We have the perfect opportunity to see Dubai in our 18-hour layover, but our flight arrives in the middle of the night. We're hoping to get a hotel and rest/sleep for a few hours, and then go see the city. Ideally, we'd like to come back to the hotel and freshen up before leaving for our onwards flight.

Are there any hotels who will cater to a 5am check-in (considering it might take about 2 hours to clear immigration and get to the hotel), and then a check-out at 7pm the same day? When I check reservations online, I don't know which date to choose for check-out, since we'll be leaving on the same day.

I know it might be possible to book the room a day before we arrive, so we can have a late check in of 5am, but that means we'll have to check out in another 5 or so hours. Considering how expensive hotels are in dubai, that seems like a waste.

We're flying emirates, but since we asked for the layover, they obviously won't pay for our hotel. Are there any not-too-expensive hotels? I'm thinking under $150.

Does anyone have a similar experience with arriving at ungodly hours? Any suggestions/options?

When are you flying? Prices for hotels in Dubai differ greatly depending on the time of year.

At this time of year, everything is pretty expensive ($300+). However, once you get to June/July (when it's very hot), prices drop dramatically. You can get a 5* hotel for around $130.

Most of the hotels around the airport do day rooms. However, you'd probably have to phone them to book, or chance it and just turn up.

I've never really had a problem checking in early at hotels in Dubai. As most of the flights tend to go early morning, a lot of people check out before 6am. Thus, the rooms have been cleaned by 8am.

Cheers,
Rick

if you are just looking for a place to crash a few hours and take a shower before flying out you could try the nice people at: http://www.villa47.com/ - it's 10 minutes from the airport and I'm sure they would be helpful with any special requests. - no swimming pool though...

Thanks so much for your replies guys.

Mogensen, I'm just sending them an email.

DYKWIA, we're going on the 21st of this month arriving at 3:30am, so I'm guessing it'll be expensive. I contated a few hotels, and they said if we want to check in early/check out late, we'd have to book for 2 nights. I guess our only option is the book for the 20th, and check in around 5am on the 21st, and then check out a few hours later. Hate to be paying nearly $200 for a few hours, but it seems to be our only option.

It may be worth contacting Emirates. They arrange hotels, and tend to be able to do stopovers that include early checkin.

Cheers,
Rick

I see some of the hotels offered by emirates for stop over offer 24 hour checkin. Examples.. london creek apartment and something like roxa apartments. Call emirates. They should help you.