Where to stay in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

In Zabeel, on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, 900 m from the centre of Downtown. You walk to Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain, with no taxi needed for the evening show.

In Port Saeed, in Deira, 8.4 km from Downtown, on the old town side. For those who want the gold and spice souks within metro reach and keep the Burj Khalifa for an outing.

In the World Trade Centre district, 2.4 km from Downtown, on Sheikh Zayed Road. For those who want to sleep simply, a few metro stops from the Burj Khalifa and the fountain.

Large resort for this stop, on Palm Jumeirah, away from the city. For those who come mainly for Aquaventure and the beach, and take a taxi to Downtown for an evening out.

At the tip of Palm Jumeirah; access to the Aquaventure park is included for resort guests.

On Jumeira Street, in Umm Suqeim, 11 km from Downtown, on its own island facing the beach. For those who come for the hotel itself and don't mind taking a taxi for everything else.

Built in 1999 on a man-made island linked by a bridge; access is restricted to guests and those with reservations.

In Rimah, in the desert reserve. For those who want the dunes and the oryx around them, with no sound but the wind, far from the city's towers.

In the heart of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where Arabian oryx roam freely around the suites.

At Capital Centre, near the exhibition centre, 7.4 km from the centre. For those who come by car and want the Sheikh Zayed Mosque ten minutes away rather than the seafront.

In Al Wahdah, 1.6 km from the city centre. For those who want to sleep simply in the middle of the city and reach the Corniche and the Louvre by taxi in a few minutes.

In Rabdan, near Al Maqta Bridge. For those driving in from Dubai who want the Sheikh Zayed Mosque next door, with the city twenty minutes away.

In Al Ras Al Akhdar, 6.1 km from the centre, at the western end of the Corniche. You are next to Qasr Al Watan and the Etihad Towers, away from the centre and its towers.

Opened in 2005 at the western end of the Corniche, next door to Qasr Al Watan and the Presidential Palace.

In Al Bateen, on the Corniche, 5.2 km from the centre. You step out onto the promenade and the public beach, and reach Emirates Palace and Qasr Al Watan in a few minutes.

In the Nation Towers, facing the sea; a suspended suite links the two towers 200 m above the ground.

On the Corniche, in Al Bateen, 5.6 km from the centre, in the Etihad Towers. Emirates Palace is opposite and the beach at the foot of the towers, within walking distance of Qasr Al Watan.

The Observation Deck at 300, on the 74th floor of the neighbouring tower, overlooks the Corniche and Emirates Palace.