Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Hotel

Surprisingly under the radar for such an icon, the original QE2 cruise liner (now retired) sits quietly in Port Rashid. Permanently harboured in Dubai, it’s been transformed now into a luxury hotel.

Her 215 rooms, spread over 13 decks, harken back to her life on the open seas, with interiors that still have a touch of the 1980s, original art pieces, quirky details and carpets from her heyday.

Rooms range from cosy (i.e. tiny) to the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary Royal Suites, once reserved for members of the royal family, with a conservatory and private terrace.

‘Dubai’s oldest pub’, the Golden Lion, is also onboard, and sundowners at The Pavilion, on the aft deck, harkens back to the days of maritime glamour.

While the QE2 may not have the facilities offered by many of Dubai’s beach resorts, you’re staying in an icon of maritime history. Guests can also join one of the excellent heritage tours, led by a former Cruise Director, who’ll regale you with stories from his time onboard.