Jumeirah Al Qasr

Jumeirah Al Qasr, whose name means the palace, is the grandest of the hotels within the Madinat Jumeirah resort on the coast at Umm Suqeim. Designed in the style of a summer palace, it is approached along palm-lined drives with horse statues and fountains, and it is surrounded by waterways that connect it to the rest of the resort and to Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the covered market of shops and restaurants at its centre.

The rooms and suites are decorated in a traditional Arabian style with rich fabrics and carved wood, and most have balconies or terraces overlooking the sea, the waterways or the resort's gardens. Guests have access to a long private beach, several pools and the Talise spa, and the resort's abras, small wooden boats, carry guests along the canals between the hotels, restaurants and the souk, which is one of the most enjoyable ways to get around. Pierchic, the Michelin-listed seafood restaurant at the end of its own pier, belongs to the hotel, and many more restaurants and bars across Madinat Jumeirah are within a short walk or boat ride.

The resort is large and works best for a stay of several nights, when you can settle into a rhythm of beach mornings and evenings in the souk. It suits couples, honeymooners and families who want a classic beach resort with plenty to do without leaving the grounds. The atmosphere is calm and traditional rather than trendy. Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped hotel just along the coast, closed in April 2026 for a long restoration, but it remains part of the view.

Rates are at the luxury end of the market and peak in the cooler months from November to March. The hotel can be contacted on +971 4 366 8888 or by email.

Madinat Jumeirah sits on Jumeirah Road in Umm Suqeim 3, about 25 minutes by car from Downtown Dubai and around 35 minutes from Dubai International Airport, depending on traffic. Taxis are the easiest way to explore further. The Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai are a short drive inland, and Kite Beach and the Umm Suqeim fishing harbour, with Bu Qtair's seafood, are a few minutes along the coast.