Raffles Dubai is the pyramid at Wafi City, a landmark that is both unmistakable and surprisingly intimate inside. The property page calls it an Arabian oasis near the airport and Wafi City Mall, close to Dubai Creek and the Dubai Frame, and lists 240 rooms, all with premium bedding, furnished balconies and iPads, and some bathrooms with jetted tubs and rainfall showers. The facilities include an outdoor pool and children's pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, a hot tub, the Raffles Spa with body treatments, wraps, facials and massage rooms, three on-site restaurants, a poolside bar, a nightclub, a terrace and a cafe, with free Wi-Fi and parking, bike rentals, a limousine service and an electric-car charging station. Buffet breakfast and babysitting are available for a fee. The page lists a five-star luxury class, VIP access and a guest score of 9.8 from over a thousand reviews, among the highest of any hotel in the city.
The setting is deliberately different from the beach resorts. Wafi City is a mixed-use district with a large mall, restaurants and a leisure complex, close to the Creek and a short drive from the Dubai Frame and Al Fahidi, so Raffles works as a city base for old Dubai and for travelers who want easy access to both the airport and the heritage districts.
Dubai International Airport is close, which suits short stays and early flights. There is no beach on the property page, so plan beach days separately, at La Mer or Kite Beach, or by using a day pass.
Rooms and atmosphere
The hotel is notable for service and a boutique feel rather than size. The Signature Room with a king bed is the standard category, with a balcony and premium bedding, and the property offers larger room types and suites above that. Extra beds are available for a fee. Because the hotel has fewer rooms than the big resorts, service tends to be personal and attentive, and the pool and spa are calmer. The spa is a feature, so consider building a spa afternoon into your itinerary.
Who it suits
Couples, culture-minded travelers and those who value a smaller hotel with strong service. It is less suitable for families with large groups of children or for guests who want a beachfront holiday. The attached mall offers dining, shopping and entertainment within a short walk, which makes evenings easy, and the Creek and Al Fahidi are a short taxi ride away.
Check the page for which restaurants and facilities are open for your dates, and consider combining a stay here with a beach or Palm hotel on a split trip, so you get both Old Dubai and the coast.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool and children pool
- ✓Raffles Spa
- ✓Three on-site restaurants
- ✓Poolside bar and terrace
- ✓Furnished balconies and iPads in rooms
- ✓Shopping mall on site
- ✓Bike rentals and limousine service
- ✓Free Wi-Fi and parking
Good questions
Is Raffles Dubai on the beach?+
No. The property page does not list a beach, so plan beach time separately at La Mer, Kite Beach or a resort day pass.
Is it close to old Dubai?+
Yes. The hotel is near Dubai Creek and the Dubai Frame, and the Al Fahidi district and souks are a short taxi ride away.
How highly do guests rate it?+
The page lists a guest score of 9.8 from over a thousand reviews, among the highest in Dubai.
