Dubai Hotels & offers on attractions & food!

If Dubai’s on your radar for the next school break or long weekend, it’s hard to go wrong. With plush flight options like Emirates business class to luxe Dubai hotels and resorts, world-class restaurants, endless attractions for all ages and that signature Middle Eastern hospitality, the UAE’s playground is a hit for the whole family.

An easy way to stretch your dirhams

A great way to tick off Dubai’s best bits over a few days without blowing the budget, The Entertainer is the city’s go-to Buy One Get One Free app, packed with over 7,000 offers across restaurants, attractions, spas, hotels and more.

Whether you’re brunching at Li’Brasil or Karma Kafé, tucking into family favourites like Nando’s and Shake Shack, or splashing out on fine dining at Mott 32 or Asia Asia, the savings stack up fast. Brunch-goers in particular will love the selection – the app includes over 120 buy-one-get-one-free brunches across the city.

For family outings, you’ll find two-for-one admission to big-ticket Dubai attractions like Aquaventure, Wild Wadi, Motiongate and IMG Worlds of Adventure. Prefer to beat the heat? The app covers indoor favourites too, like Trampo Extreme, Sky Zone and BOUNCE.

Download it via the App Store or Google Play and start exploring Dubai’s attractions like a savvy local.

theentertainerme.com/en-ae/dubai-n-emirates

Where to stay in Dubai: Jumeirah Beach Hotel

If you’re looking for a place that ticks both the luxury and kid-friendly boxes, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel delivers. Shaped like a breaking wave, this long-standing Dubai hotel has five swimming pools, a private beach and direct access to Wild Wadi Waterpark.

Ocean Club rooms and suites are spacious, many with full ocean views and generous living areas. For something more private, the Al Bahar Villas come with butler service, plunge pools and shaded terraces.

With 12 dining venues, a spa, gym, and courts for tennis and squash, there’s plenty to keep the adults entertained. Younger guests can explore daily activities at KiDS Club, while teens will love the waterpark thrills and beach sports.

jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-beach-hotel

A peaceful Dubai hotel in the heart of the city: Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is a hidden gem tucked within Madinat Jumeirah. Just a stone’s throw from the Burj Al Arab, the resort blends traditional Arabian design with refined modern interiors.

Palm House Lagoon Rooms are set within Arabian-style villas that border tranquil waterways. Each villa at this Dubai hotel features a central courtyard and an indoor majlis (lounge), with private terraces that overlook lagoons, gardens or the sea. Recently refurbished by La Bottega Interiors, the rooms are airy and elegant, with neutral tones, plush furnishings and large windows.

Guests here enjoy private pool access, beach privileges, and a complimentary daily apéritif hour. Getting around is half the fun – traditional wooden abras glide along the resort’s canals, ferrying guests to restaurants and the Madinat Souk shopping area.

jumeirah.com/en/stay/dubai/jumeirah-dar-al-masyaf

Six of the Middle East’s best restaurants are in Dubai

Beyond Dubai’s hotels, here’s another reason to book that flight: more than half of the top 10 restaurants in the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best 2025 list are in Dubai, including the top three.

Now in its fourth edition, the awards spotlight the region’s most exciting dining destinations – and Dubai is firmly in the lead. Topping the list for the third year running is Orfali Bros Bistro, known for its inventive, modern Middle Eastern plates. It’s followed by Trèsind Studio, a fine-dining Indian experience, and Kinoya, the ramen and izakaya spot that’s gained cult status.

Here’s a look at the Middle East and North Africa’s 50

Best 2025 Top 10:

#1 Orfali Bros Bistro – Dubai
#2 Trèsind Studio – Dubai
#3 Kinoya – Dubai
#4 Khufu’s – Cairo
#5 Ossiano – Dubai
#6 Fusions by Tala – Manama
#7 Jun’s – Dubai
#8 Shams El Balad – Amman
#9 Em Sherif – Beirut
#10 Moonrise – Dubai

Explore the full list at theworlds50best.com and start mapping out your meals!

Emirates business class: Fine dining at 40,000 feet

If you’re flying from Singapore, it’s not just the Dubai hotels or attractions that’ll impress – Emirates Business Class has seriously upped its in-flight dining game.

The airline has just unveiled a new range of elevated dishes on selected medium- to long-haul flights, the result of a year-long collaboration between top chefs in France and Dubai.

The refined menu features elegant starters like poached scallops with green melon and kumquat, and mains such as roasted turkey with sage chicken jus or seared Chilean seabass with lemongrass sauce. Making the cut for vegan options are silken tofu and braised lentils.

Of course, no luxury dining experience is complete without a top-class drinks trolley. Expect Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016, Brut Impérial and Rosé Impérial to accompany your meal.

emirates.com

This article on where to stay in Dubai and Dubai attractions first appeared in the June 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!

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