Fireworks over the Palm and Downtown — the hottest hotel dates of the year.

NYE is the UAE's peak hotel night, full stop. What you're really buying is a view: Burj Khalifa fireworks from Downtown roofs, Palm fireworks from the crescent resorts, or Yas/Emirates Palace shows in the capital. Rooms with the view command double the rate of identical rooms facing the other way — and sell out first.

Most five-stars enforce compulsory NYE gala dinners on the 31st. Read the rate details: a 'cheap' room plus two mandatory gala seats often costs more than a dearer room with dinner included.

The 30th and the 2nd are the arbitrage nights: same hotels, festive atmosphere, half the price. A Dec 30 – Jan 2 stay beats a Dec 31 one-nighter on every axis.