Dubai is home to some of the world's most opulent hotels, but not all the best places to stay in Dubai are out of the price range of regular folk. It may be full of glitz and bling, but scratch beneath the surface (quite hard!) and you can find authentic little properties that are ideally located for exploring the historic sites, and give you a sense of what the place was like before the mega-resorts moved in.

Dubai is a glamorous, sunny destination. Perfect if you're craving the beach in October and you don't want to fly long haul from Europe. Even for families. The food is varied and facilities are modern and air conditioned. From the boutique shopping, to the polo and the races, to the Gold Souk, and the man-made coastline. But while it can be hectic, and expensive, it doesn't have to be. Beyond the glitz of the city is the peace of the desert.

Where to Stay - which neighbourhood?

• Downtown Dubai is where you’ll find both the Dubai Mall, which is the world’s largest mall, and the Burj Khalifa - which has been the world’s tallest building since 2008. It’s also home to the Dubai Fountain, which is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system. And the Souq Al Bahar, a luxurious Arabian market.
• Jumeirah Beach, which follows the coastline west from Dubai Creek, culminating in the seven star Burj Al Arab Hotel - which occupies its own island, is probably one of the best known places to stay in Dubai. The hotels and resorts on this strip are big and fancy.
• Deira, on the other side of Dubai Creek, is probably busier though, this is where you’ll find the souqs and the wharves lined with traditional dhows. As well as the dhows and the fish souqs, the waterfront is lined with more luxurious hotels and resorts, especially as you head down the promenade towards the man-made promontory, the Corniche.
• Bur Dubai is the historic quarter, and has the Dubai Museum, the Grand Mosque and Sheikh Saeed House.

What not to miss

There are many ways to treat yourself in Dubai. From relaxing on a beach (many of them have waiting staff) to visiting a spa, playing a round on a world-class golf course or indulging in a days' shopping.

• The Deira Souks - situated in the heart of Old Dubai, stroll the labyrinthine souks and pick up a bargain from gold to spices and much more besides.

• Jump on an old Abra and take a jaunt across the Dubai Creek - it costs next to nothing and the view is fantastic especially at night.

• The Dubai museum is a must if you're interested in the history of the Emirate. It is situated in the Al Fahidi Fort.

• For adventurous types, you'd be mad not to do a spot of dune bashing or quad biking. Desert safaris can be easily arranged.

This emirate is a busy place year-round, but the best places to stay in Dubai get booked up quickly during the winter months, so if you want to get some winter sun, you'll need to plan ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Dubai

For Downtown Dubai

• The Palace Downtown Dubai is a classic hotel which bridges the gap between the modern glass giants and a sultanate palace. One of the best places to stay in Dubai if you're looking for comfort and elegance - there's a relaxed, almost colonial air, and not too much flash.

• If you want all the glitz and glamour Dubai can muster you need The Address Downtown Dubai, a luxurious skyscraper with seven swimming pools, an immaculate spa, award winning restaurants, private everything and wonderful views of the Burj Khalifa.

In Jumeirah Beach

• Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah is a proper sultanate palace with all the flash. Rooms and suites are opulently filled with antique loveliness, there's a vast spa, sea views and private this, that and the other. This is a grand affair, with a pool complex so big that you can use their Venetian style gondolas to get around it and 44 restaurants.

• The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one of those beautiful glass and steel structures rising out of the desert which you see in all the photos of Dubai. It might not look family friendly, but it has its own beach, a number of pools, an excellent spa, a collection of restaurants, kids clubs, you're right by the marina, AND you have free access to the Wild Wadi Water Park.

In Deira

• The Ahmedia Heritage Guest House is a small, romantic hotel with a lovely courtyard and its own art gallery. The decor is traditional and you're right near the souks.

In Bur Dubai

• The Barjeel Heritage Guest house is a beautiful Persian style guesthouse with nine comfortable, romantic rooms decorated with traditional antiques. There's a lovely waterfront restaurant which serves traditional cuisine. And prices per night start at just £61.

• The XVA Hotel is a fabulous alternative to Dubai's grandiose palatial hotels - an Arty, Arabian style property decorated with art, antiques and understated furnishings. In the oldest part of Dubai Creek, near the Dubai Museum.
• If you're looking for a smaller hotel, one of the best places to stay in Dubai is the Orient Guest House, which has 12 rooms in the Bastakiya Heritage Area near Dubai Creek. Traditional and romantic, this is a quiet spot within walking distance from many of Dubai's main attractions.

For a city break

• The Armani Hotel is by 'that' Armani, so offers a flavour of Milano in the Burj Khalifa. Sumptuous, but muted, compared to many of the hotels around it, the Armani has clean modern lines and neutral shades, so it's popular with business travellers.

• The Palace Downtown Dubai is a classic hotel which bridges the gap between the modern glass giants and a sultanate palace. One of the best places to stay in Dubai if you're looking for comfort and elegance - there's a relaxed, almost colonial air, and not too much flash.

Dubai's Best 'Once in a Lifetime' Hotels

• Dubai doesn't do things by halves, and there aren't many places this is more obvious than at Atlantis the Palm. On the ocean edge of the man-made Palm Jumeirah, this deep sea themed hotel is… Wow. It's not just a resort - there's a huge water park, an aquarium, a huge spa and shopping. There's a private beach, tennis courts, you can learn to scuba dive, or swim with dolphins. And there's a crazy array of restaurant options.
• If you want all the glitz and glamour Dubai can muster you need The Address Downtown Dubai, a luxurious skyscraper with seven swimming pools, an immaculate spa, award winning restaurants, private everything and wonderful views of the Burj Khalifa.
• Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah is a proper sultanate palace with all the flash. Rooms and suites are opulently filled with antique loveliness, there's a vast spa, sea views and private this, that and the other. This is a grand affair, with a pool complex so big that you can use their Venetian style gondolas to get around it and 44 restaurants.

For a family beach break

• The Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one of those beautiful glass and steel structures rising out of the desert which you see in all the photos of Dubai. It might not look family friendly, but it has its own beach, a number of pools, an excellent spa, a collection of restaurants, kids clubs, you're right by the marina, AND you have free access to the Wild Wadi Water Park.

For a taste of the real Dubai

• The Barjeel Heritage Guest house is a beautiful Persian style guesthouse with nine comfortable, romantic rooms decorated with traditional antiques. There's a lovely waterfront restaurant which serves traditional cuisine. And prices per night start at just £61.
• The XVA Hotel is a fabulous alternative to Dubai's grandiose palatial hotels - an Arty, Arabian style property decorated with art, antiques and understated furnishings. In the oldest part of Dubai Creek, near the Dubai Museum.
• If you're looking for a smaller hotel, one of the best places to stay in Dubai is the Orient Guest House, which has 12 rooms in the Bastakiya Heritage Area near Dubai Creek. Traditional and romantic, this is a quiet spot within walking distance from many of Dubai's main attractions.
• The Ahmedia Heritage Guest House is a small, romantic hotel with a lovely courtyard and its own art gallery. The decor is traditional and you're right near the souks.

Dubai's Best Desert Escapes

• Desert Palm is a secret, 24 room desert hideaway, with facilities which could cater for more than double the number of guests. The city is your backdrop, but your immediate view is of the stunning green of the polo fields. For total privacy book your own villa, complete with your own pool.

For an apartment

• If you think that you'd rather have your own space, then visit our online partner, booking.com, for a wide range of apartments in the city centre.

Travel information

• Fly to Dubai International Airport located just 5km (3 miles) from the city centre.
• Best time to visit - Dubai is a year-round destination, but to avoid the searing heat of the summer months plan a trip between November and March where the temperatures average at around 24 ?C.
• If you plan to hire a car, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars for the best prices.