Jumeirah Beach Hotel

The sprawling grounds of this waterfront property are popular with families on vacation, and previous guests have reported the presence of a large number of children. The entirely glass building, which rises like a wave in front of the marina, is a self-contained property with a large number of luxury retail shops spread out among its marble-lined hallways, all of which are pleasantly bathed in exterior light from the wall of windows looking out onto the hotel Burj Al Arab and the water. A central atrium is overlooked by terraced hallways, and the outdoor grounds themselves, laced with vegetation and tiled pathways, open up directly onto a sandy beach.

The hotel is situated in the coastal residential section known as Jumeirah, just south of the city center. The property is on a working marina that’s a short stroll from Wild Wadi Waterpark and offers direct access to a small sandy cove with rentals for water sports. On the city side of the hotel is a main road with a fair amount of traffic, so pedestrians should take care. There’s no low-rise street life in the immediate surrounding area, though neighboring hotels do offer other dining options within walking distance. Downtown Dubai is a 15-minute car ride northeast, or more than an hour on public buses with a single transfer. Dubai International Airport is about a 25-minute drive northeast as well. 

All of the rooms at the Jumeirah Beach are flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that give fantastic views onto the water. There are a number of different room types; many have neutral sandy carpeting, plush white bedding, neutral furniture (cream desk chairs, gray sofas), and pops of color in the pillows. Many rooms have a slight mod feel because of curved wood-panel walls and dark wood built-ins; all have comfy, contemporary couches (some built to fit the spaces), recessed lighting, mounted contemporary photos, floor-to-ceiling windows, and plush wall-to-wall carpeting. Bathrooms offer separate rain head walk-in showers and full tubs. Additional perks include coffeemakers, safes, minibars, iPod docking stations, and widescreen interactive HD LCD TVs. Some larger rooms have balconies and include free breakfast and airport transfers.

A private white-sands beach with chairs and sun umbrellas sits directly in front of the hotel and is accessible via tree-lined pathways through the grounds. A working marina is adjacent to the property with a bar that offers DJ nights and panoramic views. Additional facilities include tennis and squash courts, a youth activity center with musical instruments, a kids’ club with a small water play area, a climbing wall, an extensive fitness center, a large meeting space with audiovisual capacity, and a spa with wet and dry saunas. The Jumeirah Beach also has a wide array of restaurants and bars on-site, from the Polynesian motifs and tropical drinks of Mahiki to the Italian cuisine of Carnevale.