From models and actresses to sports stars, here’s where the rich and famous like to holiday in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
The UAE is a country known for its high-octane glamour, outwardly lavish way of life and abundance of beautiful five-star resorts. Add this to year-round sunshine, warm waters and national laws that lend themselves to unrivalled privacy, and it’s easy to see why countless celebrities from across the world choose Dubai and Abu Dhabi to unwind and escape from it all. Be it for play or work (the UAE has starred in many blockbuster movies, and television shows and hosted celebrity-packed events), here are the hotels where celebrities stay in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Where celebrities stay in Dubai
One&Only Royal Mirage
Celebrity guests: Kylie Minogue, Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan,
As one of the UAE’s oldest and most trusted and established hotels, One&Only Royal Mirage is one of the most revered places celebrities stay in Abu Dhabi. Spread across one kilometre of private beachfront and into a low-rise maze of palm trees, fountains and separate palatial villas and blocks, the serene Arabesque hotel is one of the most beautiful in the UAE, if not the world. Most celebrities stay at One&Only Royal Mirage to be off-the-radar, but a handful of others have been spotted and posted on social media from the luxury hotel, like Kylie Minogue and Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan
25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
Celebrity guests: Hamood Al Khudher
Playful Euro-cool hotel 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central burst onto Dubai’s hotel scene in early 2021, breaking the mould for Dubai hotels with its daring concepts like mixed-gender saunas, cheeky slogans (like ‘come to bed with me’) and rooftop bar straight from Berlin. The contemporary and cool yet spacious and modern hotel is a Dubai take on the much-loved European brand, so rooms are bigger, facilities are better and there’s a huge focus on f&b (with outlets like the famous Monkey Bar rooftop bar and slick Tandoor Tina). Due to its media attention and unique offering in the city, not to mention its laid-back European, liberal vibe, the hotel has hosted many cool Arab celebrities and entertainers over the short period it’s been open.
Atlantis The Royal
Celebrity Guests: Beyonce, Jay Z, Kendall Jenner, Rebel Wilson, Lojain Omran, Liam Payne, Shanaya Kapoor to name a few.
Atlantis The Royal was arguably Dubai’s most anticipated hotel opening, lording over the skyline for years before it made its debut. And what a debut it was. Beyonce headlined the event – staying with her husband Jay Z, parents and children in the Royal Mansion penthouse – and some of the biggest names in entertainment from across the world were flown in to celebrate the launch of the new luxury resort. Names who stayed at the hotel over the opening extravaganza were Kendall Jenner, Rebel Wilson, Lojain Omran, Liam Payne, Ellen Pompeo and Shanaya Kapoor to name a few. Due to its six-star facilities, private beach and ultra-glossy accommodation, not to mention media hype, we’re sure many stars have visited the hotel since its world-famous debut.
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Celebrity guests: Claudia Schiffer, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Gigi & Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber
The now iconic sail of the Burj Al Arab is recognized the world over, and, since its opening in 1999, has become a symbol of ultra-luxury. Because of this, it’s unsurprising that it’s where many of the world’s most high-profile and private celebrities stay in Dubai. The hotel offers all-suite accommodation, and discreet in-room check-in, along with a private reception on each floor, personal butlers and some of the most statement OTT accommodations in the region. The hotel helipad has been used as a training ground for sporting stars including Roger Federer and Anthony Joshua, while stars including Justin Bieber, Claudia Schiffer and Bella & Gigi Hadid have all been guests of the hotel, with Justin checking into the flamboyant duplex Royal Suite. Beloved couple and Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are also regulars of the hotel when holidaying in Dubai.
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
Celebrity guests: Robert De Niro, Naomi Campbell, Kim & Khloe Kardashian
Before Dubai’s hotel scene was how it is today, there was one property that was more globally famous than the rest, Atlantis The Palm Dubai. The resort became an icon of the city, it’s opening in 2008 putting the city on the world’s tourism map and, like the opening of its sister Atlantis The Royal this year, attracting some of the biggest names in the world. With an impressive array of signature suites that include two underwater suites and a presidential suite, it’s often where celebrities stay in Dubai Atlantis The Palm for their Dubai stay. Both Kim and Khloe Kardashian have stayed here, while model Naomi Campbell, Formula One Heiress Tamara Ecclestone, model Jourdan Dunn, singer Rita Ora and actor Robert De Niro have also been spotted at the resort in recent years.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
Celebrity guests: Nicole Scherzinger, John Travolta
When John Travolta flew to Dubai for an event in 2018, he checked in to the luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, a sprawling beach resort located on the outer crescent of Palm Jumeirah. The property was also the base for camp Nicole Scherzinger during the filming of The X Factor in 2012, where she used the property as a stand-in for the famous ‘judges houses’ episode, describing Zabeel Saray as “unique” and “exotic”. Tom Cruise filmed scenes at the Dubai resort for the fourth instalment of Mission Impossible, where he starred alongside Paula Patton.
Where celebrities stay in Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
Celebrity guests: Andrea Bocelli, Will Smith, Naomi Watts, Orlando Bloom
As the name suggests, Emirates Palace is the place to stay for an opulent, palatial escape in the UAE capital. The hotel officially rebranded as Mandarin Oriental earlier this year, catapulting it into another level of five-star experience, but under its former guise, the hotel was the base for stars including Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez, who visited Abu Dhabi to film Fast and Furious 7. Andrea Bocelli, Orlando Bloom, Will Smith and Naomi Watts are all also known to have stayed here.
Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
Celebrity guests: Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara truly feels like a movie set, hidden away in Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter just a few miles from the border with Saudi Arabia. Set in the burnt-orange dunes of Rub’ al Khali, the hotel – literally translating to ‘palace of mirages’ – comprises a main authentically decorated yet modern and luxurious complex alongside dozens of discreet private pool villas. While filming Dune Part 2 in these enigmatic sands, crew and cast members like Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler enjoyed a stay at this beautiful desert and spa resort.
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