Luxury Short-Term Rentals, Hotel-Quality Service

Yes, it's legal – but only for licensed properties. Airbnb and other platforms work in Dubai within the framework set by DET: each holiday home must have a valid permit and meet safety and quality standards. When you book a place that clearly shows a Dubai holiday home permit number and is operated by a recognized company, you're in the "official, compliant" part of the market.

A properly licensed holiday home in Dubai will display a holiday home permit/license number on the listing or booking confirmation, often mention that it is a "DET-licensed holiday home", and be managed by a registered operator rather than an anonymous profile with no details. If you're unsure, you can always ask the host or operator to confirm their license and permit number before you book.

Yes, almost all guests do. Tourism Dirham is a small tourism fee charged per bedroom per night, usually for up to 30 nights of a continuous stay. For holiday homes it typically ranges from AED 10–15 per bedroom per night, depending on whether the property is classified as Standard or Deluxe. Sometimes it's built into the price you see; sometimes it appears as a separate line – but it should be clearly explained before you pay.

Most licensed holiday homes function like serviced apartments: utilities (electricity, water, cooling) are included, Wi-Fi is almost always provided, the kitchen is equipped for everyday cooking, bed linen and towels are included like in a hotel, and cleaning at the end of your stay is normally included in a cleaning fee or built into the price. Extra mid-stay cleanings might be optional add-ons.

In almost all cases: no. Dubai is strict about noise, building rules, and neighbour comfort. Hosts are usually required to prohibit parties and events in their house rules, respond quickly to complaints, and enforce occupancy and visitor limits. If you're planning a large gathering, it's better to look for dedicated event venues or licensed spaces, not residential holiday homes.