Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Jamie Marshall
Everyone loves a good vacation and Dubai is fast becoming a popular destination for travelers as it has so much to offer in terms of entertainment, night life as well as some of the world’s most famous architectural wonders. The number of visitors coming to Dubai has been steadily increasing each year and consequently the hospitality industry has been experiencing steady growth in keeping with the increased demand.
Dubai has hundreds of hotels located all over the city so finding one should not be a problem. However, who wouldn’t want to save some money on their hotel deals without compromising on the quality of service received?
Saving money on hotels in Dubai can actually save you quite a bit of money on your vacation; money that can be used for shopping, sight-seeing or dining out in one of Dubai’s many excellent restaurants.
Dubai initially exploded onto the international holiday market as the perfect tourist destination for sun, sand and extravagance; for many years there were few alternatives to the ultra-luxury five-star hotels on Sheikh Zayed Raod and Jumeirah Beach Road. Fortunately, while opulent hotels continue to spring up all over the emirate, there are many charming low and mid-budget hotels that cater to the business or holiday traveler.
Below is our list of tips on how to save money on hotels in Dubai:
Determine your budget
Prior to travel, set your budget per night of stay. All hotel booking websites have pricing as one of their search criteria; this way you will know what you can find within your budget and which hotels to avoid because they are too pricey.
Location
Location is one of the main determiners of hotel room pricing. Choose a hotel that is a little out of the main Dubai city area as these are almost always cheaper without really compromising on service. Also remember that hotel rooms with sea views are always more expensive than those facing inland; you are living in a city where there are plenty of beautiful beaches a short drive away so you can go to the beach everyday instead of just looking at it from a hotel room.
Dubai is connected by an efficient public transport system that includes buses, taxis and the Dubai Metro. Using these forms of transport, it is possible to travel mostly anywhere in Dubai so it is advisable to save money on a fancy location and spend instead on some of the great hotels that are a little further away from the city center.
Travel time
If your travel dates are flexible it is advisable to travel outside of peak dates so that you can get great discount offers during these times. This can result in significant cost savings as most hotels, especially the 4-star and 5-star hotels that have more rooms available, offer big discounts to attract customers.
Unfortunately in Dubai, off-peak season coincides with the really hot summer months from May to October when temperature can reach a blistering 50 degrees. Be aware of this when making your bookings.
Important events
Hotel rooms are typically more expensive during seasons when important events take place as the demand for rooms is quite high. This usually occurs during the Dubai Rugby Sevens held every year from the end of November to the beginning of December, the Dubai Shopping Festival which lasts a month from late January to February and during the Dubai Tennis Open Championship held in February every year. If possible, avoid travelling to Dubai during these times, unless of course you are here for one of these much anticipated events.
Paying for your room
Paying in local currency is often the cheapest option as you save on exchange rates.
Ask for special upgrades
Don’t be shy to ask for upgrades especially if you are travelling for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or an anniversary. Hotels are always keen on keeping customers happy in the hopes of getting return business so you might just be surprised with an upgrade or at least some chocolate and champagne in your room.
Room amenities
Some hotels charge a premium for breakfast, lunch or other services that you might not necessarily use during your stay. Evaluate how many of these you are likely to use and choose your room accordingly. Since you are likely to be exploring some of Dubai’s famous brunches and recommended eat-outs, it is probably cheaper to go for a room-only booking without any service add-ons.
Special offers and Discount coupons
Hotels are always offering deals such as a free night’s stay or an upgrade to a better room so keep an eye out for these as they can slash your room costs significantly. It is also worthwhile to check out offers and coupons on websites such as Groupon and Cobone which regularly offer big discounts on hotel rooms and services.