Best hotels near Dubai Airport

The hotels around Dubai Airport sit in two places: inside the secure area at Terminal 3, and in Garhoud and nearby, a short shuttle away. Which you choose depends on whether you may enter the UAE, what time you land or fly, and what you want to pay.

If you cannot or would rather not clear immigration

Sleepover Terminal 3, Concourse C is a pod inside the secure area, in blocks of 6, 8 or 10 hours for one adult. Nothing to clear, nothing to catch. It is a pod, not a room, and a couple needs two.

If you have an early flight or a late arrival

Grand Mercure Dubai City is the hotel that says its free shuttle runs 24/7 for Terminals 1 and 3, pick-up and drop-off, next to a Metro station. ibis Styles next door says drop-off 24/7. Premier Inn runs a free shuttle about every 30 minutes and has the lowest room rate in summer. Aloft is near Terminal 1.

If you want a real hotel

Le Méridien Dubai is a five-star in gardens with five pools, and rooms that look over the airport. Millennium Airport Hotel is an older, larger four-star with a big pool and some of the lowest summer rates. Flora Inn has a rooftop pool and a shuttle whose terms we could not confirm.

If you are travelling with a family

Element has studios with a kitchenette, a free continental breakfast and a pool. Grand Mercure has suites and apartments with up to three bedrooms. Millennium has the pool and gardens at a lower summer rate.

If you are watching the budget

Premier Inn and ibis Styles are the cheapest, from about AUD 64 and 70 in May and June. Hampton by Hilton has a free hot breakfast, but it is the furthest from the airport.

The short version