Published: 11 March 2026
With visitor numbers rising year after year, it’s no surprise that Dubai boasts one of the highest hotel densities in the world. As the city matures, the hospitality scene is evolving rapidly, moving away from volume and novelty toward longevity and long-term living. Branded residences are increasingly central to new developments, and wellness has grown from add-on to anchor. From record-setting skyscrapers to low-rise beachfront resorts, here are six extraordinary new hotels to know.
1. Ciel Tower
The new crown of the Marina skyline, Ciel Tower, is officially the world’s tallest hotel, stretching 365 metres into the sky. With more than eight restaurants and three outdoor pools, it’s a hospitality destination in its own right, just as suited to a relaxed pool day as to a longer city stay. The hotel culminates with Tattu Sky Pool – one of the highest infinity pools in the world – and features an open-air observation deck with stunning views over the sea and skyline.
A luxury spa and wellness space is set to open across the upper levels throughout 2026, bringing a quiet pocket of calm to the busy Marina. Ciel Tower began welcoming guests in early 2025, with more concepts set to open in phases this year.
2. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab sits beside two of Dubai’s most storied hotels: Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab. A contemporary sister to the two, this new hotel opened in late 2025 and has quickly become one of the city’s most coveted coastal stays. Designed by Killa Design – the same firm behind the Museum of the Future – the building’s curved silhouette draws on the form of a superyacht, with soft, sweeping lines that echo the surrounding Gulf. Within every room, suite and private pool villa stand luminous and sea-facing, with verdant landscaped gardens woven throughout.
A dedicated wellness centre includes recovery-focused therapies and outdoor movement spaces, while dining spans ten venues led by Jumeirah’s flagship chefs. The hotel also includes a curated collection of residences, from boutique apartments to duplex penthouses with rooftop pools.
3. Baccarat Hotel & Residences, Downtown Dubai
Opening in 2026, Baccarat Hotel & Residences brings the heritage of the historic French crystal maison to a spectacular twin-tower development in Downtown Dubai. Designed by Studio Libeskind with interiors by 1508 London, this singular development has a striking glass facade that pays homage to Baccarat as a master crystal maker. The hotel features 144 rooms and suites, a premium spa, a sanctuary pool, and fine dining – all delivered with the discreet, service-led approach the brand has refined in New York, Paris and Miami.
One tower will house the hotel, while the other will be home to an exclusive collection of branded residences. These homes represent the height of urban living in Dubai and are some of the most design-forward in the city, featuring bespoke crystal lighting and full-height windows overlooking Burj Khalifa.
4. Six Senses The Palm
If a serene, wellness-led break directly on the beachfront is what you’re looking for, Six Senses The Palm will likely be at the top of your list. Perched on the quiet western crescent of Palm Jumeirah, this highly anticipated resort is the brand’s first hotel in the UAE – a calm, coastal retreat rooted in sustainability and organic design. Set to open in 2026, the architecture blends natural materials with low-rise forms and private beaches, emulating the feel of an island escape.
As always with Six Senses, the experience is curated for health and wellbeing, anchored by a state-of-the-art wellness centre with longevity programmes, spa treatments, and a full suite of exercise studios with recovery zones.
In addition to the resort, Six Senses The Palm includes a private collection of branded residences, from beachfront villas to sun-drenched duplexes. These homes are managed and serviced by the Six Senses team, offering five-star hotel living with long-term appeal – a rare blend of ownership and retreat.
5. Dubai Beach EDITION Hotel & Residences
It may still be three years away, but the upcoming Dubai Beach EDITION will be one of the UAE’s most architecturally unique luxury hotels. This ambitious project will unfold across a series of interlinked circular structures wrapped in vertical gardens – a biophilic approach that feels deliberately at odds with Dubai’s familiar skyscraping towers. It will also be the first EDITION hotel with its own private beach.
Relative to more traditional luxury brands like the Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons, EDITION Hotels tend to appeal to a younger, more design-conscious demographic, with an emphasis on mood, social spaces, and relaxed service. At Dubai Harbour, this sensibility translates into a beachy, resort-style setting that keeps the focus on sea views, open air, and access to the water.
Alongside the hotel, the project will include a limited collection of branded residences positioned directly on the waterfront. Developed by Shamal – the same developer behind Baccarat – each home will have a leafy terrace with its own plunge pool, alongside access to world-class lifestyle amenities.
6. MGM Hotel and Resorts
Regular visitors to Kite Beach may have already noticed the star-shaped MGM Hotel and Resorts taking shape just off the Jumeirah coastline. This first-in-the-region arrival forms part of The Island by Wasl – a long-planned man-made island development near the Burj Al Arab. Unlike many of Dubai’s recent openings, MGM isn’t positioned as a design-led boutique hotel. Instead, it’s conceived as a large-scale, US-style destination resort, reflecting a broader shift toward more experience-driven hospitality.
MGM is set to open in late 2028 and will be home to three of the most recognisable names in Las Vegas: MGM Grand, Bellagio and ARIA. While there are currently no approved plans for a casino, CEO Bill Hornbuckle has publicly stated that the company has applied for a licence and remains “hopeful” it will be granted by regulators.
