes

On-site restaurants International

Additional Amenities Internet; private butler; Drinks daily from 6pm to 8pm in the private courtyard; tea/coffee making facilities; Dates, fruit and chocolate in the rooms

Business Equipment Business Center in Al Qasr and Mina A’Salam

Shuttle buses to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams

Wheelchair accessible yes

Crowne Plaza festival city

This five-star hotel is popular with people just spending a night or two in Dubai — it’s literally five minutes from the airport and right next to the Festival Center (and a giant Ikea, though the flat-pack retailer is obviously less a tourist is drawing). The parent company also recently took over the former Four Seasons golf club and renamed it Al Badia, meaning an 18-hole championship course is just three minutes away. The hotel is connected to the neighboring, more upscale InterContinental Hotel via a connecting walkway, so it also benefits from access to the restaurants and spa.

Standard Rooms are smaller than most five-star Dubai hotels and fairly masculine, with dark wood, faux-leather headboards, and cream carpets. However, the beds are big and comfortable, and the bathrooms have the ubiquitous sliding screen, so you can watch your flat-screen TV from the bathtub. There’s an outdoor baby splash pool, but no kids’ club, although the cinema, bowling alley, arcade, abra rides, and outdoor amusement park in the more temperate months should keep little ones happy.

Dining options here are limited to a large Belgian pub and a more mundane Arabic-International restaurant. It’s worth specifying that you want a view of Dubai Creek from your room so you don’t get a glimpse of a roundabout every time you open your curtains. You can avoid paying the AED 140 per day for an internet connection by shelling out about 50% more for a larger Executive Club Room — which also gets you breakfast, Club Lounge access, free drinks from 6pm to 8pm, and transfers from the airport.

Dubai Festival City, PO Box 45777;

Telephone: 04-701-2222; 04-232-9097;

Cost 950 AED

Location Deira

Number of rooms 298 rooms, plus 18 suites

Rooms sqm 34-124

Conference facilities Yes

Pool/Sauna Yes

Access to beach no

Training facilities Yes

Spa At the adjacent InterContinental Hotel

Parking/Valet Yes

Licensed bar yes

Onsite restaurant Arabic/International, Belgian, coffee shop

Additional Amenities Self-service laundry, iron/ironing board, scale, coffee maker, kettle

Business Equipment Desks, secretarial services, 24-hour business center, laptops and cell phones for rent

Shuttle buses to Dubai International Airport, Al Badia Golf Club, Jumeirah Beach Park, Mall of the Emirates

Wheelchair accessible yes

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