The World’s Best Middle Eastern-Inspired Hotels

In a world where luxury is a given, a select few hotels transcend the ordinary, becoming destinations in their own right. From the golden shores of the Arabian Gulf to the ancient souks of Marrakech, the region harbors luxury hotels that epitomize excellence in hospitality. We’ve compiled a list of premier properties inspired by Middle Eastern design. These establishments are renowned for offering guests immersive experiences that seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary sophistication.

Winner of the Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel 2024 at the World Travel Awards, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental stands as a monument to Arabian luxury. This palatial resort commands a prime position along Abu Dhabi’s coastline, featuring a 1.3 km long beach and a marina, known as a yacht and superyacht haven with its 169 berths and deep-water access to the Gulf.

Wreathed by palm trees, the hotel blends Islamic architecture with modern looks and is topped by numerous domes—among them the largest in the world. “The five-star property is larger than Buckingham Palace,” according to Conde Nast Traveler. A resident gold leaf specialist attends to the more than 6,000 square meters of 22-karat gold leaf that covers surfaces. Upon entry, staff dressed in tailcoats greet guests and hand them roses, along with refreshing treats. Among the 394 rooms and suites, some include separate dining and lounge areas, all with sparkling chandeliers, silk fabric, and furniture worthy of a palace. 

Twelve venues host dining experiences, two of them with Michelin stars. The spa, infused with neroli and orange blossom scents, includes a traditional Moroccan hammam and a roster of Arabian therapies. 

Standing on an artificial island 280 meters from Jumeirah Beach and connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge, this architectural marvel was designed to resemble the sail of a traditional Arabian dhow, a traditional sailing vessel known for its triangular sails and narrow hull. The hotel opened in 1999, with its soaring 180-meter glass and steel atrium among the tallest in the world. 

Rising 321 meters from the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab houses 202 two-floor suites, each with a grand staircase entry. The look is decidedly golden—from television cabinetry, molding, and bed frames that feature gold accents. Hermés provides the toiletries and Rolex, the bedroom clocks. There’s also a Jacuzzi tub, and sweeping views of Jumeriah’s golden sands.

The property’s dining credentials are equally impressive, featuring the Michelin-starred Al Muntaha restaurant, which offers French-Italian cuisine. The Al Iwan restaurant offers more traditional Arabic dishes paired with an ambiance decorated in rich hues of crimson–all framed by the Dubai skyline. 

The Talise Spa includes hammams, saunas, a yoga studio, and cold plunge pools. But the standout feature is an indoor pool edged by majestic mosaic pillars and wall windows that showcase the city. The hotel is the flagship property for the exclusive Jumeirah Icons Collection. 

This iconic luxury palace hotel serves as a symbol of traditional Moroccan hospitality just outside the Medina. First opened in 1923, the fabled property was a haven for movie stars, royals, and international celebrities. In 2009, it underwent a comprehensive three-year $120 million renovation executed by French designer Jacques Garcia, known for his contemporary designs featured in Paris hotels and restaurants. A recent 2020 renovation of La Mamounia further freshened the property. La Mamounia means “safe haven” in Arabic. 

“Every inch of this palatial-like property has been hyper-considered to make the guest feel as though they have arrived in some regal estate of an Arabian kingdom,” writes Condé Nast Traveler. The ornate property with its Moorish influence—dark woods, cascading silk, ornate tilework, lanterns, and soft greens and pinks— was Condé Nast’s “Best Hotel in Morocco” in 2023. 

There are 135 rooms, 71 suites, and three 700-square-meter riads (houses with gardens), all faced with intricately carved wooden doors. Sculpted stonework, zellige tilework, and mashrabiya windows complete the look. 

The hotel’s gardens, planted with orange, palm, and olive trees, and banked with rose bushes, are set within the ancient city walls. Hidden away in the gardens, the vintage and colorful Games Room invites guests to mingle over board games, pool, pinball machines, and table football. Along with a fitness center, there are also swimming pools and tennis courts. 

Among the five restaurants, Asian, Mediterranean, Italian, and Moroccan cuisines are offered. The Moroccan flavors dusted with spices reinvented by chef Rachid Agouray are especially noteworthy. The spa at over 2,500 square meters includes two traditional hammams and a private hammam, ten massage and treatment rooms, a Jacuzzi, heated pool, and a private spa.  

Perched along the Bosphorus, the storied Çırağan Palace Kempinski occupies a former Ottoman palace, seamlessly blending imperial grandeur with contemporary luxury. Arriving by land or sea, guests enter a sprawling marble lobby wreathed by regal palms and faced with cherrywood walls. 

Conde Nast Traveler describes the 317 rooms as “Ottoman chic.” There’s wallpaper done in striped crimson and cream, and four-poster beds with signature tulip patterns that adorn the headboards. Marble bathrooms offer Atelier Rebul skincare products. Suites are appointed with antique furniture, many pieces trimmed in gold. Madonna once booked the Sultan Suite and favored smoking hookah on a terrace. 

The luxury spa equals any found in the world’s grand hotels, and is notable for its gleaming marble hammam illuminated by candlelight. The Tuğra restaurant, the Gazebo, Bosphorus Grill, C Bar, Akdeniz, and Bellini offer traditional Mediterranean flavors along with Italian delicacies. Impressive views of the Bosphorus can be seen from most windows.

We conclude our journey not in the Middle East itself, but in a place where its influence is beautifully mirrored.

The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur embodies the Mughal luxury traditions that influenced much of the Middle East. This floating eighteenth-century palace on Lake Pichola represents the pinnacle of royal Indian hospitality, with its marble courtyards, ornate chambers, and pavilions inlaid with stone and mirrors. Together, the architecture and design create an atmosphere of timeless elegance. 

Through numerous renovations, the opulent Rajasthani architecture has remained intact. That includes all the bastions, cupolas, domes, ornamental turrets, and balconies. The structure’s extensive marble was mined from Rajnagar (the white stone is coarse-grained, a variety of compact dolomitic marble).

Completed in 1746, the majestic structure was built as a summer retreat for Prince Maharana Jagat Singh–a respite given the lake’s refreshing breezes. More recently, the Taj Lake Palace was the setting for a James Bond film.

Arrival is by private boat. The 65 rooms and 18 suites feature intricate tilework, mosaics, silk embellishments, stained glass, swings, and hand-painted accents. 

Restaurants include Loya, which offers North Indian cuisine with its flavors from the Himalayan foothills, Punjab’s terrain, and Kashmir’s snow-capped peaks. The Golden Dragon restaurant serves up exotic Sichuan and Cantonese dishes. The spa, termed the J Wellness Center, specializes in Ayurvedic practices as well as Indian aroma therapies.

From the golden coast of Abu Dhabi to the mystical lakes of Udaipur, these hotels are more than just places to stay—they are portals to a world of unparalleled beauty, history, and hospitality. They are living testaments to how ancient design can find a place in the modern world, offering a sanctuary of refined luxury for the discerning global traveler.