UAE hotel prices spike ahead of New Year’s Eve

Busy period for hotels and Airbnb hosts as tourism increases and residents choose staycations over trips abroad during the holidays

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  Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa for the New Year 2020 celebration at Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Fireworks display on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Fireworks illuminate the sky around Burj Khalifa. EPA

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  Burj Khalifa is prepared for the fireworks of New Year 2020 celebrations. EPA

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  People have their photos taken at the Tim Hortons café outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National

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  People gather near to Burj Khalifa prior to the fireworks of New Year's eve. EPA

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  Sky divers with special lights flies over Burj Khalifa. EPA

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  Light decoration around Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Bruno Mars kept it fun and slick at the du Arena in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Flash Entertainment

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  NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  DJ Aboud Rogeh rocks the house down at the NYE celebrations at Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  NYE Fireworks at Al Maryah Island. Victor Besa / The National

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  Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Ras Al Khaimah puts on a record-breaking fireworks display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  People at the beach. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Street entertainers at the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  People arrive at the beach in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

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  Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

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  Burj Khalifa's New Year's eve fireworks taken from Shangri-La Hotel's roof top. Ruel Pableo for The National

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  New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

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  New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

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  New Year's fireworks celebrations are seen above the Dubai skyline. AFP

Hotel prices in the UAE have seen a significant spike ahead of the busy holiday period.

Burj Khalifa-facing hotels in Downtown Dubai are some of the priciest as New Year's Eve approaches.

The Address Dubai Mall Hotel, for example, costs Dh11,200 for a minimum two night stay from December 30 to January 1. That is the price for a 45 square-metre room, without breakfast, that overlooks Burj Khalifa.

A week later, the rates for the room drop down again to Dh1,469 per night.

Burj Khalifa will host a massive fireworks and laser show display when the clock strikes midnight. Registration is limited due to Covid-19 but the show will also be live-streamed online for those who can't watch it in person.

In Abu Dhabi, a room at the W Abu Dhabi hotel in Yas Marina, overlooking one of the capital's fireworks displays, costs Dh880 on December 31. Prices dip to Dh540 per night a week later.

Fireworks illuminates the sky over the W Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island. Ali Haider / EPA

Over in Fujairah, the Intercontinental Fujairah Resort has rates of Dh2,935 on Booking.com for Thursday night. Prices drop to Dh855 a week later.

Tareq Aboudib, general manager of the Sandy Beach Hotel and Resort in Fujairah, said the time between Christmas and New Year is typically the busiest season for hotels and this year is no different.

"On New Year’s we are fully booked,” he said. “This is a time where people tend to come together with different friends and family members and celebrate in a more outgoing fashion.”

A standard room at the resort for New Year's Eve starts at Dh878 and a two-bedroom apartment is Dh2,008.

A week later, a standard room is listed for Dh462 on Booking.com and the two-bedroom is going for Dh1,100.

Mr Aboudib said staycations were, unsurprisingly, in-demand this year because of limitations on travel. He said staycations helped hotels stay afloat as international tourism took a global hit.

“People want to get away, even if it’s within the Emirates,” he said.

Sonia Ngninkeu, co-owner of Bethel Vacation Homes in Dubai, said Airbnb was also popular during this time, as residents and tourist look for more affordable options.

She said December was the hospitality sector's peak season.

“A lot of hotels and vacation home owners are going for 30 to 50 per cent increase in prices for New Year’s Eve. We did a 30 per cent increase,” said Ms Ngninkeu.

Her company manages six holiday homes that they rent out on Airbnb.

“It’s a very busy period for us,” she said. “Some people prefer to stay in hotels, while others want to stay in Airbnbs, as it is still a more affordable option.”

Burj Khalifa-facing apartments on Airbnb cost between Dh1,900 to Dh2,900 on New Year's Eve.

Dubai's tourism spots - in pictures

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  The Grand Souq in Deira. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai Creek. Reem Mohammed / The National

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  Kite surfers at a beach in Jumeriah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Burj Al Arab. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

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  Dubai Miracle Garden. Courtesy: Dubai Miracle Garden

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  Flamingos feed at Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Dubai Frame was built to be a window between old and new Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National/

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  People paddle boarding in the Burj Khalifa fountain. Karim Sahib / AFP