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Original poster

April Family Holiday - Dubai

64 replies

BagGreen24 · 31/10/2025 15:58

We are a family of 5 looking for a 10 day holiday during the Easter holiday break April 2026. For the past few years we've been to the Canary Islands so would like to try something new. I don't think Spain or Greece will be warm enough for the type of beach holiday we want, and I don't want the swimming pools to be too cold to use.
DH suggested Dubai. It's never appealled to me for lots of reasons. Am I unreaonable to totally rule it out? Could anyone recommend a good hotel there or suggest any others suitable for a family of 5. We don't want two sepearte rooms.
Am I being unreasonable to totally rule Dubai out of a hotel search?

OP posts:
nixon1976 · 31/10/2025 17:23

I found Dubai boring and tacky. Nothing to do apart from the water park. Nasty place to be honest. Morocco is a really good bet. I loved it there

PistachioTiramisu · 31/10/2025 17:21

I disagree that there is nothing to do in Dubai. There is plenty if you look. The old souks - spice and gold - are amazing, as is a trip on an abra across the Creek. There are museums and trips into the desert for barbecues, camel rides, glorious beaches, people-watching and car-watching. Give it a go!

StonyAdams · 31/10/2025 17:18

Dubai is too blingy and tacky for me. And the slave labour thing isn’t great. Is there anything else you want out of a holiday other than the beach, which could help narrow it down. What about Cyprus or Turkey?

OhDear111 · 31/10/2025 17:14

Half the world has dodgy morals! Certainly anti women. You’d never go anywhere if you scratched below the surface!

Dubai - good hotels, food and pools. Clean and safe. Not much for families to do other than hotel facilities and water parks - some opulent shopping available and dune bashing. Ok for a week - not 2 weeks. 10 days ok if you just lie around.

Other places like Cyprus, USA and Morocco are more interesting. South Africa great in April for something more adventurous.

Cat1504 · 31/10/2025 17:08

Depends what your family family values are….if you don’t have any then go 🤷

PistachioTiramisu · 31/10/2025 17:06

We love Dubai - and no, we are not party-going, drug-taking, flashy people! We love the hotels, the weather, the food, the things to do.

We have stayed at the Grosvenor House Hotel a few times - it is composed of normal rooms and suites, but also has Residences which can easily accommodate a family of 5. It's situated near the marina and the metro station so very central.

PigletIsWorried · 31/10/2025 17:00

I'd rule it out because I wouldn't want to stay in a hotel built on the back of enslaved people's labour, which is a massive issue in Dubai.

Schoolchoicesucks · 31/10/2025 16:34

Morocco?

Ibizaonmymind · 31/10/2025 16:34

Depends on your values. I would never go there.

StaringAtTheWater · 31/10/2025 16:32

I'd suggest Egypt rather than Dubai. It's also misogynistic, but it's cheaper; and at least you can stay in a hotel with it's own coral reef and see lots of beautiful fish in the water.

themerchentofvenus · 31/10/2025 16:25

I have been on holiday to Dubai (because a friend lived there) and would never go again.

Misogynistic laws, slave labour based on your nationality, and just a very odd country.

Purpleturtle45 · 31/10/2025 16:18

Rooms for 5 in Dubai are difficult. I have been keeping my eye out and seems a few deals for Rixos, they seem to do a family of 5 room. We have been in April before and it was beautiful.

randomchap · 31/10/2025 16:00

If you're comfortable with awful misogynistic laws, virtual slave labour, and mixing with the type of people who go to Dubai then go

Greenqueen40 · 31/10/2025 15:59

I think it depends what your budget is, Dubai is significantly more expensive than the canaries

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