Booking a hotel, or even a restaurant, can, often be overwhelming, with hundreds, if not thousands of choices, round-ups, reviews and lists to navigate. Making the selection process that much easier is the World’s 50 Best – a definitive, trusted and discerningly judged compilation of the world’s very best hotels, restaurants, bars and more – voted for by experts from across the globe.

After announcing its 50 Best Hotels 2024 list back in September, MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and the announcement of the coveted World’s 50 Best Restaurants imminent, 50 Best has unveiled its much-anticipated 50 Best Discovery: a list of 500 hotels, restaurants and bars across the world that grabbed the voters’ attention and, in future, are likely to make the official 50 Best List itself.

170 hotels have been added to 50 Best Discovery index, along with 240 restaurants and 100 bars in more than 260 cities and towns across the world. Here are the hotels, bars and restaurants who made in from the Middle East.

50 Best Discovery hotels – new additions

Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort

Making its debut on the 50 Best Discovery list is Anantara’s Maldivian-esque, mangrove hideaway – one of the emirate’s most modern and luxurious beach hotels. The coastal property sits nestled amongst protected mangroves, with Maldivian-style overwater villas promising a stand-out and unique experience within the emirate. These private pool villas are perched above the ocean, with mangrove views, and come with kitchens, spacious bedrooms, sea-view bathtubs and outdoor showers – all reminiscent of Anantara’s beautiful Maldivian properties. Elsewhere, guests will find a 9,000 sqm private beach, the Anantara Spa, Anantara’s signature Mekong restaurants, and soon, a yoga pavilion and wildlife centre – showcasing the wonders of the mangroves and UAE eco-system to guests. Read our honest review, here.
Doubles from AED880 per night; anantara.com

Key Information

• Rooms: 174
• Starting Rate: $213
• High Season: November-April
• Dining: Mekong, Beach House, Sea Breeze, Waves Cafe
• Drinking: Jalabar, Lobby Lounge & Bar
• At the Hotel: Cooking class, beach, swimming pool(s), fitness centre, padel court, yoga, meditation, watersports, kids club, teens club, spa, family friendly

50 Best Discovery hotels – retained positions

One&Only Royal Mirage

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Cementing its name as one of the best hotels in the region, One&Only Royal Mirage made the 50 Best Discovery List for second year running, a favourite with travellers since opening in 1999. A true Dubai grande dame, it’s easy to spot amongst the high rises that line the coast overlooking Palm Jumeirah. For starters, its low-rise complexes and villas are almost completely hidden by lush towering palm trees and gardens hiding tennis courts. Secondly, its private beach (home to the stylish Drift Beach Club) is double the size of its competitors. The hotel Arabian in its décor, with arabesque arches, latticed details, gold touches, opulent fountains, and gardens – spread from the Palace to the Arabian Court. There are 221 rooms, including standard doubles, suites and private villas, all of which channel the Arabian luxury feeling. A towering tired spa is a favourite with locals for day experiences and features a relaxing Hamman and plenty of treatment rooms. Dining hotspots are also fabulous, from outdoor Arabian The Courtyard to Jetty Lounge – perhaps the city’s most romantic sundowner spot.
Doubles from AED1,350; book now

Key Information

• Rooms: 221
• Starting Rate: $400
• Dining: Celebrities by Mauro Colagreco
• Drinking: The Jetty Lounge
• At the Hotel: Spa, hammam, beach club, tennis courts, padel courts, gardens, private beach, putting green, water sports, sailing, pools, cabanas, petanque, gym, kid’s club
• oneandonlyresorts.com

Jumeirah Al Naseem

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ask many residents what the best hotel in Dubai is, and they will likely say Jumeirah Al Naseem. This has now been factually backed up, as the hotel is the second Dubai property to feature in The World’s 50 Best 50 Best Discovery List for a consecutive year. This low-key luxury hotel is part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex – seven Jumeirah hotels (including the iconic Burj Al Arab) and a modern souk on the beachfront. Al Naseem is the Burj Al Arab’s sophisticated little sister – Arabian and palatial but modern and high-tech. The outside courtyard is filled with supercars and the cooling fragrance of oud envelops you upon entry. Guests can use the beachfront outdoor pool with its views of the Burj Al Arab and sleek modern rooms – with beachy hues and gulf views. The hotel is home to one of Dubai’s most fancy dining spots too, Turtle Lagoon, where fine dining establishments like Il Borro, Flamingo Room, Beefbar and Mayabay frame a serene lagoon shaded by palm trees.

Key Information

• Rooms: 430
• Starting Rate: $364
• Dining: Kayto
• Drinking: Blind Tiger
• At the Hotel: Beach club, spa, airport meet and greet, kid’s club, water park, tennis courts, padel court, beach, pools, yacht trips, water sports, yoga and meditation, event space, souk

The Abu Dhabi EDITION

Ian Schrager and Marriott International’s now iconic EDITION brand bounced into Abu Dhabi in 2018, bringing the best bits from its global counterparts to the UAE Capital. As expected from the man behind Studio 54, the Abu Dhabi EDITION is as forward-thinking as it is fabulous. The hotel brings European and American cool to the city with its lattice-like exterior, mood-lighting, minimalist modern design, party-like atmosphere and visiting DJs from Ibiza, further cemented by its position on the trendy Al Bateen Marina. The five-story atrium is filled with art and its restaurants and bars are popular with both hotel guests and locals: The Oak Room, a serious, wood-panelled steak room with an in-house meat sommelier, Tom Aikens’ all-day Market at EDITION and Mediterranean Alba Terrace the spot for a fun-filled Friday brunch. The 198 guest rooms and 57 serviced residences are classically EDITION – with their mood lighting, beige colour palette, desert dune photography and wooden touches – plus there are two fitness centres, two pools and a spa. 
Doubles from AED 700; editionhotels.com

Alila Jabal Akhdar

AI Roose, Oman

A mesmerising and unique escape in Oman’s Al Hajar mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar rises 6,562 feet above sea level and is only accessed by 4×4 drives. Built on the edge of a steep precipice on ‘the green mountain’, the luxurious hotel blends in with the horizon – all stony greys and sandy browns with the odd gleam from floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Each of the 78 suites offers views of the spectacular mountain range and the interiors pay are inspired by Omani village life with traditional Bahla pottery, juniper tree motifs and Omani chests. There’s a spa focusing on ancient Asian healing techniques and an infinity pool that looks over the mountain gorge – swathed in pink from blossoming Damask roses from March to May. Look closely and you might spot the sheep, goats and donkeys that roam the mountainside.
Doubles from about AED 1,290; alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar

Key Information

• Rooms: 86
• Starting Rate: $325
• High Season: December-April
• Dining: Juniper
• Drinking: Rose Lounge
• At the Hotel: Spa, gym, business center, event venues

50 Best Discovery list: restaurant and bars

Dubai

• Al Ustad Special Kabab
• Cipriani
• Hawkerboi
• Honeycomb Hi-Fi
• Mama’esh (Business Bay Branch)
• Moon Slice Pizza
• Nusr-Et Steakhouse Dubai
• Scalini
• SLAB
• Row on 45
• Stay by Yannick Alléno
• Tahini
• The Maine Land Brasserie
• The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill

Abu Dhabi

• Abd El Wahab
• Bonna Annee
• Meylas

Riyadh

• Bellbird
• Lusin
• Mama Noura
• Roka
• San Carlo Cicchetti
• Section B
• Tokyo
• The Villa Restaurant
• Mamo Michelangelo
• The Social Pizzeria
• Takya

Jeddah

• Adani Bar

Kuwait

• Ovo Restaurant, Kuwait City

Doha

• Morimoto
• La Mar Doha by Gastón Acurio
• Masala Library

Bahrain

• Cantina Kahlo, Seef
• L’Orto, Adliya
• La Table Krug, Manama
• Lumee, Manama
• Masso, Adliya
• Monsoon, Adliya
• My Cafe, Adliya
• Rasoi by Vineet, Manama

Oman

• Ba Ban, Muscat

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