Nicola Chilton

Afar contributor Nicola Chilton tells the stories of people, places, and unexpected adventures from her home base in Dubai.

MORE RECENT ARTICLES
The 55-room Imperial Hotel, Kyoto executive lounge garden with beige carpets and wood furnishings
Stay Here Next
This New Kyoto Hotel Takes Guests Inside the Traditions of the City’s Geisha District
August 31, 2026 01:02 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
AMAALA - Triple Bay
Health + Wellness
This New Wellness Destination Will Let You Try Longevity Treatments and Help Restore Coral Reefs
January 7, 2026 01:12 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
a rendering shows the glass top of a hotel tower peaking through pink clouds over Dubai
Hotel News + Openings
Dubai’s Next Luxury Hotel Is Set to Be the Tallest in the World—and Reservations Are Now Open
October 13, 2025 04:15 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
A guest room at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai with a view of its sister property, Burj Al Arab
Stay Here Next
Dubai Adds Another Eye-Popping Hotel to Its Skyline, and It’s a Superyacht-Inspired Beach Retreat
May 15, 2025 03:55 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Ace Hotel & Swim Club in the Athens Riviera. Green chaise longues surround a pool; right: the hotel's blue and white exterior.
Hotels
The Seaside Mediterranean City Is Having a Moment—Here’s Why It’s Worth the Trip
May 9, 2025 10:57 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Jun's restaurant
Food + Drink
This City Is an Unexpected Haven for Adventurous Foodies
March 28, 2025 02:52 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The pool at Dar Tantora The House Hotel is surrounded by candlelit lanterns.
Stay Here Next
This Ancient Desert Town’s Newest Hotel Is Lit Only by Candlelight
February 18, 2025 04:54 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf
4 Days In
The Perfect 4 Days in Dubai, According to Locals
November 19, 2024 02:24 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Rabat, Morocco. Hassan Tower is the minaret Almohad Caliphate mosque medieval ruins.
Hotels
A Less-Visited Moroccan City Is Getting the Attention of Travelers. Here’s Why.
November 18, 2024 09:15 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Beach Pavilion accommodations at Amanzoe in Greece feature a private pool.
Fall 2024
These Are the 16 Best Hotels and Resorts in Greece
October 29, 2024 10:27 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The courtyard of a riad at Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco with pink walls, cacti, and a metal chandelier.
Hotels We Love
These Are the 12 Best Hotels in Marrakech
October 8, 2024 01:26 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The infinity edged pool at Tapasake at One&Only One Za'abeel in Dubai features uninterrupted views of the city's skyline.
Hotels We Love
These Are the 12 Best Hotels in Dubai
September 28, 2024 03:34 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Tapasake restaurant at One Za'aabeel, where SIRO One Za'abeel is located, overlooks the longest suspended infinity pool in the United Arab Emirates and has views of the Dubai skyline.
Stay Here Next
Dubai’s Latest Innovation: A Luxury Hotel For Fitness Lovers
July 30, 2024 05:06 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The terrace of Kosmos lobby bar at One&Only Kéa Island in Greece has white stone floors that are shaded by trees.
Hotels
These 12 New Greek Hotels Are Opening Before Peak Summer Season—Here’s What They’re Like
April 3, 2024 08:00 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The pool at the Lana,Dorchester Collection, in Dubai features skyline fews and white daybeds shaded by umbrellas.
Stay Here Next
This New Luxury Hotel Is Proof That Dubai Can Be Understated
March 19, 2024 11:50 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The infinity edged pool at Tapasake at One&Only One Za'abeel in Dubai features uninterrupted views of the city's skyline.
Stay Here Next
Dubai’s Newest Sky-High Resort Is a Cantilevered Architectural Wonder
February 13, 2024 01:12 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, left, is surrounded by the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf. Jumeirah Al Naseem, right, is located right on the beach nearby.
Hotels
These Luxury Dubai Hotels Double as a Wildlife Sanctuary
January 28, 2024 08:00 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The rooms at Gora Kadan have views of intimate gardens with maple trees.
Hotels
What to Know Before Staying in a Ryokan in Japan
November 8, 2023 09:00 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The backside of a person wearing a colorful headwrap gazing at the High Atlas mountains in Morocco
Trending News
A Letter from Morocco and How to Help
September 15, 2023 08:00 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The riads at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech are a showcase of Moroccan craftsmanship.
Hotels
How to Book a Riad if You’re Heading to Morocco
August 23, 2023 12:19 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
lux3081ex-95776-Exterior.jpg
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai
July 10, 2023 06:54 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Saudi-Jeddah-shutterstock_AndrewVMarcus.jpg
Destination Spotlight
The 5 Emerging Destinations in Saudi Arabia You Need to Know
January 27, 2023 06:12 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Al-Ain-Lede-CourtesyDCTAbuDhabi.jpg
Where to Travel Next
This Ancient Trading Post in the United Arab Emirates Is an Essential Stop for Modern Visitors Too
January 5, 2023 06:09 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara is filled with materials inspired by traditional regional textiles.
Hotels
The 8 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi for a Truly Local Stay
January 4, 2023 02:20 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
ABuDhabi-FoodGuide-Lede.jpg
Food + Drink
Eating Local: Where to Try Abu Dhabi’s Best Dishes
January 3, 2023 02:09 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The Corniche, located near Khalid Port.
In the Magazine
Sharjah Is One of the Most Exciting—and Overlooked—Cities in the UAE
December 1, 2022 09:01 AM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
Required Eating: The Best New Restaurants in Dubai
Cities We Love
Required Eating: The Best New Restaurants in Dubai
December 3, 2021 01:12 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
The Best New Things to Do in Dubai
Travel Tips + Etiquette
The Best New Things to Do in Dubai
December 3, 2021 01:05 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
A Perfect Day in Dubai
Cities We Love
A Perfect Day in Dubai
December 3, 2021 12:42 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton
A Road Trip Through Abu Dhabi Reveals Its History
In the Magazine
A Road Trip Through Abu Dhabi Reveals Its History
December 1, 2021 02:28 PM
 · 
Nicola Chilton