Dubai's best hotel room views

There was a time when being invited to sleep with fish would have rightly sent a shiver down your spine – but then Atlantis, The Palm opened. Now everyone is clamouring for a slumber party with Nemo and friends. From your bed, bath and lounge area, the outlook is the same – sharks, rays and myriad other marine life gliding gracefully past your window in the resort's striking Ambassador Lagoon.

Occupying the lower floors of the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, the Armani Hotel Dubai is beautifully designed – courtesy of Mr. Armani himself. Its fountain suite is no different, featuring a magnificent entrance hall and chic living room. But its real draw is the unbroken views of The Dubai Fountain it affords guests. Watch transfixed as the fountain dances its way into the night sky at regular intervals.

You’ll know of Dubai’s cloud-skimming towers and manmade superstructures, but its other, equally amazing attraction is the work of Mother Nature alone – the desert. There is no better place to marvel at this magical landscape than Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai’s foremost desert retreat. Book yourself into the Bedouin Suite, where your list of lavish comforts includes a private infinity pool – float away as you survey the neverending sands around you.

This room at Jumeirah Beach Hotel is the best for sea views, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the scene perfectly. Expect a spacious walk-in shower and bath, with the finest bathroom amenities, and a whole host of extras. Nearby you'll find plenty of top-notch attractions including Madinat Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and Kite Beach.

If you thought the idea of a ski slope in the desert was radical, how about curling up in front of a fireplace? That’s one of the rustic features inside Kempinski Mall of the Emirates' Aspen Ski Chalet, designed to mimic alpine decor right down to the use of wooden beams and flooring. The city’s winter wonderland, Ski Dubai, is right outside your (expansive) window, while access to a dedicated butler service means you won’t have to lift a finger.

The name says it all: this signature accommodation offers near wrap-around views to make you feel like you're living in the clouds. Not only does the ultra-luxe penthouse feature a sublime terrace and infinity pool, it also provides perfect vistas over the Palm Jumeirah island, Arabian Gulf and lofty city marvels in the distance. If you're looking for breathtaking and soul-refreshing moments from the comfort of your own suite, an alfresco coffee at dawn or a serene sunset swim here should be on your checklist.