Treat Yourself to a Stay in the UAE's Most Irresistible Rooms and Suites

Autumn’s perfect temperatures are an ideal time for an enriching break in the UAE. Some of the world’s finest hotels are in the Middle East, and their premium rooms and suites offer an alluring masterclass in style and comfort. Whether it's sweeping design flourishes or cinematic balcony views, these sublime rooms are a perfect base for experiencing the region's seductive desert landscapes and sparkling Arabian shores.

W Dubai – The Palm

The daring and exuberant interior design of W Dubai, The Palm, has to be seen to be believed (Photo: Marriott International) 

Located on the glittering shores of Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent in Dubai, W Dubai – The Palm's bold and playful architecture, world-class cuisine from chefs Akira Back and Massimo Bottura, and vibrant WET Deck are a breath of fresh air.

The ceilings of each premium room are ornamented with undulating swirls, while the Arabic calligraphy set against the shimmering glass tiled walls gives the suites a sense of place. Bright natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows brings life every morning.

Wavy furniture pops with purples and oranges as each room boasts a terrace looking out towards the turquoise coast. The colours continue at the rooftop bar SoBe, where neon pinks and purples give way to spectacular 360 views of Dubai and the Arabian Gulf. And when the sun goes down, the bar's retro pinball machines are a great way to experience the hotel's quirky character. 

The W’s effervescent rooms and suites guarantee a colourful welcome for anyone ready for a vibrant UAE break this autumn.

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

The balcony views from the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island’s rooms leave guests feeling enchanted by the rich architectural wonders of Abu Dhabi (Photo: Marriott International)  

An arcing architectural masterpiece, the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island’s curved exterior is as intriguing as the unique Abu Dhabi island unfolding around it. Home to Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Yas Marina and Yas Mall, it’s an extraordinary setting – and this magnificent hotel is its gleaming centrepiece. 

With balcony vistas straddling both the beautiful marina and curving F1 racetrack below, the spacious rooms here are breathtakingly bright and airy. The fresh white and cream palette blends sumptuously with the golden rays slanting in through the tall windows, while shining black tiles cover the Fantastic Suite's floors across 102 square meters.

Take things to the next level with the Extreme WOW Suites, which fan out to 409 square meters across two floors, with access to a private pool. As if that isn’t enough, you’ll be able to soak in a porcelain bath overlooking the marina before resting your head beneath a chandelier of glistening Swarovski crystals.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

Come to the palatial St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi to experience the sugar-white sands, crystalline waters and breeze-kissed palm trees of the Arabian Gulf (Photo: Marriott International)

Looking out toward the crystalline waters and sugar-white sands of the Arabian Gulf, the palatial St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi has been one of Abu Dhabi’s finest hotels since opening in 2011 – and it still sets the standard today. Couched inside the hotel’s Mediterranean revival-style architecture, the hotel's rooms and suites are stunning, and you’ll be just a 10-minute drive from world-class attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Premium rooms are designed with a seductive melding of cream and mahogany, while the plush marble bathrooms feature separate bathtubs gazing out over sea views. Out on the balcony, the glittering Persian Gulf unfolds into a hazy horizon.

Some premium suites feature private balconies decked with flowing chaise lounges, bringing a combination of cosy relaxation and unforgettable cinematic vistas every morning and evening.

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Gracing Dubai’s golden coast, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai is an elegant choice for the discerning traveller (Photo: Marriott International)  (Photo: Marriott International) 

With spacious rooms boasting sublime views out towards Dubai’s golden coast from its host of premium suites and penthouses, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai is an elegant choice. With a location on the Palm Jumeirah's famed West Palm Beach , Marriott Hotel’s first branded resort in the Emirate is also ideal for beach activities – whether that's the likes of kayaking and jet skiing or simply languid coastal strolls to waterfront restaurants.

Natural light pours in through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the spectacular Palm Suites and you’ll wake up in soft king-size beds with buckwheat pillows to cinematic vistas outside. The sleek cream and beige decor with wooden floors works beautifully when the sun’s rays fill the room, while the expansive stained marble bathrooms feature a huge sphere mirror with separate showers and pristine white robes.

With the Marriott Resort’s exclusive kids’ club open till late, there’s ample time to enjoy the hotel’s range of excellent restaurants, from homegrown favourites to signature outlets and the debut of international brands. Alternatively, guests can work out at the Mbrace Lifestyle Club or unwind with a massage in the opulent Saray Spa.

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi

Amidst the cloudless deserts in sunny western Abu Dhabi, you'll find the tranquil and serene Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi (Photo: Marriot International) 

Days at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi, a stylish desert retreat west of Abu Dhabi, can be filled with magical camel ride experiences and exciting archery sessions. Come nightfall, the 103 rooms are treated to a canopy of stars above an opulent take on a Bedouin village.

With wooden doors, Persian-inspired carpets, chunky clay pots around the pool and other Arabesque flourishes, the Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi is a fine blend of opulence and tradition.

Intricate wooden carvings hang on the walls of premium suites while Arabic lanterns cast patterned light on the sand-coloured decor and delicate white king-size beds. Beautifully textured Islamic screens separate rooms, and the pool suites feature temperature-controlled plunge pools and whirlpool jacuzzis. 

And when you’ve finished unpacking in air-conditioned comfort, make sure to unwind in the hotel’s expansive infinity pool, the steamy Turkish Hammam or salt baths at the divine Saray Spa.

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert

With over 100 villas dotted through the protected Al Wadi Nature Reserve, this Ras Al Khaimah property is one of the UAE’s more extraordinary stays. The range of activities at the Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is remarkable, whether it’s experiencing a sunset camel trek into the desert, stargazing on a tailor-made platform or relaxing at one of 16 different sensory stations at the Rainforest hydrothermal spa.

Each of the 101 Bedouin-inspired mud-brick villas features a sweeping tented deck terrace with sun loungers and a private infinity pool overlooking a rolling desert landscape, punctuated by silhouettes of Arabian oryxes and gazelles. Inside, the sandy decor is given a romantic glow by decorative lanterns and the languid silk curtains only add to the opulent Arabesque atmosphere.

These rustic rooms also host sprawling white king-size beds and a cavernous stand-alone bathtub with gorgeous Asprey amenities. Once refreshed, guests can enjoy a desert dining experience under a starlit sky hosted by a personal chef and private butler.

Published: October 10, 2023

Last Updated: October 16, 2023