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Yes, the UAE is a great place for a short holiday. After all, once you arrive by plane, you’ll find beaches, shopping malls, the desert, and old trading quarters in this compact country—many of them within about an hour’s drive of one another. Since hotels in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are located very close to one another, getting around the city takes practically no time at all. Two or 3 nights are more than enough for a first visit.
If you want to spend some time at the beach, stay along the coast. The Jumeirah Beach Residences, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah neighbourhoods feature sandy beaches, restaurants, and tram stops and metro stations within walking distance. Around the city centre, the streets are ideal for shopping and sightseeing, as they’re close to fountains and large shopping malls. The Deira and Bur Dubai neighbourhoods are located near historic souks and generally offer more affordable overnight accommodation.
Dubai is ideal for a first visit: it offers a wide selection of hotels and nightlife, as well as a well-developed metro system that provides access to most of the major attractions. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, is a more laid-back city; it stretches across a vast area and holds attractions such as the Grand Mosque, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the theme parks on Yas Island. The travel time between the two cities is about 90 minutes, so you can choose one of them as your starting point and visit the other on a day trip.
From November through March, the climate here is most pleasant: warm during the day, cool at night, and with low humidity, making it quite comfortable to explore the sights. In April, May, and October, the climate is moderate; although it’s hot, this isn’t a problem for relaxing by the pool. From June through September, temperatures rise above 40 °C, and humidity is high, so hotel rates are usually at their lowest during this period.
A swimming pool, a gym, and on-site restaurants are standard amenities at hotels both in UAE cities and along the coast; beachfront hotels generally provide guests with lounge chairs and towels. Breakfast is often not included in the room rate, so check the meal options before booking. Airport transfers, spa visits, and access to beach clubs are usually paid extras.
Both work, but the trip feels different depending on the area you choose. Families with children prefer coastal resorts with kids’ clubs and shallow pools, from which water parks and aquariums are easily accessible. For couples, Marina, Palm Jumeirah, or a desert camp are better options, where they can enjoy dinner, spa treatments, and quiet terraces. Older children usually enjoy desert tours and trips through the sand dunes.