Where to stay in Dubai for the first time – The best options for tourists

where to stay in dubai for the first time tourists

Dubai, there’s so much to say about this city. It’s got everything yet it is also surrounded by nothing. It’s a city where you can get whatever you want and live the most lavish lifestyle imaginable. I do have to say it’s one of the most innovative and forward-thinking cities I’ve ever visited. It’s also big enough to wonder where the best place to stay is.

After booking your flights one of the next decisions you’ll face is choosing where to stay in Dubai. There’s a huge amount of luxurious hotels, boutiques, and stylish apartments, so it can be a daunting task finding a location that has everything you’re looking for in one place. Don’t worry, I’ve gone through these searches and made the right and wrong choices for you so… Here I am to guide you through the best places to stay in Dubai for first-time visitors and tourists.

Here are the 7 popular choices

  1. Downtown Dubai
  2. Jumeira Beach Residence (JBR)
  3. The Palm Jumeira
  4. Dubai Marina
  5. Old Dubai
  6. Deira
  7. Dubai Creek

1. Downtown Dubai: The Heart of the Action

If you are looking for a central location with easy access to Dubai’s top attractions, then Downtown Dubai is an ideal place to stay. I did originally look at accommodation around here for my first visit but I found the prices to be higher than surrounding areas. But if convenience is king for you then it’s a great choice. Plus you may spend time and money travelling back and forth either side of this area using different transport options if you stay further out anyway so the costs even out. 

downtown dubai

This area is home to the huge Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, which is worth a visit. There are tons of upscale hotels here offering stunning views of the city skyline and easy access to the Dubai Mall and one of my favourite areas of the city, the Dubai Fountain, where you can have a nice meal and drink while watching the amazing fountain show. You can go all out and stay at the luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai or the more reasonably priced Paramount Hotel Midtown, you’ll be right in the heart of the action.

Best for: Central location, shopping, major attractions, fountain viewing

2. Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): The beach and waterfront scene

Sometimes a city getaway is just a lot better with world-class beaches and turquoise waters. If that floats your boat (see what I did there) Jumeirah Beach Residence is a strong choice. Sat right on the coastline of the Arabian Gulf, this waterfront district offers a laid-back beach vibe with a touch of luxury. However don’t be fooled into thinking it’ll be a quiet beach town area, Dubai is a huge city wherever you stay so you will be surrounded by skyscrapers, restaurants, and shops.

There are a lot of stylish beachfront hotels and serviced apartments here so you get those amazing panoramic views of the sea and city. You can spend the day sunbathing on real white sands and hit the restaurants and bars at night. It’s much further out from the centre than downtown Dubai but it offers a bit more peace so it depends on what your preference is there.

Best for: Beach life, busy bars, and restaurants

3. The Palm Jumeirah: A Slice of Paradise

This is quite a unique part of the world and it’s not as I imagined either. This area is basically a world of luxury on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree. It’s exclusive and contains Dubai’s most luxurious resorts which belong to many A-list celebs and of course, it’s surrounded by beaches. From the huge Atlantis, The Palm to the ultra-luxurious One&Only The Palm, each hotel offers top-class service and the best dining options. 

Jumeira palm atlantis

I imagined this palm to be a very quiet beach oasis but it is in fact a huge city in its own right and you can imagine a lot of people want to stay here or at least visit the area so it does get busy. Unless of course you know somebody who has an exclusive villa on the palms, where you have a private street access and a private beach. Otherwise, you will be surrounded by both heavy traffic and amazing hotels. Be aware that the distance to downtown Dubai by car would be around 1 hour from here.

Best for: Luxury beach residences, exclusivity, a unique world-renowned location

4. Dubai Marina: Fancy waterfront living

Dubai Marina is another one of my favourite spots in Dubai. The area is beautiful to walk around at night considering it’s a purely man made area. It is a blend of modern and sophisticated but offers quiet waterfront living. This stylish district is yet again renowned for its skyscrapers, but these are more sleek in design and are pretty unique to look at.

Dubai Marina

There are some nice, busy promenades and boardwalks with great restaurants and the area has a busy nightlife too. You can stay in one of the many luxurious hotels or serviced apartments that surround the marina with great waterfront views. There’s plenty of boats and yachts parkere here and I’d advise taking a Dhow boat cruise here too so you get to see all angles of the Marina. It’s situated at the entrance to the Palm Jumeirah area so you will be around 45 mins to 1 hour away from Dubai downtown if you stay here.

Best for: Peaceful Marina walks, waterfront luxury, boat cruises

5. Old Dubai: History and heritage

For a taste of Dubai’s real history and cultural origins, you could try a more traditional route and stay in the historic district of Old Dubai. Here, you’ll find charming little mud-house neighbourhoods like Al Fahidi and Al Bastakiya, which have narrow alleyways, traditional wind-tower houses, and bustling souks (markets) that show the city’s past. 

Old Dubai

You don’t have to stay in old, modest accommodation here, you can stay in a boutique hotel or guesthouse in the heart of Old Dubai, where you can explore attractions like the Dubai Museum, the Gold Souk, and the Spice Souk. It’s got a real atmosphere here and old-world charm to it and gives you a feel of how Dubai originally was before the oil was discovered. Old Dubai is around 20 minutes drive from downtown Burj Khalifa.

Best for: Dubai history, authentic Dubai feel, Souks (markets)

6. Deira: The original Dubai

I stayed in Deira not knowing much about the area or about the best places to stay in Dubai and I’d describe it more as the original Dubai how it would be now without the riches, where the natives live. it’s not as modern nor is it lined with skyscrapers on every street but there’s still a lot of hustle and bustle along with some authentic markets but less stunning sights. 

Deira market

The positive side is you can get lower cost accommodation here and you can base yourself near the Dubai creek to get that old Dubai feel too. It has easy access to the airport and you can get to downtown Dubai in about 20-30 minutes depending on how close to the creek you are.

Best for: Cheap accommodation, good access to airport, more local shopping experiences

7. Dubai Creek: Tranquility in the City Centre

You can escape the hustle and bustle of the city in Dubai and find a quieter spot along the banks of Dubai Creek. This historic waterway is the lifeline of the city, and where the early centre of Dubai was built around. It offers a different contrast to the modern skyline that surrounds it. 

Dubai Creek

Stay in a waterfront hotel or boutique guesthouse overlooking the creek. Check out the nearby neighbourhoods of Deira and Bur Dubai, for the colourful markets, historic mosques, and older Dubai landmarks Accommodation is a little more affordable here than downtown but offers a blend of both worlds, when you cross the river you’re instantly in the thick of the modern skyscrapers and tourist attractions. You will be around 15-20 minutes drive from downtown Dubai here.

Best for: Riverside calmness, markets, and easy access to old and new Dubai.

As you can see Dubai offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s taste and budget. If you’re looking for luxury and indulgence or culture and history you can go for the options at either end of the city. A good rule to remember is the old Dubai is more northeast and the new luxury side of Dubai is in the southwest.

From the iconic landmarks of Downtown Dubai to the amazing beaches of JBR and the charm of Old Dubai, each neighbourhood offers a different angle. So pack your bags, book your stay, sort your activities because there are so many things you can do so get ready to visit a city that’s unlike any other!