If you’re contemplating a visit to Dubai, or you’ve been before but wondering where to stay, then check out Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach. These two areas are up there with the best places to stay in Dubai, but… where is better? The Palm or Jumeirah Beach?
We’ve taken a look into many aspects to find out where the best place to stay is and found that Jumeirah Beach is a better area to stay than The Palm. Read on below to find out why!
Which is in the Best Location?
First of all, let’s take a look at the locations of both The Palm and Jumeirah Beach.
The Palm has gorgeous views of the city in the distance, which make for great photo opportunities. It is surrounded by luxurious hotels and beach clubs for a modern experience. There are various attractions conveniently situated at the Atlantis resort including the Aquaventure waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium.
Whilst this may sound great, The Palm is quite secluded from the rest of Dubai which has its good and bad points. In terms of ease of access, it is slightly out of the way from the rest of the city. Likewise, Atlantis and its attractions are also fairly tricky to get to.
Jumeirah Beach is right by the main city, so it’s convenient and easy to access. The area has white sandy beaches which have stunning oceanic views as well as side views of the city.
Jumeirah Beach has a children’s playground, BBQ areas, and water sports activities, so there is plenty to do. The beach is also located near to numerous restaurants and facilities. What’s more, Jumeirah Beach is in close driving distance to many of Dubai’s key attractions including Safa Park, The Dubai Mall, and the monumental Burj Khalifa.
The Palm or Jumeirah Beach for Things to do?
When it comes to things to do in Dubai, nowhere really lacks! So which one out of the two has THE BEST things to do?
The Palm certainly homes some extravagant and varied activities. However, a lot of these must-see attractions are located at the Atlantis hotel, which isn’t the most accessible location.
The Atlantis attractions include Aquaventure Waterpark, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and Dolphin Bay. Elsewhere on the island, you can find activities such as Nakheel Mall and various spas for a pamper session, for example at Talise Ottoman Spa.
Al Ittihad Park is a nice area for a stroll or a run on The Palm. What’s more there are plenty of children’s play areas here too. The park is located at the base of The Palm, central to the ring road, a little like New York’s Central Perk.
There are other things to do at The Palm which you can see here, but we have covered the main ones at least.
Back at Jumeirah Beach, there are all sorts of activities located a short walk away. As the beach spans a vast area, you may find some attractions will be closer depending on where you are.
Jumeirah Beach offers a good range of things to do to take to a variety of tastes. Depending of where you are, you may find that the Wild Wadi Waterpark is only a 20 minute walk away or a 4 minute drive. Also nearby is Safa Park if you fancy seeing some nature amidst the sparkling city backdrop.
If you fancy unwinding, the Tao Spa Dubai is located only a 20 minute walk away or a 4 minute drive. This also has the convenience of being located in The Mall so you can enjoy some shopping whilst you’re there! Also a short 15 minute walk away is the Glory Art Gallery, if you are more in touch with your creative side.
To the south of Jumeirah Beach and you will find Souk Madinat. This is probably the most popular and also luxurious souks in Dubai. Enjoy shopping for local goods, eating fine foods or taking a cruise on the water with the Burj al Arab in the backdrop.
Overall, The Palm offers some more once-in-a-lifetime experiences, but there’s less of them. However in terms of more choice of casual things to do such as spas and malls, Jumeirah Beach takes the cake.
Which Has the Best Beach?
Did you know that Dubai has over 60km of beach!? And this doesn’t take into account the beaches which run around man made islands such as The Palm or Bluewaters Island.
The Palm has vast stretching beaches around the man-made island, with beautiful open views of the city especially at night! One thing to note though, is that some of the beach areas are private to the hotels.
Jumeirah Beach features a calm and a clear blue sea with areas for jogging and water sports. There are plenty of food options around the beach and activity options for children. It’s a stunning location for those wanting views of both the city skyscrapers and also the Persian Gulf.
Jumeirah Beach is more open and accessible to the public. There are many amenities and things to do at Jumeirah Beach all in one place. And for this reason Jumeirah Beach is a better area to stay than The Palm for the beach.
Which Has the Best Hotels?
Accommodation is a vital part to any stay, so which of the two offers the best hotels?
Jumeirah Beach offers a wide range of hotels to cater to various budgets and requirements. First up is Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira, which is a budget friendly option located slightly further into the city but within distance to Jumeirah Beach. The hotel includes an indoor pool, a spa, a gym, and a restaurant to cover all your basic needs.
Next is Four Seasons Resort, which has its own stunning beachfront and allows you to stay in luxury. The resort features Spanish-Mediterranean architecture with Arabic accents and is surrounded by lushly landscaped gardens and pools.
Our third choice is the classic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah which can be seen from Jumeirah Beach itself. The Burj Al Arab is located on its own island and offers an undeniably fancy stay. The hotel facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a poolside and rooftop bar, a gym and sauna, a spa, and has the Wild Wadi Waterpark right on its doorstep.
Finally for Jumeirah Beach is the appropriately named Jumeirah Beach Hotel. This hotel has eye-catching architecture and is located right by the beach and Wild Wadi Waterpark. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel features outdoor and indoor pools, various fitness rooms, a tennis court, a spa and salon, and various bars.
Further Reading: Atlantis The Palm vs Jumeirah Beach Hotel
The Palm is renowned for its luxury hotels and facilities all across the island. Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, which is located right at the beach shoreline includes an outdoor pool, a salon, a poolside bar, and various entertainment options.
Next is the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. The hotel has a large grand appearance and is situated right by the beach. The facilities include an outdoor pool, a gym and sauna, a spa, and a poolside bar.
Third on our list is FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai which sports a very modern architecture and stunning decor. The hotel’s facilities include a rooftop pool, a poolside and rooftop bar, a gym and sauna, a spa and a steam room, and private beach.
Another top choice of hotel on The Palm is One & Only The Palm. This hotel is very extravagant and has gorgeous sea views. The hotel includes an outdoor pool, various gym facilities, a spa, a beach, and a bar.
But what about hotel prices? We took a look at how much it would cost 2 adults to stay on average at each location per night.
To stay in a hotel at Jumeirah Beach, the average price came out to £130.40 / 652AED per night.
To stay in a hotel at The Palm, the average price came out at £259.40 / 1,300AED per night.
There is a clear difference in price for the two areas. Although The Palm boasts the luxurious island setting, you are more likely to find something equally luxurious located at Jumeirah Beach.
Conclusion
So is it The Palm or Jumeirah Beach?!
Whilst The Palm is a fantastic location, offering unrivalled views of the city as well as luxury hotels to be booked here; overall, Jumeirah Beach is the better area to stay with lot of gems. Check here for the options available to build your next memories in dubai!
Thank you for reading! For everything Dubai & Abu Dhabi visit our travel blogs. Also, follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our Youtube channel too.
