Dubai was once little more than a stopping point for long-haul flights, but with its 5-star resorts, endless breakfasts, and year-round sunshine, it has grown into a destination in its own right. But this town isn’t all about ostentation; its medieval northern suburbs are full of labyrinthine alleys and hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and its theme parks and PG motels suggest it may also be a family-friendly vacation resort.
While penthouse events are typically associated with a stay here, Dubai’s villas are the place to go for stately elegance. Most are on the man-made, palm-shaped island of Palm Jumeirah, a celebrity hotspot where residences are adorned with gold and marble and boast private beaches and infinity pools. Gated villa complexes in Al Sufouh and Emirates Hills exude a sense of exclusivity reminiscent of Beverly Hills. Here is our guide of the best excursion villas in Dubai.
1. LUX — The Ocean Pearl Villa, Palm Jumeirah
Another house with one of Dubai’s most exclusive addresses, this ethereal beachfront residence has all of the standard Palm features (pool, private beach, spaciousness), as well as four main bedrooms and four bathrooms decorated in neutral tones with flashes of aquamarine. Snag the master bedroom for the best views inside the house, whether propped up on the chaise by the large bay windows or from the adjacent second-floor balcony. With the beach just feet from your front door, your days here could be spent sunning and admiring the magnificent mansions on the next frond over.
2. Two-bed room Skyline View Villa, Bulgari Hotel, Jumeirah Bay Island
The villas of the Bulgari Resort, regarded as one of Dubai’s most luxurious lodges, exude understated elegance. The interior is finished in soothing stone colors and features a huge open-plan living area, full-sized bar, wooden outside deck, plunge pool, and a butler on standby for any additional needs. The views of the town’s skyline are spectacular at night, but the surrounding vistas of the Arabian Gulf may be enjoyed at any time of day because the waters are quieter here than on the Palm and Dubai Marina.
3. Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, Madinat Jumeirah
It may be attached to one of Dubai’s hottest buildings, but this Arabian-inspired motel feels a world apart from the city’s bustle. It is a group of 29 villas owned by the premium Dubai hotel chain Jumeirah and overlooks the Madinat Jumeirah’s twisting waterways as well as the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab. You’ll arrive in a traditional boat, known as an abra, which you can also take to leave for supper. Choose one of the seven Malakiya villas, each with its own plunge pool, kitchen, and patio. The kids will love the complimentary admittance to the nearby Wild Wadi Waterpark.
4. Anantara Two-Bedroom Beach Pool Villa, Palm Jumeirah
The Crescent, a tiered, Thai-inspired refuge on the Palm’s outskirts, is easily identifiable because to its villas topped with mini-stupas. Its Maldivian-inspired overwater villas are unique in Dubai, set on stilts overlooking the ocean and featuring glass panels in the ground that allow guests to see the waters below. The indoor tub is a standout feature, with windows that open out to a view of the Dubai Marina skyline. The basic downside is a lack of personal pool.
5. J5 Villas Holiday Homes Barsha Gardens, Al Barsha
Al Barsha gets a bad name in Dubai — and it may be a little rough around the edges — but it also has some of the city’s best authentic food. This home is simple and beautifully equipped, without the gaudiness that is sometimes associated with housing in Dubai, and it has four bedrooms and bathrooms. There is no private pool, but there is a communal one for the compound, as well as a large terrace on the second floor for outdoor entertaining. This option is for budget-conscious travelers, which is uncommon in the City of Gold.
6. Sunshine Villa, Dubai Hills
If beach access isn’t on your list of must-haves (rare for Dubai), the villa community of Dubai Hills provides a city escape without the turmoil. Sunshine Villa, located a short cab ride from Dubai Marina and the Mall of the Emirates, is a laid-back, cubist bolthole fit for a large institution. This 5-bedroom, four-bathroom asset is simply furnished in neutral tones and plenty of rattan. The good feature is its outside intriguing location, which has a big barbecue and bar, sofa-crammed canopy, and lap pool.
7. Five Palm Beach Villa, Palm Jumeirah
If you’re looking to party, this is your destination. Five is synonymous with Dubai’s party crowd; its penthouse events and all-day brunches are known for viral videos and real-life celebrity appearances. This four-bedroom, seven-bathroom villa lulls you into a false sense of security with unexpectedly understated décor – a large geometric sofa for interest, an indoor raise, and smooth furnishings. But it’s the outside area that most people come for: the panoramic views of the Dubai Marina skyline, warm tub, and pool provide an Instagram-worthy backdrop.
8. Dubai Creek Club Villas, Deira
This thriving suburb, located in one of Dubai’s oldest neighborhoods, is known for its rich history, traditional wind towers, and fantastic hole-in-the-wall restaurants. The Bedouin-style Dubai Creek Club Villas blend with the region’s traditional Arabic architecture and offer spectacular views of greenery thanks to the surrounding golf course. The basic villa design of beige and wood accents, as well as a simple pool and outside terrace area, are ideal, but it also means you won’t be tempted to stay indoors all day and miss out on the museums, souks, and Al Bastakiya neighborhood nearby.
9. Lakehouse Luxury Villa, The Lakes
Interior design in Dubai typically focuses on how much gold can be packed into a single room, so this minimalist mansion is a visual detox. The neutral tones of this whitewashed four-bedroom home in the inner-city area of The Lakes evoke a windswept sanctuary in the Mediterranean. The bright white surfaces are best disrupted with beige colorations of reclaimed wood, a rattan chair, a beaded chandelier, or flashes of bougainvillea outside.
10. Fam Living Sarai Villas, Palm Jumeirah
The Palm is not known for its affordability, so this property stands out amid its expensive neighbours. Part of a large holiday-home development at the Crescent, those villas do not provide much solitude, nor do they have a private pool or beach access. They make up for their lack of luxuries with simplicity and price. Geometric, metal-trimmed finishes, luxurious couches, and splashes of pink combine to create a cool environment here.
