So you’ve made the move to Dubai and now it’s time to figure out where you’re going to live. Or, perhaps you’re already here and are considering a change of scenery around the city.
When it comes to hotel apartments v residential flats, both options have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.
You’ll also need to think about rental costs, amenities and procedures before deciding what’s best for you.
Don’t worry – our nifty guide is here to help you figure out the right option, and will walk you through some of the biggest pros and cons.
Renting in Dubai: hotel apartments v residential flats
On a tight budget and wondering which option is more pocket-friendly?
The cost of renting a residential flat varies depending on the location and total of additional expenses like DEWA, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. It may be less or more expensive than taking on a long-term apartment lease, considering these factors.
For example, Rove Expo 2020 has monthly room rates from Dhs3,999, while according to Property Finder, the monthly rent for a studio apartment in Expo City is priced from Dhs3,500 and upwards.
In this case, while renting seems cheaper, you have to consider the price of utilities, which could raise the price by Dhs500 to Dhs1,000, depending on your usage.
In Dubai Marina, you can get a monthly room rate at Rove Dubai Marina from Dhs5,999 per month and according to Property Finder, the rent for a studio apartment starts from Dhs4,500 per month. While utilities still need to be added to the rent price, in this case, renting could be the more affordable option. However, remember you will need to pay in cheques, and it’s likely this could be 3 or 4 times per year, not monthly.
To get a better idea of which option is right for you beyond the costs involved, use the pros and cons below.
The pros of renting a residential flat
- If your flat is unfurnished, you can make it your own by decorating and furnishing it to your taste.
- Renting a residential flat could work out cheaper depending on the area you rent in, including your monthly utilities.
- There are more options when renting a flat, such as shared housing (rooms), studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, three-bedrooms and more.
The pros of a hotel apartment long-term stay
- A hotel apartment has all the amenities you need for day-to-day living, plus perks. This usually includes Wi-Fi, furniture, a fully-stocked kitchen, cable, laundry, housekeeping, a gym, a swimming pool, valet parking and more.
- There may be discounts on the hotel’s on-site restaurant, breakfast included in your stay, and free access to hotel facilities (spa, theme parks etc.).
- DEWA, Wi-FI, chiller (AC) and other utility costs are included in your stay fee.
The cons of renting a residential flat
- If any repairs are needed, you are responsible for maintenance costs.
- On top of your rent, you have to pay for all utilities, including DEWA, chiller, Wi-Fi, TV subscriptions and more.
- When renting a flat for the first time, there are upfront costs you need to consider, including a deposit, agency fees, DEWA activation, chiller activation and in some cases, a few months of rent in advance.
The cons of a hotel apartment long-term stay
- Prices for month-to-month hotel apartments can fluctuate due to the time of year, events happening and more. For example, hotel prices increase during winter when the city is populated with tourists. This means you may end up having to move to get the best price. This may not apply if you sign a year lease, so opt for this option where sensible and possible.
- You can’t decorate or change anything in your hotel apartment.
Which option is the right one for you?
Whether a hotel apartment or residential flat is the better option depends on your situation. If you’re new to Dubai, lead a busy lifestyle or are on probation at work, a hotel apartment could be worth exploring.
You might also like: Know your rights: How much can your landlord increase your rent by?
If you’ve been living in Dubai for a while, do a price comparison between the hotel apartment fees and renting a residential flat. Depending on the additional fees such as the cost of the AC, DEWA and more, you will find the most budget-friendly option for you.
Hotel apartments to consider in the city:
- Avani Plus Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
- First Central Hotel Suites
- Grand Belle Vue Hotel Apartments
- Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights
- Millennium Place Barsha Heights
- Marina Hotel Apartments
- Oaks Liwa Heights
- Rove Expo 2020
- SlS Dubai Hotel & Residences
- Time Onyx Hotel Apartments
Find the cheapest places to rent in Dubai here.
Looking for more tips on staying in Dubai?
Moving to Dubai? The 10 things you need to do first when you arrive
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