Dubai in February

[reikizen]

Anyone any tips on a family holiday in Dubai? I have two daughters and we are thinking maybe Feb half term as I fancy a bit of winter sun. Will it be hot but not baking? Any recommendations on where to stay?

[LambChopsMcGee]

True -- not guaranteed amazing weather. I've been a few times in January and it's rained. You need a cardi in the evening etc. Sunny enough to combat SAD though (which I also suffer from).

[welshweasel]

Yeah I wouldn't go for guaranteed sun in February! Egypt would be a better bet. Or Cape Verde.

[Helipad]

GatherlyGal It also rained in February 2016. Locals love it as it's cooler then. All in all it was pleasantly warm apart from the torrential rain on two evenings.

We stayed in Anantara which has swim up rooms over lagoons but the water was way too cold as it really didn't warm up under February's sun.

[GatherlyGal]

Well we went this year at Feb half term and the weather was not great. In fact it rained! Locals were saying how great the weather was but we were not impressed. Kids still swam but it barely reached 20 degrees.

We enjoyed it overall but be aware it is a very expensive place. Everything is expensive.

[LambChopsMcGee]

I think February is a nice time to be there. I have been a few times at that time of year and it's nice.

My number one recommendation for anyone going to the UAE is to get a trip up to the Mussandam your hotel might be able to organise you a bus trip and go on a dhow cruise. Gets you away from the more fake side of things if that is a concern.

Also hotel wise there are some nice heritage hotels in Dubai now, near the Creek. Orient Guest House is one of them and there a few others. I don't know whether you were more after a beach hotel, but even if you are, then it could be nice to stay in a heritage hotel for a few nights and then go to a beach club, even one in another Emirate.

I love the UAE and it's only as fake as you want it to be!

[reikizen]

My kids are 13 and 11. I am in two minds as I went to Dubai many years ago but I have been told it has changed a lot since then. I have self diagnosed SAD ( basically get fed up of long winter nights!) and for years have promised myself a bit of sun in the Feb half term but am struggling to come up with guaranteed sunshine locations.

[Fitzsimmons]

We went at the end of January and the weather was low 20s. Legoland was fantastic. My son loved the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building. The aquarium in the mall is quite good as well. There's a Kidzania there as well that's meant to be good but we didn't have time to get to it as we were visiting family. The global village is quite tacky but there is lots to keep kids entertained.

Also we hired car seats from a really helpful company so if you need the details let me know.

[noenergy]

How old are your kids? Let me know and I will make some suggestions.

There is so much to do there and my kids all love it. It's not for everyone, some people find it too fake as doesn't DH but I love it. The majority of mumsnetters also don't like the sound of it.

[noenergy]

I have been once in February. The temperature was mid 20s which is nice. But personally I prefer end of April as I like a bit of heat.