Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a gateway between the Middle East and the rest of the world. Holding firm as the third busiest passenger airport in the world, there’s plenty to explore inside DXB while you wait to connect to your next flight.
However, if you are looking to take a longer break between flights and freshen up, there’s also a great range of Dubai airport hotels to choose from. There are many 5-star hotel options catering to business travellers and the wealthy. However, there are plenty of budget options available too.
We know that passengers are looking for ease of access to the airport, decent dining options and a range of facilities on-site so they will not have to travel all the way into Downtown Dubai.
- Downtown Dubai is located to the southwest of the airport, over Dubai Creek. It is accessible by taxi (in approximately 15 to 25 minutes) or by Metro in 23 minutes.
- The best areas to look for near the airport are Al Gharoud, and near Deira City Centre, or for some of the more luxury resort-style options, around Dubai Creek, you will still be only 10 minutes away.
- Dubai’s one-way road systems mean that places on maps aren’t always as close as they appear! Even hotels that are described as only “minutes away” from the airport, give yourself plenty of time to transit back to the airport, especially if relying on their free shuttle services.
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Now before we dive into the detail of the best hotels, just a reminder – is your layover longer than 8 hours? You could well be entitled to a FREE hotel stay on behalf of Emirates. Pop on over here before diving into the detail to check out how Dubai Connect works.
Let’s take a deeper look at our pick of the Top 10 Dubai Airport Hotels we would suggest for stopover passengers.
| Hotel Name | Location | Key Features & Perks | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Hotel | Inside DXB | Very comfortable rooms Gymnasium Sauna and hot tub | Check Here |
| Jumeirah Creekside Hotel | Al Garhoud | 292 rooms and suites Indoor and outdoor swimming pools | Check Here |
| Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre | Opposite DXB Airport | Personalized service Free airport transfers 18 bars and restaurants | Check Here |
| Grand Hyatt Dubai | Dubai Creek | 37 acres of landscaped gardens 674 hotel rooms and suites 13 restaurants and bars | Check Here |
| Rove City Centre | Deira | Funky and upbeat hotel chain Outdoor swimming pool Free shuttle buses | Check Here |
| Premier Inn Dubai International | Al Garhoud | Complimentary shuttle Rooftop swimming pool 2 on-site restaurant choices | Check Here |
| Flora Inn Dubai Airport | Al Garhoud | Spa and wellness centre Temperature controlled rooftop pools Onsite restaurant | Check Here |
| Millenium Dubai Airport Hotel | Al Garhoud | Large swimming pool & pool bar Six onsite dining options 24 hours business centre | Check Here |
| Roda Al Bustan | Deira | Seven restaurants Large swimming pool Flow Health and Fitness Club | Check Here |
| Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City | Festival City, Dubai Creek | Stunning vistas Two swimming pools Fitness centre and a spa & wellness centre | Check Here |
- Dubai International Hotel
- Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
- Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
- Grand Hyatt Dubai
- Rove City Centre
- Premier Inn Dubai International
- Flora Inn Dubai Airport
- Millenium Dubai Airport Hotel
- Roda Al Bustan
- Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
- Waiting It Out – Stay at Dubai International Airport
- Flying In or Out of DWC Airport?
Buyer beware! Always look out for the ++ when booking Dubai hotels. We talk more about tourism and hospitality taxes in Dubai here
Dubai International Hotel
The most important one to highlight and our number one choice on our list as it is the ONLY hotel you can access airside in DXB. Dubai International Hotel is a 5-star offering (which, of course, means it comes with a 5-star price tag).
The hotel offers very comfortable rooms with a great range of facilities within the hotel, including a gymnasium, sauna and hot tub, as well as several lounge areas and restaurants, and a relaxing spa.
If budget permits and you are only seeking a relaxing and comfortable rest stop, then Dubai International Hotel is your go-to.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
Situated less than 10 minutes away from the Dubai International Airport in the Al Garhoud area, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is a 5-star hotel with 292 rooms and suites, our top luxury stopover pick.
Suiting both business travellers and families seeking a little luxury and relaxation on their way through the Middle East, guests here can enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, squash courts, and even access to the beachfront of the other Jumeirah hotels located on the Arabian Gulf coast & Wild Wadi Waterpark.
You’ll likely want to stay more than a night to make it completely worth the experience and all the extras on offer, but it is nonetheless a superb airport hotel choice with onsite restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a health café. They offer a paid transit shuttle to and from the airport.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre
Located on Airport Road, just a 5-minute drive from the Dubai International Airport, Le Meridien is a 5-star offering with a huge range of facilities and services – it’s our top pick for a convenient return back to the airport in a mere few minutes.
Upgrade to Le Royal Club rooms for personalized service, including breakfast, suit pressing, housekeeping services on call, and beverages served in your room – you even get free airport transfers to and from Terminals 1 & 3 (otherwise, a paid service from the main hotel).
There are two swimming pools and fitness facilities, with a huge array of cuisine choices for dining on-site, including an incredible 18 bars and restaurants to choose from – and certainly one of Dubai’s better hotel buffet breakfasts!
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Grand Hyatt Dubai
Situated slightly further away from DXB, as it’s over Dubai Creek, though very much worth consideration as an airport hotel, is the luxurious Grand Hyatt. It is still only 10 minutes away from the airport by taxi and only a few minutes walk from Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station.
Situated on the banks of Dubai Creek, this luxury resort hotel is nestled amongst 37 acres of landscaped gardens. Offering 674 hotel rooms and suites, 13 restaurants and bars, and the Ahasees Spa and Club, it really comes with all the bells and whistles of a resort retreat but is equally enjoyable for a refreshing stopover break.
This is our top pick for families as there is ample room for your little ones to stretch their legs and burn off some much-needed energy between flights, and plenty of larger rooms and suites are available.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Rove City Centre
Consistent with the Rove brand we know and love in Dubai, this is a funky and upbeat hotel chain that combines modern styling with seamless and efficient service at quite reasonable prices compared to many of the 5-star competitors.
Despite the name city centre, you are actually still very close to the airport here – adjacent to Deira City Centre shopping mall and Metro station, less than a 5-minute walk away – great if you need to do a quick shopping stop on transit.
The 270-room hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre and free shuttle buses to other key Dubai locations (airport shuttle is chargeable). As well as on-site dining in The Daily, there are little extra touches we love, like coffee machines in your room.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Premier Inn Dubai International
A 3-star offering less than 10 minutes away from DXB, they offer a complimentary airport shuttle (so few offer this for free – read the fine print), as well as a complimentary shuttle to other key Dubai locations. This is a simple but very high-standard budget hotel choice.
Twin, double and family rooms are offered, as well as a rooftop swimming pool with a sundeck and two on-site restaurant choices. There are also gym facilities and laundry facilities on hand, a Costa Coffee and a small work area and lounge. A great value pick for business, budget and family travellers alike.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Flora Inn Dubai Airport
Proof that not everything in Dubai need be expensive. Flora Inn makes an excellent choice for those on a lower budget, though you’re not compromising on facilities and location in this modern hotel, literally minutes from the airport with a shuttle service (paid).
For the price, you get access to a spa and wellness centre on-site, as well as a fitness centre and two temperature-controlled rooftop pools with sundeck (many in this price range do not have these little extras). The hotel offers an onsite restaurant and simple but cosy rooms perfect for the transit passenger to get some shut-eye.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Millenium Dubai Airport Hotel
Sitting just minutes away from the airport in the adjacent al Garhoud area, this 341-room hotel is a showcase of Dubai’s modern meets traditional architecture, hosting a large swimming pool & pool bar set in large, lush gardens.
Guests can choose from six onsite dining options, and there’s a 24-hour business centre, room service, a gift shop, and a men’s and women’s salon. It is a busy business hotel but also offers the option of additional sleeping arrangements to sleep up to a family of 4, a solid and reliable airport hotel choice in Dubai.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Roda Al Bustan
Now managed by Mövenpick, the Al Bustan is one of the older airport hotels, but nonetheless well worthy of consideration as one of the more underrated nearby properties. They specialise in business travels and conferences, with multiple indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, as well as weddings and special events but would equally suit families.
The hotel offers a wide range of dining options at seven restaurants, as well as offering a large swimming pool and the Flow Health and Fitness Club with spa, hot tub and sauna facilities. They run an airport shuttle service at an additional charge.
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
We are throwing this one in as a wildcard entry. Although technically not considered one of Dubai’s airport hotels, Dubai Festival City is really only a stone’s throw away and offers guests the opportunity to enjoy some of Dubai’s attractions without venturing far from the airport.
Set on Dubai Creek, you are immediately adjacent to the shopping and entertainment precinct of Dubai Festival City, which offers a huge range of retail and dining experiences, as well as the nightly IMAGINE light and laser show over Dubai Creek. You will get some stunning vistas from here, including the iconic Burj Khalifa in the distance.
Within the hotel, there are two swimming pools, a bar, several restaurants, a fitness centre and a spa & wellness centre. Family and interconnecting rooms are available, and an airport shuttle service (at extra charge).
Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Check current deals on Expedia
Waiting It Out – Stay at Dubai International Airport
If you are still weighing up whether it’s worth leaving the airport for a hotel bed, check out our guide to things to do in DXB. It is certainly one of the more extensive airport terminals in the world, with plenty of dining and entertainment options to keep you busy for several hours.
If you just want to change and freshen up, then there are sleeping pod-style options within Dubai Airport, as well as shower facilities.
- Try Sleep ‘n Fly, Terminal 3. There’s a choice of hourly rate YAWN Cabins & Igloo Pods (usual in 4, 6, 8 & 10-hour blocks) in concourses A, B & C (do note the correct concourse when you book – the airport is huge and you don’t want to waste valuable horizontal sleep time)
- Complimentary shower facilities are located in Terminal 3 between gates B13 and B19.
- Be Relax customers can also make use of shower facilities at the spa near Gate A1, Terminal 3 (paid).
Flying In or Out of DWC Airport?
There are really no convenient and nearby hotel options to Dubai’s second airport DWC – Al Maktoum International Airport. There may be in the future, but for now, it runs budget airline flights and is not considered a transit hub. You may, however, find yourself flying into DWC and needing to transit to DXB.
If you have a layover between flights, we would still suggest, after arriving in DWC, immediately transiting to one of these nearby Dubai Airport hotels.
We hope this has helped you plan your brief stopover in Dubai. We do hope you can stay longer in future though and see more of the city. Even with half a day, there are some great DXB stopover tours to enjoy or stick around for longer so you can enjoy some of the many fabulous day trips and experiences around the Emirates.
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Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.
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