April Family Holiday - Dubai

[BagGreen24]

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Depends on your values. I would never go there.

Morocco?

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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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!

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

I find it so grim when people holiday there.

How strange! I wouldn't go to a water park if you paid me! See my post above for things to do. Morocco? Well OK if you want men pestering you all the time, offering to buy you for a couple of camels!!

Have you been to Morocco? It’s the most amazing enchanting place with a rich culture and history

My family enjoyed Atlantis the Palm, they have large room/suites or we booked two rooms with an interconnecting door.

@PistachioTiramisu That’s not much of a list though. It’s really about pools and beaches. I did all the things you mention but Dubai really has limitations. It’s just a place to flop!

Nobody thinks of going to muscat - sultanate of oman on these threads. Its beautiful, just next door to the UAE. Has some beautiful hotels and history but no bling.

If it is warm to hot weather and some things to do, I would look at Kenya or Sri Lanka as alternatives.

People who say Dubai is boring or just malls and water parks are so unimaginative.

Go to the Creek and take an abra across to the spice souk. Go to Expo City and enjoy the stunning evening projections at Al Wasl. Take a paddle boarding class at Kite Beach and then go for a traditional Emirati breakfast in Jumeirah. Go horse riding at sunrise in the desert. Wake up early and watch the camel racing. Go outside Dubai and stay in a cabin at the adventure hub in Hatta, or do a day hike to Wadi Shawka.

But also go to Legoland, Ferrari World, SeaWorld, Aquaventure, TeamLabs Phenomena, Warner Bros, the Louvre.

April will be staying to get warm but it will still be nice.

From a 15yrs+ UAE resident

I'd agree with @bilbodog re Muscat. Or Abu Dhabi, far quieter and you can nip up to Dubai for the day if you wish.

I’ve been twice and found hardly any time to flop as there is so much to do.

Are you aware Dubai and the UAE are currently funding and arming the RSF to facilitate the current Sudanese genocide? Thousands of innocents being slaughtered every day so the UAE can continue its gold and diamond hoarding.