Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

Just got back. Utterly brilliant hotel, the kids club (2yr+)is better than my lo's nursery with activities every 30 mins like wand making and dancing and the staff always remembered her name and the toys she likes. Worth upgrading to club executive as the premium club lounge also has a play area and complimentary sandwiches and snacks 3-5 which were great for lo's dinner then she went in the kids club while husband and I had dinner together. There are also two other lounges that come with that package where you have complimentary pre dinner drinks 5-7 and 7-9 saving quite a bit of money. Kids eat free everywhere and the half board option was worth it. Going back to the executive club option you get the use of a quieter pool which is probably the best pool I've ever seen, lots of different sections with jets and coves and water sprays, also another kiddies pool.

The beach is gorgeous which I guess is what you'd expect from a man made beach on a 5 star resort. The only thing I didn't like and I know it's a 7* hotel and that's great but the Burj Al Arab is plonked in the middle of the sea in front of the beach so when looking out to sea it's not quite as serene as it could have been. Having not been in there I can't appreciate the positioning but I think next time we'll have a look for afternoon tea which I've heard is the best!!

I found the best rates booking directly with the hotel and booking flights separately, it is then worth joining their rewards programme to get upgrades and late check outs, etc. We had a one bedroom suite which had a huge terrace looking out onto the beach and the city, lovely to sit and have a glass of wine on at night. It was also lovely to hear the praying on the loudspeakers from the mosques. The balcony was very safe with very tall glass panels even though we were on the 15th floor I didn't get too worried lo being out there (never on her own mind you).

Overall in the three years of my lo's life so far we have been to Tobago, Florida, Maldives and Dubai and staying at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel was the easiest most carefree holiday for all of us.

Mumsnetters' comments: Reviewers liked the "manageable flight" with special check in for families. There's an "excellent kids club" and lots of really good organised children's activities. The man-made beach is "very safe" and you get free entry to the Wild Wadi park and access to the Berj al Arab (normally closed to visitors). Accommodation is "luxurious", but bear in mind "the hotel is huge and pretty busy." The food is "good but on the pricey side" and there's a separate restaurant with play facilities. Overall "a very relaxing holiday, highly recommended for a winter week." "Expensive but worth it."

We've been several times with kids at various ages and it never fails to be great.

Our boys love the pools, beach and Wild Wadi park and happily go into the excellent kids club, where they spend time playing outdoors but in the shade.

Great food, a lovely setting and lots of choice. If you are staying at JBH you can eat at any of the Madinat resorts and charge it to your room.

We've also stayed at the Atlantis but the Jumeirah Beach is loads better for families with small children. For a start when we went to Atlantis, the kids club was really expensive and only for 4+, plus it was indoors and had lots of computer games. Not really what I wanted for my small but active boys!

I would definitely recommend this hotel both for a family holiday or if travelling without the kids because there are separate pools to keep everyone happy. The sandy beach is perfect for kids plus the kids pool and wild wadi - can't wait to go back

Worth staying at the Jumeirah for the easy access/free entry to Wild Wadi. Lovely hotel right on the beach.