For anyone still scrambling for a hotel room with a view on New Year’s Eve in Dubai, the good news is there is still availability. The bad news is prices are through the roof.
A one night stay at a basic hotel apartment will set back guests a minimum of Dh1,200 on December 31. And the rate for rooms in luxury four-star and five-star hotels in the area are a staggering Dh6,000, depending slightly on room preference.
Customer service agents for key hotels in Downtown Dubai, including Vida Downtown, Manzil Downtown and Address Dubai Mall told The National they were all fully booked for the evening.
Of the few rooms still available in the Dubai district, a one-night stay in a deluxe room at Palace Downtown Hotel is Dh4,575 on Tuesday night, without breakfast.
The same room was available for booking one week later for Dh1,899 a night.
A larger ‘Palace’ room in the same hotel, measuring 51 square metres, was at a minimum of Dh6,513 for a 24-hour stay - a considerable mark up from its usual Dh2,399 rate for a midweek stay.
Just a five minute walk from the Dubai Mall fountains, rooms were also still available to book at the Address Fountain Views Hotel - a three-tower complex.
A deluxe room with a city view facing away from Burj Khalifa was Dh3,327. And to book the same room one week later is Dh1,599.
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Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa. EPA -
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve fireworks. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve fireworks. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Burj Khalifa lights up in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National -
Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
Ski divers with special lights fly over Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, ahead of the celebrations. EPA -
People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks. EPA -
Revellers arrive at Dubai Mall to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Revellers arrive at Dubai Mall to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Security on duty at Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Staff of Five Guys restaurant at Dubai Mall pose for a New Year photo. Pawan Singh / The National -
Lights decorate Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National -
Partygoers at the beach at Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Revellers arrive at Dubai Mall to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Partygoers at the beach at Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Paramedic staff outside Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National -
Revellers arrive at Dubai Mall to watch the fireworks at Burj Khalifai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The crowd thickens during NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
DJ Roger Abboud rocks the house down at the NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
The Ahmad family awaits the NYE fireworks at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
Children enjoy face painting at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
A boy dances to the beat during NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
A couple celebrating NYE at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National -
People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks. EPA -
People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks. EPA -
People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks. EPA -
People at the beach at Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Street entertainers at the beach at Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
For those willing to brave the traffic and stay a little further away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Dubai, Business Bay had some good offers.
A one-night stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel with views of Burj Khalifa was less than Dh1,000. And The Grand Millennium, a seven-minute drive from Burj Park, was Dh900.
