At Dubai’s luxury hotels, room rates are now even higher than in 2019

At Dubai’s luxury hotels, room rates are now even higher than in 2019

Dubai: It's again luxury leading the way in Dubai – this time in the hotel space, with summer room rates at some deluxe properties going past even 2019 levels. In June, Dubai's luxury hotels were showing an average room rate of Dh1,064, which is 29 per cent above 2019 levels, according to the consultancy STR. Hotels at the Palm and Dubai Marina are the ones experiencing higher room rates, even though average occupancy levels are still in the 59-69 per cent range. The same upward mobility is getting more visible at more budget-friendly hotel stay options too. "Looking at overall industry performance, noticeable gains have been recorded with year-to-date 61 per cent occupancy and Dh481 as average room date," said Philip Wooller, Area Director for Middle East and Africa at STR, a hospitality consultancy. "However, it must be noted that the UAE [hotel sector] is still some way off 2019 levels even as significant progress is made." Hotels are coming off a fairly strong showing during the Eid week in May, and another such week awaits during the upcoming Eid Al Adha break. Again, the focus will be on staycation guests – a focus that has not wavered