Hotel rooms near prime party spots in Dubai, RAK and Abu Dhabi are almost sold out.
Dubai Hotels See Soaring Prices for New Year’s Eve Stays
As Dubai prepares for a record-breaking New Year’s Eve celebration, hotels in Downtown Dubai, known for their breathtaking Burj Khalifa views, are in high demand. This surge in bookings has driven prices up significantly. For instance, a two-night stay at the Grand Opera Tower Lux for the period of December 31 to January 2, 2025, now costs a staggering Dh75,429 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Prime locations such as Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and JBR are reporting near-full occupancy, with only high-priced hotel apartments and short-term rentals still available. According to industry experts, some hotels are nearing 100% occupancy levels.
Even more affordable accommodations with views of the Burj Khalifa are seeing high rates, ranging from Dh3,330 for a deluxe room at Damac Maison Mall Street to Dh11,475 for a Holistay Luxury Homes apartment. Travelers are bracing for increased costs as the city prepares for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration. Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, noted that there has been a 20% rise in bookings for local destinations. Popular spots include luxury beach resorts in Dubai, hotels with amusement park access on Yas Island, and mountain retreats in Ras Al Khaimah. “Bookings for NYE have surged dramatically, with rates spiking as much as 300%,” he said.
Last-Minute Deals Still Available
While many hotels on Palm Jumeirah are fully booked, there are still a few last-minute deals to be found. Prices for a two-night stay for two adults range from Dh3,960 to Dh4,579 at select properties. Beachfront resorts are offering suites priced between Dh8,240 and Dh18,630 for the same period. For those hoping to book at Atlantis The Palm, rooms are available starting at Dh9,770 for two guests.
These prices represent a 30% decrease compared to last year, when basic four-star hotel rates were around Dh6,000 to Dh7,000 for a two-night stay. The most expensive suite at Atlantis The Palm during NYE 2024, the Neptune Underwater suite, is priced at Dh150,000.
Robust Demand Across the Emirates
Hotels in Dubai are seeing occupancy rates approaching 90% across the city, with Downtown Dubai and the Burj Khalifa areas nearing 100% occupancy as New Year’s Eve draws near. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is also experiencing a surge in visitors, with the Department of Culture and Tourism reporting 4.8 million guests arriving as of October 2024. This marks a 26% increase in international guests compared to pre-pandemic levels.
International Travel Trends for NYE
While many residents in the UAE are opting to stay in the country for the celebrations, others are choosing nearby destinations for a quick getaway. Popular choices include Baku, Muscat, Riyadh, Amman, Cairo, and Mumbai, especially with the New Year falling on a Friday and offering a four-day weekend.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing for a busy holiday season, with over 5.2 million passengers expected between December 13 and 31. Daily traffic is anticipated to average 274,000 travelers, with the peak on Friday, December 20, when nearly 296,000 passengers are projected. The weekend from December 20 to 22 will see heightened activity, with an estimated 880,000 passengers passing through DXB. According to Essa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports, about 1.7 million passengers are expected to arrive, while 1.5 million will depart.
