JUMEIRAH DAR AL MASYAF

Part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort, this upscale hotel overlooking the gulf is a 14-minute walk from Wild Wadi Waterpark. Luxe rooms set in 2-storey Old Arabian-style houses come with balconies/terraces and marble bathrooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Suites add complimentary airport transfers and breakfast; villas offer kitchens, hot tubs and pools. There are more than 40 restaurants and bars, including a high-end seafood restaurant at the end of a pier. Other amenities include a spa, a theatre, a fitness centre and a private beach. Access to the nearby water park is free.