Deluxe Dubai beach hotels steps from the glittering Arabian gulf

From fishing and sailing to action-packed kids’ clubs, there’s plenty going on at the Jumeirah Al Naseem. Head to the resort’s private beach for a choice of water sports including windsurfing, water skiing and kayaking – golf fans can practise their swing from the shore using eco-friendly golf balls filled with fish food. Next door, the Jumeirah Al Qasr has a serene spa for some peaceful you-time.

Decorated in neutral tones harmonised with wooden accents, each room here is a haven of relaxation with views of lush tropical gardens, the outdoor pools or the Persian Gulf. Travelling with children? Spread out in a family suite with an additional living room and outdoor spaces.

The hotel’s collection of restaurants serve a variety of cuisine, from Mediterranean dishes to Peruvian fusion menus. Nibble on Polynesian food poolside, dine alfresco with views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah or tuck into fresh seafood on the beachfront.

Built in the style of an Arabian palace, the Jumeirah Al Qasr features classic Arabic architecture, from grand pillared archways to ornate ceilings, surrounded by serene gardens and waterways. Rooms are just as majestic with arabesque designs, intricately carved woodwork and marble bathrooms. Many also have an elegant balcony with ocean views.

Dine like royalty with a selection of cuisine, from fresh seafood served on the hotel’s pier to sharing plates of Lebanese fare accompanied by live music. There are also juicy American-style steaks, award-winning Thai menus and local Arabic dishes.

Take time to indulge at the hotel’s sumptuous spa with a hot seashell massage before floating in the tranquil pool. On the hotel’s 2km private sandy beach, you can order refreshments to your sun lounger. For little ones, the kids’ club arranges plenty of fun activities and has a huge aquatic playground.

With a choice of five restaurants, foodies will be in their element at Rixos The Palm Dubai. The buffet eateries specialise in authentic Turkish cuisine, like mezze dishes, accompanied by live music in the evenings. Out on the waterfront, you can dine on freshly caught grilled seafood.

The hotel sits on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah island, giving the rooms views across the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s iconic skyline. Cream and gold decor creates a luxurious atmosphere, complemented with parquet flooring and dark wood furnishings. Elegant bathrooms feature a deep-soak tub and rainfall showers.

The hotel’s private beach has plush cabanas, while the palm-tree bordered pool is the place for a friendly game of water polo. Water sports on offer here include scuba diving with an internationally certified instructor, while children will be busy at the kids’ club with cooking classes, treasure hunts and pool games.

Nestled in one of the city’s coolest neighbourhoods, Rove Dubai Marina is a short walk away from some of Dubai’s most popular sandy beaches and its top sites. For postcard-worthy views, wander a few steps to find Dubai Marina Promenade – and, just off Jumeirah Beach, Bluewaters Island is home to Ain Dubai observation wheel, the highest of its kind in the world.

After exploring the town, unwind on the sun terrace by the hotel’s pool and take in views of the elegant Burj Khalifa. For refreshments, the hotel’s contemporary restaurant serves international favourites like cheeseburgers and fries as well as energy-boosting smoothies and speciality signature coffees with chocolate and pistachio.

The spacious rooms have minimalist modern decor that throws focus on the sweeping cityscape framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. Little touches of art add character, while the muted tones help to create a serene ambience.

At the beachfront JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, there’s a championship course for golfers and even a shooting academy. Little ones can get involved in fun-packed kids’ clubs, try mini-golf or spend time together horse riding in the paddock or taking lessons on the tennis courts.

Fans of the water can cool off in four pools or head to the sea for water skiing, wakeboarding and yoga on paddleboards. Take to the sparkling waters of the resort’s private marina for sailing trips in yachts or explore Dubai from the sky with a seaplane tour.

The hotel sits on an 800 metre stretch of private beach, surrounded by lush grounds with exotic birds. Each airy room has modern-style furnishings and luxurious bathrooms featuring rainfall showers, plus there are connecting rooms for families. Choose a room with a glass-fronted balcony to gaze out over palm-tree studded gardens and the Arabian Gulf.

Towering 35-storeys over the Jumeirah Beach Residences, the contemporary Rixos Premium Dubai is designed for luxurious upscale living. Stay in sumptuous rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering unspoilt views of Dubai’s skyline, the pristine Arabian Gulf and nearby Bluewaters Island. With plush carpets, silky textiles and a rich colour palette of golden hues and vibrant magenta, each room is elegant yet artfully decorated. In the spacious suites, you’ll also find modern touches like Apple TVs and espresso coffee machines.

The ideal spot for retail therapy, the hotel has its own glamorous boutiques and is close to The Walk, a popular shopping promenade, and two malls. For other therapeutic remedies, unwind in the award-winning spa’s traditional Turkish hammam and relax alongside your partner with a soothing massage in the bespoke couples’ suite. From the private beach, let off some steam with adrenaline-pumping sports like parasailing and doughnut rides or try fly-fishing in the clear sea.

Delight your taste buds in the chic bars and restaurants at the dynamic Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach. Among the five dining venues, you can choose freshly grilled dishes and traditional mezze alfresco by the pool while listening to live music. Or go on a culinary journey at a themed buffet feast, where skilled chefs work at live cooking stations.

Right in the heart of Dubai’s lively seaside district, the hotel’s rooms all feature a balcony or terrace where you can soak up the atmosphere. Relax in the calming space, decorated in warm hues with soft furnishings. Bathrooms have a refreshing walk-in shower and a bathtub for indulgent soaks. Family suites are ideal when travelling with little ones; as well as an extra living space with a sofa bed, the suites have child-size bathrobes and slippers and handy beach kits with towels, mats and an umbrella.

The Retreat Palm Dubai – MGallery by Sofitel is so named because it’s the first holistic wellbeing resort in the Middle East, with a Rayya Wellness Centre that focuses on soothing mind, body and spirit. Escape to the spa’s sanctuary of relaxation, which features an outdoor whirlpool and traditional hammam and sumptuous personalised treatments. Outside, lounge on beds in the waters of the infinity pool with its views of skyscrapers across the Gulf.

Fresh food is sautéed before your eyes on live cooking stations in the all-day dining restaurant where there are often themed evenings, too. Tuck into East-Arabic cuisine (accompanied by vistas of the sea) or satisfy a sweet tooth with afternoon tea in the airy and modern lobby café.

Each room has a contemporary look and is filled with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a balcony – many with ocean views. Thoughtful touches like a pillow menu and organic mini bar are the icing on the cake.