A long stay in Dubai: the hotel apartment guide
A month in Dubai for work, a relocation or a winter away from home? A long-stay hotel apartment sits between a hotel and a rental — here is how to make it work for you.
Why a hotel apartment instead of a rental
Renting in Dubai usually means an annual contract, connecting utilities and furnishing a home. That makes sense when you are settling for years, not when you need three months while you find your feet. A long-stay hotel apartment gives you a furnished home with a kitchen and the services of a hotel — reception, housekeeping, pool, gym — on a monthly basis.
At DAMAC Maison, long stays come with no annual contract and with DEWA (Dubai's electricity and water), TV and internet included in the price. Guests also get special discounts on hotel services and facilities and 15% off laundry. See our long-stay page for the details.
What to look for in the apartment
Space matters more on a long stay than on a weekend. A studio of 35–40 m² works for one person; couples who both work from home are usually happier in a one-bedroom with a separate living room, and families should look at two bedrooms. Check the kitchen properly: a full cooker and oven, a proper fridge and a dining table make the difference between cooking and reheating.
Natural light and a balcony also count for more over weeks. At Aykon City, one- and two-bedroom apartments come with balconies in the panorama categories; at Canal Views the One Bedroom Suite has a private balcony over the canal.
Choosing the area
Downtown Dubai and Business Bay are the centre of the city in every practical sense: the Red Line metro on Sheikh Zayed Road, The Dubai Mall for everyday shopping, business districts such as DIFC a short drive away and plenty of supermarkets and pharmacies. Business Bay is a little quieter in the evening and has the Dubai Water Canal promenade for walks and runs.
If you will commute daily to an office elsewhere in the city, test the route at rush hour before committing: distances in Dubai are short, but traffic at peak times is real.
Budgeting a month
Monthly rates depend on the apartment, the season and the length of stay. As an example of a published rate, long stays at DAMAC Maison Aykon City start from AED 9,000 per month. Winter months (November to March) are high season in Dubai and book up earlier; summer months are usually easier.
Remember what is already included — utilities, TV, internet and housekeeping — when you compare a hotel apartment with an unfurnished rental.
Questions to ask before booking
How often is housekeeping, and are linen and towels changed? Is there a washing machine in the apartment or a laundry service? Is parking included? Can the rate be extended month by month? Can you receive deliveries at reception? Our long-stay team answers all of these with your quote; send the request from the long-stay page or by WhatsApp.
Settling in
Get a Nol card for the metro and buses in your first days, download the delivery apps you will use for groceries, and find your nearest supermarket and pharmacy. Use the hotel gym and pool as your routine: they are the easiest way to make a new city feel like home. And if you need a meeting room for a day, several of our hotels have meeting facilities downstairs.
Working from your apartment
Many long-stay guests work remotely. Look for a dining table that doubles as a desk, good light, and confirm the internet is included — at DAMAC Maison it is part of the long-stay price. For calls, the separate living room of a one-bedroom suite keeps work and rest apart.
When you need a proper room for a meeting, several DAMAC Maison hotels offer meeting and events facilities, from Aykon City's boardroom to the meeting rooms beside La Maison at Canal Views. Book them through the hotel, and your team can stay upstairs.
Life with the family on a long stay
If children are coming with you, a two-bedroom suite is the minimum for most families on a stay of several weeks. Kids Club access, kids' pools and, at Aykon City, a gaming hub and private cinema make the weeks easier. School-age children will need a plan for schooling, which is worth researching with the schools directly before you travel.
Choosing between our five addresses
For long stays, think about your daily routine. If you will walk to shops and cafés every day, Mall Street puts The Dubai Mall on your doorstep. If you want a resort atmosphere with three pools, a gym with a Warm-Up Studio, a gaming hub and a free shuttle, Aykon City is the most complete. Canal Views and Cour Jardin are quieter Business Bay bases with pools, and Distinction offers suites with Burj Khalifa views and a rooftop pool. Compare them on the hotels page.
