Between helping to run the country, racing a prized stable of horses and penning poetry, Dubai's royal family still manages to find the time for a quick getaway here and there. But when your home is quite literally a palace, finding a hotel fit for a prince (or, indeed, a Sheikh) is no mean feat.
Luckily, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai – and his falcon-flying, horseback-riding, scuba-diving Crown Prince son, Sheikh Hamdan, have shared a few of their favourite stays with fans on social media over the years.
From ultra-private islands in the Maldives to secret Arctic hideaways and snow-blanketed ski resorts, here are some of the Dubai royal family’s go-to hotels.
Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
Beyoncé, Jay-Z and a parade of A-listers may have graced the red carpet at the mega-resort’s star-studded launch in 2023, but it’s the frequent visits from Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan and Dubai’s elite that put Atlantis The Royal on the map. On his latest stop-off, the emirate’s ruler was spotted at all-day dining restaurant Gastronomy, one of 17 eateries here including celebrity chef hotspots Nobu by the Beach, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and La Mar by Gaston Acurio. For the ultimate VIP experience, check into the Royal Mansion — with a $100,000-a-night price tag, this four-bedroom, split-level penthouse bristles with acres of white marble, gold-trimmed interiors and panoramic views of Dubai’s glittering skyline.
Address: Crescent Road, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Canada
Adventure-loving Sheikh Hamdan has carved his way down Canada’s toughest slopes more than a few times, but his latest adventure, shared with his millions of followers on Instagram, was a stay at the rustic Four Seasons in Whistler — a charming stone-and-wood style lodge nestled in the Upper Village of North America’s largest ski resort. Away from the slopes, guests can explore lakes and valleys through a series of nature walks, e-bike trails and yoga classes held among the mountains. Braver visitors can get a birds-eye view over the Fitzsimmons Valley while hurtling down a 731-metre zip line, which plunges 30 storeys in seconds.
Address: 4591 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia, V8E 0Y4, Canada
Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London
When in London, Sheikh Mohammed often heads straight for Jumeirah’s stylish outpost in the UK capital — a chic city retreat that contrasts with the brand’s sprawling beachfront resorts back in Dubai. Nestled on a quiet square amidst the cobbled charm of Belgravia, this five-star hotel is just steps from Sloane Street and Khaleeji favourite Harrods, with easy access to Mayfair and Hyde Park. Here, spacious rooms come with pristine park views over Cadogan Gardens and personalised touches like monogrammed bath towels, slippers and room keys. The Sheikh, known for ditching his private cars in favour of the London Underground when zipping around the city – was also recently spotted visiting the first UK branch of Emirati-born bakery Parker’s, right next door at Jumeirah Lowndes.
Address: 1 Cadogan Place, London, SW1X 9PY, United Kingdom
Octola, Finland
Deep in the Finnish Arctic Circle, this ultra-secluded wilderness lodge is so exclusive that its exact location remains a closely guarded secret — but Sheikh Hamdan is one of the select few to have made it here (Prince Albert of Monaco is another royal fan). Octola’s collection of 10 minimalist, rustic-chic cabins – settled in thousands of acres of untamed pine forests roamed by wild reindeer, bears and wolves – are decked out with roaring fireplaces, fur-covered furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame snow-covered vistas of the frozen wilderness outside. Everything here is completely bespoke – there are no menus or prices – and guests have access to a Bond-worthy arsenal of snowmobiles, cross-country skis, sledges and ice buggies. From early August to late April, the Northern Lights paint the sky in colours every other day, while later in the year, one of Europe’s best salmon fishing rivers – just 20 minutes from Octola – can be found teeming with fish.
Address: Lapland, Finland
One&Only One Za’abeel, Dubai
This gleaming, cantilevered colossus – Dubai’s third One&Only hotel and the city’s first high-rise “vertical resort” – has been the talk of the town since it opened earlier this year, boasting a collection of fine dining restaurants from some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, have all paid a visit to the hotel’s 755-square-metre Villa One penthouse, which features its own outdoor infinity pool and private cinema. Guests booking the top-category suite can check in and out at any time, and are paired with their own butler who can take care of the packing and ironing. Other perks include wellbeing treatments at the Middle Eastern Longevity Hub by pioneering Swiss clinic Clinique La Prairie, complimentary afternoon tea and an hour-long in-villa personal training session each day.
Address: Za'abeel Street, Za'abeel 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Beloved by Gulf royals and A-listers alike, this resort is the brainchild of Czech billionaire Jirí Smejc, who bought a Maldivian island as a gift for his wife and turned it into his “dream” private island hideaway. Ultra-discreet villas swathed in Bornean wood float above the turquoise shallows or rest beneath the dappled shade of palm trees, with soft sand pathways cutting through the resort’s thick foliage inviting guests to go full barefoot luxury. In 2019, Sheikh Hamdan graced Velaa’s shores and posted on Instagram while cycling around the island, snorkelling around the house reef with sea turtles and smashing a few tennis balls for good measure. Private week-long buyouts of all 47 villas start at $1.4 million during quieter months and can soar to nearly $2 million in the high season, when sunshine and blue skies are all but guaranteed.
Address: Noonu Atoll, Republic of Maldives