Shangri-La

Downtown Dubai


Shangri-La is the mythical paradise first described in James Hilton’s 1933 novel Lost Horizon. In Dubai, it’s a business hotel imbued with an understated sexy vibe. Rooms are a winner in the looks department, with their sycamore furniture, soft leather headboards, local art work and deep soaking tubs.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Downtown Dubai attractions

1. Al Khazzan Park

0.43 MILES

One of Dubai's oldest parks, pocket-sized Al Khazzan has been given a total reboot and is now entirely solar-powered, giving it the right to the title to…

2. Hub Zero

0.59 MILES

This high-tech indoor theme park is squarely aimed at serious gamers. Tickets buy access to 18 attractions, including a head-spinning VR experience, 3D…

3. Dubai Walls

0.6 MILES

More than a dozen hot shots of the international street-art scene, including Aiko, Blek Le Rat, ROA and Nick Walker, have turned new urban-style quarter…

4. Dubai International Financial Centre

0.72 MILES

Dubai’s stock exchange and leading international financial institutions are housed in a complex of six buildings surrounding an impressive central 80m…

5. Green Planet

0.72 MILES

If you can build a ski slope in the desert, why not a rainforest too? The Green Planet is an indoor tropical paradise intended to 'edutain' about…

6. Tabari Artspace

0.74 MILES

Don't be deceived by the relatively small gallery space here; the emphasis is firmly on quality rather than quantity. This is one of the pioneering…

7. Empty Quarter

0.75 MILES

It's always worth stopping by this top-notch gallery, which is the only one in the UAE focused entirely on fine-art photography. While providing a…

8. Burj Khalifa

0.76 MILES

The Burj Khalifa is a stunning feat of architecture and engineering, with two observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors and a restaurant-bar on the…