Before the mercury gets too high, it’s time for residents and tourists alike to make the most of the beautiful beaches, mountain escapes and mood-lifting sunshine in the UAE. But what about our four legged friends?
Whether it’s finding a suitable pet-sitter, or simply not wanting to be separated from your furry friend, dogs, pets can restrict owners from going away for the weekend.
But there are lots of hotels in the UAE that cater for cats and dogs too, so now everyone can enjoy the holiday vibes.
Here are The Ethicist’s favourite pet-friendly hotels in Dubai.
Hotel Indigo Dubai
This hotel in Business Bay welcomes four-legged guests, both dogs and cats, with one pet allowed per room, and two pets in a suite. It’s AED200 extra per pet, and they can be up to 20kg. Pets must always be on a lead, and they can be in the entrance, lobby, parking, lifts and rooms on designated pet floors. Guests don’t need to leave their pet behind while they dine, either, as they’re allowed in the outdoor seating areas of Open Sesame restaurant as well as Orange Feels bar.
Park Hyatt Dubai
Park Hyatt Dubai is a go-to resort for escapism in the emirate – located within the leafy Dubai Creek Resort and on the storied banks of Dubai Creek itself. Whitewashed walls, blue-capped domes and bougainvillea create a Mediterranean-meets-Moorish vibe, which carries through the low-rise, grounds hiding swimming pools, gardens and a Myconian spa with striking blue and white tiles. This season, the hotel is opening its doors to cherished four-legged companions, welcoming pooches weighing under 12 kg to enjoy its beautiful grounds and serene location. Pet-friendly stays are available for guests staying in the ground-floor Family Lagoon Beach Rooms and Suites, some offering charming little outdoor spaces for pets to potter. The hotel is also home to pet-friendly terraces like NOÉPE, Jones the Grocer, Lakeview, as well as Marina Promenade, perfect for dining or enjoying a walk. Guests can also bring their furry companions to a Dog Park in the Holiday Villas community area where the dogs can have some extra fun and play.
Cleaning fee of AED300 per pet applies; reservations.parkhyattdubai@hyatt.com,
25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
This trendy pet-friendly hotel, in Dubai’s Trade Centre Area, opened in 2022 and is a modern spot for those wanting a city break without leaving their pet behind. With incredible views of Museum of the Future, it has a stunning backdrop and there are a range of restaurants to choose from too, plus cool nightspot Monkey Bar. Pets of up to 12 kg are welcome and it will cost an extra AED650 for them to stay.
25hours-hotels.com
W Dubai – Mina Seyahi
With a fantastic location overlooking the Palm Jumeirah and a short walk from Dubai Marina and JBR, W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is one of Dubai’s coolest pet-friendly hotels. The property opened in 2022 as a spot for the city’s cool young crowd and creatives, with renowned dining concepts (like Akira Back), a lively rooftop bar and pool (where W’s famous WET Deck takes place) and modern, design-led interiors, plus use of the Marriott Mina Seyahi complex’s beach clubs and pools. The hotel itself is adults only, but pets under 20 kg are allowed, meaning a kiddie-free zone for you and your four-legged friend. The hotel offers everything from pet beds to an in-room pet dining menu and pet-sitting services.
Mina Seyahi/Dubai Marina, AED650 per stay pet supplement;It’s AED350 extra for the pet to stay, plus a further AED50 per night.
Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club
Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club opened in December 2022, occupying the former Dubai Marina Yacht Club site and overlooking one of the world’s largest man-made marinas. The shiny new Miami-style hotel stands 230 meters tall and has 158 rooms and 300 residences with waterfront views. As with most Vida hotels, Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht club welcomes your dogs to enjoy your stay with you with two pets allowed per stay. Keeping you and your four-legged friend occupied is an all-day eatery Origin with marina views, a coffee shop, a rooftop swimming pool and a supervised kids’ club.
Dubai Marina, AED150 per stay plus AED50 per day per pet;
Zabeel House By Jumeirah
Dogs under 10kg are able to check into the popular Zabeel House by Jumeirah, a trendy neighborhood hangout in The Greens. The lifestyle hotel is completely pet-friendly, and pups can hang out in the modern, yet quirky and creative rooms, and accompany their humans around the hotel – as long as they’re on a lead. Enjoy the hotel’s home-away-from-home feel and facilities like a spa, swimming pool, gym and one of Dubai’s most-loved restaurants and cafes, the poolside Pan-Asian Lah Lah.
The Greens, Zabeel House by Jumeirah;
JA Hatta Fort Hotel Dubai
For a pet-friendly hotel in Dubai away from the city, JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a consistent, crowd-pleasing offering. Located in the Hatta enclave of the emirate high in the Hajar Mountains, the lovely resort hotel has a vast expanse of gardens, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a spa and is well-located for outdoor adventures like hiking and cycling. While seemingly remote, it’s just 90-minute from the city and 10 minutes from the UAE-Oman border, making it great for a weekend escape or stop on a road trip. Rooms have private terraces with garden and mountain views, and there are two-bedroom deluxe villas for family stays. Guests are welcome to bring their four-legged friends for a small supplement, with a limit of two pets per room.
Hatta, AED150 per stay plus AED50 per day per pet; maximum two pets per room.
Vida Creek Harbour
Vida Creek Harbour is the epicenter of the new Dubai Creek development – a shiny, ultra-modern five-star Emaar hotel on the banks of the waters with incredible skyline views. The hotel looks over the Creek Marina Yacht Club and has a promenade of eateries, shops and entertainment venues, making it the perfect stop for a weekend staycation. It has facilities like a relaxing spa, fitness suite, two restaurants and infinity pool that overlooks iconic sights like the Burj Khalifa. Pet parents wanting to travel with their furry babies (under 10kg) are allowed to book into one of the hotel’s pet-friendly rooms and use its pet-friendly public spaces. Pet supplies like beds, toys and bowls are also available from the front office to make your stay a breeze.
Dubai Creek, AED150 per stay plus AED50 per pet per day; maximum two pets per room;
Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis
This boutique-style hotel in Dubai’s Silicon Oasis is one of the most pet-friendly hotels in Dubai. Not only are pets welcome in the restaurants, they are treated like a member of the family, too. Canine guests are welcomed and rooms are equipped with pet beds and food bowls. And it’s not just dogs – cats are able to stay, too. Pets are welcome at the hotel’s Oui Bar & Terrace where they’ll also get free treats. All pet-friendly rooms are on the first floor, and pets can even have animal-friendly ice cream. A refundable AED500 deposit is taken at check-in.
radissonhotels.com
Hilton Beach Resort Ras Al Khaimah
The resort has eight dog-friendly rooms with direct access to a 500m-long private back beach area. Dogs are allowed access to Sunset Bar, if they’re on a lead, and are provided with beds, blankets and dog bowls, as well as access to a special ‘Bone Appetit’ room service menu with dishes including grilled boneless chicken with white rice and beef and veggie stew. Two dogs per room are welcome, with a combined weight of 25kg. Stays start from AED1,350.
hilton.com
Banan Beach
Banan Beach is not technically a hotel (it’s a chic glamping spot on the beach), but it’s one of the most popular places to stay when visiting Ras Al Khaimah. The resort is one of the emirate’s best-kept secrets, attracting well-heeled Dubai residents looking for a stylish glamping experience while embracing the rustic vibe. The beachy boho campsite transports guests to the Greek islands with its blue-tiled pool area, white loungers, white-washed tents and lofts and luxurious blue and white chalets. Treat yourself to one of 12 lofts or 10 chalets for a hotel experience. Quaint, air-conditioned triangle-roof lofts have a private bathroom, one queen and one double bed, comfortably sleeping four adults, and a cozy private courtyard with a jacuzzi and barbecue area. Three-bedroom, three-bathroom chalets are the most premium and reminiscent of a Cycladic guest house, with a blue and white tiled courtyard, a charming blue door, bougainvillea, private pool, swing and bar. The main camp has a swimming pool, barbecue restaurant and bar.
Nad Al Sili, Ras al Khaimah, tents from AED 360;
BM Beach Resort
This sandy seaside resort in Ras Al Khaimah covers a 500m stretch of private beach with views of Marjan Island. There are chalets and cabanas to stay in, and the resort is dog-friendly – in fact it was the first resort in RAK to welcome dogs. There’s a special dog-friendly accommodation block, along with outdoor areas, no-leash zones and a pet-friendly bar with treats for humans and animals. It’s AED200 to bring your dog and services including grooming and pet-care are available, and there’s even a dedicated dog beach for them to run free.
