During our road trip through the Emirates we were surprised by how many affordable options we found, especially in the five-star category. From the very first night it became clear how much value we were getting for what Dubai hotels cost. In this article we’ll show you the five hotels we stayed in and explain why choosing accommodation in the Emirates became one of the unexpected highlights of our trip.
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Why Hotels in Dubai Often Offer More Than in Europe
Hotels in Dubai and across the Emirates impress with spacious rooms, modern amenities and excellent service. In many cases you will also get a central location and an amazing view that is hard to find in most European destinations. Most importantly, the overall value for money in the Emirates is noticeably better than in many other travel regions.
Compared to our previous trips to Scotland and Cyprus, the hotels in the Emirates* were significantly more luxurious. During our five-stop road trip we paid an average of 51 euros per person per night. In Scotland the cost was around 65 euros per night and in Cyprus about 42 euros. But price alone does not tell the whole story. What truly matters is what you get for your money, and in this respect Dubai sets a completely new standard.
This becomes even clearer when we compare it directly. Here you can see what we paid per person and night on other road trips, each with a similar level of comfort.
Dubai Hotels Cost Compared: What We Paid Across Destinations
Destination | Price p. P./Night | Hotel Category |
|---|---|---|
39 € | 4 Stars | |
42 € | 4 Stars | |
51 € | 5 Stars | |
52 € | 4 Stars | |
52 € | 4 Stars | |
65 € | 4 Stars |
This becomes even clearer when we compare it directly. Here you can see what we paid per person and night on other road trips, each with a similar level of comfort.
We traveled as a group of four and stayed almost exclusively in five-star hotels. Every place exceeded our expectations. We were particularly impressed by the large rooms, modern suites, spacious balconies, well equipped gyms and always clean pools with pleasantly warm water.
The service was outstanding and the staff were always friendly and helpful. What we loved most though was the unique location of the hotels* – everywhere we stayed we enjoyed spectacular views, whether over the sea, the skyline or even the desert.
Reasons Behind Low Dubai Hotels Cost and Strong Value
One reason why hotels in Dubai and the Emirates are often more affordable yet better is the enormous supply of hotel rooms. In recent years a huge number of new hotels have been built across Dubai and the other Emirates. You can see it instantly in the many skyscrapers that shape the cityscape.
Especially in the upscale segment the selection is vast* and in many travel periods it exceeds the actual demand. This high level of competition results in attractive prices, even for five-star accommodation. On top of that the Emirates invest heavily in tourism. The service quality is excellent, the facilities are modern and many international hotel brands try to stand out with special offers.
This creates a significantly better price to value ratio for travelers than what we are used to in most European holiday destinations.
How We Chose Our Hotels in Dubai and the Emirates
At every stop on our road trip, location was our top priority. We wanted to be close to the main attractions* so we could avoid long transfers and experience more of the surroundings. That’s why we always looked for hotels that were within walking distance of the highlights.
In Dubai, for example, we already knew before booking that we wanted to visit the Burj Khalifa. We also wanted to explore other highlights around Downtown Dubai. So we specifically searched for a hotel in that area*.
Once we had found a good location, we looked at price, facilities, service and view. Especially for longer stays, we want a hotel that offers high comfort but is still reasonably priced.
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Our Criteria for Finding Great and Affordable Hotels in Dubai
- Central location: Always close to the top sights* so we don’t waste time in traffic.
- Facilities: At least four stars
- View: Many hotels offer stunning views of the skyline, the sea or even the desert. That was always a bonus for us.
- Value for money: We always looked for the best deal within our budget. Especially in the Emirates, you’ll find plenty of high quality hotels at attractive rates.
Hotels We Stayed at During Our Road Trip Through the Emirates
Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai – Apartment in the Heart of Downtown Dubai
For our stay in Dubai, we chose the Swissôtel Al Murooj, located right across from the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. We stayed in a spacious apartment offering an impressive 205 square meters of living space. It featured three bedrooms, five bathrooms, a large living room, and two balconies with city views. The size and comfort of this accommodation really impressed us. For a city trip to Dubai, the location was simply ideal. Check hotel prices here*
Jannah Burj Al Sarab – Junior Suite with Sea View
In Abu Dhabi, we stayed at the Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel, ideally located between major attractions and the Corniche. Our spacious junior suite offered 63 square meters and a stunning sea view. It was the perfect base to explore the city during the day and unwind in the evening while watching the sunset over the water. Check hotel prices here*
I Like Al Hamra Palace – Beachfront Apartment in Ras Al Khaimah
In Ras Al Khaimah, we stayed at a beachfront apartment at “I Like Al Hamra Palace – Elite Beach & Golf Resort Private Suites”. Our accommodation included two rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace, and 90 square meters of living space. The direct sea view and immediate beach access made this one of the highlights of our entire stay in the Emirates. Check hotel prices here*
Alberni Jabal Hafeet Hotel Al Ain – A Mountain Stay with Stunning Views
For our stop in Al Ain, we chose the Alberni Jabal Hafeet Hotel Al Ain. What made it special was its location on Jebel Hafeet, a mountain offering spectacular views over the city and the surrounding desert. We had two deluxe double rooms, each with 44 square meters of space and a private balcony. The views from up here were truly unforgettable. Check hotel prices here*
Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights – Our Top Pick in Dubai
To wrap up our trip, we returned to Dubai and stayed at the Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments. Although it was the only four-star hotel on our tour, it turned out to be our absolute highlight.
Our Prestige Suite featured two bedrooms, 105 square meters of living space, and a breathtaking view of the skyline. From our window, we could see the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina, and the sea. The hotel is located right on Sheikh Zayed Road and impressed us not only with the amazing view but also with the unbeatable price of around 39 euros per person per night. Check hotel prices here*
Conclusion on Dubai Hotels Cost: Why booking in the Emirates was worth it for us
For us, the hotel selection during our road trip through the United Arab Emirates turned out to be a complete success. The accommodations impressed us not only with their modern amenities, excellent service, and spacious rooms, but also with their outstanding locations.
What stood out most was the excellent value for money – something we rarely experience when traveling in Europe. Whether in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, or Ras Al Khaimah, each place we stayed at had something unique to offer. We were able to enjoy a high level of comfort and a truly relaxing journey. The combination of luxury, service, and affordable pricing made a big difference compared to many other destinations we’ve visited.
If you value quality, location, and comfort while traveling, we can definitely recommend choosing a hotel in the Emirates. For us, the accommodations were a major highlight of our trip.
I’m Joshua, and my focus is road trips and round trips. I provide detailed travel information, planning tools, and practical tips for driving abroad. Together, we’ll make your next road trip perfectly organized and unforgettable
