11 Best Hotels in Business Bay Dubai

Business Bay is Dubai’s thriving business-meets-pleasure neighborhood. Sitting right next to Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, this central Dubai neighborhood has transformed from an out-and-out corporate neighborhood to a trendy business-cum-pleasure one. Not only is it home to some of the city’s best restaurants, but it’s also home to commercial offices and slick residential communities. Additionally, it’s also popular for its proximity to Dubai International Airport and for being the gateway to Downtown Dubai. Hence, we decided to look for the best hotels in Business Bay, Dubai, and we were pleasantly surprised by what we found. Not only did we find business hotels for business travelers, but we also found luxurious five-stars, quintessentially Dubai boutique hotels, and even record-breaking tall towers that you can only find here.

Clearly, Business Bay’s hotel scene is all about setting the standard for all sorts of travelers. Here’s a lowdown to the best stays in Business Bay in Dubai, one of the .

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront

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We begin with the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, which boasted unsurprisingly amazing views of the Dubai Canal and Burj Khalifa, given its location. We had the choice of nearly 350 rooms and suites, which ranged from entry-level double rooms to even family rooms and suites, depending on what you wanted. Moreover, they all featured spectacular views, besides bathrooms with bathtubs and robes, flatscreen TVs, kettles, fridges, coffeemakers, and the like. Basically, they had everything we needed for a comfy stay, even if we’d decided to not step out for the day at all.

The rest of the hotel was equally impressive, especially the two dining options of the FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar with Midwestern-inspired fare and an outdoor terrace and the Nordic-inspired Larder. There’s even a sports bar, Nelson’s, for those who want to catch their favorite teams play. Rounding things up is the Dreamworks Spa, the lovely outdoor pool with amazing Downtown views, and the fully equipped gym.

Renaissance Business Bay Hotel, Dubai

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The Renaissance Business Bay Hotel, Dubai, has a fantastic location, with Dubal Canal views on one side and Burj Khalifa views on the other. We had the choice of nearly 300 rooms, which included 65 suites. So, you’re sure to find something that will suit you and your travel group, whether you’re a couple or traveling here with kids. Moreover, all the digs boasted seating areas next to huge windows, flatscreen cable TVs, crisp beds with the freshest linens ever, and slick private bathrooms with complimentary bath products.

The hotel does well on the amenities as well, offers as many as six restaurants and bars. This includes the first Dubai branch of the internationally renowned Japanese restaurant Morimoto. Dining at this 2-storied restaurant on the 23rd-24th floors was a delight, as was dining at the other restaurants serving Italian and French cuisines. The outdoor swimming pool was a great despite from the Dubai heat, after which we headed to the spa for some relaxing time. Did we mention that they even had a free shuttle to Dubai Mall? Yep.

DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay

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Best chain hotel. If you’re in the modern “City of Gold” for work in Business Bay, then there’s no better reliable chain hotel than DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay. It sits right on the Dubai Canal in Business Bay’s Bay Square, a mere 10-minute ride from Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai. So, staying here is most convenient, especially since the rooms and suites all feature a touch of Dubai. Besides mod-cons, they’re designed beautifully with geometric motifs, pops of color, and spectacular views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sleek furnishings, artwork, and elegant decor round up the digs, which feel like havens rather than chain hotel rooms, given the hotel’s location.

That’s just one of the reasons this DoubleTree outpost feels like anything but a chain hotel. For one, there are three restaurants and bars on the property, but they have a huge range of deals and extras. Think lively ladies nights, happy hours, and even live performances including live sport, stand-up comedy, and music. This feels like Hilton making an effort to go above and beyond its usual offerings, thanks to the Business Bay location. Did we mention the free shuttle to the Downtown Dubai and the outdoor pool and sauna with amazing Downtown Dubai views? Yep.

Taj Dubai

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Best Burj Khalifa views. If you want a break for everything contemporary and enjoy jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa views while doing so, then head straight to the luxuriously Indian-themed Taj Dubai. Unlike its other Dubai peers, this one has bold pops of rich jewel hues juxtaposed against Indian-inspired designs.

Amenities-wise, you really can’t go wrong with a Taj hotel, can you? Firstly, it’s home to five restaurants, including the brilliant English gastropub The Eloquent Elephant, Bombay Brasserie, and Tesoro with its international cuisine. Our favorite, though, was the terrace bar, treehouse, a hideaway with the most chilled-out vibes ever. However, one of its most popular spots is the swanky party spot “Billionaire Mansion,” which is all about a separate nightclub, live entertainment, and whatnot. We loved the breakfast spread here, which we could either enjoy at Tesoro or right in our room. Besides a free shuttle, the hotel also has a spacious and luxurious pool area, which is often shaded by early afternoon, so you can enjoy a quiet lie-in.

The rooms and suites live up to Taj’s billing, with prime city views, plush beds, separate living spaces, and every mod-con under the sun. What’s more, they all feature digital photo frames with information about the restaurants, colorful Indian artwork, minibars, coffee/tea-makers, yoga kits, and soaking tubs in the bathrooms.

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

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Comprising two iconic towers at the western end of the neighborhood, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai was the world’s second tallest hotel until another hotel knocked it off its perch – it’s Dubai, after all. However, it doesn’t diminish the fact that this is one seriously cool hotel that’s packed with tons of cool stuff to do and places to go.

First up is its collection of restaurants, which includes practcically every cuisine under the sun. We aren’t kidding; there’s Masala Library for Indian, Positano for Italian Izakaya for Japanese, and Hotel Cartagena for Latin American, and this is just half the restaurants we’ve listed here. Discover more about this Marriott outpost’s dining delights. What’s more, many of these boast some of the most spectacular 360-degree, 70th floor+ views. After all that eating and partying, we headed to the luxurious Saray Spa, complete with a Dead Sea floatation pool and a traditional hammam, for some R&R.

Just like any other JW, rooms and suites here feature elegantly designs with contemporary furnishings like sleek desks, floor-to-ceiling windows, flatscreen TVs, and bathtubs in the bathrooms

Mama Shelter

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Don’t be fooled by the name; Mama Shelter Dubai is one of the hottest stays in Dubai right now. It’s spanking new too, as it opened in just January 2025. The playful French brand is famed for its cheeky outposts in Rome, Belgrade, London, Bordeaux, and Nice, and its first Middle Eastern offering is equally playful, vibrant, and bold. There’s a lot to love about this trendy yet affordable four-star offering, starting from its nearly 200 rooms and suites. They all boast superb views of the city, besides having quirky decor and luxe bathrooms with Malin + Goetz bath products and powerful rainfall showers. Did we mention cartoon masks on the crisp yet cloud-like beds? It’s very un-Dubai, and we love it.

Downstairs, the hotel impresses equally, billing itself as a lifestyle destination more than just a hotel. That’s why there are not one or two but four terraced swimming pools, of which the Mama Skypool and restaurant was ideal for kicking back with a cocktail on relaxed afternoons. There’s even a more playful pool with pool floats and whatnot that will immensely appeal to families. What’s more, the hotel has four restaurants, including a french-style restaurant and a stunning Italian trattoria. If that wasn’t enough, there’s even an outdoor cinema and foosball tables in restaurants, and we’re sure there are a lot more surprises in store for us.

SLS Dubai

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We can’t stop gushing about SLS South Beach, which is one of Miami’s coolest hotels. So, we were excited to check out SLS Dubai, the brand’s regional debut in the UAE with a fantastic Business Bay location in Dubai. The honeycomb structure draws inspiration from mid-century architecture, boasting unobstructed views of the city.

Firstly, the hotel is home to not one but two incredible infinity pools, one of which is recognized by the “world’s highest overflow pool” by the Guiness Book of Records — yes! What’s more, there are plenty of drinking and dining destinations at the hotel, seven to be precise, which include everything from a steakhouse to one serving Mediterannean fare. Finally, unwinding has a new address in the form of The Ciel Spa Ciel Spa, which lies a dizzying 69 floors above ground level.

We had the choice of 250+ rooms, 40+ suites, and 300+ hotel apartments at this massive hotel, all of which boast floor-to-ceiling sliding doors leading to balconies. In fact, even the bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling walls right next to the bathtubs!

The Lana, Dorchester Collection

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The Lana, Dorchester Collection is the brand’s much-anticipated debut into this region. One of Business Bay’s most exciting hotels, the Lana has a gorgeously perfect city-center base. Just like its other Dorchester Collection peers, this one also drips with the brand’s famed European-inspired luxury, with a luxurious cream, gold, and rose décor and a touch of its signature burgundy.

One of the standout amenities here is the magnificent rooftop swimming pool, which boasted uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa. What’s more, the afternoon tea here is to die for, as is the multi-cuisine fare at its eight restaurants and bar concepts. In spring 2024, the hotel became home to Dubai’s very first Dior spa, which took over the entire 29th floor and is the place to unwind in Downtown Dubai. Did we mention the blooms everywhere in gentle hues of pink and white and the private Rolls-Royce Phantom parked by the entrance? Yep. 

The rooms have views that mix the sky, the skyline, and the water views, which made it all the more stunning from our floor-to-ceiling sliding doors leading to the balcony running the length of our room. Sigh, yes. What’s more, all rooms boast goose-down duvets on cloud-like beds, slick bathrooms with bathtubs, sleek lighting controls, rare fruits on the coffee table everyday, and even in-room watch winders.

The St. Regis Downtown Dubai

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Most luxurious. One of America’s wealthiest men, John Jacob Aster, built the very first St. Regis Hotel during NYC’s Gilded Age. The Downtown Dubai outpost, the St. Regis Downtown Dubai sits on Dubai Canal, just a short walk to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. So, the location literally couldn’t be better.

All rooms in this centrally-located St. Regis outpost deliver the brand’s iconic and hallmark contemporary luxury and old-world charm. Aside rom being beautifully designed, they all have a refined natural wood, ivory, and soft gray palette, are spacious, and come with St. Regis’ signature butler service — even the entry-level ones.

During our stay, we took complete advantage of the hotel’s immensely indulgent amenities. The third-floor infinity pool was one of our favorite places on the property, where we could lounge with a cocktail and soak in panoramic views. Our second pit stop was at the iconic St. Regis Spa for a tailored treatment. If you’re here in the afternoon, don’t miss sampling the wonderful afternoon tea. Four restaurants, a fitness center, free Wi-Fi everywhere, and a fantastic breakfast spread wrap up the offerings here.

ME Dubai by Meliá

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Spanish hospitality group Melia’s second Dubai outpost is ME Dubai by Meliá in the heart of Business Bay. It occupies four floors of the striking and showstopping cubic-shaped Opus by Omniyat, which was designed by the late great Dame Zaha Hadid. This stunning hotel effortlessly blends an organic and natural and a futuristic feeling.

Nods to its Spanish roots are evident throughout the hotel, right from the Ibicenco rooftop pool to the tapas offerings at the restaurant. We loved hanging out at the pool which offered some of the most spectacularly sweeping views of the city. When it comes to food, there are five elevated options serving everything from Spanish and Japanese to international fare. Have you spent the day on your feet? Spend the afternoon in the spa and the evening listening to toe-tapping music of the guitarist, saxophonist, and live DJ in the atrium.

While even the basic rooms are amazing, the suite offerings are next level, especially the psychedelically palatial Suite ME and the four Zaha Hadid suites. Nevertheless, all of them look straight out of a super-slick spaceship. If you want a Burj Khalifa view, book or ask for rooms facing east.

Anantara Downtown Dubai

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Best overall. Anantara Downtown Dubai is one of the chicest Anantara outposts we’ve ever seen. This soaring Downtown property from the iconic brand sits north of Dubai Canal in the very heart of Business Bay. However, what makes it special is that it’s priced lower than some of its sister hotels which, when combined with the city-center, Burj Khalifa-adjacent location, makes this Anantara something of a hidden gem. We loved the modern, spacious, and luxurious rooms which radiated a tranquil vibe with all the wood and cream accents and specially commissioned artwork. What’s more, they all boast either floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies, bathtubs in the swanky bathrooms, minibars, and flat-screen TVs.

“We never imagined we’d be able to stay in an Anantara property, and that too in Dubai, but this hotel was the epitome of affordable luxury.”

WOW Travel

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The standout amenity here is the outdoor pool and the Anantara Spa, and both restaurants are equally excellent. In fact, we highly recommend Anantara’s famous Dining by Design. All in all, we loved that this Anantara outpost delivered many of the brand’s iconic luxurious touches at a fraction of the price.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all stays in Business Bay, the ones below are our favorite:

• Best chain hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay
• Best Burj Khalifa views: Taj Dubai
• Most luxurious: The St. Regis Downtown Dubai
• Best overall: Anantara Downtown Dubai

Where to Stay in Business Bay, Dubai?

Business Bay straddles Dubai Creek, stretching between the Financial Center Road to the east and Sheikh Zayed Toll Road to the west. So, there are hotels lining the Al Jadaf Canal, like the JW Marriott and Hilton hotels in the west, St. Regis in the heart of Downtown, and Hotel Indigo on the eastern end.

What’s more, there are smaller sections formed by various boulevards branching off into this small neighborhood (by Dubai standards, at least). A second section of hotels lies close to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, which circles around Burj Khalifa, one of , and Dubai Mall, one of the . Finally, there’s the heart of Downtown around Dubai Fountain Street, where you can find the next big bunch of hotels.

Basically, Business Bay is one big neighborhood, and practically every street is filled with hotels of all sizes and budgets.

Is Business Bay a good area to stay in Dubai?

Yes, Business Bay is a thriving core of lifestyle, luxury, and commerce. Sitting alongside Dubai Canal, it’s one of Dubai’s most sought-after destinations for both leisure and business travelers.

Is Business Bay Dubai walkable?

Partially, yes. The canal is lined by a 6.4 km-long (4 mi) footpath stretching along both banks. It’s lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, and is very much walkable, but please note that they are not shaded.

Where do celebrities stay in Business Bay?

Surprisingly, Business Bay is very popular with celebrities. They stay in hotels like The First Collection Waterfront and SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, among others.