Abu Dhabi
Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers
A luxury hotel situated on its own beach with an interconnecting corridor linking the hotel to the Abu Dhabi Shopping Mall. +971 2 644 3000; lhw.com/beachhotel
The Emirates Palace
With 1.3km of private beach, pools, boutiques and two state-of-the-art fitness facilities, this gigantic complex lies just 1km from the city centre. Owned by the government, but managed by luxury hotel specialists Kempinski, it is also home to The Embassy, the UAE’s first fine-dining and member’s only nightclub. A new Mandara Spa opened this year. +971 2 690 9000; emiratespalace.com
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri
The newest place to stay in Abu Dhabi, this combines a hotel, serviced apartments, deluxe villas and three restaurants. +971 2 558 9194; shangri-la.com/abudhabi
Al Raha Beach Hotel, Channel Street
A five-star boutique hotel situated in lush parkland overlooking the Arabian Gulf. It also houses Enigma, the newest and largest nightclub in town. +971 2 50 80 555; preferredhotels.com
Liwa Hotel, Jebel Dhana
Overlooking the Rab al Khali desert and surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes in the world. +971 2 882 2000; ncth.com
Bahrain
The Banyan Tree Desert Spa and Resort
Opening later this year, this will be the only all-villa resort in the Arabian Gulf. +973 1784 5000; banyantree.com/bahrain
Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Manama
A futuristic seven-storey monument set in 20 acres of “urban resort” – their term for a complex of swimming pools, villas and a 22-berth marina. +973 1758 0000; ritzcarlton.com
The Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Manama
A good choice for business travellers. +973 17 533533; starwoodhotels.com
Qatar
Four Seasons
Doha Located on the Corniche, this has a private beach, great spa and impeccable service. +974 494 8888; fourseasons.com
Hotel and Residences, West Bay of Doha
Scheduled to open at the end of 2007, this will be the first contemporary boutique hotel in Qatar. Expect multiple signature restaurants, a Champagne bar, a shisha lounge and retail space. starwoodhotels.com
Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village and Spa, Doha
Located on its own exclusive island resort, just offshore from the capital. +974 48480000; ritzcarlton.com/resorts/doha
Oman
The Chedi, Muscat
A stylish beachside resort, its domed villas inspired by traditional Omani houses, this has one of the most beautiful swimming pools anywhere, its water chilled to an optimum 28°C. +968 24 52 44 00; ghmhotels.com
Evason Hideaway & Spa at Zighy Bay
This boutique resort and spa, featuring villas, many with their own pools, is due to open in later this summer, near a fishing village on the stunning Musandam Peninsula. +971 9 244 3060; sixsenses.com/hideaway-zighybay
Shangri La Al Jissah Resort & Spa
An outstanding resort – the best in the country pending the reopening of the über-opulent Al Bustan Palace next January – it consists of three hotels: Al Husn, Al Waha and Al Bandar. +968 2477 6666; shangri-la.com/muscat
Read more about the Gulf in Rising from the desert
