Family hotels in Dubai: top 10 places for a carefree vacation with children
Futuristic Dubai, which is developing at a rapid pace, may not be associated with a family vacation destination. However, in fact, family is a key source of life in the emirate, so it is important to improve all its components, including providing endless opportunities for recreation. Attentive service staff, doormen who remember guests by name, thoughtful design of establishments with adjoining rooms, kids' clubs and incredible water parks. All this and more can be found in the best hotels in Dubai for families. Not to mention sunny, warm weather all year round, high-end air conditioning, and plenty of shaded areas for those who want to escape the heat. The following list contains the top-rated hotels in Dubai that are ideal for a family vacation, so it will be easy to choose the best option for you.
Atlantic Ze Royal
If you want to get all the benefits of the UAE in one place, we recommend choosing Atlantis The Royal. This unique establishment positions itself as the most luxurious resort in the world, and it really deserves this title. The hotel has almost 800 rooms and suites, which are serviced by exceptional staff, ready to help at a moment's notice. The following amenities can also be found on its vast territory:
- 17 bars and restaurants;
- a wellness center with more than 32 thousand square feet of space and several swimming pools;
- a playground for water sports;
- luxury boutiques and much more.
Of particular note is the Cloud 22 swimming pool, located atop a suspension bridge. Of course, Atlantis The Royal offers a large number of entertainment options for guests of all ages, from fountain shows to the Atlantis Explorers Club. Also included in the room rate is free access to the adjacent Aquarium and Aquaventure water park. Families with children prefer to spend time at the Royal Pool, which includes a 1.2-mile stretch of beach where they can play and build sand castles. The main thing is to be careful during jellyfish season, which is warned by purple flags.
Jah Ze Resort
Among the best family hotels in Dubai is JA The Resort. This is a complex that includes three establishments at once:
- Palm Tree Court;
- JA Beach Hotel;
- Lake View.
All of them are located on a beach and green area of one million acres in the Jabal Ali district. Among the main reasons why parents choose this particular place for a family vacation are the following:
- seven swimming pools on the territory;
- clean beach with a length of 800 meters;
- crèche for babies from the age of four months (available for an additional fee);
- Pirates and Mermaids club for children aged 4 to 12 years, where eight different activities are organized every day, for example, origami classes.
However, the main attraction of the resort is the unlimited number of outdoor activities - wakesurfing, minigolf, swimming in the sea with ponies, archery, and much more. After a day of outdoor activities, you'll want to recharge your batteries, so you can head to one of the more than 25 restaurants and bars.
Bab Al Shams, E Rer Fine Dining Resort
This luxurious family-friendly Dubai hotel is best suited for those who want to enjoy the endless possibilities of the desert within a short drive from the metropolis. Opened in 2004, Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort immediately became a favorite among locals and visitors alike. After an extensive renovation, which included not only a style update but also the addition of new dining options, the resort has sparkled with new colors. The key elements that regular guests come here for have remained (infinity pools on the edge of the desert, a ditch and tall palm trees, etc.), while those that resembled the hackneyed style of Arabian Nights have become history.
In addition to water sports, the hotel offers other family activities, including:
- croquet; giant chess;
- a playground with a children's zipline;
- pony and camel rides;
- falconry;
- guided nature walks.
Various themed events and cultural workshops are also regularly organized, such as Arabic calligraphy classes.
Raffles ze Palm
Opened only in the fall of 2021, this wonderful family-friendly Dubai hotelallows little guests to feel like real princes or princesses during their stay here. Raffles the Palm, with many corners covered in gold, especially in the domed-ceilinged lobby, impresses with attentive staff who remember guests by name, and several lifeguards will keep a close eye on children in the shaded play area. If desired, kids can even go on an excursion in one of the luxurious golf buggies. The kids' club is open daily, open until 20:00 on weekdays and 21:00 on weekends, and entertainment is provided by a specially appointed butler. One more small but pleasant detail: the international restaurant Le Jardin has a Young Voyager buffet especially for younger guests.
The hotel boasts some of the largest rooms on the Palm, including suites ranging from 700 square feet. In addition, there is an option to book connecting rooms, which is especially convenient when traveling with a large family or company.
Atlantis the Palm
Atlantis the Palm is the equivalent of a Disney castle in the United Arab Emirates, a stay in which even small children will remember. This hotel is located at the end of the Jumeirah Palm, boasting a stunning coral exterior. Atlantis the Palm has a lot to offer, but first of all, it is worth mentioning the world's largest Aquaventure water park with a huge number of slides, play areas for all ages, and more. In addition, guests of the luxury family hotel in Dubai have the opportunity to gain a unique experience, for example, while swimming with sharks, sea lions or dolphins. It is also worth visiting The Lost Chambers Aquarium, which features more than 65,000 marine creatures, and Ambassador Lagoon to dive even without a diving license.
If parents want to spend some time alone or attend adult-only activities, the hotel offers a kids' club for younger guests aged 3 to 12. In addition, there is The Zone for teens from 13 to 18 years old. Babysitting services are also available, in case you plan to have a romantic dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen, Hakkasan or Nobu.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
This unique hotel, which stands out from the rest primarily because of its sparkling wave exterior, was opened in 1997, even before the Burj Al Arab appeared opposite. That's why it's impressive that the Jumeirah Beach Hotel's kids' club and pool are still among the best in the city. Moreover, activities for children aged 2 to 12 years are free of charge. Entertainment ranges from trampolining to jungle slides, both inside and outdoors. There's also a youth activity center with plenty of musical instruments to play with. Older children have the opportunity to play tennis and squash, with the help of instructors if necessary.
Another advantage of this family-friendly Dubai hotel is free access to the Wild Wadi Water Park, which is served by shuttle and buggy. Don't miss the opportunity to ride the 120-meter Jumeirah Sceirah slide (available for visitors taller than 110 cm) if you dare.
Park Hyatt Dubai
Among the most luxurious hotels in Dubai, it is impossible not to mention the Park Hyatt Dubai, located on the picturesque coast of the bay. Mediterranean design, a quiet tropical zone where weddings are so popular, a private beach and its own marina - all this is why regular visitors and new travelers who want to feel the incredible experience of the Emirates come here.
The hotel is often chosen as a family vacation destination due to its upscale facilities designed with younger guests in mind. In particular, the central 25-meter swimming pool is open from morning until late evening, and there is a sandy playground nearby. A new lagoon has also recently been added, designed specifically for kids. The Cave Kids' Club, a favorite among children, is located nearby and is open on the same schedule as the pool - from 6:00 to 22:00. This area with endless entertainment is free for visitors aged 3 to 12 years. Teenagers at least 16 years old can spend time with their parents in the 100-meter-long Lagoon Beach by Twiggy or visit the nearby artificial beach.
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
The main advantage of The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina is its 500-meter-long private beach, which is one of the longest in the city. There are bars, restaurants and spas on site, but families with children spend most of their time at the Jungle Bay water park, which opened in early 2021 with numerous attractions, a water park and a six-meter Family Waves pneumatic pool.
Legoland Dubai
Lego fans, young and old, will no doubt be thrilled with Legoland Dubai. This unique hotel has been designed to cater to its core target audience. All 250 rooms, including staircases, corridors and common areas, are decorated in the style of the world's most popular construction set, ranging from the entry-level "themed" level to the "fully themed" Pirate, Friends, Adventure or Ninjago room and more. The hotel offers apartments in various configurations, such as a family suite for eight people or adjoining suites for a whopping 26 people.
To create the decor, 4.5 million cubes were used for more than two thousand models, including a grand installation of a cityscape that took almost 60,000 blocks to build. Children and adults alike can develop their imagination and creativity in the castle's huge play area in the lobby, watching real construction sets at work or going on a treasure hunt in their own room. A visit to the amusement park or water park is also included with your stay at this family-friendly Dubai hotel.
Sentara Mirage Dubai
The new Thai-Arab hotel has done everything possible to attract as many families as possible from the very beginning. The Centara Mirage Dubai has 607 rooms, offering plenty of entertainment and nice little touches that catch the eye:
- body art at check-in;
- a spa with candy and treatments for younger guests;
- three kids' clubs for different ages;
- family lounge with bright accent furniture of small size;
- afternoon tea and cocktails.
In addition, this great family-friendly hotel in Dubai boasts a waterfront promenade with waterslides, a slow-moving river, two beach pools, a trampoline area and cliff jumping areas. The fun doesn't end in the evening with theatrical performances such as the Dueling Fire shows, which leave the crowd in awe.