Can unmarried couples stay in hotels in Dubai?

Dubai is one of the most visited cities in the world. It lies on the Persian Gulf, in the United Arab Emirates. You can come here both for a weekend and a longer vacation, the only question that remains is the choice of accommodation. When booking a place in a Dubai hotel, one must remember that the UAE is a Muslim country. Does this mean that an unmarried couple will not be able to rent a room together? What are the rules regarding accommodation for unmarried couples?

What laws apply to unmarried couples vacationing in Dubai?

Recreation in countries such as the United Arab Emirates often looks different from, for example, in Europe. Therefore, many people wonder what to avoid during their vacation in Dubai, and what behavior will be accepted by the locals. One of the most important issues is precisely hotel accommodation. Married couples will have no trouble with this, but what about couples who travel together and are not married?

It’s worth knowing that the source of the law in Dubai is Sharia, and serious crimes carry the death penalty. The law says that an unmarried couple cannot live together, and the consequence of breaking this rule is imprisonment for up to one year, although for non-Muslim foreigners these rules have been loosened somewhat.

Look also: from Dubai to Abu Dhabi

Is marriage confirmation required in Dubai for a couple staying overnight in a hotel?

Generally, not only in Dubai, but throughout the UAE, it is illegal and punishable to rent a shared hotel room as a couple without a wedding.However, due to the growth of tourism and the increasing number of tourists from Western countries, these rules are not always enforced, especially for foreign guests who are not Muslim.In many hotels it can indeed be a problem to stay together overnight, but you can also find resorts where guests’ marital status is not checked.

Nowadays, this law is less strictly enforced than it was just a few years ago, but you should still expect that hotel staff may demand proof of marriage before renting a room.Usually it’s in luxury resorts that it’s easiest to get an unmarried room, but it depends on the place – hotels inform about their rules of stay even before confirming the reservation, so you should always check this when browsing the offers.

What are the cultural expectations for couples staying in Dubai?

What to do in Dubai if it’s a vacation for two? There are plenty of tourist attractions available, but despite some changes, it is still not allowed to behave as freely in Dubai as in Western countries. You should not show affection to each other in public places, and it is advisable to avoid clothes that expose your body too much. Swimwear for a public beach should be more built-up, while for a private hotel beach you are usually allowed to wear a bolder costume.

Alcohol is theoretically completely banned in Dubai, but there are some exceptions – it can be legally ordered in most hotel bars, and foreign non-Muslim guests are allowed to purchase alcohol in selected places. Consumption of alcohol in public places is still prohibited, and there are heavy fines for violating this ban.

Are there hotels in Dubai for unmarried couples?

However today in Dubai it is already possible to find accommodation for a couple in an informal relationship, hotels are unlikely to advertise this information. You can quickly find out from the description of the hotel whether it accepts unmarried couples, but the whole procedure is carried out quite discreetly. The staff also expects guests not to flaunt their non-legalized relationship. There are also cases of refusal to rent a room when the hotel staff suspects that the couple is not in a permanent relationship, but has only known each other for a short time. On the other hand, there are some hotels where couples are not asked any questions about their relationship status.

Are couples living unmarried in Dubai breaking the law?

When going to Dubai, it is necessary to keep in mind the local law, because ignorance of the rules does not absolve responsibility, and the UAE Penal Code provides for severe penalties even for relatively minor offenses. The UAE is among those Muslim countries where Sharia law is taken very seriously, so it’s better to avoid behavior that could end in the intervention of the services.

One of the most important rules is the prohibition of extramarital sex, and what is related to this, also the prohibition of living without marriage. The penalty for this offense can be imprisonment and deportation. Quite a few hotels require proof from the couple that they are married, and if they don’t show it, they will only be able to rent separate rooms. This does not mean, however, that it is impossible to find shared accommodation for an unmarried couple anywhere in Dubai. Such hotels do exist, and couples staying there need not fear that any unpleasantness will interfere with their vacation, but given the current law, it is better to choose such vacation destinations where unmarried couples are sure to be accepted.

Check: tourist tax in Dubai

The best hotels in Dubai for unmarried couples

Finding a hotel where you are allowed to stay with your informal partner is a bit of a challenge. Prices in Dubai are quite high, but you can stay overnight not only in an exclusive hotel. As for cheaper accommodations, you can stay at Rove Downtown Dubai or Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira, among others, where unmarried couples get a shared room and can enjoy the rest of the hotel’s attractions together. Among luxury hotels, couples in an informal relationship will not be refused accommodation at the Burj Arab Jumeirah or Jumeirah Emirates Towers, for example, while tourists who would like to stay in a boutique hotel should check out the offer of, for example, La Ville Hotel & Suites City Walk or Park Hyatt Dubai.

In hotels that accept unmarried couples, guests are still expected to respect local culture and customs – this means that holding hands, hugging, kissing and drinking alcohol are not advisable in the lobby or on the public terrace.

How to travel in Dubai being a couple without marriage?

People in informal unions can travel together, although they need to remember a few important rules. Before leaving, it’s a good idea to learn something about life in the United Arab Emirates, so that you won’t experience any trouble already on the spot.

Booking accommodation

When looking for a hotel, first of all, make sure that the chosen resort does not check marriage certificates and allows you to sleep in the same room despite the fact that you are not married. If the hotel allows such accommodation, such information can be obtained before making a reservation. An alternative to a hotel can be Airbnb, where, most often, no one also checks whether the renting couple is married or not.

Hotel policy

Overnight accommodations for an unmarried couple are one thing, behavior in public areas is another. Even where each couple can rent a room together, you can’t necessarily count on complete freedom throughout the hotel. It depends on the place, but it is often forbidden, for example, to drink alcohol outside the bar or show affection to each other.

Adherence to cultural norms

Towards tourists, Dubai residents are quite forgiving, nevertheless they expect respect for the local culture. Walking around in skimpy, heavily revealing clothing, using vulgar language, being under the influence of alcohol, offensive or obscene gestures are all frowned upon. These guidelines are not limited to this city, so traveling from Abu Dhabi to Dubai or other parts of the UAE should be just as mindful of the rules in place.

In the UAE, of course, Ramadan is celebrated – tourists are not bound by it, but they are advised to be even more restrained in their behavior during this time. When preparing your luggage for the flight, you should also remember that it is not allowed to bring into the UAE many drugs legally available in Europe or the USA. By following these rules, you can count on your stay in Dubai turning out to be a very pleasant and eventful one.

FAQ

Can an unmarried couple rent a room together in Dubai?

Yes, but this does not apply to all hotels, so you need to be sure about this before making a reservation.

Can an unmarried couple legally live together?

Sharia law does not allow extramarital relations, but some hotels do allow cohabitation despite not being married. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind that tourists can be jailed or deported for living together without marriage.

Are there any hotels in Dubai that accept unmarried couples?

Usually hotels ask for confirmation of being married, but there are also places that do not impose such conditions, especially for foreign guests.

Can people in an informal relationship find a cheap hotel in Dubai?

In addition to luxury hotels, there are cheaper accommodations for unmarried couples in Dubai.

What should couples avoid when vacationing in Dubai?

Regardless of marital status, public displays of affection, even such as walking by the hand or kissing on the cheek, are not tolerated.

What must unmarried couples coming to Dubai keep in mind?

The most important thing is to respect local customs and culture. Restrictive rules apply to behavior and dress, in addition, not every hotel can rent a room with an informal partner.