A Dubai hotel room is fine for a weekend. Stay a week with children, or a month for work, and the arithmetic changes: a kitchen saves three restaurant meals a day, a washing machine saves the laundry bill, and a second bedroom saves everyone’s sanity. The best hotel apartments now come with the pools, kids’ clubs and concierge desks of a five-star hotel.
This guide is for families, long-stay visitors and anyone who would rather cook breakfast than queue for it. We picked ten aparthotels across Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Business Bay and the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor, and checked each property’s own website for kitchens, layouts, family facilities and transport links.
Dubai aparthotels at a glance
| Rank | Aparthotel | Area | Best for | Standout fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jumeirah Living Marina Gate | Dubai Marina | Luxury long stays | Two-bedroom suites of 132 to 141 sq m sleep up to six adults |
| 2 | Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah | Palm Jumeirah | Families on a beach holiday | Every suite has a full kitchen with dishwasher; free kids’ club for ages 3 to 12 |
| 3 | Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre | Trade Centre | Business trips with family in tow | Eight residence types, up to four-bedroom duplexes |
| 4 | Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites | Dubai Marina | Metro and tram access | Marina Mall Metro and Mina Seyahi tram nearby |
| 5 | Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai | Downtown | Walking to Dubai Mall | Washer and dryer in the apartments, plus a kids’ pool |
| 6 | Sofitel Dubai The Palm | Palm Jumeirah | Beach and pool time | Apartment guests use the private beach, pools and kids’ club |
| 7 | JA Oasis Beach Tower | JBR | Big groups | Two- to four-bedroom apartments on The Walk |
| 8 | Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay | Business Bay | Breakfast included | 120 suites, each with washer and dryer |
| 9 | Millennium Atria Business Bay | Business Bay | Choice of layouts | Studios up to a three-bedroom duplex and penthouse |
| 10 | Citadines Metro Central Dubai | Barsha Heights | Budget-minded stays | Directly opposite Dubai Internet City Metro station |
How we chose these serviced apartments
We started with apartment hotels run by established operators (Jumeirah, Kempinski, Marriott, Accor, IHG, Ascott, Millennium and the Dubai-born JA group) rather than private holiday-home lets, because an operator brings a front desk, housekeeping and a clear complaints route. We judged each property on five things: the kitchen (a proper hob and oven, not a kettle and a microwave), the space for families, the leisure facilities, how easy it is to reach without a car, and how transparent the property is about fees and deposits.
Every fact below comes from the operator’s own website or its press announcements, checked in October 2026. We have not stayed at every property, and we do not quote nightly rates: Dubai prices swing hugely between the cool winter peak and the summer, so we describe the price band instead. Always check the final total, including taxes and fees, before you pay.
The best aparthotels in Dubai, ranked
1. Jumeirah Living Marina Gate, Dubai Marina
Jumeirah Living Marina Gate is the serviced residence arm of the final tower in Select Group’s Marina Gate development, and it is the closest thing in Dubai to owning a smart Marina flat without the mortgage. Jumeirah opened it in September 2020, with 104 serviced apartments set aside for guests among the tower’s private residences.
The Premium Two Bedroom Suite with marina view runs to 132 to 141 sq m and sleeps up to four adults and four children, or six adults, with a king bed plus twin and queen beds. It has a fully equipped open-plan kitchen with hob, oven and fridge, and a washer. Residents share a temperature-controlled infinity pool, a two-level gym and a 370 sq m residents’ lounge with workspaces. The tower opens on to Marina Walk, and Jumeirah points to the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and water taxis nearby. Expect five-star apartment pricing: this is the top of the market.
Pros
- Large, well-planned suites with real kitchens
- Direct access to Marina Walk
Cons
- Premium prices, especially in winter
- No kids’ club listed
Visit Jumeirah Living Marina Gate
2. Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah
If you want a beach holiday with a kitchen, Kempinski on the Palm’s West Crescent is the most complete package on this list. It is an all-suite property: 244 suites, penthouses and villas, ranging from two-bedroom suites to a five-bedroom royal villa, and Kempinski says every suite has a fully equipped kitchen with microwave and dishwasher.
The Two-Bedroom Family Suite measures 163 sq m, sleeps up to six and has a private balcony over the lagoon. The hotel has 250 metres of sheltered sand, and the Titan Tikes Kids Club, for children aged 3 to 12, is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 and free for guests. Kempinski is also unusually clear about money: the Tourism Dirham is AED 20 (about £4) per bedroom per night, so a two-bedroom suite pays AED 40, and it takes a card pre-authorisation or cash deposit of AED 500 (about £100) per night for incidentals. Getting around means taxis: the Palm Monorail’s Aquaventure station is about six minutes’ drive away and the nearest Metro stations are more than 12 km off.
Pros
- Big suites, dishwashers, free kids’ club
- Clear fee and deposit policy
Cons
- Hefty nightly deposit
- No pets, and far from the Metro
Visit Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah
3. Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre, Trade Centre
Jumeirah’s other serviced residence sits in the World Trade Centre district, Dubai’s main exhibition and business hub, which makes it the natural pick for anyone combining a trade show with a family stay. The range of layouts is the widest of any Jumeirah Living property: one-bedroom residences and duplexes, two-bedroom residences and duplexes (including a panoramic duplex), a three-bedroom residence, a three-bedroom panoramic duplex and a four-bedroom duplex.
Jumeirah describes the apartments as having expansive living and dining spaces, generous master suites and modern kitchens, and the property has a rooftop pool. A four-bedroom duplex is rare this close to the centre. Sheikh Zayed Road and the Metro Red Line run past the Trade Centre complex, and DIFC and Downtown are a short taxi ride. Like its Marina sister, it sits in the luxury price band, and rates jump during big exhibitions, so check the events calendar before you book.
Pros
- Up to four bedrooms in a central location
- Good base for business and leisure combined
Cons
- Expensive during major trade fairs
- A business district, not a beach
Visit Jumeirah Living World Trade Centre
4. Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina
Marriott’s Marina tower is an apartment hotel in all but name: its suites come with one, two or three bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen, and Marriott markets them as apartment-style living. It is the best-connected property in our Marina selection, with Marriott pointing guests to Marina Mall Metro station and the Mina Seyahi tram stop, which puts JBR beach and the rest of the city within easy reach without a car.
There is an outdoor pool, a free gym and a spa, Azurro Luxe Spa and Wellness by Niyama, whose jacuzzi, sauna and steam room were closed for renovation until 28 June 2026. Two practical notes for families: Marriott does not list a kids’ club or in-suite washing machine (it offers fresh linen and dry cleaning instead), and the minimum check-in age is 18. Prices sit in the upper-middle band for the Marina, and Marriott Bonvoy members can earn and spend points here.
Pros
- Real kitchens and up to three bedrooms
- Metro and tram both close by
Cons
- No kids’ club listed
- In-suite laundry not mentioned
Visit Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
5. Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai, Downtown
For a first visit with children, Downtown is hard to beat: the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the fountain shows are on foot, and the Metro Red Line serves the district. Mövenpick’s Downtown property has 244 units, a mix of deluxe rooms and serviced apartments with one or two bedrooms.
The apartment kitchens are properly kitted out, with a cooker, fridge, freezer and microwave, and, unusually for Dubai, a washing machine and a dryer. Families get a temperature-controlled outdoor pool with a separate children’s pool, connecting rooms and the Mövenpick family programme, and there is a gym and sauna. Mövenpick places DIFC, the World Trade Centre and Business Bay nearby and the airport about 20 minutes away. Pricing is upper-midscale rather than luxury, good value for a base this close to the world’s tallest building.
Pros
- Washer and dryer in the apartments
- Walkable to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa
Cons
- Two bedrooms maximum
- Downtown traffic at peak times
Visit Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai
6. Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah
Sofitel’s resort on Palm Jumeirah pairs a full beach hotel with a block of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Sofitel says each apartment has a built-in cooking range, oven, washing machine and refrigerator, with views either across the Palm or out to the Arabian Gulf.
The appeal is access: apartment guests use the resort’s private beach and pools, and the kids’ club is included. For families who need only one or two bedrooms, it is a strong alternative to Kempinski. As elsewhere on the Palm, plan on taxis or the monorail to reach the rest of the city. Sofitel also offers apartments on annual leases, so check that you are booking a hotel stay, not a rental contract. Prices sit in the luxury resort band, with the biggest discounts in the hot summer months.
Pros
- Beach, pools and kids’ club included
- Washing machine in every apartment
Cons
- No three-bedroom option
- Car or taxi needed for most sightseeing
7. JA Oasis Beach Tower, JBR
JA Resorts & Hotels, the Dubai group behind JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, runs this apartment tower on The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence. It is built for groups: JA has described 175 self-catering apartments with two, three or four bedrooms, each with a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge, a dining area and a maid’s room.
Families are well looked after, with two temperature-controlled pools, a children’s pool with a waterslide, and kids’ and teens’ clubs. JA has also run shuttle buses to nearby malls. The location is the selling point: JBR beach is on the doorstep, with views across to Palm Jumeirah and Ain Dubai, and the Dubai Tram runs along JBR. Confirm current kids’ club hours and the shuttle timetable when you book. Per bedroom, a four-bedroom apartment here is among the more affordable ways to put a large family on the beach.
Pros
- Four-bedroom apartments with maid’s room
- Beachfront JBR location, tram nearby
Cons
- Older tower than most on this list
- JBR is busy and noisy at weekends
8. Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay, Business Bay
IHG’s extended-stay brand has the simplest value proposition on this list: a proper apartment with breakfast thrown in. The Business Bay property on Marasi Drive has 120 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites, each with a fully equipped kitchen (fridge and hob) and its own washing machine and dryer.
A hot breakfast is included, served from 07:00 to 10:30, and there is an outdoor lap pool and a gym. IHG places the hotel close to The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Canal and Dubai Opera, and about 15 minutes’ drive from Dubai International Airport. It suits long-stay workers and couples more than large families, since two bedrooms is the maximum, and pets are not allowed. Prices sit in the midscale band, and IHG One Rewards members earn points on every stay.
Pros
- Breakfast included
- Washer and dryer in every suite
Cons
- No three-bedroom suites
- Business Bay can feel like a building site in places
Visit Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay
9. Millennium Atria Business Bay, Business Bay
Further along Marasi Drive, Millennium Atria offers the widest spread of layouts in Business Bay. Apartment types run from Premium and Executive studios through one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to a three-bedroom duplex and a three-bedroom penthouse, all with fully equipped kitchenettes.
There is a pool terrace and a fitness centre, and the hotel lets one child under six stay free using existing beds, with an extra bed for AED 110 (about £22) plus taxes. Business Bay puts you between Downtown and the Dubai Canal, a short taxi ride from The Dubai Mall. A kitchenette is not quite a full kitchen, so check the room description if you plan to cook every night. Prices sit in the midscale band, and the three-bedroom duplex is a useful alternative to booking two hotel rooms for a family.
Pros
- Studios to three-bedroom penthouse
- Child under six stays free
Cons
- Kitchenettes rather than full kitchens
- Taxi needed for the Metro and the beach
Visit Millennium Atria Business Bay
10. Citadines Metro Central Dubai, Barsha Heights
Ascott’s Citadines brand is the budget-friendly choice here, and the location is its best feature: Citadines says the property is directly opposite Dubai Internet City Metro station on the Red Line, so Dubai Marina, Mall of the Emirates and Downtown are all reachable by train.
The studios measure about 22 sq m and the one-bedroom apartments about 40 sq m, both with a fully equipped kitchen that includes a fan oven, two electric rings, a microwave, a fridge, a coffee machine, a kettle and a toaster. One-bedroom apartments add a dishwasher, and some units have a washer-dryer. There is a pool and a gym, and Citadines offers monthly rates for longer stays. It is too small for most families, but for a solo traveller, a couple or a month-long work assignment it is one of Dubai’s most practical serviced apartments.
Pros
- Metro on the doorstep
- Monthly rates for long stays
Cons
- Small studios
- No family-sized apartments
Visit Citadines Metro Central Dubai
Hotel apartments in Dubai: fees, deposits and the small print
The Tourism Dirham. Every hotel and hotel apartment in Dubai adds the government’s Tourism Dirham to the bill. It runs from AED 7 to AED 20 (about £1.40 to £4) a night depending on the property’s classification, with deluxe hotel apartments at AED 20, superior at AED 15 and standard at AED 10. It is charged for up to 30 consecutive nights, and it is often levied per bedroom, so a three-bedroom apartment at a five-star property pays AED 60 a night.
Taxes on top. Dubai bills commonly add a 10 per cent service charge, a 7 per cent municipality fee and 5 per cent VAT to the room rate. Compare the total, not the headline rate.
Deposits. Expect a card pre-authorisation at check-in for incidentals. Kempinski Palm Jumeirah, for example, holds AED 500 (about £100) per night. Banks can take days to release the hold, so avoid using the debit card you need for spending money.
Kitchens. “Kitchenette” can mean anything from two rings and a microwave to a full oven. To cook properly, look for “fully equipped kitchen”, a hob and an oven, and a dishwasher for longer stays.
Families. Check whether children stay free, whether the kids’ club is included and how many adults a suite really takes. Maid’s rooms, common in older towers, make a handy extra bedroom.
Getting around. The Metro Red Line runs along Sheikh Zayed Road to Dubai Marina, and the Dubai Tram links the Marina and JBR. The Palm and parts of Business Bay are taxi territory.
Dubai Hotel Apartments in 2027: Branded Residences and Per-Bedroom Fees
This year the line between a hotel apartment and a branded residence in Dubai is thinner than ever. Six Senses arrived on Palm Jumeirah in September 2026 with 61 suites alongside 172 privately owned branded residences, and Jumeirah, Kempinski and Sofitel all run apartments inside towers where neighbours own their flats. For guests that means bigger layouts and residential-style kitchens, but also more variety in what “serviced” includes, from daily housekeeping to a weekly clean. The Tourism Dirham still applies at AED 7 to AED 20 a night, and more properties now spell out that it is charged per bedroom, which matters for anyone booking a three- or four-bedroom apartment.
Dubai serviced apartments: your questions answered
What is the difference between an aparthotel and a holiday home in Dubai?
An aparthotel is run by a hotel operator with a front desk, housekeeping and hotel facilities. A holiday home is a privately owned flat or villa let through a licensed operator or platform, usually with fewer services and a separate security deposit.
Which area is best for a serviced apartment in Dubai?
For beach and nightlife, Dubai Marina and JBR. For a first visit with children, Downtown, which puts the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall on foot. For resort-style beach holidays, Palm Jumeirah, and for Metro access on a tighter budget, Barsha Heights.
Are Dubai hotel apartments good for families?
Often better than hotels. A two- to four-bedroom apartment usually costs less than several hotel rooms, and kitchens and washing machines make a long stay with children far easier.
How much is the Tourism Dirham on a hotel apartment?
Between AED 7 and AED 20 a night, depending on classification, for up to 30 consecutive nights. Many properties charge it per bedroom, so a two-bedroom apartment at a deluxe property pays AED 40 a night.
Do I need a car if I stay in a Dubai aparthotel?
Not in Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown or Barsha Heights, which are served by the Metro or the tram. On Palm Jumeirah and in parts of Business Bay you will rely on taxis or ride-hailing.
Can I book a Dubai serviced apartment for a month?
Yes. Most operators on this list offer long-stay or monthly rates, and Citadines and Jumeirah Living both promote longer stays. The Tourism Dirham stops after 30 consecutive nights.
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