17 Hotels and Resorts in United Arab Emirates

On the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, the United Arab Emirates welcomes business and leisure travellers to its emirates, cities and natural wonders. Visitors flock to the country to go up the Burj Khalifa, shop in megamalls and souqs, and experience the rich culture. They also come to play in many theme parks, marinas, and dine on local delicacies.

Choose from our selection of hotels and resorts in the United Arab Emirates to be your gateway to the country’s sights, sounds, flavours and history. Be it a chic city break, serviced suites for a business trip, or an adventure out in the golden dunes, we’ve taken care of the minor details, leaving you to simply enjoy every moment. Our properties are a blend of Thai hospitality and local inspirations.

While many choose to stay in resorts or hotels in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the other five Emirates have their own distinctive charms and attractions to explore. Between Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain there’s an experience for everyone.

Getting here is as simple as catching a flight into one of the emirates’ international airports. The local currency is Emirati dirham, although certain places also accept other currencies like United States dollars. The climate is arid desert, warmer in the day and much cooler at night. The country has two main seasons, winter and summer. Temperatures vary between 16.4°C to 24°C in winter, and from 33.5°C up to 50°C at the height of summer.

Emirati cuisine has influences from Arabic, Persian, Indian, and Mediterranean cultures. Traditional dishes use simple, nutritious ingredients, ideal for a desert-dwelling lifestyle. Their food is a celebration of spices, sweet treats, and succulent meats, making so much of it unmissable for foodies.

Immerse yourself in the ultramodern city of Dubai. The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, towers over the city’s theme parks, marinas, souks, malls, and cultural museums. Abu Dhabi’s sights and sounds include more adrenaline-fuelled theme parks and megamalls. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the numerous ancient forts dotted in and around the city.

For history, art and culture visit Sharjah. With the richest history out of the seven emirates, it was named the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by UNESCO in 1998. Its museums, heritage centres, mosques, and art galleries overlook the blues of the Arabian Gulf.

In tandem with being cultural and historical hubs, the emirates are blessed with captivating landscapes: wind-swept dunes, arid desert dotted with oases and wadis where greenery blooms; open savannah, mangrove forests, coral reefs in azure seas, and mountains. Emiratis have a deep connection to nature, and falconry is one of the ways they preserve their cultural identity.

Ajman’s coastline is home to the Al Zorah Nature Reserve and historic forts and museums. On one side, the Arabian Gulf; on the other, the towering Hajar Mountains. Fujairah is where you’ll find one of the UAE’s most famed dive sites: Dibba Rock. You’re bound to see barracuda, jawfish, clownfish, turtles, and the rare whale shark. This emirate is the only place you’ll find waves worth surfing. The northernmost emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, is known for its rugged mountain terrain. It is a hotspot for adventurers, campers, and hikers.

The desert calls. The majesty of the dunes comes alive with four-wheel-drive desert safaris and camel rides. Camels are still widely used. Communities often take part in camel racing to celebrate Bedouin traditions. As the sun sinks and temperatures cool, relax in a Bedouin encampment or a lush oasis. Hotels and resorts in the United Arab Emirates can often arrange desert excursions and overnight camping.

Despite the cosmopolitan feel of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the UAE remains a conservative country. Dress modestly when out in public to show respect for local customs. Public displays of affection should be kept to a respectful minimum.

As a Muslim country, the UAE has strict alcohol laws. While drinking is perfectly fine within licensed bars or hotels, drinking alcohol or being intoxicated in public is forbidden. In more conservative cities such as Sharjah, drinking alcohol is completely illegal.