For activity

Hilton Jumeirah
04 399 1111

The classic Hilton manages to maintain an independent, yet private, air and - best of all - it's on the beach! Shimmering horizon: The beach-view rooms will have you sitting on your balcony, gazing across the gulf.

Lively pool
A daytime poolside bar with underwater bar stools makes for a lively scene, which extends down the path to the beach bar in the evenings. The pool may be somewhat shaded for sun bunnies at times, but that isn't always a bad thing in the super-hot summer months.

Stylish dining
Top-rated Italian restaurant Bice is the jewel in Hilton Jumeirah's crown. A stylish dining experience with attentive staff and fabulous truffle gnocchi. Thai treats: The intimate six-room spa has a Thai theme, with a range of natural treatments - the cooling cucumber wrap is a must for sunburnt skin.

Water adventure
If you can tear yourself away from your sun lounger, all sorts of watersports can be enjoyed down at the beach, from kayaking to sailing lessons. Boat trips can also be arranged along the coast, if you fancy checking out The Palm.

From Dhs575 until Sept 30

InterContinental, Festival City
04 701 1111

Perched on Dubai Creek, the InterContinental is a new city landmark. The 498 exquisitely designed rooms offer stunning views of the Creek or the Festival Marina.

Decadently modern
The rooms are decked out in cool, clean tones and dark wood, with the sprawling king-sized bed, plasma screen and waterfall bath adding a touch of decadence.

Cooling dip
You'll definitely want to chill out at the small, but perfectly formed pool, with a cold drink from the pool bar.

Shopper's paradise
Avoid the heat and access the Festival City shopping complex via a connecting tunnel. For guests at the hotel, you can also arrange to have your purchases delivered back to your room!

Suites from Dhs999 until Sept 25

Le Meridien Al Aqah
+9719 244 9000

Le Meridien Al Aqah in Fujairah, sits between the picturesque Hajar mountains and the Indian ocean.

Keep cool
Pull up a bar stool under the shade of the in-pool bar hut and sip on a cocktail, or indulge in the delicious all-day international buffet in Views restaurant.

Rose-scented
Ask your spa therapist to draw you a rose-scattered bath in the privacy of your own room - all you have to do is slip in, relax and unwind.

Snorkel Snoopy
Grab your flippers and mask and explore.

From Dhs349 until Sept 28

For pampering

Shangri-La, Sheikh Zayed Road
04 343 8888

This vast 42-floor hotel, with an expanse of clean marble and towering coloured glass installations, definitely cuts the mustard in the ‘wow' factor stakes.

City lights
The hotel's situation on Sheikh Zayed Road, gives you some of the most amazing views of the Burj Dubai, especially at night when you can see the city lights for miles.

Infinite pleasure
In the fantastic infinity pool on the 42nd floor, you feel like you are virtually swimming out off the top of the building!

Stylish seafood
Don't miss Amwaj, with delicious and freshly prepared fish on offer, plus an extensive wine list.

Blissed-out body
For a glowing bliss-filled 90 minutes, try the head-to-toe aromatherapy massage. Trained and highly knowledgeable therapists tailor treatments to your specific needs and requirements, you feel totally pampered and afterwards you can sip on herbal teas to further boost both body and mind.

From Dhs1,079 until Aug 31

The Park Hyatt
04 602 1234

This fabulously relaxed hideaway oozes Vogue photoshoot allure.

Contemporary and cosy
A huge private sun terrace and fabulously appointed bathroom (with huge walk-in rain shower and enormous freestanding bath) will ensure you won't ever want to leave your waterside suite.

Cool palms
Secluded and ultra-chic, the palm-fringed pool is one of the city's finest places to soak up the sun.

Thai brunch
Love Thai food? Don't miss brunch at the Thai Kitchen. We defy you not to order everything on the delicious menu. Doggy bags are a must!

Amara bliss
Recently crowned the city's best spa, don't miss out on the Summer Ritual at Amara Spa, which includes a rain shower, aromatherapy body polish, full body massage and a reflexology massage - in the privacy of your suite!

Park King rooms from dhs850 until aug 31

Bab Al Shams
04 809 6100

An oasis in the desert, Bab Al Shams offers authentic Arabia just half an hour from modern Dubai.

Ancient Arabia
The rooms at Bab Al Shams are truly unique. Drawing influence from ancient Arabia, each room oozes rustic charm (aside from the plasma TV, of course). The rooms are peppered along the resort's intricate stone corridors, each one with a different view of the surrounding landscape.

Desert oasis
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more impressive pool in Dubai. Set against the backdrop of miles of desert, this infinity pool offers complete relaxation and tranquility. Check out the Jacuzzis under the stone canopies and then relax with an ice cold drink in the pool bar.

Worldly feasts
Try Al Forsan restaurant, which offers an a la carte menu; Pizzeria Le Dune, for a taste of Italy or Al Hadheerah for Arabic cuisine. For after-dinner drinks and shisha, head to the Al Sarab Lounge and soak up the desert tranquility.

Rooms from Dhs950 until aug 22

For romantics

The Palace, Downtown Burj Dubai
04 428 7800

Luxury has a new definition, if the service at The Palace has anything to go by. From butler service, to fabulous extras - your own white chocolate fountain, girls! - Ahlan! experienced the Romantic Escapism package...

Treated like royalty
With a limousine pick-up and your own personal butlers (yes, plural!), a stay in the Royal Suite certainly lives up to its name. With 180° views of the rising Burj Dubai, Hermès toiletries jostle for place in the bathroom and the huge terrace and living room provide enough space to dance to the tracks on your personal in-room iPod.

Fabulous touches
With your own personal white chocolate fountain in your room, and strawberries and cream set out beside your butler-run rose petal strewn bath, The Palace goes out of its way to create the ultimate romantic atmosphere.

Incredible food
As part of the Romantic Escapism package, expect a five-course dinner in your suite, followed by a super-luxe champers breakfast the following day. And expect to be serenaded at dinner, by your own private band!

Romantic escape
The Romantic Escapism Package, Dhs4,000

1 Limo pick-up

1 Welcome foot bath ritual

1 Royal Suite

1 Dinner on private terrace

1 Exclusive live band

1 Champagne breakfast

1 LeSpa Rejuvenation

Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina
04 399 8888

With the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf on its doorstep, Grosvenor House impressively towers 45 storeys above the Dubai skyline.

Dubai skyline
Each room has a remarkably contemporary feel, with breathtaking views across the Dubai skyline from your balcony. Make the most of the lush Bulgari toiletries!

Mojito moment
Whether you spend the afternoon topping up your tan, or while away the hours sipping mojitos at the pool bar, you'll feel miles away from anywhere.

Global treats
After pre-dinner cocktails at the swish Bar 44, head to the international buffet at Sloane's and indulge in the global treats. After-dinner delights feature an array of calorific favourites including the decadant chocolate fountain - wicked!

Holistic healing
Don't leave without trying the Sea Holistic Massage. As you lay wrapped in fluffy towels, expert hands will magically melt away aches and pains. Dreamy!

Suites from Dhs2,950 until Aug 31

Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah
04 366 8888

Al Qasr has an imposing facade that gives way, once inside, to an intimate and charmingly welcoming interior.

Sumptuous suite
View of the ocean? Check. A pillow menu? Check. A bathroom the size of your living room? Double check!

Ice-cream cool
You know you're in the lap of luxury when you're hand-delivered lemon lollies on an hourly basis by the pool. What's more, there's an ice cream parlour (try the mint choc chip with choccie sauce), and guys taking your pictures underwater so you can take home something special for the album!

Spanish appeal
Spanish restaurant Al Hambra, is a hidden gem. From the melt-in-your-mouth Jambon Iberico to the live music and rustic brick walls, you could be in Madrid, not the Madinat!

From dhs999 until sept 30