Aspen Chalets by Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

Nowhere else in the region can you wake up to snow-covered slopes in the middle of the desert. The chalets are part of Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, with direct access to the mall and its hundreds of shops, and Ski Dubai right outside the window. The beaches and the Palm are a short drive away, and the Mall of the Emirates Metro is about a five-minute walk.

Step inside and the desert disappears. Timber-beamed ceilings, rich leather, and marble set an alpine-lodge mood, and every chalet includes a dedicated butler. With ski-to-door access, the slopes are just steps away.

The classic Aspen Ski Chalet sets the tone: 45 square metres with separate living, dining and sleeping areas, slope views, and a marble bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower. The Duplex Chalets span two floors and feature a fireplace and kitchenette, and the three-bedroom chalet sleeps up to seven across three floors. For sun rather than snow, the Aspen Pool Chalets open straight onto the infinity pools.

The hotel's restaurants are close at hand, from Spanish tapas and paellas to elegant Italian dishes and afternoon tea at the café, with round-the-clock in-room dining for cosy nights in. Step into the mall and dozens more restaurants await.

After the slopes, SENSASIA Stories offers massages, facials, and body treatments, plus a private couples' suite. The hotel's two outdoor infinity pools bring a dose of sunshine, the perfect contrast to a morning in the snow.