There’s something unapologetically brilliant about Dubai in winter. While Europe starts negotiating with radiators and knitwear, Dubai leans into 28°C days, pristine beaches, silk-smooth service and the kind of hotel architecture that announces itself rather than blends in. It’s sunshine without the sacrifice. Warmth without compromise. A place that understands holidays are supposed to feel easy.

Our founder Jonas visited recently – part work, part well-deserved escape – all in service of future RASK travellers. On this trip, he found new favourites, confirmed old loyalties and, most notably, discovered a hotel he now ranks among his all-time best: the newly opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.

But more on that in a moment.

First, let’s address the setting.

Why Jumeirah Beach still wins

Dubai has no shortage of neighbourhoods now – Downtown with its skyline theatrics, the Marina with its yacht-watching energy, Palm Jumeirah for drama and spectacle – but Jumeirah Beach remains the classic.

There’s a reason luxury loyalists return here: the sand feels softer, the sea calmer, the pace more elegant. The skyline is lower, the beach wider, and the view is unmistakably Dubai: Burj Al Arab on one side, the Gulf stretching endlessly ahead.

And for a certain kind of traveller – the one who wants an immaculate beach, intuitive five-star service, and a short transfer from the airport without sacrificing serenity – Jumeirah Beach still has the edge.

It helps, of course, that three of Dubai’s most compelling hotels live here.

The quiet star of Jumeirah Beach – Four Seasons Resort Dubai

Among the glittering hotels on the coastline, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach feels like the calmest. Elegant without shouting, spacious without feeling over-designed – this is where Dubai does Riviera glamour with Middle Eastern confidence.

Rooms are generous and quietly luxurious: pale stone, crisp tailoring, and balconies that make room service breakfast feel like a ritual. The beach is beautifully kept and never feels crowded, even at peak times.

Food here is another highlight. Jonas started most mornings with eggs and avocado – perfectly executed, of course – before inevitably being lured back by an abundance of pastries that could easily constitute a second breakfast. Sea Fu is stylish, relaxed, and perfectly positioned for those late daylight-into-cocktail-hour dinners. Meanwhile, Shai Salon remains one of the best places in the city for afternoon tea that feels indulgent without ever being performative.

Service is classic Four Seasons: anticipatory, discreet, and perfectly tuned. It’s the kind of hotel where everything simply works – no friction, no reminders, no unnecessary fuss.

The original showstopper – Burj Al Arab

You can’t talk about luxury in Dubai without acknowledging the Burj Al Arab. Is it understated? No. Should it be? Also no.

Burj Al Arab remains a spectacle – gold, scale, theatre and a level of detail no other hotel even attempts. It’s the hotel that changed hospitality expectations globally, and despite new openings all around the city, it still behaves like royalty. It’s just nuts here!

Suites here are palatial, not contemporary. Double-height ceilings, sweeping staircases, jewel tones, and views that make the Gulf part of the décor. Butler service is attentive and styled like a craft. The perfect setting for Jonas and his bestie.

One particular indulgence worth noting: Al Muntaha, the Michelin-starred restaurant perched near the top of the structure. The food is elegant, celebratory, and entirely fitting of the setting. And despite the extravagance, there’s surprising restraint in the plating – culinary confidence rather than showmanship.

It’s a hotel you visit when you want to feel like you’re somewhere extraordinary.

Probably the most exciting Dubai opening in years – Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

From the moment Jonas arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just another luxury hotel – it was a full-on experience, with every detail designed to delight. Check-in was effortless, and personalised beach bags and slippers were waiting in the suite, a small touch that immediately set the tone for the level of service to come.

The suites themselves are spacious, calm, and elegant, with soft neutral tones, sculptural lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of the iconic Burj Al Arab. And beyond the room, the hotel offers so much to do that Jonas struggled to decide what to enjoy first. There are 15 restaurants and bars to explore, a stylish poolside lounge where hours slipped by effortlessly, and a water playground so well-conceived that even adults couldn’t resist.

For those who like to keep moving, the gym is one of the largest he’s ever seen in a hotel, and for car enthusiasts, the hotel’s car spotting scene – supercars cruising past on the causeway – adds an unexpected thrill to a sun-soaked afternoon.

Even downtime is indulgent: lounging on a perfectly placed pool chair with unobstructed views of the Burj Al Arab, cocktails in hand, felt like the epitome of Dubai luxury. Service throughout is polished, personal, and genuinely intuitive – staff anticipated preferences, whether for dining, drinks, or beachside setup, making the whole stay feel effortless.

Jonas’ verdict: “One of my favourite hotels ever.”

What to do when you’re not lounging

Dubai excels at polished leisure. A few standouts near Jumeirah Beach:

• The Dubai Opera (for ballet, opera, or the occasional surprisingly excellent touring musical)
• Private yacht charters from nearby marinas (for that quintessential skyline shot)
• Shopping at Dubai Mall or Souk Madinat Jumeirah (depending on whether you want Vuitton or lanterns – and in some cases, both)
• Desert experiences – preferably private, refined, and with an astronomer rather than a dune buggy convoy

This isn’t a destination where you need to fill your days. But should the mood strike, world-class everything is never more than 20 minutes away.

Dubai in winter is easy to get right – but choosing the right hotel elevates it from sunshine break to standout trip.

For Jonas, this journey confirmed it: Jumeirah Beach remains the sweet spot for understated luxury, beachfront living, and exceptional hotel experiences. And with the arrival of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the bar for Dubai luxury has been recalibrated.

As preferred partners at all the hotels featured – Four Seasons Jumeirah Beach, Burj Al Arab, and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab – we’re able to offer exclusive benefits, from room upgrades and early check-ins to unique experiences and added touches that make every stay feel effortlessly elevated.

If sunshine and sophistication are the brief, consider this corner of Dubai your first – very confident – port of call. For more details or to make an enquiry, get in touch.