Text: Anastasia Zorina
Since the global financial crisis still doesn’t want to recede, and many had to tighten their belts tighter than last winter, and still want to and want to travel, we looked for almost two dozen Dubai hotels in the “cheap and cheerful” category. We will say more, not even “cheaply and angrily”, but “too good to be true”: that is, received in exchange for your living expenses, significantly exceeds expectations of the amount charged.
While the Dubai Summer Surprises festival is taking place in the city, luxury coastal hotels offer good prices. Our secret list will always be useful to public sector tourists, and by the fall - to everyone. Indeed, many almost rightly believe that in Dubai there are either very expensive and very good hotels, or old, scary and cheap in the area of Deira and old Bar Dubai. The truth is that if in the world "budget" means US $ 5-15 per night, then in Dubai it is not less than US $ 100. But thanks for that!
Arabian park hotel
*** deluxe
The place is at the intersection of roads of the old and new center of Dubai, between Al-Garhud and Business Bay bridges
The relatively new Arabian Park Hotel belongs to the 3 * category, and perhaps that is why many tourists categorically do not notice it. And very in vain! Located in a strategic location, on the way from old Dubai to Dubai, new, next to the two main city bridges, only ten minutes away (and this is not a publicity stunt of travel companies!) From Dubai International Airport, the hotel has a great advantage - no traffic jams to the main highways. Add to this the proximity to the Dubai Creek, shopping and entertainment centers, and other pleasures of life, and look at the hotel building, still standing lonely in the wasteland, with good eyes.
The rooms of this hotel are in excellent condition, always clean and clean, as if the Arabian Park Hotel has completely different standards than other Dubai "three-stars." It will most likely be boring with your family, but for a visiting businessman, the place is simply perfect.
Contact www.arabianparkhoteldubai.com
Capitol hotel
**** deluxe
The place is off the coast of Jumeirah, next to Al-Diyafah Street and the UAE large national flag waving over Union House
We will not argue with the majority that the Capitol Hotel is a budget hotel in all respects and quite mediocre for its class. But this hotel has several undoubted advantages. Location - from October to May, it is quite possible to go to Jumeirah's public beach for your two, which saves not only money for accommodation in expensive coastal hotels, but money for taxis and a lot of time for their catch during peak hours. On the other hand, the Capitol Hotel is located close to the old part of the city and Dubai Cove, not everyone can even dare to walk even in winter, but a taxi without traffic jams will reach the place in five minutes.
The rooms are undoubtedly spacious and quite well furnished and equipped. The hotel has nightlife venues that residents love: someone will be disturbed by 3 noon, someone, on the contrary, will want to join the incendiary salsa dancers.
Communication - www.capitol-hotel.com
Countryard by marriott
****
Location - in the community Green Community, next to the airport under construction in Jebel Ali
This new Dubai hotel will remain in the shade and almost complete secrecy for some time to come. And that’s all - because of the location at the end of all geographies - in the Green Community area, which first has to be searched for somewhere on the Emirates Road, and then also drive into it for a long time from the intersection under reconstruction. When you deal with all this, you understand that it’s a stone's throw from here to the new Dubai and the good old Jumeirah.
The effort is worth it. The hotel is extremely nice, very clean and nice. The rooms are worth the money paid for them and even more. The territory also leaves the most pleasant memories, as well as the service.
While the hotel accepts guests from among the residents of the new Dubai and businessmen from the Jebel Ali Free Economic Zone living nearby, it is not crowded. But, as soon as AlMaktum International Airport in Jebel Ali is open, there will be no passage. Seize the moment!
Communication www.marriott.com
Dubai Youth Hostel
(* not)
Location - in the Al-Guseys area, almost on the border with Sharjah
Surely most of the residents of Dubai do not even suspect that there are hostels for students in the city, which are simply teeming with the centers of all normal cities in the world. Dubai Youth Hostel is not just an exception, but a perfect exception: you can stay here even for less than US $ 100 per day.
At the same time, many of the travelers who once stayed in dirty and dilapidated hostels in Europe, densely populated by young people, will be pleasantly surprised by the level of the hostel in Dubai - cleanliness, beauty, fresh linen, and even a swimming pool with a gym! The only drawback for those who came to see Dubai is its location. The hostel is located near Dubai International Airport, and in order to get to the same man-made palm island and Jumeirah beaches, you need to pay at least US $ 20 one way. Salvation will come with the opening in September of the Dubai metro, the station of which is located somewhere nearby: for mere pennies it will take you to where the taxi will take you an hour or two.
Communication - www.uaeyha.com
Ibis world trade center
***
The venue is next to the Dubai International Exhibition Center (DWTC). A low-cost option for businessmen, especially those who come to Dubai for exhibitions held at the International Exhibition Center. Ibis hotels are known for their commitment to the classics and do not have any additional services that can be said separately, but who needs them for the money and at such a location ?! Nearby there are enough "five-stars" with pools, and the beach is not so far away, but from here it is a stone's throw to the exhibition halls. Entertainment and shopping here are also missing. In the season of exhibitions, it is recommended to reserve rooms in this hotel in advance.
Contact www.ibishotel.com
Holiday inn express
** and ***
Location - Jumeirah, next to Safa Park, and in Dubai Internet City
Involvement in the Holiday Inn chain signals that the hotel is a budget but quality accommodation. Dubai Inns are no exception. Almost identical throughout the world, including the rooms themselves, these hotels are invariably clean, offer good service and a minimal set of additional services, but at good prices.
The daughter of the Holiday Inn, the Holiday Inn Express chain in Dubai, has three hotels - in Jumeirah, next to Safa Public Park, and in the free economic zone of Dubai Internet City. Both are very worthy, and perfectly located for any tourist purpose.
Communication www.ichotelsgroup.com
Novotel World Trade Center
***
Location - Near Dubai International Exhibition Center (DWTC)
If you are not lucky with Ibis, you can try the Novotel World Trade Center hotel located nearby. Opened in 2003 in order to receive delegates from the meetings of the International Bank and the IMF, this hotel by all means proves that “cheap” does not mean “simple” and “boring”. Take the lobby, decorated with dark natural wood and with great taste. The rooms, although small in size, are well furnished, always clean and tidy. Fans of swimming and exercising in this hall do not go for a walk, but a good location and service will not make you cry about lost dollars in vain.
Communication www.novotel.com
K-Porte Inn
***
Location - Deira District
If you absolutely need to stay in the Deira area (immediately exclude from the plan daily walks on sandy beaches and plenty of greenery), where there are a lot of cheap and not very good hotels, you have the K-Porte Inn. It differs little in price from neighboring hotels, but in quality it is an order of magnitude higher. And all thanks to the ambitions of the owners - to make the hotel much better than it identifies the cost of living in it. Of course, it does not at all look like exclusive Dubai hotels, but as a budget option it is worthy of attention.
Communication www.kporte.com
Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park
***
Place - on the highway to them. Sheikh Zayed at Dubai Investments Park
The recent opening by the leading brand of the UK budget chain Premier Inn of its first hotel in the UAE, signals that the British have decided to launch an offensive on the still almost free market in the Middle East.
For the money you pay at this hotel, you can expect good, quality rooms with excellent finishes and furnishings, comfort and cleanliness. If you add to this location near the main highway of Dubai, between its old and new areas, this hotel can be considered one of the best options on the highway to them. Sheikh Zayed.
Communication - www.global.premierinn.com
Outside Dubai
Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain
****
If you want to escape from crazy Dubai somewhere without spending a lot of time on the road and the fabulous amount of accommodation, go to the Al-Ain hotel Mercure Grand Jebel Hafeet. Not only is Al Ain, an oasis city surrounded by magnificent red sand dunes, good on its own, it is also located on the top of the highest mountain in the UAE, Jebel Hafit. The only mountain hotel in the Emirates belongs to the category of "four stars" and is fully consistent with the declared high level.
In other words, a great choice for an interesting and rewarding weekend.
- Place the city of Al Ain, on the 951st meter of Mount Jebel Hafeet. From Dubai, as well as from Abu Dhabi, you can get to the hotel in two hours on a beautiful highway and without traffic jams.
- Accommodation - a snow-white low-rise building of the hotel in the shape of a square is turned towards the interior, marked by a fountain and greenery. The hotel has a total of 124 rooms, of which nine are suites (rooms with several rooms, designed for families or lovers of large spaces).
- "Highlights" - the rooms are cozy and large, equipped with everything necessary. Decorated in warm colors and often with original elements. Large windows from the floor to the stream, in all directions have a wonderful view, from a height of all nine hundred plus meters of the hotel's location.
- Food and entertainment: only 5 establishments. Le Belvedere Restaurant serves Italian, French and Mediterranean dishes. Eden Rock Terrace is served with the freshest kebabs cooked right there on your order. Orient Cafe serves tea and coffee and pastries around the clock, while Lawrence's Lounge serves alcoholic drinks and snacks. Real Arabic hookah is served in the Al Khayma Tent tent.
- Extras: outdoor pool with temperature-controlled water, gym, kids club. For business and events: 6 rooms for events can accommodate up to 300 people who came to the conference, banquet, seminar or celebration for any occasion. There are two lounges for receiving guests in true Arabic style, giving the events a special flavor.
- Near the hotel: Mount Jebel Hafeet itself, the oasis city of Al Ain with many attractions that are enough for a single day stay.
Contacts: +971 (3) 783 8888, fax 971 (3) 783 9000 www.mercure.com
