Penthouses and big apartments, by area
Each part of Dubai gives you a different view from the top floor: the Burj, the Marina, the Palm or the Creek. Tap an area to see its penthouses, or fly over it on the 3D map above.
More ways to stay high
Hotels where the suites come with a view of the whole city, from inside Burj Khalifa to the tallest hotel tower in the world.
The Signature Penthouses at Atlantis The Royal
Six penthouses on the Palm's outer crescent. Each has a private infinity pool and a terrace that can be bigger than the apartment itself. The largest, the Royal Mansion, takes up two floors of the sky bridge.
Fill the days between events
The most-booked experiences in Dubai on Viator, from the desert to the 124th floor.
Penthouse apartments in Dubai: the short guide
A penthouse in Dubai is the top floor, or the top few floors, of a tower. You usually get three to five bedrooms, a big terrace, sometimes a private pool, and a view of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina or the sea. For a family or a group, one penthouse often works out cheaper per person than several hotel rooms, and you get a kitchen, a living room and space to spread out.
This guide lists 61 penthouses and 58 more villas and big apartments that you can book on Booking.com. Each one is on the 3D map above, with its area, bedrooms and live prices for your dates. We also cover Atlantis The Royal's six Signature Penthouses, the biggest hotel penthouses in the city.
The best areas to stay in a penthouse
- Dubai Marina: more high-floor apartments than anywhere else in Dubai. Penthouses look over the water, the Palm or the sea, and JBR beach is a short walk away.
- Downtown Dubai: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain are on your doorstep. This is the place for the New Year's Eve fireworks.
- Palm Jumeirah: the resort island, with beachfront apartments, villas with private pools, and Atlantis The Royal on the crescent.
- JBR: towers right on the beach, with restaurants and The Beach mall downstairs. Good for families.
- Business Bay: newer towers on the canal next to Downtown. They often have Burj Khalifa views for less money.
- Dubai Creek Harbour: newer towers across the water from old Dubai, close to the airport and Festival City.
See all areas for the rest, including JLT, JVC and Al Barsha.
What to check before you book
- Bedrooms and beds: look at the bed list, not just "sleeps 8". Some penthouses count a sofa bed.
- Which way it faces: "Burj view" and "sea view" can mean a full view or a side glimpse. The listing photos taken from the balcony tell you which.
- Pool: a private pool on the terrace is different from a shared rooftop pool. Our private pool page lists the ones with their own.
- Floor: on Booking.com, "penthouse" can mean the top floor of a mid-rise building. Check the floor number if height matters.
- Cancellation: for peak dates, choose a rate with free cancellation and book early.
When to book
Dubai's busy season runs from November to March, when the weather is cooler. Prices peak around New Year's Eve, GITEX, Gulfood, the Dubai World Cup and the Emirates Dubai Sevens, and the biggest apartments go first. June to September is the hottest time of year and usually the cheapest. Our events calendar shows what's on and the best area to stay for each event.
Penthouse or hotel suite?
An apartment gives you more space for the money, separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and a washing machine, which matters on a long stay. A hotel gives you daily housekeeping, restaurants and service on tap. The Signature Penthouses at Atlantis The Royal and the top-floor hotel suites give you both, at a price.
About this site
We're an independent guide, written by people who run short-stay apartments in Dubai and Melbourne. Stays are booked on Booking.com and tours on Viator. We earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Read more about us, or browse the blog for area guides, event guides and ticket guides for Dubai's big attractions.
Straight answers
What people ask before booking a penthouse or a big apartment in Dubai.
What is a penthouse apartment in Dubai?
The top floor or top few floors of a residential tower, usually with three or more bedrooms, a large terrace and a high view. Some have a private pool.
Which area of Dubai is best for a penthouse?
Dubai Marina has the most penthouses and sea or marina views. Downtown Dubai is best for Burj Khalifa views and New Year's Eve, and Palm Jumeirah for beach and private pools.
Are there penthouses with a private pool in Dubai?
Yes. Most are on Palm Jumeirah, and all six Signature Penthouses at Atlantis The Royal have one. Our private pool page lists the ones with their own pool.
Is a penthouse cheaper than hotel rooms for a group?
Often, for four or more people. One penthouse with three or four bedrooms usually costs less per person than the same number of hotel rooms, and you get a kitchen and living space.
What is the biggest penthouse you can book in Dubai?
The Royal Mansion at Atlantis The Royal: 1,128 square metres inside plus a 476 square metre terrace with its own infinity pool. It has four bedrooms across the 18th and 19th floors of the resort’s sky bridge and sleeps nine adults and four children.
How many penthouses does Atlantis The Royal have?
Six Signature Penthouses: the Royal Mansion, Panoramic, Horizon, Oceanscape, Sunscape and Cityscape. Each has a private infinity pool. The resort also has 38 Sky Pool Villas, which come with private pools too.
Can I book an Atlantis The Royal penthouse on Booking.com?
Booking.com shows the rooms and suites the resort releases for your dates. The Signature Penthouses are often sold on request, so if they don’t appear, the three-bedroom Sky Terrace suites and the Sky Pool Villas are the closest you can book online.
Where should I stay for GITEX, WHX or Automechanika at Expo City Dubai?
Dubai Marina and JBR are the closest areas with plenty of 3 and 4 bedroom apartments, about 13 kilometres from Expo City. Downtown and Business Bay are roughly twice as far, so allow extra time at rush hour.
Where should I stay for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan?
Business Bay and Downtown Dubai are the nearest areas with large apartments, 4 to 5 kilometres from Meydan Racecourse.
Where should I stay for the Emirates Dubai 7s?
The Sevens Stadium is out on the Al Ain Road, so nowhere is walking distance. Dubai Creek, Business Bay and Downtown are the closest areas with big apartments. Plan on a taxi or the event shuttles.
Where can I find a 4 bedroom stay with a private pool?
Palm Jumeirah has the most 4-bedroom villas with private pools and beach access. For a 4-bedroom apartment with city life outside the door, look at Dubai Marina and JBR.
When are Dubai stays most expensive?
Prices peak around New Year’s Eve, GITEX, Gulfood, the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai 7s, and the biggest apartments go first. Book early and choose a free-cancellation rate in those weeks.