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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Family hotel in Dubai?

37 replies

Kiwi32 · 24/02/2017 07:18

Hi there

Can anyone recommend a mid-range hotel in Dubai that's suitable for a holiday with a 1 year old? Not bothered about kids clubs but would love a good pool, with a separate kids pool if possible? Google is bringing up 5 star places with infinity pools, possibly this is all there is available given the location (hard times) but it's not quite what we're after...

Stayed on Jumeirah Beach before which was seemed a good spot but happy to try elsewhere...

Any tips gratefully received!

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Original poster
Kiwi32 · 24/02/2017 12:58

Bumpity bump

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KatyBerry · 24/02/2017 13:02

if you're prepared to take an hour's cab ride out of Dubai to Ras al Khaimah, there are a bunch of great hotels which are replicas of their Dubai counterparts but 1/3 cheaper. The Waldorf Astoria is superb and has a family pool / adults only pool / brilliant kids club / nice beach (tho' not huge) and is utterly luxurious

Artandco · 24/02/2017 13:03

We have stayed at the Atlantis Hotel with kids. They were 1 and 2 at the time. It was newly built at the time so all shiney and new and clean, but assume it's similar still as that was only 5 years ago.

Has a couple of pools, beach right there and the water park onsite is free to guests. Mine toddled in small kids water fountains etc. It's expensive if not on site as small ones don't want to stay all day but good if in Hotel as can go in unlimited for however long.
Also has onsite aquarium

Have you considered Oman? We prefer to Dubai and it's also been nice with kids. You have the desert, mountains, muscat city and beaches all accessible

MollyHuaCha · 24/02/2017 13:07

Dubai has poor a human rights record. Maybe think of going somewhere nicer? (sorry)

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 24/02/2017 14:55

Thank you for the replies!

Katy I hadn't considered looking outside Dubai itself so I will def check that out, many thanks.

Art Atlantis (I assume you mean Atlantis Palm?) is the one that keeps coming up but I was hoping to find somewhere less expensive. It may be the best option though with the added extras so thanks for that info.

Molly fair point but this is an allocated R&R spot for my DH (military) so we have no choice.

Thanks again, any other suggestions would be fab...

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MollyHuaCha · 24/02/2017 15:25

Fair enough Smile

Sunnie1984 · 24/02/2017 16:14

The mina seyahi is great for kids, and can be a little cheaper than elsewhere.

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 24/02/2017 16:22

Great, thanks Sunnie will check it out!

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scaryteacher · 25/02/2017 14:33

There are three Premier Inns in Dubai.....I've stayed at one on a flying visit from Oman with my db (Brit mil posted to Oman). It was fine, food good, free bus to malls, and there was a pool. The difference from UK Premier Inns was the bidet in the bathroom, and the phone in there too.

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 25/02/2017 15:14

Hi scary that's good to know, I'll look at those too. Many thanks

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ihearttc · 25/02/2017 18:35

The Mina Seyahi is amazing!

We've been there 4 times since DS2 was 2.5 and we are going again in April.

Lovely friendly staff and a fantastic pool/kids club with huge shaded playwark (its under an awning so nice and cool for them). You can also use all the amenities in the sister hotel next door which is the Westin.

There is a metro stop just outside the hotel as well.

ihearttc · 25/02/2017 18:37

Thats supposed to say play park by the way...

Feel free to PM with any questions!

If you read the reviews it says it gets noisy because of the Barasti Bar next door...we have never really heard any noise at all apart from some background music while we were in the pool!

Bloggybollocks · 25/02/2017 18:43

Another vote for Mina seyahi here too, we are going in may and for a change staying at le meridien in Fujairah, looks great and very well priced too.

WhisperedLoudest · 25/02/2017 18:48

molly I'm always fascinated on these threads when people say don't go to Dubai because of human rights where they holiday themselves.

Where is an appropriate holiday destination?

Bloggybollocks · 25/02/2017 18:51

I would never go to Indonesia because of their human rights record, particularly with reference to the death penalty, I think it depends on the individual, I've been to Dubai 6 times and would never not go despite a lot of people saying it's deplorable. There is exploitation everywhere in my mind.

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 25/02/2017 18:53

Sounds like Mina seyahi going to be a strong contender! Great to hear more good experiences iheart and bloggy many thanks.

iheart I'll definitely let you know if I think of any Smile

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ihearttc · 25/02/2017 18:58

We always go to Dubai in May half term but it's Ramadan then this year so have moved it forward to Easter.

It's my safe haven...I absolutely love Dubai and so do our boys.

Bloggybollocks · 25/02/2017 19:01

We are going during Ramadan iheart not much changes except it's half the price!

ihearttc · 25/02/2017 19:08

My DH works in the Middle East hence why we go to Dubai a lot as we can't get into KSA (not that I'd want to go anyway!) and he said the same thing that nothing much changes. It actually ended up being less the week we are going than it did in May otherwise I would have just booked May again. I'm hoping it might be a bit cooler in April...I love heat but 46 degrees is a little too hot even for me!

Bloggybollocks · 25/02/2017 19:14

Yes you take your chances going in may! I've been and it's been pleasantly hot but not too much, then again I've been in may and it's been so bloody hot it's impossible to leave the shade! The thing I love is how geared up for warm weather it is. Shaded kids pools/playgrounds etc. Air con everywhere, handing out ice lollies by the pool. Perfect!

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 25/02/2017 20:35

Oh god...there's a chance we might be back out there at the end of June! Thank goodness for air con and ice lollies!

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Original poster
Kiwi32 · 25/02/2017 20:37

Do you mind me asking what sort of room you both get at Mina seyahi with kids? Also does the hotel do airport transfers with kids seats or do you use a taxi firm?

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Starface · 25/02/2017 20:40

I also came on to say Westin / mina seyahi. We stayed at the Westin and the service was amongst the best I've ever experienced, our girls (3 and 8 months) loved it and we had to drag the older one out of the hotel. Quite a bit of variety within the complex itself we found.

Original poster
Kiwi32 · 25/02/2017 20:52

Great to hear, thanks starface, it certainly looks excellent, crossing fingers we can afford it!

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ihearttc · 25/02/2017 20:52

We just use a taxi cause DS2 is 6 now so just has a trunki booster seat. Is your little one still in an infant carrier?

There are 4 of us when we go...we usually have an enormous room which has a huge king size bed and a single bed plus they put a rollaway bed in as well. If your DS is still in a cot you might get just a king size bed and then room for the cot. The rooms they give to families are always at the front of the hotel so unfortunately you won't get sea views but this is a safety thing as those rooms have balconies.

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