SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences

Every room has a balcony or terrace, with a view of Burj Khalifa, the city, Dubai Creek, or Meydan, depending on the room type. The entry-level rooms, Signature King and Signature Duo, are 46 sqm and fit 2 guests. For 3 guests, there's the Sky Premium King (67 sqm, in the city-view version) or the Sky Family King Suite (92 sqm). A family of 4 needs a two-bedroom apartment (Wonder Living, 155 sqm) or the Presidential Suite.

For children, there's a separate family pool on the 6th floor, for ages 12 and under. A third pool, facing Meydan, is open from age 13 with an accompanying adult. There's no kids' club and no beach. The spa, Ciel Spa, is on the 69th floor, with a jacuzzi, steam rooms, experience showers and a couples' suite. It's open Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00–21:00. The gym is open 24 hours.

The hotel has 6 restaurants and bars. Carna is a steakhouse by Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, and Fi'lia is an Italian restaurant selected for the Michelin guide. S Bar is in the lobby on the 71st floor, Smoke & Mirrors is a speakeasy bar with a cigar lounge, and EllaMia is a café. Privilege is the rooftop pool bar, which turns into a club at night, with pool parties on Saturdays.

Dubai Mall is 2.2 km away, about a 5-minute drive, and Burj Khalifa is about 5 minutes. That's not a comfortable walking distance. Per the location page, the nearest metro station is a 7-minute drive away. DXB Airport is about 14 km away, 15–20 minutes. The main downside for families: the rooftop pools, the reason most people choose this hotel, are off-limits to children. And the evening atmosphere on the top floors is that of a club.