Hotel Updates: What’s New in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Hotels

Abu Dhabi and Dubai are perennial favorites for both business and leisure travelers, continually redefining modern travel with ambitious new developments—from artificial islands and indoor entertainment complexes to ultra-luxurious hotels. With properties proudly advertising 7-, 8- and even 9-star experiences, picking where to stay can be the toughest part of planning a visit. Fortunately, there are no bad choices: each luxury hotel and resort in Abu Dhabi and Dubai raises the bar in its own way.

WHERE LIFE HAPPENS. The Address Hotels + Resorts, launched by Emaar Hospitality in May 2008, captures a design-forward, personal and welcoming hospitality philosophy. Five Dubai properties occupy some of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods: The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall, offering views of the Burj Khalifa and direct access to Dubai Mall; The Address Dubai Marina, surrounded by water and yachts; The Address Montgomerie Dubai, set amid 265 acres of green fairways for a golf-centric retreat; and The Palace Downtown Dubai, positioned on a lake on Old Town Island and offering classic luxury near major attractions. Beyond traditional hotel services, The Address properties also offer residences for long-term guests and residents. The brand embraces modern technology, with room automation services and an iPad-based guest app to streamline the stay. An Address property is also planned for Abuja Centenary City, Nigeria.

PART OF THE Emaar Hospitality portfolio, Vida Hotels and Resorts targets the next-generation traveler with boutique, tech-savvy properties focused on creativity, freedom and fun. On-site staff called Dream Makers help curate guest experiences. Currently open are Vida Downtown Dubai and Manzil Downtown Dubai, with additional developments such as Vida Residence Downtown Dubai, Vida Residence The Hills and Vida Town Square Dubai underway. Vida is a brand on the rise with more to come.

BRAND-NEW TO the downtown Burj Khalifa neighborhood is Taj Dubai, which opened in March 2015 near Dubai Mall. The hotel showcases Indian artistry across its 296 rooms and includes the first Chambers club outside India—a members-only enclave for business travelers. With premium suites, five dining venues, a rooftop Club Lounge and the Jiva spa and fitness center, Taj Dubai blends luxury and cultural detail from one of Asia’s most respected hotel groups.

GET LOST IN the mythic world of Atlantis at Atlantis, The Palm, opened in 2008 on Dubai’s iconic Palm Island. This resort reimagines what a holiday destination can be, especially for families: it houses 65,000 marine animals, the Aquaventure Waterpark, three private beaches and the popular Nasimi Beach Club. Guest rooms feature sea, beach and skyline panoramas, while the resort’s underwater suite and a roster of 23 restaurants and bars covering global cuisines make Atlantis a destination unto itself. A full-service spa and extensive shopping round out the experience.

JUMEIRAH HOTELS & Resorts have established an international reputation, but Dubai remains a central focus with seven properties and Wild Wadi Waterpark. Signature properties include Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Jumeirah Living at the World Trade Centre. Madinat Jumeirah functions like a small city with two hotels, 29 traditional summer houses and dozens of restaurants and bars. Jumeirah also expanded into Abu Dhabi with Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and continues plans for growth across the Middle East and North Africa.

WHATEVER YOUR SPEED, Yas Viceroy on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island caters to thrill-seekers and relaxation-focused guests alike. Located beside the Formula 1 racetrack and near family attractions like Ferrari World, the hotel’s architecture echoes the motion of racing cars while offering elegant interiors. With eleven dining concepts and proximity to beaches and entertainment, Yas Viceroy provides a versatile base for a range of experiences on Yas Island.

THIS IS JUST a sample of what the UAE offers. Hotels continue to push luxury further, and properties like the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi set a dazzling standard with marble and gold-accented rooms, private butlers, towering domes and extensive conference facilities.

Abu Dhabi also features notable St. Regis properties—one on the Corniche and another on Saadiyat Island’s white-sand beaches. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island, opened in 2011, sits close to the emerging Saadiyat Cultural District and the new Louvre Abu Dhabi. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi offers central views of the Corniche, while a signature suite on the skybridge between the Nation Towers provides panoramic vistas.

Anantara Hotels deliver super-luxe escapes in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas island is reachable by regional flights and emphasizes conservation, cultural preservation and wildlife experiences. Qasr Al Sarab, set amid a vast uninterrupted desert, blends spa indulgence with desert activities like camel trekking, fat biking, falconry and dune driving. In Dubai, Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa channels Southeast Asian design and cuisine and offers immersive experiences such as Thai cooking classes.

Before leaving Abu Dhabi, visit the Guinness World Record-holding Capital Gate building, famed for its 18-degree lean. The Hyatt Capital Gate hotel gives guests the novel opportunity to stay in this landmark. The Rosewood Abu Dhabi, with its shimmering façade, is another architectural standout celebrated for both design and hospitality.

RECOGNIZED AS THE world’s tallest hotel at its opening, the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai towers over the city with more than 1,600 rooms across 72 floors. Sofitel’s properties in Dubai add a touch of French design—Sofitel Dubai Burj Downtown brings striking interiors, while Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach offers sea-view pools, advanced meeting facilities and an exclusive club lounge.

For premium beach resorts, Rixos The Palm Dubai and One&Only The Palm Dubai are notable, while One&Only Royal Mirage stands amid 65 acres of landscaped gardens and water features. Rotana operates numerous city and resort hotels across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and JA Resorts & Hotels runs several five-star properties in Dubai. Palazzo Versace, an upcoming addition, promises to further elevate the region’s luxury hotel scene.

The UAE’s hospitality landscape is defined by ambition, design and a commitment to extraordinary service—ensuring that visitors leave with memorable experiences long after their stay.