Planning a trip to Dubai in the near future? There are plenty of things to make arrangements for. You need to check the validity of your passport, book flight tickets to Dubai, pack right yet light, and bring in a lot of enthusiasm for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.
Oh, am I missing something? Flight tickets? Done. Burj Khalifa experience tickets? Done. Yes, hotel bookings – one of the most important things to arrange before jetting off to Dubai. This article lists some of the common hotel booking mistakes, so you don’t make them on the trip.
Don’t make these common Dubai hotels booking mistakes
The Dubai airport recently noted a groundbreaking performance. DXB recorded 46 million passengers in just the first six months of 2025 despite regional airspace closures. These numbers significantly highlight Dubai’s increasing tourism appeal.
Dubai has thousands of hotel rooms in different price ranges. From budget to super luxury, the options are almost endless. Some of these hotels also offer the most beautiful glimpses of Dubai. But it is important to be careful at the time of booking.
1. Is it the right time to book a hotel in Dubai?
You need to ask yourself this question before keeping the credit card ready for the payment. Tourism seasons can significantly affect hotel rates in Dubai. During peak tourism periods, prices could be high (like really high). Off-season rates are much less.
Timing also plays an important role in deciding hotel rates. Booking too early or too late could lead to inflated prices. On a global basis, the best time to book a hotel is often 2 to 3 months before your international trip. But keep monitoring the rates often.
The summer season takes temperatures beyond 45 degrees Celsius in Dubai. The colder months, on the other hand, ensure a more ambient atmosphere to explore the outdoor places in Dubai at ease. But summer months also bring incredible hotel deals, so keep an eye out.
2. Start looking for package deals
Package deals are the real deals! Don’t miss out on them. Many tourists planning trips to Dubai miss these incredible package deals that often include flights, accommodations and sightseeing.
These packages can be really useful in stopping the pockets from going empty. Explore international tour packages from different reputable companies. Get the best deals on both flight and hotel bookings – plus comfort and ease.
3. Don’t ignore hidden costs and don’t forget to compare
It is not right to use the term ‘hidden’ here, as many hotels in Dubai are immensely transparent about their terms and conditions. But to be extra careful, before finalizing your booking, make sure to factor additional costs into your budget.
These additional costs could include taxes, service charges and resort fees. Don’t ignore these costs as they pile up in the end to form a big number – that might sometimes seem alarming. It is recommended to read all terms and conditions carefully.
4. Don’t ignore hotel locations
Booking a hotel in Dubai? Please do not ignore the establishment’s location. Dubai might not look as huge as some other places in other countries, but the Emirate has plenty of things to do in different locations. Therefore, your hotel location matters a lot.
You can find multiple hotels near Dubai International (DXB), one of the busiest airports globally. For those looking for glimpses of Burj Khalifa – the tallest building on the planet – some extra charges might need to be incurred because of the popularity of these places.
You can also find hotels near Dubai Marina, Old Dubai and more places. There are beautiful beachfront establishments and some also feature private pools. It is better to pay attention to the location in order to reap maximum benefits from your stay.
5. Don’t forget about hotel check-in and check-out timings
One of the most common mistakes (probably the most common on this list) tourists make at the time of booking hotels in Dubai is ignoring the check-in and check-out timings. Be a smart tourist and don’t make this mistake.
If your flight lands early in the morning, please keep in mind that many hotels in Dubai do not let checking in before 3 pm. Sitting in the lobby for hours is brutal (especially if you are tired from the long-haul flight). It is better to make the hotel booking the night before.
Here is another situation. If your return flight is late at night (suppose 2-3 am), keep in mind that the standard check-out time at many hotels in Dubai is 11 am. If you don’t plan on extending your stay, you might need to spend some extra time at the airport.
If the hotel permits, you can store your luggage, check-out of the hotel and go on a last sightseeing tour in Dubai. Dine on delicacies at a restaurant offering a beautiful backdrop. But DXB also has plenty of facilities to keep you entertained and comfortable.
6. Did you check the hotel policy?
Before booking a hotel in Dubai, check the terms and conditions carefully. This simple document on the hotel’s official site has plenty of details about their policies – something most of us tend to ignore all the time.
Check the terms and conditions for a better idea about the hotel’s early check-in and late check-out policies, cancellation policy, check-in rules, payment methods, pet-friendly or not, additional charges, and so much more. Ignoring these may cost you money.
7. You haven’t checked the amenities yet, right?
Please pay attention to this point. Before making a Dubai hotel booking, check the list of amenities at the establishment. This can easily be found on the official site of the hotel. This little search can make your experience much more comfortable and less surprising.
Surprises are good, but only the pleasant ones, right? Checking the amenities section is more important for those seeking some unique experiences, such as a hammam spa or a jacuzzi. Not all hotels feature these benefits.
8. Don’t forget about customer feedback
Yes. Immensely important! You should not choose a hotel (not just in Dubai, but across the globe) just on the basis of its star rating. Go through the customer feedback section for a detailed and more authentic guide into the possible experience at the hotel.
Customer feedbacks tell us a lot about the hotel’s hospitality scene, cleanliness, accessibility and dining experience. You might also stumble upon some of the best dishes to try out at the restaurants in the hotel. Essentially, getting a clearer picture is necessary.
PRO TIP: “I’ll figure it out as I land” – Don’t make this mistake
There are some tourists in Dubai that hold the mindset of “I’ll figure it out as I land.” Basically, these people do not border to learn about the local currency, the SIM card situation, the public transport, the basic map and more.
Dubai is becoming an increasingly cashless society. But there are many places still using cash (Dirhams), especially in the local markets called souks. You need some basic information about currency exchange in Dubai to not make a lot of losses in the process.
You can find SIM cards for tourists purposes at different locations in Dubai airport (DXB). Many places in Dubai offer free internet. But getting a SIM card is ideal. You are likely to get a complimentary Dubai Tourist SIM after crossing immigration. Here is a detailed guide.
Next, public transportation. Dubai has an efficient public transportation scene, featuring public buses, Dubai Metro and more. Please remember that Terminal 1 and 3 at DXB are directly connected to the metro. But this facility stops running at midnight or a little later than that.
Final Thoughts
Dubai is constantly updating its tourism offerings to lure more and more tourists from across the globe – and cater to their requirements in the best possible manner. You can find hotels in Dubai in different price ranges.
But at the time of making a Dubai hotel booking, please don’t be influenced a lot by emotions and pay attention to some of the common mistakes people make. This list is going to help you skip unnecessary expenses and unpleasant surprises.
Last but not the least, remain optimistic and let Dubai take you on a really admirable and memorable trip of a lifetime. The place is safe (ladies can roam around alone late in the night, that kind of safe). Happy exploring!
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