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NYE in UAE: Dubai hotel charges Dh55,000 for Dec 31 stay

Dubai - Nearly 78 per cent of 530-plus hotels across the emirate booked for New Year celebrations

Hotels in Dubai are witnessing a healthy occupancy rate even during the Covid-19 pandemic, with rates at a high of more than 700 per cent on the eve of New Year.

Data from local hotel websites and online travel agency Booking.com showed that around 78 per cent of 530-plus hotels across the emirate are almost fully booked on New Year's eve.

As a result of the strong demand, hotel rates have jumped to over 750 per cent when compared to the last week of November 2020. The increase in room rates has been witnessed across the board with two-star hotel rates jumping by more than 200 per cent, three-star by over 450 per cent and four-star by over 775 per cent. Hotels located around Downtown Dubai, The Palm and JBR have seen higher increases in room rates as compared to other areas as guests can easily view New Year fireworks from the hotels in the area.

Dubai is set to welcome 2021 in style with the Burj Khalifa preparing to set off its stunning NYE fireworks and laser show at the stroke of midnight. In addition, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai Festival City, Global Village and La Mer are also hosting spectacular fireworks displays on the night.

A room at Leva Hotel and Suites in Mazaya Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road, was priced at around Dh180 per night in late November. This jumped to Dh1,098 on Tuesday afternoon. Similarly, Towers Rotana, which is located in the Trade Centre area, has seen prices jumping by around 775 per cent from Dh137 in late November to Dh1,200 per room per night for a couple.

Most expensive rooms

Bookings in Dubai’s premier properties such as Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, Atlantis The Palm and Burj Al Arab are also in high demand and some of the top-end properties ask for two-night stays with check-in on December 31 and check-out on January 2. Room rates in Armani Hotel start at Dh4,480 for a Deluxe Room for three people and go as high as Dh32,000 for a suite for six guests.

The cost of a one-night stay in the seven-star Burj Al Arab starts at a whopping Dh19,000 and goes as high Dh55,000, becoming the most expensive hotel suite in Dubai during the New Year celebrations.

Bookings to pick up

Ayman Ashor, cluster general manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana, said the occupancy level has been very high since the UAE National Day holiday on December 2.

“We are fully booked with most of the rooms booked by UAE nationals and residents and also visitors. Dubai is witnessing good demand for being the only destination open for tourists during the pandemic as people feel safe here,” Ashor said.

He noted that demand has been good from Israel, Kazakhstan and East European countries like Lithuania and Romania etc.

Local hoteliers expect that the market to improve further as lockdowns ease in Saudi Arabia and European countries following restrictions due to the new variant of Covid-19.

Based on the data of Booking.com, below is the list of the most expensive hotel rooms across Dubai on New Year as on Tuesday afternoon.

Hotel Room rate (Dh)

Burj Al Arab 55,000

Armani Hotel 32,000

Atlantis The Palm 13,995

Melia Desert Palm Dubai 7,200

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa 5,400

Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah 5,075

The Ritz-Carlton Executive Residences 4,270

Rixos Premium JBR 4,050

Andaz by Hyatt – Palm Jumeirah 3,690

Fairmont The Palm 3,500

Habtoor Palace 3,150

Royal Continental Suites, Business Bay 3,038

Westminster Dubai Mall 3,078

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa 2,900

Raffles Dubai 2,300

** For availability please check with the hotel.

Note: Room rates are subject to change and depends on the availability.

-waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com