Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Dubai is extraordinary: the world’s tallest building, biggest shopping mall and showiest fountain. But the Four Seasons at Jumeirah Beach is a vast oasis of calm. And it’s on a (natural) beach. It’s big, yes - 237 rooms and suites arranged in a sprawling, five-storey horseshoe of Moorish flourishes - but not blingy. The luxury here is space: acres of cool marble, double-height windows, a private beach and two organic pools (one adults-only) amidst palm-dotted gardens. Rooms are what others call suites (the suites are a series of rooms) and all have bespoke super-king beds, soft carpets, marbled bathrooms, walk-in closets and balconies. You just pay more for better - ie higher - views. You won’t go hungry. With four on-site dining areas plus three restaurants in the grounds, eating choices range from Middle Eastern to Peruvian, seafood to steak. Four Seasons prides itself on its service, and it shows. Staff are friendly, professional and intuitively know your needs. Just chill out on the beach or round the pool or take advantage of the kids’ club, watersports, gym and luxurious spa. Plus it’s 15 minutes to the world’s tallest building and biggest shopping experience: Burg Khalifa and Dubai Mall, respectively. After all that, chill out with a drink in Mercury, the hotel’s rooftop bar - and admire the city’s preposterous skyline.