Dubai’s hotels are some of the most opulent and well-equipped in the world – many of them boasting what is perhaps the epitome of the luxury hotel experience: private pool suites and villas. Having a private pool villa or suite in Dubai is not only a fabulous way to explore the city, but a great way to celebrate a romantic anniversary or occasion, offering privacy and a reason not to leave your room or a low-key birthday celebration. From beachfront party pads to plunge pools hidden by palm trees, here are the best hotels with private pools in Dubai, guaranteed to elevate your staycation or vacation. 

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai

Best for private parties 

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa is the elegant, calm big sister to the playful Nikki Beach Dubai club. Located on a stretch of private golden sands, the resort has uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea, a large infinity pool, and abundant sunbeds and loungers on the beach and terrace. But for the hedonism the brand is known for guests can rent out one of the hotel’s white-washed, retro-futuristic beachfront and garden villas which come with their own private pool, terrace and entertainment system. There are one-, two- and three-bedroom villas to choose from with either private gardens or outdoor spaces overlooking the palm-strewn beach. 
Villas from AED8,550 per night; book now

One&Only The Palm

Best for romantic escapes

Often dubbed as the romantic hotel in Dubai, One&Only The Palm sits on the furthermost reaches of the western outer crescent of the Palm Jumeirah. Because of its almost remote location, it’s peaceful and private – a leafy Andalusian palace with manicured grounds, a slick of golden sand and just 64 rooms. Four of these are exclusive beachfront villas with their own private pool overlooking the beach. Choose from a one-bedroom executive suite with pool, part of the hotel’s Palm Beach Mansion wing, or the lavish two-bedroom beachfront villa with an extensive outdoor area and pool big enough for laps. 
Suites from AED5,000; book now

Bulgari Resort Dubai

Best for making it a stay to remember

Of course, it’s only right a hotel like Bulgari Resort Dubai would be home to the best private pool villas and suites in Dubai. The resort, from the glamorous Italian marque and Marriott International, sits on its own seahorse-shaped island in refined Jumeirah and is home to the first Bulgari Yacht Club, a World’s 50 Best Bar and 101 nautical chic rooms – 20 of these are private beachfront villas each with their own private temperative-controlled pool, along with access to a private beach. Villas have one to three bedrooms and some pools have views of the Burj Khalifa, and the ultimate, the 540sqm Bulgari Villa, boasts an additional 500 square-meter garden, private home cinema, indoor hydromassage and hammam.
Villas from AED13,200 per night; book now

Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

Best for something different

Looking at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, you might be mistaken for thinking it’s a tropical island resort in Thailand or the Maldives. The Thai-based luxury group opened its version of its island idyll on Dubai’s most famous island, Palm Jumeirah, back in 2013 as the first resort in the Middle East to have over-water villas. In the past decade, it’s been a firm favourite with locals and an in-the-know secret for tourists. Book into a one or two-bedroom beach pool villa to have your own private pool nestled in your own private shaded garden with direct beach access. 
Villas from AED 5,950 per night; book now

Al Maha Desert Resort

Best for romance and Arabian nights vibes

Dubai’s most luxurious desert resort is just an hour’s drive from the city, yet feels a world away. Al Maha Desert Resort is the spot for seriously romantic getaways, where couples emerge fiancé, and is, therefore, one of the most luxurious private pool villas in Dubai. The resort is home to just 42 tented private pool villas peppered across the terracotta dunes, and the pools look out onto the rolling sandy horizon, which Arabian oryx and bouncing Arabian gazelles often patrol. There are few more private, peaceful, and luxurious to watch wildlife and sunset in Dubai. 
Villas from AED3,800 per night; book now

Five Palm Jumeirah

Best for social media content, parties, group celebrations

Five Palm Jumeirah is one of the city’s most famous hotels, catapulted onto the global stage thanks to its client base which includes top influencers, VIPs and celebrities. The hotel itself is an architectural marvel, located on the popular West Beach development of Palm Jumeirah with soaking ceilings, arched details and a serene colour palette – lots of white, gold, blues and pastel pink. As one would expect of a brand known for throwing the best party in town, the private pool villas are spectacular – overlooking the ocean and skyline and the location for private parties, but also lazy days away from the buzz. You can choose from two-bedroom townhouses, three-bedroom boho chic villas and four- and five-bedroom beachfront mansions – the latter with its own rooftop jacuzzi.
Townhouses from AED3,600 per night; book now

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Best for a peaceful and palatial stay

Located on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is one of Dubai’s most discreetly luxurious hotels, designed to resemble an Ottoman palace and having played host to plenty of celebrities. Surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the golden sands and warm Arabian Gulf, the Turkish-inspired Royal Residences estate is home to a handful of grand villas, with the grandest of all boasting five bedrooms, a private pool, round-the-clock butler service and imperial Ottoman-era-inspired furnishings.
Villas from AED 3,500; jumeirah.com

Anantara World Islands

Best for feeling a million miles from Dubai

Anantara World Islands is perfect for a Dubai staycation with a difference. The five-star resort was the first to open on the famous World Island development, welcoming guests from early 2022 to its tropical-jungle-inspired resort just off the coast of Dubai. Reachable only by speed boat, guests arrive on the island and step into a truly Maldivian-like experience, even more so when checking into the private pool villas. The Beach Pool Villas are a spacious 103 sqm with 64 sqm of private outside space alone, and have a plunge pool with direct beach access. 
Villas from AED2,550; book now

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf

Hidden within the Madinat Jumeirah waterways are the two-and three-bedroom villas known as the Malakiya Villas, forming part of the ultra-luxurious Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf property. These are the resort’s most exclusive accommodations, and are spread over two floors of Arabian-inspired luxury with 24-hour private butler service, plunge pools and gardens shaded by palms.
Villas from AED 5,500; jumeirah.com

Al Habtoor Polo Resort

A little way out of the city, and therefore perfect for escaping it all, is the Al Habtoor Polo Resort. The Andalucian-inspired resort benefits from an equestrian centre and polo field, and reflecting the equestrian theme, has a handful of Royal Pool Villas split over two or three storeys. Guests can opt for the garden or polo field view, but all sleep up to eight and come with private temperature-controlled swimming pools and in-built BBQ pits.
Royal Villas from AED 3,250; habtoorpoloresort.com

Meliá Desert Palm Meliá Collection

Meliá Desert Palm Meliá Collection is the ultimate staycation destination. Its location in the heart of a 64-hectare polo estate and neighbours with Dubai Safari Park allows for ample activities, while the resort itself is home to a handful of private pool villas. There are both one- and two-bedroom pool villas available, which feature separate lounges, a kitchen area and, of course, a private pool framed by sunbeds, a Bali bed and an outdoor shower, emulating the Indonesian island just a 20-minute drive from Downtown Dubai. 
Villas from AED1,900; book now

Five Jumeirah Village

Best for: Parties, celebratory weekends with friends

Having a private pool is usually the preserve of the resort’s top-tier accommodations, which can often make them unattainable. One hotel that has turned this on its head is FIVE Jumeirah Village, (the suburban sister of FIVE Palm Jumeirah), with the hotel home to a total of 269 swimming pools, with 99% of those being private pool suites. It’s easy to check in, zoom up the lift in the soaring, Jenga-like tower, and never leave your suite – thanks to an expansive private terrace with swimming pool or jacuzzi, loungers and a seating area. There’s a great sound system, and the suites themselves are ultra-modern and typical of the playful brand – all gleaming white with rose pink and gold touches. With suites of up to four bedrooms on offer, it’s one of the best private pool pads in Dubai.
One-bedroom villas from AED1,020; jumeirahvillage