Gay Dubai Dubai City Guide

Casey Siemasko

With its futuristic skyline and ambitious architectural landscape, it doesn’t take long to see that Dubai is a city of superlatives. The biggest this. The tallest that. At times dubbed a Disneyland for adults, there’s no denying this evocative desert city is a veritable playground, overflowing with engineering wonders, diverse cuisine and designer boutiques. And with the 2020 World Expo on the horizon, Dubai’s limitless verve isn’t slated to slow down anytime soon—meaning there’s never been a better time to visit this multicultural mecca of design and innovation. That said, we would be remiss not to mention that homosexuality remains illegal throughout the United Arab Emirates. As a gay tourist, you are unlikely to encounter any problems, provided that you avoid all public displays of affection. With that in mind, discover the best this ritzy Middle Eastern city has to offer with our definite gay Dubai guide.

Where to stay in Dubai

Before booking your Dubai hotel, it’s important to call to mind our above note that homosexuality is illegal. As a result, many hotels will require gay travellers to reserve a room with two single beds (as opposed to sharing a king or queen.) That said, international five-star brands tend to be the most accommodating to gay travellers—and our Dubai gay scene guide purposefully includes the most luxurious hotels where you are less likely to encounter discrimination. If upon arrival your bed preference is changed, we do not recommend arguing with the assigned sleeping arrangements—this is an unfortunate circumstance of visiting a locale where homosexuality remains illegal. Now, without further ado, here are our favourite upscale, Dubai hotels for a memorable gay getaway.