Dubai, a global tourist hub, receives millions of international tourists yearly with its extravagant lifestyle, world-class architecture, global shopping, and picturesque desert landscapes. For international visitors to Dubai, accommodation is paramount to having a wonderful and trouble-free experience. Dubai, with its extensive range of hotels, offers something for everyone, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly accommodations. This guidebook describes the Dubai hotel reservation system, special deals for foreign tourists, and some valuable tips to get the best profitable deals.

Hotel Booking System in Dubai

Online Booking Platforms

Overseas travelers find booking Dubai hotels through internet reservation websites convenient, offering amenities like ease of booking, second-by-second price comparison, and customer feedback. The most popular websites are:

• Booking.com – A Reliable website with far-reaching options of hotels, complimentary cancellation, and deals.
• Expedia – Promotes package purchases of flights and hotels, discounted luxury, and points rewards.
• Agoda – Most famous for cheap prices and last-minute booking.
• Hotels.com – Offers a rewards program with complimentary nights after completing a specified number of stays.
• TripAdvisor – Offers price matching for hotels, in addition to extensive customer reviews.
• Airbnb – Best for private apartments or unusual accommodations.

Direct Hotel Websites

Most luxury and mid-market hotels in Dubai have their official websites where one can book directly. The advantages of booking directly usually are:

• Exclusive discounts that cannot be found on third-party websites.
• Room upgrades are available at no additional charge (subject to availability).
• Breakfast and meals are offered free of charge.
• Cancellation on flexible conditions.
• Guest-only access to hotel loyalty schemes.

Travel Agencies and Tour Operators

For individual services, various travel agencies have hotel booking facilities. Some of the best among them are:

• Emirates Holidays – Offers holiday packages with stays at hotels.
• Dnata Travel – Offers customized hotel and travel packages.
• Rayna Tours – Offers low-cost hotel booking with holiday packages.
  

Walk-in Bookings

Spontaneous travelers can make a hotel reservation upon arrival in Dubai, but it is riskier during peak season when all the hotels are booked. Walk-in rates are more expensive than booking in advance through the internet.

Mobile Apps for Hotel Booking

Online booking sites and most of the hotels provide apps that provide:

• App-specific special discounts.
• E-check-out and e-check-in.
• Prompt booking confirmation.
• Discounts and reward points of the loyalty program.
  

Special Offers for Foreign Travelers

Early Booking Discounts

Dubai hotels offer cheaper booking rates. Tourists can book a hotel room for up to 40% off the regular price.

Long-Stay Packages

Tourists who anticipate an extended stay can take advantage of long-term accommodation packages, which offer lower prices, complimentary meals, and access to hotel facilities.

Seasonal Promotions

Seasonal Dubai hotels offer some seasonal packages:

• Summer Offers – Enjoy lower prices between June and September, taking advantage of the summer heat.
• Winter Festival Deals – Special deals in November to February, when the Dubai Shopping Festival is happening.
• Ramadan Deals – Hotel Accommodations and Iftar Buffet Discounts.

Family and Group Discounts

Dubai hotels offer special family and group packages that include complimentary stays for children, additional beds, and meal plans.

Business Traveler Offers

Dubai hotels offer special packages for business travelers:

• Business lounges and meeting rooms.
• Free airport transfer.
• High-speed internet and a working area.

Honeymoon & Luxury Packages

Luxury hotels in Dubai offer honeymoon packages that consist of:

• Free spa treatments.
• Private beach dinners.
• Yacht tours on their own.

Budget Traveler Deals

Budget travelers can find decent offers at hostels and 3-star hotels, often including complimentary breakfast and city tours.

Loyalty Programs

International hotel chains in Dubai, such as Hilton, Marriott, and Accor, offer loyalty programs that reward frequent visitors with points for complimentary nights and increased room allocations.

Dubai City Passes & Tourism Cards

Tourists can obtain advantages through passes such as:

• Dubai Pass – Provides hotel accommodation discounts and admission to over 30 attractions.
• Nol Card – Resells public transport fare at a discounted price.

Burj Khalifa

828 meters tall, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest structure and a must-visit in Dubai. Visitors take an elevator up to the observation deck on the 124th floor for an impressive panoramic view of the city. For added exclusivity, the 148th-floor SKY Lounge offers a luxurious environment to take in the skyline. Atmosphere Restaurant, located on the 122nd floor, provides a luxurious dining experience with unparalleled views.

The Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain

Palm Jumeirah, a palm tree-shaped artificial island, hosts some of the most opulent resorts in Dubai. One of its best is Atlantis The Palm, which boasts:

• Aquaventure Waterpark, a world-class waterpark
• The Lost Chambers Aquarium, containing thousands of sea creatures
• Fine dining establishments, such as celebrity-chef restaurants like Nobu and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen

Palm Jumeirah and Atlantis The Palm

Palm Jumeirah, a palm tree-shaped artificial island, hosts some of the most opulent resorts in Dubai. One of its best is Atlantis The Palm, which boasts:

• Aquaventure Waterpark, a world-class waterpark
• The Lost Chambers Aquarium, containing thousands of sea creatures
• Fine dining establishments, such as celebrity-chef restaurants like Nobu and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen

Dubai Marina and JBR Beach

The Dubai Marina is a high-end waterfront area with:

• A 3.5 km-long canal lined with spectacular high-rise architecture
• Dubai Marina Mall for shopping and eating
• A vibrant nightlife with rooftop bars and yacht cruises

Next to the Marina, JBR Beach (Jumeirah Beach Residence) is a great place to sunbathe, jet-ski, and dine beachside.

Old Dubai: Al Fahidi Historical District and Dubai Creek

For a glance at the affluent past of Dubai, Al Fahidi Historical District offers:

• Dubai Museum (inside Al Fahidi Fort), an exhibition of the city’s transformation
• Traditional wind-tower houses and art galleries
• Abra crossing over Dubai Creek to sample the bustling Gold and Spice Souks

The Dubai Frame

An architectural marvel in itself, the Dubai Frame contrasts old and new Dubai. The glass-bottom sky deck offers a stunning view of the cityscape.

Desert Safari Adventures

A desert safari is not complete without a trip to Dubai, and it includes:

• Dune bashing in a 4×4 car
• Camel ride and sandboarding
• BBQ dinner and live show in Bedouin camp

Global Village and Miracle Garden

Global Village is a winter cultural destination featuring pavilions representing nations from around the world, offering international cuisine, shopping, and live performances.

Nearby is the Dubai Miracle Garden, where over 150 million flowers are intricately arranged in gorgeous patterns to transform it into one of the world’s most beautiful floral parks.

Dubai Opera and Cultural Attractions

Dubai Opera is a platform for global concerts, ballets, and dramas that cater to music and art lovers.
Other cultural attractions are:

• Alserkal Avenue, an arts and culture destination
• Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, where one can learn about Emirati traditions

Day Trips from Dubai

Abu Dhabi (1.5-hour drive from Dubai)

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – The World’s largest and most beautiful mosque
• Louvre Abu Dhabi – World-class art museum
• Ferrari World – Thrilling amusement park featuring the world’s fastest roller coaster

Hatta (1.5-hour drive from Dubai)

• Hatta Dam – Quiet lake surrounded by mountains, perfect for kayaking
• Hatta Heritage Village – Living traditional Emirati life

Sharjah (30-minute drive from Dubai)

• Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
• Al Noor Island, a serene oasis with gardens and a butterfly house

Dubai offers a seamless and diverse hotel reservation experience with multiple online websites, direct hotel bookings, travel operators, and reward schemes.