Hang on. Citizens of certain countries can get a free visit visa for 30 days on arrival (
http://www.dubaifaqs.com/visa-arriva...ionalities.php).
Also, per
http://www.dubaifaqs.com/visa-transit-dubai.php,
You can obtain a 96 hour transit visa in one of the following ways:
- Pre-apply through the airline, travel agent, or UAE hotel that you are booked with. None of them are likely to arrange a transit visa for you unless you are a customer.
- Obtain one on arrival in Dubai at the Marhaba services counter in Terminal 1, or the Emirates Hotels and Visas for Dubai desk in Terminal 3. This is not guaranteed, as the granting of the visa is subject to Dubai immigration department approval. You will need to buy at least one night in a Dubai hotel from Marhaba or Emirates to be issued a transit visa.
Seems like your hotel night must be bought, but why don't you see if you can get it for a cheaper hotel than something as expensive as $250?