The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has become home to some of the most striking hotels in the world.
These are not just places to stay, but destinations in themselves. From desert silence to urban skylines and private islands, here are some of the most beautiful ultra-luxury hotels that GRAZIA has prepared for you.
BURJ AL ARAB JUMEIRAH, DUBAI
Still one of the most recognisable hotels in the world, and yet somehow it never loses its magic. Shaped like a sail, it sits alone on its own island on the edge of Jumeirah beach and feels almost unreal. Inside, everything is bold gold, maximal and dramatic and fully committed to its own idea of luxury. Even if you’ve seen it a hundred times, for some reason being there still surprises you like it’s your first time.
ATLANTIS THE ROYAL, DUBAI
Atlantis The Royal feels like Dubai, pushing luxury into something extreme, but still beautiful. The sculptural stacked facade, the endless sea views, the perfect lighting everywhere; it all feels designed to impress. It’s not trying to be quiet or timeless; it’s very now, very visual and feels like a mix of art installations and high-end living.
BULGARI RESORT DUBAI
This destination is a quiet escape on Jumeirah Bay Island. Everything here feels controlled. And unlike most of the city’s destinations, it doesn’t try to be loud. The old money kind of aesthetics that’s more about space, privacy and the very specific Bvlgari idea of understated luxury, almost Mediterranean in feeling. Less about flashiness and more about stealth wealth. The silence feels like part of the design, and it’s intentional.
EMIRATES PALACE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, ABU DHABI
A landmark first, hotel second. The kind that still feels slightly surreal in real life. The scale, the gold domes, the symmetry and the interiors that are implemented with 22 carat gold leaf, mother-of-pearl and 1,002 crystal chandeliers; everything is built to impress. But it also has its calm corners. The long walks, the room terraces that offer maximum privacy with a stunning view and a beach that softens all the grandeur.
QASR AL SARAB DESERT RESORT BY ANANTARA, ABU DHABI
Deep in the largest sand desert in the world, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, this massive fortress of luxury feels like a mirage. The hotel disappears into the never-ending dunes of The Rub’ Al Khali. It’s quiet in a way that feels rare; just sand, wind and light. This one is about scale and isolation. Sitting in the middle of the Empty Quarter, the silence is the main luxury here. It feels ancient and cinematic at the same time and perfect for the Arabian desert experience.
SHEBARA RESORT, THE RED SEA, SAUDI ARABIA
Shebara Resort is probably one of the most visually futuristic resorts in the region. Floating villas, mirrored architecture and the clearest turquoise water you can imagine. It’s part of the Red Sea Project, but in reality, it feels almost unreal, like it belongs somewhere in between design fiction and nature. Everything reflects the sea and the sky, making it feel lightweight and perfectly engineered. Quiet, futuristic and otherworldly, completely different from anything else in the GCC.
MIRAVAL THE RED SEA, SAUDI ARABIA
While many resorts in Shura Island are about architecture and spectacle, this place is about slowing down. It’s built around in a very complete way; sleep, food, movement and how you spend your time since it’s built around wellness as a full experience. The setting carries the signature Red Sea surreal beauty but the energy is softer. It’s where you go to switch off for a while to relax your mind and hit reset.
THE CHEDI MUSCAT, OMAN
Oman’s beauty shows up perfectly here. Long water reflections, palm tree-lined paths, and mountain air in the background. The destination is a blend of Omani traditional architecture with minimalist Asian Zen style, calm and almost meditative. It’s luxury without noise in the best way.
This story first appeared in Grazia INTERNATIONAL.
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