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Middle East

How could a city behind man-made islands with luxury properties get its air hub so wrong?

From haven to hell: A stopover in the Gulf will never be the same

From Dubai to Doha, it’s going to take more than the usual glitz to restore confidence in tourism and the airlines of the Gulf states.

  • Anthony Dennis
Views of Dubai from the world’s highest infinity pool.

With the world’s highest infinity pool, this hotel is peak stopover luxury

If you’re going to maximise a Dubai stopover, why not go all out with a stay at this glamorous beachside hotel.

  • Trudi Jenkins
Poolside at Zabeel House The Greens.

Planning a stopover? These great Dubai hotels are under $200 a night

Opulence and extravagance are in the emirate’s DNA, but not all the city’s hotels are dipped in gold. Here are my choices.

  • Jenny Hewett
The Neom project’s car-free smart city called The Line, digitally illustrated above, has been stymied by cost overruns and delays.

This country is spending billions to boost tourism. It’s not working out

With mega-projects falling by the wayside and visitor numbers to resorts below target, a tourism dream is slipping away.

  • Robert Jackman
Yes, parts of Dubai can feel artificial and culturally bereft, but travellers should take a deeper look.

There’s no need to avoid this stopover – here’s why

Las Vegas without the showgirls? Disneyland without the fun? If you don’t like this city, you’re just going to the wrong places.

  • Ben Groundwater
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Dubai has a huge expat population.

Ten things we’ll never understand about Dubai

This improbably mushrooming, fast-moving and eye-catching city is a great stopover destination. But even a short visit presents a few puzzles.

  • Brian Johnston
Nobu… Atlantis the Palm.

The neighbouring resorts home to an incredible six Michelin stars

The meal costs $835 a person. Before drinks. And it will be sublime.

  • Ben Groundwater
The islands are gradually coming back to life.

Mad, impractical and hugely delayed: Dubai’s World Islands finally open up

More than 20 years on, after being derailed by 2008’s financial crash, hotels and resorts are finally opening on the 300 islands resembling a map of the world.

  • Robert Jackman
You can currently visit Petra in Jordan without experiencing the heaving crowds that normally frequent the site.

Some of the world’s greatest destinations are currently devoid of tourists

For those who have always wanted to go to Egypt, Morocco or several Middle Eastern countries, this might be the time to book that trip.

  • Lee Tulloch
Fountain Suite.

This hotel feels like being transported into an Egyptian palace

The atmospheric Al Moudira Hotel, Luxor West Bank, never lets you forget you’re in a special part of the world.

  • Michael Gebicki