Cool Hotels in Dubai: Bet On It

The Al Maha Resort, above, looks absolutely amazing. (Photo courtesy of Al Maha Resort)
If you're making the trip to Dubai for the $10 million Dubai World Cup, prepare to enjoy a world-class event at an unbelievable venue (Meydan Racecourse) in a stunning city. Yes, that was a tinge of jealousy you detected in that opening sentence. Making your Dubai visit unforgettable starts with your hotel.
Win: Burj Al Arab
The Rate: 6,741 United Arab Emirates Dirham ($1,835 United States Dollars)
The Lowdown: You’re familiar with the “Sport of Kings”. Well, this is the hotel of kings. Where Burj Al Arab lacks in storied tradition of our past winners in this series—it opened in 1999—it more than makes up for it in sheer Wow! factor.
It’s only fitting this pricy hotel finds itself in the city with the richest day of horse racing.
Upon arrival, all guests are chauffeured to the property via Mercedes, Rolls Royce, or helicopter. Excuse me, but I need to regroup. Did a Rolls Royce really just get overshadowed in a list of transportation options? That’s Dubai for you.
Each room features a personal butler and a whopping 8:1 staff member-to-room ratio. It was not enough for this hotel to be built on the shore of the Persian Gulf. The iconic sail-shaped building shoots directly out of the Gulf, situated on its own manmade island. 
This is an early contender to be the winning hotel of the entire “Cool Hotels” series. 
Which is more incredible, the structure or that bathroom at Burj Al Arab? 

Place: Al Maha
The Rate: 5,509 AED ($1,500 USD)
The Lowdown: Al Maha is a luxury tranquil desert retreat, located outside the hustle and bustle of Dubai proper. This hotel harkens back to the simpler times of the desert nation, despite being located in a greater metropolitan area that identifies with lavish displays of wealth.
The property is located on a sprawling conservation area, with expansive views of a seemingly endless horizon. Native wildlife scenes are this resort’s calling card.  
As a result, Al Maha plays host to a number of outdoors experiences. Seasoned riders can mount a retired racehorse or an Arabian to traverse the dunes. For the non-riders looking for something with local flare, guides are on staff to partake in the Emirati tradition of falconry and camel trekking.
With crowds at Meydan expected to tip 50,000, soak up the premium peacefulness offered at Al Maha.
ENJOY AL MAHA 

Show: Moevenpick
The Rate: 642 AED ($175 USD)
The Lowdown: Dubai has made an unprecedented investment and commitment to creating a tourism industry. As a result, many solid hotels have sprung up that fit within budget of visitors who perhaps aren’t an oil heir or heiress. 
Moevenpick fits that billing.
The sleek hotel is situated away from the central commerce district of Dubai, but in the thick of the culinary scene—be sure to seek out some of the fresh local seafood delicacies. After all, Dubai was originally a sleepy fishing and pearl diving village.  
A fantastic room at a nice price