BackFor decades, Dubai has been the holiday destination of choice for luxury travelers. With its pristine coastline, soaring towers, and abundance of leisure options, the city offers you the ultimate refined lifestyle. Visitors to the city who once flocked to its five-star hotels and resorts have, in recent years, turned to holiday homes for their stay in order to experience all of the comfort and privacy that they would have in their own homes. Since the COVID pandemic affected the world, demand for short-term home rentals in Dubai has reached an all-time peak. Travelers from across Europe and other countries facing persistent lockdowns want to escape to a city that has navigated the pandemic quite successfully and offers them both freedom and security.
Holiday Homes by the Sea
When you mention the word ‘holiday’, one of the first images that come to mind is a languid afternoon spent on the beach with a cool drink in hand, watching the waves lap against the shore and wash away all of your stresses. Thus it should come as no surprise that Dubai’s coastal areas are extremely popular for holiday rentals. Many of them have been upgraded from their original design with all-new flooring and interior finishes, and several are custom builds. They feature exquisite furnishings, large balconies overlooking the sea, and, in some cases, rooftop terraces that give you a 360-degree panorama of your surroundings. Each home is complemented by a stunning outdoor space with a lawn, patio, and outdoor pool, plus your very own stretch of private beach where you can enjoy your time in the sun without worrying about crowds. Privacy is one of the key aspects of living on the Palm fronds, and one that appeals very much to high-profile renters who are seeking a quiet escape.
Other villas for rent Dubai options are available in the communities of Emirates Hills and Al Barari. However, they are not quite as sought after for vacation homes because of their more central location within the city. Villas closer to the sea are far more in demand.
Vacationing in the Marina
For those who prefer to spend their vacations amidst the buzz of the city, there are plenty of excellent apartment options available. Dubai Marina is one of the top destinations for short-term rental apartments, for several factors. Like the Palm, the Marina enjoys a waterfront location - it is centred on a man-made yacht marina ringed by an extensive promenade, and it is just a short walk away from the beach. Known for its high-rises, the area contains one particular group of supertall towers collectively known as the ‘tallest block in the world’.
Another popular area is Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), which forms part of the Marina district and sits directly on the beachfront. It is a quintessential holiday district, with a dining selection that ranges from quaint cafes to restaurants with Michelin-star pedigrees. Dubai Marina Mall, which sits at the heart of the Marina, is the main retail hub of the district, and you can enjoy a variety of entertainment experiences, from watersports to skydiving to taking the world’s longest zipline over the Marina.
Stay in the Heart of Downtown
The third most popular area to stay during a holiday in Dubai is the Downtown district. Known colloquially as the world’s most prestigious square kilometre, Downtown Dubai has everything you need to experience the city in its full glory. The centrepiece of the district is the magnificent Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world and a hotspot for both tourists and long-term residents. On one side of the tower, you have the immense Dubai Mall, a shopping, dining and entertainment megacomplex where you could spend an entire day without running out of things to do. On the other side sits the stunning Dubai Opera, a contemporary cultural destination that is modeled after the traditional Arabian fishing boat known as the dhow. However, this is not just an opera house, it is an all-purpose concert hall that hosts musical artists of all genres, and can be converted into an events venue as well.
While the Burj Khalifa does dominate the skyline, there is an abundance of high-rise towers in this district, all of them offering sweeping views of the city and offering hotel-style services including concierge and housekeeping. For the dedicated urbanite who longs to be in the middle of the action, this is the place to be.
Other Key Areas
Jumeirah VIllage Circle, a quiet residential community that is outside the main commercial centres of Dubai, is sought after for vacation rentals that combine quality and affordability. JVC, at the area is commonly known, features a mix of low-rise and high-rise buildings and is designed to provide the tranquility of a village in an urban setting.