meridian

Beautiful hotel with excellent facilities and right on a lovely beach. You are away from dahab 'proper' as in the original bedouin village and hippy/traveller centre but it's a 10 minute cheap taxi ride away to go visit the lovely shops and buy bedouin crafts, jewellery, papyrus, oils etc and sample the beach side cafes etc.

Meanwhile you're in the luxury side of dahab with a proper sandy beach, the hotel has it's own beach area and there are tons of water sports to partake in for all levels. This is the spot for windsurfing in particular and gorgeous instructors are a nice perk ;-)

The locals love kids and will be really accommodating to families and children love dahab because it's just so welcoming to them and affords the kind of freedoms you just don't get here. If you are particular about what your child eats be hyper vigilant in shops, the second your back is turned they'll be handing them free sweets and treats.

In dahab itself there is habiba childcare which will take children on a pay by day basis for the equivalent of about £4 including food. The local expats send their youngsters there so it is reliable and is run by a German lady. It's open 8-2 except Fridays and Saturdays.

For the more adventurous there are desert safaris on camel with overnight or longer camping with the bedouin, or you can just do a day excursion on camel back or jeep and there is also quad biking into the desert. Trips to beautiful spots like the white canyon are inexpensive and worth it.