What: Not so much hotel, more like mid-sized village, the 876-room Madinat Jumeirah is divided into two hotels (Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr) and 29 courtyard villas (Dar Al Masyaf). Attached to these properties are a souk (bazaar) and 40 odd restaurants and bars — all connected by a series of Venice-like canals.

Where: On a 1.2 mile stretch of beachfront and close to the Mall of the Emirates.

When: Go now! Or at least before summer’s swelter and before 20 million tourists expected to descend upon Dubai for its highly-anticipated 2020 World Expo.

Why: Because Dubai is urbanism on steroids — with insane architecture, a Rolls-Royce on every block and shopping centers which put the Mall of America to shame. Did we mention The Mall of the Emirates has a ski slope?

Working well: Madinat rooms have a One Thousand and One Nights Ottoman look, with grand wooden beds, arched doorways lamps and unfailingly helpful staffers.

Needs work: Ask for directions to the spa and they call a buggy (a golf cart) — ask for directions on foot and you generally get bafflement. And the souk has its share of kitsch and crap: Buried in an antique store was World War II memorabilia — not from the Allied side.

Must try: You might hear people telling you to take “an opera.” No — they said abra, one of the boats ferrying people around the resort. Just ask one of the staff and, abracadabra, they appear!

Don’t miss: We do Sunday brunch — Dubai does Friday brunch. Hundreds stream into the restaurants for free-flowing booze and food stations with everything from sushi to pancakes. (Make reservations.)

Competitive edge: In a city that goes for glassy, it’s nice to stay somewhere that looks like it’s from the region. (Being on the beach and having great retail helps.)

Details: From $272 per night at Mina A’Salam; $299 per night for Dar Al Masyaf and Al Qasr (plus 10 percent municipality fee and 10 percent service fee).