Dubai Hotels & Tourism

A Middle Eastern Shangri-la powered by unflinching ambition and can-do spirit.

Dubai today is flashy, fun and slightly surreal. Renowned for its sand, sun and shopping, it was once a tranquil town of coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses built by Persian traders and palm-frond huts housing Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers. Today shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.

The audacity of the city's rulers is breathtaking. Running out of coastline to build hotels? Build vast artificial islands with 120km (74.5mi) of new beachfront. Need better connections with the world? Build up an award-winning international airline in 15 years.

Dubai may be vast and amorphous but the areas of interest to visitors are actually fairly well defined. Not far from Dubai International Airport, the neighbourhoods of Deira and Bur Dubai make up historic Dubai. A pastiche of mosques and souqs, they flank the Creek, a 15km inlet, and remain the city's heart and soul. They offer something the megaresorts and gleaming skyscrapers of the new city simply can't provide - real life. Unlike the rest of Dubai, these areas are best explored on foot.

The Creek is crossed by three bridges - Al-Garhoud, Al-Maktoum and the Floating Bridge - as well as the Shindagha Tunnel open for vehicles and pedestrians. The Dubai Metro also links the two banks. The most atmospheric way to cross the Creek, though, is by abra, a traditional wooden boat.

Dubai's main artery is Sheikh Zayed Rd, a super-busy highway that runs from the edge of Bur Dubai 55km south to the Jebel Ali port. It cuts through the main business district around the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and industrial, art gallery-filled Al-Quoz past villa-studded Jumeirah with its beaches and iconic Burj al-Arab and Dubai Marina where most of the luxe beach resorts are located. Flanked by most of the city's famous skyscrapers, including Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, Sheikh Zayed Rd also passes by numerous malls, including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Ibn Battuta. Traffic tends to be nightmarish during rush hour (roughly 7am to 10am, 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm). Avoid it by hopping on the Dubai Metro that runs from Deira to Dubai Marina and Jebel Ali paralleling the highway.

Travellers to Dubai, United Arab Emirates can expect to find accommodation of all types, from upmarket Dubai hotels and resorts to more budget-focussed and unique options. For your next holiday accommodation in Dubai, make sure you check the regular and special offers on hotels.com.au first. United Arab Emirates is host to a wide range of travel experience, suitable for all budgets. And Dubai is a great place to visit, blending experiences such as exploring the Bastakiya District and getting with famous attractions such as Jumeirah Mosque and the Dubai Fountain. And don’t forget shopping shopping at the Dubai Mall or Mercato, and sample the famous indoor skiing at the Mall of Emirates for an unforgettable Dubai experience. Wherever you’re staying, hotels.com.au offers a huge range of Dubai hotels and Dubai accommodation options.