Weekly hotels top five of five - United Arab Emirates

(IHG)

Next week sees the start of the GITEX expo in Dubai, a huge event expected to draw over 100,000 visitors from around the world to marvel at and purchase the latest consumer electronics gadgets.

Shopping opportunities like this are part of the reason the United Arab Emirates has experienced such a meteoric rise as a tourist destination - it's estimated that by 2018, the country will account for 86 percent of tourist-related investments planned in the Middle East.

Led by Abu Dhabi and Dubai, even the smaller Emirates have embraced the tourist dollar - Sharjah, for instance, embarked upon an unprecedented tour of global travel exhibitions this year to try to build awareness of its culture and heritage tourism offerings.

Abu Dhabi

After a decade of being overshadowed by its popular neighbor Dubai, Abu Dhabi is fighting back with a selection of luxury hotels. Despite this, its top five properties are still considerably cheaper than Dubai's with the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi ranked first place.

1 Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi
2 Vision Hotel Apartments
3 Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
4 Beach Rotana - Abu Dhabi
5 Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna

Average price of top five $147 - $533 / €106 - €385

Dubai

Dubai is the second most populous Emirate in the UAE and something of a tourism powerhouse, home to some of the world's most luxurious hotels - and with rates to match. Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa was voted top by TripAdvisor users.

1 Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
2 Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah
3 Al Maha Desert Resort
4 Grosvenor House Dubai
5 Mina A' Salam at Madinat Jumeirah

Average price of top five $453 - $1,185 / €327 - €856

Sharjah

Sharjah's hotels are considerably cheaper than those in Dubai despite being very close, making them a good alternative option. Guests described the top-ranked Hotel Holiday International Sharjah as "cozy & comfortable" with stunning views.

1 Hotel Holiday International Sharjah
2 Sharjah Beach Hotel
3 Sharjah Rotana
4 Coral Beach Resort
5 Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah

Average price of top five $99 - $211 / €72 - €152

Ajman

Kempinski topped the list of establishments in Ajman, the fourth most populous city in the UAE. Guests praised the polite staff and excellent beach.

1 Kempinski Hotel Ajman
2 Landmark Suites Hotel
3 Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman
4 Andalusia Residence Suites
5 Ajman Beach Hotel

Average price of top five $107 - $215 / €77 - €155

Ras al-Khaimah

Situated at the top peak of the UAE bordering Oman (Ras al-Khaimah literally means "top of the tent"), Ras al-Khaimah boasts an excellent selection of luxury spas - the Hilton took top place.

1 Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa
2 Al Hamra Fort Hotel & Beach Resort
3 Hilton Ras Al Khaimah
4 Cove Rotana Resort Ras Al Khaimah
5 Banyan Tree Al Wadi

Average price of top five $221 - $444 / €160 - €321

Data is taken from millions of independent reviews and rankings surveyed at TripAdvisor taken on October 6, 2010.

Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com