Bur Dubai
Located to the far west of the atmospheric Al Seef development, Zabeel has arty contemporary decor with life-size sculptures of figures that beckon you to…
Must-see hotels in Arabian Peninsula
Kuwait City
This small, tasteful boutique-style hotel, on a slip road off Arabian Gulf St, offers wonderful sea views, a French-rococo foyer and a bright and intimate…
Oman
Located 15km south of Al Ashkharah, this small resort has been tastefully designed with modern furniture and quality bathrooms. Most rooms have a verandah…
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai
A lobby decorated in shades of charcoal and cream leads to a sweeping Gone with the Wind staircase and from there to 255 good-sized and well-lit rooms…
United Arab Emirates
The height of glamping luxury, these safari-style tents, all with patio and private plunge pool, sit in glorious isolation upon the skinny Khor Kalba…
Bur Dubai
Despite its ho-hum location on a busy street, this hotel scores highly for comfort, design and a happening vibe thanks, in part, to its myriad bars and…
Dubai
This chic boutique contender fits well with the urban lifestyle concept of City Walk but has the distinction of actually serving alcohol in its food…
United Arab Emirates
Overlooking the dunes, this modern and comfortable fort-style retreat lets you count the colours of the desert through a giant arch spanning the infinity…
Dhofar
This hotel lies within view of Raysut Port, but despite cargo boats queuing up on the horizon, it represents a retreat from the city and camels…
Abu Dhabi
Slapped onto the side of the World Trade Center, this Marriott is a midrange winner. Shots of orange and wood add fresh vibes to the light-filled rooms…
Muscat
Few hotels in Muscat offer a genuine Omani experience, but this family-owned hotel, opposite the Opera House, is an exception. With Omani receptionists,…
Kuwait City
Ibis Sharq is clean with modern and light decor typical of the international brand and offers excellent value in a central location, with a good buffet…
Hajar Mountains
With sky-blue roundels in the ceiling, rag-rolled walls, Egyptian gilt-edged furniture and luxurious drapes in the wi-fi–equipped bedrooms, this hotel is…
Saudi Arabia
Around 10km from Taif’s airport, the refurbished InterContinental is Taif's only international-standard hotel. The entrance of this '70s-chic place is…
Ras Al Khaimah
Comfortable and good value, this is a great choice if you want to be in the central city rather than out along the coast in one of the resorts. Rooms are…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
With a pop-art vibe and bright colours in the lobby, this is a funky alternative to the standard marble and crystal of neighbouring hotels. After…
Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa
Dubai
You'll sleep well at this oldie-but-goodie beachside resort with villas set among pools and tropical gardens. The beach is rather small, but there's a…
Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai
Bur Dubai
Within suitcase-trundling distance of Al Fahidi metro station, this Four Points has carpeted rooms decked out in soothing yellows and anchored by…
Umm Al Quwain
The roomy chalets (both studios and suites) here have had a contemporary revamp in cool modernist style, with massive walk-in showers in the chic, grey…
Dubai
About 500m from the Mall of the Emirates, Centro Barsha is the Rotana brand's entry into the budget-design-hotel category. Rooms are compact but stylish…
Jebel Shams
Offering cosy stone cabins with bathrooms, verandas and heaters, plus some Arab tents popular with Omanis at weekends, this camp is so close to the canyon…
Muscat
With a hint of kasbah (desert castle) combined with Asian minimalism (including lack of wardrobe space), the Chedi makes the best of its beachside…
Deira
The Riviera was the first hotel to open in Dubai, in 1964, and the decor and ambience remain old-fashioned. However, it gets bonus points for its Creek…
Marina Breakwater
Entrances don't get much grander than the St Regis' regal twin grand staircases which sweep down into the lobby. The elegance continues into rooms replete…
Kuwait City
This stalwart central hotel is still one of the best luxury sleeps in Kuwait City, glittering with chandeliers and mirror-polished, gold-detailed marble…
Dhofar
In the middle of Salalah Beach, some 13km from town, this attractive hotel is surrounded by luxury apartments, shops and restaurants clustered around…
Al Bateen & Al Mushrif
From the grand marble and gold-hued foyer, you'll be whisked up to classically styled rooms with dizzying views of the city sprawl. Dusit Thani is a…
Sheikh Zayed Mosque Area
Conveniently located near the Grand Mosque and the exhibition centre, the business-brisk rooms at this events-focused hotel are brightened by abstract art…
Sur
This hotel, with comfortable rooms and giant oyster-shaped sinks in bathrooms, is popular with tour groups despite being inland. The hotel's Oysters…
Nizwa
With a sparkling white marble lobby and bright corridors, this hotel (refurbished in 2018) has had a complete overhaul. The result is a modern, well-run…
Muscat
Balanced like an eagle's nest overlooking the Corniche, this hotel has an enviable bird's-eye view across Mutrah Harbour and Muscat's famous merchant…
Riyadh
This trendy hotel with affordable rates and a central location is a popular choice for business travellers. Unwind with a mocktail at the rooftop poolside…
Oman
With a lively atmosphere (partly because of the popular 'taxi bar' – frequented exclusively by male taxi drivers), Al Wadi has nicely refurbished poolside…
Doha
A lot of thought has gone into Al Jasra, which is modern and elegant, with a infinity waterfall in the entrance, if sometimes a little on the gaudy side …
Doha
Qatar's first hotel, the Bismillah was built in the 1950s and is now managed by boutique company Tivoli Hotels. The heritage building location has tiled…
Jebel Akhdar
This large hotel, built in the local grey stone and with paths that are constructed from the distinctive fossilised pavement that is a unique feature of…
Deira
In a building designed by Bastille Opera architect Carlos Ott, this glass-and-chrome hotel offers a smart alternative to the usual white-marble opulence…
Kuwait City
Although the beige room decor could do with an update, the Marriott is a solid luxury choice in Kuwait. Hotel highlights include a spa and fitness centre…
Doha
This 14-room boutique hotel just outside the hubbub of the main souq is decorated with extravagant Qatari design features, studded velvet sofas, plush…
Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah
Next to a metro station, the popular Gloria actually flaunts numerous assets that'll make you want to stay put, including a top-notch gym, a 25m rooftop…
