Dubai
Downtown Dubai hotels: stay by the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall
Downtown is the Dubai you have seen in pictures, with the Burj Khalifa, the fountains and Dubai Mall. These are the hotels we would choose in the area, from Armani inside the tower to good-value rooms fifteen minutes away.
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Downtown is the best area for a first visit to Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, the fountains and Dubai Mall are all within walking distance, and the metro takes you on to old Dubai and the coast. The downside is that there is no beach here, so beach days mean a taxi or the metro.
In short: which Downtown Dubai hotel should you choose?
Our top pick is Palace Downtown, a calm Arabian-style hotel by the lake. If you want to stay inside the Burj Khalifa itself, choose Armani Hotel Dubai. Rove Downtown Dubai gives you the same area for far less.
Top pick: Palace Downtown
Inside the Burj Khalifa: Armani Hotel Dubai
Fountain views: Address Downtown
Pool with a view: Address Sky View
By the metro: Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Good value: Rove Downtown Dubai
Our top pick: Palace Downtown
Palace Downtown is on Old Town Island, with the Burj Khalifa just across the lake. Low Arabian-style buildings, palm trees and a long pool make it calmer than the towers around it. Dubai Mall and the fountains are a few minutes away on foot.
Good for: Couples and first visits with calm and a view. Good to know: The hotel has a pool and a spa. Parking is available and airport transfers can be arranged.
Check availability and prices at Palace Downtown
Inside the Burj Khalifa: Armani Hotel Dubai
Armani Hotel Dubai occupies the lower floors of the Burj Khalifa, with interiors designed by Giorgio Armani. The rooms are calm, in beige and grey, with large windows. You walk straight into Dubai Mall, and the metro stops at the mall.
Good for: Anyone who wants to say they stayed in the world's tallest building. Good to know: The hotel has a pool and a spa. Parking is available and airport transfers can be arranged.
Armani Hotel Dubai
Calm colours and large windows inside the Burj Khalifa.
Fountain views: Address Downtown
Address Downtown stands right by the lake where the fountains dance every evening. The hotel has rooms facing both the fountains and the Burj Khalifa. The restaurants of Souk Al Bahar are just across the water.
Good for: Anyone who wants to watch the fountains from their room. Good to know: The hotel has a pool and a spa. Parking is available and airport transfers can be arranged.
Check availability and prices at Address Downtown
Pool with a view: Address Sky View
Address Sky View is two towers joined by a glass bridge. Some room types include access to the infinity pool on the 54th floor, with the Burj Khalifa right in front of you. The metro is around five minutes away on foot.
Good for: Couples and friends who want a view and a pool high above the city. Good to know: The hotel has a pool and a spa. Parking is available, and connecting rooms can be booked.
Check availability and prices at Address Sky View
By the metro: Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Sofitel Dubai Downtown is a two-minute walk from Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station. That makes old Dubai and Dubai Marina easy to reach without a taxi. Many rooms look out over the city, and the pool is high up.
Good for: Anyone who wants to use the metro and see a lot of the city. Good to know: The hotel has a pool and a spa. Parking is available, and connecting rooms can be booked.
Sofitel Dubai Downtown
A room looking out over Downtown.
Good value: Rove Downtown Dubai
Rove Downtown Dubai is a simple, modern hotel around fifteen minutes on foot from the Burj Khalifa. The rooms are practical, and you can see the tower from the pool. You stay in the same area as the luxury hotels and pay far less. You will find more ideas in Budget hotels in Dubai.
Good for: Anyone who wants a central base and to spend the money on experiences. Good to know: The hotel has a pool. Airport transfers can be arranged, parking is available, and connecting rooms can be booked.
Check availability and prices at Rove Downtown Dubai
What to do in Downtown
Burj Khalifa: take the lift to the At the Top observation deck, ideally around sunset.
Dubai Fountain: the fountains dance to music on the lake every evening.
Dubai Mall: home to the aquarium, an ice rink and hundreds of shops.
Souk Al Bahar: restaurants with terraces facing the fountains.
Dubai Opera: concerts, ballet and shows a few minutes from the hotels.
Getting around
Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall metro station is on the Red Line, which runs to the airport, Deira and Dubai Marina. From the station a long air-conditioned walkway leads to the mall. Take a taxi to Jumeirah Beach. On New Year's Eve Downtown is packed, see New Year's Eve in Dubai.
Where to stay
Palace Downtown
Palace Downtown is the hotel for anyone who wants to stay in the middle of Downtown without feeling it. It is on Old Town Island, with the Burj Khalifa across the lake and the fountains right outside. The buildings are low and Arabian in style, with courtyards, palm trees and a long pool. In the evening you can walk to Dubai Mall or eat by the water at Souk Al Bahar.
Frequently asked questions about Downtown Dubai hotels
Is Downtown Dubai a good place to stay?
Yes, especially on a first visit. The Burj Khalifa, the fountains and Dubai Mall are within walking distance, and the metro takes you to old Dubai and Dubai Marina. There are hotels at every price, from Armani in the Burj Khalifa to Rove Downtown. The downside is that there is no beach, so you need a taxi to the sea.
Which Downtown hotel has the best view of the Burj Khalifa?
Address Downtown and Address Sky View have rooms facing the tower, and Address Downtown also looks straight down on the fountains. Palace Downtown is just across the lake. Sofitel Dubai Downtown has suites facing the Burj Khalifa. Ask for a room with a view when you book, because not every room has one.
How far is Downtown from the beach?
Jumeirah Beach is around fifteen minutes away by taxi when there is no traffic. For Dubai Marina and JBR, take the Red Line metro or a taxi. If you want to swim every day, it can be worth splitting your stay between Downtown and a beach hotel.
Can you walk from the hotel to Dubai Mall?
From most Downtown hotels Dubai Mall is just a few minutes away on foot. From Armani Hotel Dubai you walk straight in, and from Palace Downtown and Address Downtown you just cross the promenade. From Rove Downtown Dubai it takes around fifteen minutes. In summer the air-conditioned walkways are a relief.
Is it expensive to stay in Downtown Dubai?
The luxury hotels by the Burj Khalifa are among the most expensive in the city, especially around Christmas and New Year. Rove Downtown Dubai is a good-value alternative in the same area. You also save by travelling in November or March. Remember the Tourism Dirham fee, which comes on top of the room rate.