Dubai Vacations, Luxury Hotels, Palm Jumeirah and Downtown

Few cities have reinvented themselves as boldly. In a little over half a century, a trading creek of dhows and wind towers became a skyline led by the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on earth. Dubai today is a winter sun capital, a shopping city, a dining destination with its own Michelin guide and one of the world's great aviation hubs, all on a warm, clean coast of the Gulf.

For first-timers, the appeal is ease. English is spoken everywhere, roads and service are excellent, and the hotels compete at the very top of the global market. It pairs naturally with Abu Dhabi, about 90 minutes away by road, and with the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. For the wider country picture, see our United Arab Emirates guide.

Emirates flies nonstop to Dubai from eleven US cities, with First Class suites and an onboard lounge on its A380s; see our guide to the best airlines in the Middle East. Emirates also offers a complimentary chauffeur service for First and Business Class passengers in most markets, and meet-and-assist services can walk you through arrival formalities.

Private travelers have dedicated FBO terminals at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central; our pages on private jet charter, FBOs and private terminals and arriving privately explain the options. Helicopter transfers to hotels on the Palm and in Downtown can be arranged through our helicopter guide.

Dubai is one of the world's most active prime property markets, with freehold ownership open to foreign buyers in designated areas such as Palm Jumeirah, Downtown, Dubai Hills and Emirates Hills. Property purchases of at least AED 2 million (about US$545,000) can support an application for a ten-year golden visa, subject to current rules. Our Dubai Luxury Real Estate guide covers areas, developers and process, alongside branded residences and residency and golden visas.

The city's growth plan is ambitious, from the D33 economic agenda to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan; see Dubai D33 and the 2040 Plan and the coming MGM, Bellagio and Aria resort.