Hotels Connected to Malls in Dubai (Mid to Low Price Range)

Navigating the summer heat in Dubai is no joke, but does that necessarily mean we should avoid the destination altogether for that reason alone? Dubai has made it so that regardless of the temperature, there’s a wide variety of modern, shiny and most importantly, air-conditioned shopping malls to explore. Malls in Dubai are designed with an undeniable sense of convenience, from huge indoor supermarkets to extensive food courts.

It’s worth noting, however, that Dubai is far from being a ‘walking city’. Whilst it does offer safe & modern modes of transportation throughout the city, the majority of hotels are too far to walk in order to reach the nearest mall. It may look nearby on Google Maps, but you’ll quickly notice that there aren’t many pathways for pedestrians, making that 5-minute walk turn into a 38-minute trek under the boiling sun.

So, how can we overcome this? By booking hotels that are connected to malls! We’ve rounded up a selection of accommodations that are conveniently placed, if not directly connected to some of the most popular shopping malls in Dubai.

DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL HOTELS

Holiday Inn & Suites, Dubai Festival City by IHG - ££

Starting with the Holiday Inn Hotel, which is directly connected to the third-largest shopping mall in Dubai, Dubai Festival City Mall (DFC). This 4-star accommodation brings together a great harmony between affordability, cosiness & comfort - an excellent choice for those visiting Dubai for the first time, especially as a family. With it being just a short 8-minute drive from Dubai’s DXB Airport, you will be settling in in no time.

The standout advantage of this accommodation is undoubtedly the effortless walk from the hotel lobby straight into the mall. So, immediately, you are welcomed by a large IKEA, Carrefour & most importantly, consistent air conditioning. The Dubai Festival City Mall is a beautifully bright and spacious shopping mall, with all the high street stores you know and love, as well as the famous IMAGINE Fountain Show, which plays every evening.

The Holiday Inn hotel itself is perfectly equipped with clean, airy rooms & spacious suites as well as a ‘Fabulously’ rated Breakfast, where children even eat for free! With an on-site spa, fitness centre, children’s play area & swimming pool, there are plenty of facilities to meet your needs to unwind after a long day. As you further explore the hotel, you will notice various food & dining experiences from Joe’s Backyard for BBQ on the rooftop, international cuisine in Sirocco & Zesta Cafe for a more casual coffee break.

Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City - £££

If you’re searching for something more upscale whilst still enjoying the leisure of the Festival City Mall, we have the Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City. This 5-star accommodation shares the same doorstep as the previously mentioned Holiday Inn, with the same air-conditioned connection straight into the mall. The Crowne Plaza gives off an air of elegance & high-end

quality with its stylish rooms & large windows overlooking the beautifully blue Dubai Creek & distant Dubai skyline.

This choice is a popular choice, especially amongst couples, solo travellers & business guests who are looking for a more polished luxury feel during their stay. With relaxing facilities such as the spa, steam room, wrap-around fitness centre & the 25-metre outdoor swimming pool with a sundeck that overlooks the glistening Burj Khalifa tower, it’s the ideal place to stay to regain a true sense of peace.

As it comes time to eat, the Crowne Plaza offers a cool rooftop experience with the Belgian Cafe, perfect for burgers whilst watching football on the big screen. If you’re looking for Mediterranean cuisine, you can find it at Zaytoun, which boasts some beautiful skyline views as you dine. And if you find yourself craving your morning coffee or a quick pastry, you can find it at the Mazar Lounge right in the lobby.

IBN BATTUTA MALL HOTELS

Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall - £

Heading to the opposite end of the city, we have our budget-friendly candidate, the Premier Inn, neighbouring the Ibn Battuta Mall. The Ibn Battuta Mall is the world’s largest themed shopping mall, split up into 6 immersive sections representing Persia, China, Tunisia, India, Egypt & Andalusia. Every section showcases beautiful architecture, from intricate blue mosaic arches to bright red ceilings with Chinese motifs.

The Premier Inn Ibn Battuta hotel is our first 3-star accommodation on the list, but by no means is it a choice to disregard. This is the largest Premier Inn in Dubai & offers guests the chance to choose between their simplistic classic rooms or superior rooms for a more polished interior. Not only is it connected to the Ibn Battuta Mall via a sheltered path, but it’s also right next to the Ibn Battuta Metro - ready to take you wherever you wish to go!

Premier Inn is a famous & familiar face to most of us & their facilities don’t falter. With over 550 hotel rooms, guests get to enjoy the signature comfy beds, free high-speed Wi-Fi & various room types to best suit your family size. Other facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi & spa services offering massage treatments. After all that relaxation & it’s time for a bite to eat, you can head over to Mr. Toad’s Bar & Kitchen, which offers a delicious variety of food whilst you watch sports on the big screen TV.

Avani Ibn Battuta Mall - ££

On the opposite side of the Ibn Battuta Mall, you’ll find the 4-star accommodation, the Avani Ibn Battuta Mall Hotel. The Avani showcases a more trendy & modern appearance with its interiors, offering guests a little more style in their hotel experience. Much like the Premier Inn, the Avani neighbours the Ibn Battuta Mall - providing guests with the exact same comfortable & convenient shopping experience.

The rooms in the Avani are bright, colourful & smart - a great atmosphere to settle into without it feeling too simple in contrast to the Premier Inn. With large floor-length windows & sliding bathroom doors, you’ll be sure to enjoy the interiors of your stay. Guests adore the

rooftop swimming pool, which is known to offer beautiful skyline views as well as the chance to grab a beverage at the Pele Pool under the sunshine. If you’re feeling a bit more peckish, you can find a variety of international dishes at the Pele Social Hub. For the daily coffee fix, you can grab a light snack at The Pantry, conveniently found in the hotel lobby.

BURJUMAN HOTEL

DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square Hotel - £££

Moving back up towards the Bur Dubai area, we have the DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square. With 458 stunning rooms, every room features dark, modern & sophisticated interiors, making the experience feel incredibly luxe. The DoubleTree Hilton is a brief walk to the largest shopping mall in the Bur Dubai area, Burjuman Mall, as well as the Burjuman Metro station. Bur Dubai is an excellent location for those wishing to explore the historic neighbourhoods of Al Seef, Al Fahidi & to cross the Dubai Creek towards the Souks.

Whilst the Burjuman Mall does not boast having grand architecture, it guarantees a fulfilling shopping & dining experience. With over 300 stores, a VOX cinema, Magic Planet for the kids, a large Carrefour supermarket & a generous food court - the Burjuman Mall is a brilliant hub for families & solo travellers to find everything they need.

At the DoubleTree Hilton, there are plenty of facilities to relax & unwind at any time of the day. With 2 outdoor swimming pools as well as a kids’ pool, you can lounge out in the sun with the complimentary cabanas. And when the weather is feeling a bit too hot, you can always find your way to the hotel spa & wellness centre for their array of beauty treatments. The fitness centre within the hotel complements the rest of the facilities as it’s well equipped, stylish & comes with large bright windows with a view of the city.

The DoubleTree Hilton also features a selection of dining experiences, including 24-hour room service, the Italian Larte Cafe in the lobby for small bites, The Spice Tree restaurant serving cool Asian Fusion cuisine & the SunGlo M pool cafe for burgers & alcohol-free beverages.

SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD HOTELS (Near Dubai Mall)

Gevora Hotel - ££

Sitting on Sheikh Zayed Road, just one metro stop away from one of the biggest malls in the world, is the Gevora Hotel. While it’s not directly connected to the Dubai Mall, it’s only a brisk walk away to the Financial Centre Metro Station, placing you on the Red Metro Line that connects you to various malls all around Dubai. The Gevora Hotel is a 4-star accommodation with a striking appearance, covered in a warm gold coating - it’s amongst one of the many lavish skyscrapers that adorn the Dubai skyline.

It’s not only beautiful, but it’s tall, more specifically, it’s the world’s tallest hotel, standing at 356 metres! With 528 rooms ranging from comfy deluxe rooms to large spacious one-bedroom suites & penthouses, one thing you’ll love is the floor-length windows with brilliant

views of Sheikh Zayed Road during both the day & the night. Each room is fitted with comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, dining areas & elegant interiors.

The Gevora’s impressive facilities include a pool deck on the 12th floor, Turkish steam rooms, a spa, sauna & gym. Dining at the Gevora comes with stunning skyline views. There’s the Highest View Lounge on the 75th floor, offering a full panorama view of Dubai whilst enjoying premium grills & seafood. For something a bit more casual than the rooftop, there’s the Gevora Kitchen serving popular international favourites from breakfast to dinner. If you’re just looking for light nibbles & a warm drink, the Le Veyron Cafe offers a cool & stylish place to lounge on the ground floor.

Carlton Downtown Hotel - ££

Not far from the previously mentioned Gevora Hotel, we have the 4-star accommodation, the Carlton Downtown Hotel. Similarly, it sits on the Sheikh Zayed Road, offering the same convenient access to the nearby Financial Centre Metro Station, which can take you swiftly over to the Dubai Mall as well as various other malls along the metro line. The Sheikh Zayed Road, which homes the Carlton Downtown Hotel & the Gevora, offers a great & useful mix of low to mid-range restaurants & cafes as well as pharmacies, banks & small convenient stores for late-night shopping essentials.

Whilst it’s not as glamorous as its neighbour, the Gevora Hotel, it offers very convenient amenities within every hotel room & suite - such as a kitchenette with refrigerator, stovetop & washing machine. This alone brings so much value to the experience, as it’s a comfortable & easy way to settle into your trip if you’re looking to do your own laundry or cook your own meals during a longer stay. The Carlton also offers an amazing variety of fitness & relaxation facilities including a full tennis court, Armonia Spa with sauna, steam rooms & a fully equipped gym.

However, if you’re looking to dine outside your room, the Carlton offers a brilliant selection of 6 various restaurants & lounges for whatever mood you’re in. Enjoy the international buffet at Bayty, a relaxing coffee & cake at the Deli Grind, the delicious Lebanese menu at Narrah or visit the Antique Bazaar for Indian cuisine. As the night rolls in, head to the 47th floor to the rooftop pool lounge to enjoy the view along with a beverage of choice.

MALL OF THE EMIRATES HOTELS

Hilton Garden Inn Dubai, Mall Avenue - ££

As you head further down Sheikh Zayed Road towards the Jumeirah area, you’ll find the 2nd biggest shopping mall in Dubai, the Mall Of The Emirates. Mall Of The Emirates is known for housing over 630 big-name brands, including luxury companies, 2 large food courts, a VOX cinema & the famous attraction, Ski Dubai - the indoor ski slope! Conveniently connected directly to the mall is also one of the main metro stations, the Mall Of The Emirates Station, adding another layer of accessibility to the overall area. This makes the Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall Avenue an excellent choice of accommodation, with it only being a 10-minute walk to both the Mall & the Metro Station.

The Hilton Garden Inn Dubai, Mall Avenue, is a 4-star hotel that offers a great combination of value, location & amenities. The hotel features over 370 cosy, comfortable & modern rooms & suites, which include some thoughtful extras such as an appointed office chair & desk space, armchairs & the usual amenities such as a mini fridge, kettle, flat screen TV & comfortable beds. What’s also to love are the large windows in every room, allowing for plenty of sunshine to brighten the room every morning. Guests often express their love for the other given facilities such as the full fitness centre, 2 outdoor swimming pools, spa centre & the on-site convenience store you can find in the lobby for when you’re in the mood for a quick snack.

The Hilton Garden Inn also offers various dining experiences for every guest's needs - if you plan on staying in for a day of full relaxation, you can order from the 24-hour room service menu. For sports fans, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere in The Garden Bar, which features several big screen TVs broadcasting the latest games whilst enjoying a beverage of your choice as well as various comforting foods. And if you are in the mood for a buffet, The Garden Grille serves it all day, with a big variety of international dishes to choose from.

CONCLUSION

So, there we have our top picks of the best low to mid-range hotels that are closely connected to some of the best malls in Dubai. From our personal experience, we have found that (especially during the hotter months), choosing a hotel that neighbours a mall makes a huge difference to your vacation experience. If you’re feeling a bit peckish or in the mood for some window shopping, it’s a great feeling to know your hotel has an exclusive pathway right into such a place.

Each mentioned accommodation offers its own unique perks and experiences, so whilst the Crowne Plaza may be the most luxurious, it doesn’t take away from the same convenience you can experience by staying at the Premier Inn next to the Ibn Battuta Mall. Even in a city that’s not exactly built for walking, we believe you’ll be able to find something that perfectly fits your vacation plans, mood & budget in our list here!