💡 Quick Answer: What Are Hotel Apartments for Rent in Dubai?
Hotel apartments for rent in Dubai are furnished units combining hotel services (housekeeping, reception, maintenance) with apartment privacy and full kitchens. Prices range from AED 3,200-9,000/month depending on area, with minimum 1-month stays required. Perfect for 1-6 month stays – you get flexibility without agency fees or furniture costs, though expect tourism fees and utility caps.
⏱️ Read time: 12 minutes | Based on 5 months living experience
Ok so heres the thing about hotel apartments for rent in Dubai…. when I first moved here back in 2021, I had NO idea these even existed. Like seriously, I thought it was either regular apartments or actual hotels, nothing in between. But then I found myself needing a place for 3 months while my visa was being processed and my friend was like “why dont you just get a hotel apartment?” and honestly that changed everything lol.
Let me share what I wish someone had told me when I first started looking into hotel apartments for rent in Dubai, because tbh the whole concept was confusing at first.
Naz
Your Dubai Insider
As a proud resident of this bustling city for over 4 years, I’ve devoted my time to exploring Dubai’s vibrant cultural life, different ways of living, and endless possibilities. My experiences enable me to guide you through job searches, housing hunts, commuting, and vehicle purchases in Dubai—including navigating the hotel apartment market that saved me thousands when I first arrived!
📍 Living in Dubai for 4+ years | 🏠 Experienced with hotel apartments & regular rentals | 📅 Last Updated: December 2025
What Actually IS a Hotel Apartment for Rent in Dubai? (Took Me Forever to Understand This)
So basically, a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai is like… imagine if a hotel and an apartment had a baby? Thats literally the best way I can describe it haha. You get the flexibility of hotel services (like housekeeping and reception) but also the privacy and kitchen facilities of your own apartment.
I remember my first viewing – I walked into this hotel apartment in Business Bay and I was like wait… theres a full kitchen? A washing machine? But also someone cleans it twice a week?? My brain couldnt compute lol.
The thing that confused me initially was the rental terms. Unlike regular apartments where your locked into 12-month contracts (which scared me tbh), hotel apartments for rent in Dubai can be booked for as little as 1 month. Some even do weekly rates but those are expensve af.
Where to Find Hotel Apartments for Rent in Dubai (My Trial and Error Journey)
Ok ngl I made SO many mistakes when I first started searching. I was looking in all the wrong places and getting frustrated because I couldnt find anything decent within my budget.
Areas I Actually Visited:
When I was hunting for a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai, I checked out like 15 different buildings across the city. Here’s where I found the best options:
Business Bay – This is where I ended up staying fr. The prices were around AED 4,500-6,000 per month for a studio hotel apartment. I paid 5,200 for mine and it was honestly perfect. Super close to Downtown, walking distance to the metro, and tons of restaurants nearby. The building I stayed in (cant remember the exact name but it was on Marasi Drive) had a gym, pool, and 24/7 security.
Dubai Marina – Visited 3 buildings here. Prices were higher – like AED 6,500-9,000 for a studio hotel apartment for rent in Dubai. Beautiful views tho and if your into the beach lifestyle, its worth it. I almost rented one near the tram station but it was just outside my budget at 7,800/month.
Barsha Heights (Tecom) – This area surprised me! Found hotel apartments for rent in Dubai starting from AED 3,800 for studios. Its less flashy than Marina or Business Bay but still really convenient. Metro access is good, and theres a lot of cafes and gyms around. I saw a 1-bedroom for 5,500 which was tempting.
Al Barsha – If your on a tighter budget, this is where to look. I found hotel apartments for rent in Dubai here for as low as AED 3,200/month. Theyre not as fancy obviously, but theyre clean and functional. Perfect if you just need a base while you figure out your longer-term situation.
📊 Hotel Apartment Prices by Dubai Area (Based on Actual Viewings)
💡 Note: Prices from November 2025 based on personal viewings. Prices vary by building amenities, floor level, and season. Always ask about what’s included!
The Real Costs (Because Nobody Tells You About the Hidden Fees)
This is where I got burned initially lol. I saw an ad for a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai at AED 4,000/month and I was like great! But then… surprise surprise… there were a bunch of extra costs.
Heres what I actually paid for my Business Bay hotel apartment:
- Monthly rent: AED 5,200
- Security deposit: AED 5,200 (refundable, I got it back thankfully)
- Tourism fee: AED 10 per night (they charged this! I didnt know this was a thing)
- Electricity & water: Usually included but capped at certain usage
- Internet: AED 350/month (some buildings include this, mine didnt)
- Parking: AED 300/month (I didnt have a car initially so I skipped this)
So my first month total was like AED 11,400 when I was expecting just the 4,000 I saw advertised. Yeah… that was a shock to my bank account lol.
Pro tip: Always ask about DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) charges. Some hotel apartments for rent in Dubai include utilities up to a certain amount (like AED 300/month), then you pay overage. Others charge you seperately. This can add AED 200-500 to your monthly costs depending on how much AC you use (and trust me, youll use a lot in summer).
💰 What I Actually Paid: Complete First Month Cost Breakdown
* DEWA was included up to AED 300/month, then I paid overages. Got hit with AED 450 bill one month because of summer AC usage!
What You Actually Get in a Hotel Apartment for Rent in Dubai
Ok so the services thing is honestly the best part. When I was living in my hotel apartment for rent in Dubai, this is what was included:
Housekeeping: They cleaned my place twice a week. Changed sheets, cleaned bathroom, vacuumed everything. Honestly this alone was worth it because I hate cleaning lol. Some buildings do it 3 times a week, mine was Tuesday and Friday.
Reception/Concierge: There was always someone at the front desk. This was super helpful for recieving packages (I ordered from Noon like every other day) and also just having someone to ask questions to when I was new to Dubai.
Maintenance: Something broke? They fixed it within 24 hours usually. My AC stopped working once (in July… it was hell for those few hours) and they had someone there same day.
Gym & Pool: Most hotel apartments for rent in Dubai come with these facilities. Mine had a decent gym (not amazing but had the basics) and a rooftop pool that was actually really nice for evening swims.
The kitchen was fully equipped – I had a stove, oven, microwave, fridge, and even a dishwasher. Came with all the utensils and plates too. This was huge for me because I was trying to save money and eating out in Dubai adds up FAST.
The Booking Process (AKA My Confusing First Experience)
Ngl the first time I tried to book a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai, I had no idea what I was doing. I thought it would be like booking a hotel on Expedia or something but its actually more formal than that.
Heres what you need:
- Copy of your passport
- Copy of your visa (if you have one – I didnt initially and it was fine)
- Security deposit (usually 1 months rent)
- First months rent upfront
- Post-dated cheques if your staying longer than 3 months (this freaked me out at first lol)
I found my hotel apartment through a Facebook group actually – “Dubai Expats” or something like that. Someone posted about a vacancy in their building and I messaged them. Viewed it the next day, liked it, signed the agreement 2 days later.
The agreement was pretty straightforward tbh:
- Check-in and check-out dates
- Monthly rent amount
- What services are included
- Notice period (mine was 1 month)
- Deposit refund terms
One thing that caught me off guard – they required a minimum stay of 1 month. I couldnt just book for 2 weeks like you would with a hotel. Most hotel apartments for rent in Dubai have this 1-month minimum requirement.
📋 What You Need to Book a Hotel Apartment in Dubai
⚡ Pro tip: Have everything ready before viewing. Signed my agreement 2 days after viewing because I had all documents prepared!
Living in a Hotel Apartment vs Regular Apartment (My Honest Comparison)
So I lived in my hotel apartment for rent in Dubai for 5 months total. Then I moved to a regular apartment. Heres the real difference:
Hotel Apartment Pros:
- Flexibility! I could leave with just 1 months notice
- No agency fees (regular apartments charge you 5% commission)
- Furnished (saved me thousands on furniture)
- Utilities usually included or capped
- Housekeeping was amazing
- Building maintenance was quick
- All amenities included
Hotel Apartment Cons:
- More expensive per month than regular apartments
- Less privacy (reception staff, housekeeping entering)
- Cant really decorate or make it feel like “yours”
- Some buildings have restrictions on guests
- Tourism fees add up
Honestly if your staying in Dubai for less than 6 months, a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai makes way more sense than a regular apartment. The flexibility alone is worth the extra cost.
⚖️ Hotel Apartment vs Regular Apartment: Real Comparison from Living Both
💭 My take: Lived in hotel apartment for 5 months, then switched to regular apartment. Hotel apartment was perfect while figuring things out, but I love having my own furniture now!
My Biggest Mistakes (So You Dont Make Them)
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Not checking the cancellation policy – I almost lost my deposit once because I didnt read the fine print. Make sure you understand the cancellation terms before signing!
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Assuming all bills were included – Already mentioned this but fr, always ask specifically whats included and whats not. I got hit with a AED 450 electricity bill one month because I didnt realize there was a cap.
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Not visiting during peak hours – I viewed my first hotel apartment for rent in Dubai at 11am on a Tuesday. It was quiet and peaceful. Then I moved in and realized the building was LOUD during evenings and weekends. Always visit at different times if possible.
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Ignoring the location – My first hotel apartment was cheap (AED 3,500/month) but it was in an area with no metro access and getting Ubers cost me an extra AED 1,000/month easy. Sometimes paying more for a better location actually saves you money overall.
Best Websites and Apps for Finding Hotel Apartments for Rent in Dubai
Ok so after my Facebook group success, I explored other options when I was helping my friend find a place. Heres what actually works:
Property Finder – Found tons of listings for hotel apartments for rent in Dubai here. You can filter by furnished, short-term, and area. Pretty reliable and most listings are legit.
Bayut – Similar to Property Finder. Good for comparing prices across different areas. I used both simultaneously tbh.
Dubizzle – More hit or miss but sometimes you find hidden gems. Just be careful of scams (if it seems too good to be true, it probably is).
Facebook Groups – “Dubai Expats”, “Apartments in Dubai”, “Dubai Housing” – these groups have people posting available hotel apartments all the time. Got some of my best leads here.
Direct building websites – Some hotel apartment buildings in Dubai have their own booking systems. I found that going directly often got me better rates than through agents.
The Questions I Wish I’d Asked Before Signing
Looking back, there were SO many things I didnt think to ask. When your viewing a hotel apartment for rent in Dubai, ask these:
- Whats the exact check-in/check-out time?
- Is there a grace period for late payments?
- How much notice do I need to give if I want to leave early?
- Whats the refund policy on the deposit?
- Are there any additional fees not mentioned? (seriously ask this)
- Can I have guests stay over?
- Is there guest parking?
- Whats the policy on packages and deliveries?
- How quickly does maintenance respond to issues?
- Is the internet stable and fast? (important if your working from home)
My Final Thoughts on Hotel Apartments for Rent in Dubai
After living in one for 5 months and helping 3 friends find theirs, I genuinely think hotel apartments for rent in Dubai are one of the best options for anyone new to the city or staying temporarily.
The flexibility is unmatched – being able to leave with just 1 months notice gave me peace of mind when I wasnt sure how long Id be staying. The services (especially housekeeping lol) made life so much easier. And not having to buy furniture or deal with agency fees saved me thousands of dirhams.
Yes, theyre more expensive than regular apartments on a monthly basis. But when you factor in all the hidden costs of regular apartments (furniture, agency fees, utility deposits, maintenance), hotel apartments for rent in Dubai often work out similar or even cheaper for short-term stays.
My advice? If your planning to stay in Dubai for 1-6 months, definitely go for a hotel apartment. If your here for a year or more, it might make sense to eventually transition to a regular apartment once you know where you want to live long-term.
Quick checklist before you book:
- Visit the property in person (dont just rely on photos)
- Read the entire agreement carefully
- Ask about ALL fees upfront
- Check reviews online if possible
- Verify the location suits your lifestyle
- Confirm cancellation and refund policies
- Take photos of the apartment condition on move-in day
The hotel apartment for rent in Dubai market is honestly pretty good right now (November 2025). Theres tons of options across all price ranges and areas. Just do your research, ask lots of questions, and dont rush into signing anything.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hotel Apartments in Dubai
🎯 Key Takeaways: Hotel Apartments in Dubai
- Price Range: AED 3,200-9,000/month for studios depending on area. Business Bay (AED 4,500-6,000) offers best value for location.
- First Month Reality: Budget for 2x-3x the advertised rent due to security deposit, tourism fees (AED 10/night), and setup costs. My AED 5,200 rent became AED 11,050 first month.
- Minimum Stay: 1 month required, but you can leave with just 1 month notice – perfect flexibility for newcomers to Dubai.
- What’s Included: Fully furnished, housekeeping 2-3x weekly, 24/7 reception, fast maintenance, gym/pool access. Saves thousands on furniture!
- Hidden Costs Watch: Tourism fees (AED 300/month), internet (AED 350/month), DEWA overages (AED 200-500 in summer) – always ask about caps!
- Best For: 1-6 month stays. Hotel apartments make sense for short-term; switch to regular apartments for 12+ months to save money long-term.
- No Visa Needed: Just passport copy required – I rented mine while my visa was being processed. Way more flexible than regular apartments.
- Finding Deals: Facebook groups beat property sites for direct deals without agent commission. “Dubai Expats” group is gold.
💡 Bottom Line: Hotel apartments saved me when I first moved to Dubai. The flexibility, included services, and no agency fees made them perfect while figuring out my long-term plans. Just budget realistically for first month costs and always ask about utility caps!
P.S. This info is from December 2025 but tbh things change fast in Dubai’s rental market so double check everything! Prices might have shifted and new buildings probably opened since I wrote this. And if ur reading this later… hope the hotel apartment situation has gotten even better lol. Feel free to explore other areas I didnt cover – theres hotel apartments for rent in Dubai in places like Jumeirah Village Circle, International City, and even Palm Jumeirah if your budget allows!
Also ngl I miss my hotel apartment sometimes. The convenience was unreal. But I love having my own furniture and being able to actually decorate now. Its all about what stage of life your at fr 🙂
