Spent the night both going to and coming from Africa last year at the International Hotel in the Dubai airport. Very glad we did and would do so again. While not cheap, it is worth it. They charge by the hour. Can't remember now how much, but if you book at their website far in advance you get the best rate going. You will be met at arrivals and escorted quickly through security by a member of staff. There is a choice of room and bathroom size -- larger rooms have a massage chair and bathtub, which made all the difference to me. They are also high above the airport and very quiet. All luggage is left aboard the plane, so you need nightclothes etc. in carry on. Room service food is reasonable and good. Emirates provides a complimentary breakfast buffet not far from the hotel, but we preferred eating in the room.

You need a visa to leave and return to the airport & could be subject to long delays getting back in. We did not think it worth it between two such very long flights and found the airport itself, its many shops, and the throngs of people literally from around the globe to be entertaining enough.

I like Dubai as a stopover and there are plenty of interesting things to do other than malls, esp. in Feb. when the weather will be at it's best. Bastakiah and the Islamic Cultural Center are worthwhile and you can have a group breakfast/lunch with an Emirati and find out more about their culture. You can also walk around the souk area and take an abra ride across the creek. They also have a small but good Bedouin culture museum. The dunes outside of Dubai are wonderful to visit also but you can find out much more on TA.

Hotels near the airport are still a short taxi ride to central Dubai and taxis are not too expensive and easy to use.

My wife and I did the stopover last year on our way to Kenya and it was fun even eventhough it was during Ramadan. In our case it was a free stopover with hotel and transportation included and we spent 2 nights in Dubai. February should be nice weather wise.

"they charge by the hour"
Guess though if those who book are only looking for a nap and shower or 'quickie' makes sense.

ROFL - haven't heard anything like that in years!

Am sure you can find a nice hotel at a reasonable rate nearby the airport and be at your own leisure for the time you have in DXB.

It does not keep getting more expensive as time goes on. In other words, the shorter the time you want the room, the more expensive it is. An overnight stay is about what you'd pay at any good hotel in a major city. And congratulations to anyone in the mood for a quickie after a 16 hour flight...