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Holidays

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

Original poster

Dubai family holiday

28 replies

Kitty2002 · 26/01/2018 21:13

Hi I am planning a last minute getaway for next month with DH and DC aged 3 and 3months. It is the first anniversary of my mums passing, coinciding with my birthday so looking for somewhere to getaway to which is lovely and we are taken care of. We really just want ultimate relaxation for this one as opposed to normal want to get out and sightsee so a really good respite hotel which is family friendly with good food, swimming and kids facilities.

Does anyone have good suggestions of family friendly but luxe feel hotels in Dubai and is the palm or jumeriah beach the better place to stay?

There are so many options I don’t know where to start!!

Thanks!

OP posts:
noenergy · 27/01/2018 07:53

Jumeirah beach hotel is great for kids with kids club and water park.

Or one of the other more luxury hotels in the same resort like Mina Salaam or Dar al Masyaf.

Have a look on the Jumeirah website for all their hotels. There is a waterway going through all the resort with abras to ride on which is gorgeous at night.

I don't like the Palm as it's out in the middle of nowhere and takes a good 15/20 to get off the Palm. But if you are considering it the Sofitel is nice and if course there is the Atlantis but it's very big and sometimes like an overcrowded shopping mall.

FrancinePefko · 27/01/2018 07:57

I don't know why anyone would go on holiday to Dubai. It's completely artificial.

reallyanotherone · 27/01/2018 08:07

What francine said. Also built on slavery, still run using people who’s passports have been taken away.

Add to that the fact you can go to prison for being raped, and other questionable “crimes”. I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole.

Plenty of other “luxe” destinations.

SandLand · 27/01/2018 08:08

Are you planning on just staying in the resort, or wanting suggestions for out and about to?
If you want yo go and explore Dubai, I'd avoid the Palm - it's actually quite isolated. If you want to just stay in resort, either is fine. Can't recommend specific hotels, as we generally station self catering apartments, and then get out and about.
Miracle garden, dinosaur park and kidzania come recommended for kids.

Justanotherzombie · 27/01/2018 08:14

For the same money I think another destination might be better or is there some reason it needs to be Dubai? It's so so hot and busy which is fine but I'd personally be looking at the Maldives or somewhere instead if you want relaxation and luxury.

Almostthere15 · 27/01/2018 08:17

How long are you going for and are you set on Dubai?
Everywhere has it's problems so I'm not trying to put you off at all but there are other places for a sit and do nothing holiday.

Almostthere15 · 27/01/2018 08:20

Posted too soon.

For example we loved this
www.tui.co.uk/destinations/caribbean/mexico/mexico-caribbean-coast/riviera-maya/hotels/tui-sensatori-resort-azul-mexico.html?im_id=PPC&gclid=CLirxcTa99gCFQ_iGwodEscK4A&gclsrc=ds
So well suited to families with toys in all the restaurants, and great facilities all over the resort. The temps there now would be great for little ones (about 23 I'd say)

Martinhall in Portugal is lovely but it won't be particularly hot right now.

SandLand · 27/01/2018 08:27

Dubai isnt hot in Feb. It will likely be mid 20s, maybe peaking at low 30s some days. Its still winter, and may rain.

FrancinePefko · 27/01/2018 08:27

Miracle garden, dinosaur park and KidZania come recommended for kids

You don't need to go all the way to Dubai for any of that (or winter sun / warmth). Don't forget, why they built all of these plastic "attractions" - to try and make you forget that you're in Dubai.

Brighteyes27 · 29/01/2018 09:58

Like others have said I would avoid Dubai for the reasons stated.
I have never been and not would I want to go is their not another destination that you would consider?

ripple11 · 30/01/2018 23:37

Dubai is a great destination for relaxation, with high quality hotels, fantastic food and outstanding service.Also some amazing attractions to visit. Easy flight, 7 hours, lots of flight choice.
You have got to be a little careful going in February as you can get a few days of poor weather..... ( google Phillip Schofield/ Dubai 🙂)
I would recommend Anantara on the palm if you want relaxation. The lagoon access rooms are fantastic , especially for children. Being on the palm the beach has millpond waves...ideally for young children,also has kids club , and kids pool for babies
The only cheap thing in Dubai is taxis! ...so be prepared for high prices. Most hotels will do a half board deal , which is worth looking for if you are happy to stay on Resort most of the time.
Enjoy !

FrancinePefko · 31/01/2018 12:08

While it is obviously lot better than much of the Middle East (in terms of human rights and the legal system), I still think there are much closer locations to get all of the above positives you mention.

The way they treat unskilled labour from South Asia and the Pacific Islands is as though they are subhuman.

KimchiLaLa · 31/01/2018 17:05

Oh FFS Francine, if the OP wants to go to dubai then she can! It's her money!

Op I've been loads but not with kids. To be honest I think all hotels will be relatively family friendly. One of our friends likes the Atlantis as it has plenty of daycare if you want to use it. I've stayed at the Westin on the marina loads and it's always looked nice for the kids too, the pool is great.

reallyanotherone · 31/01/2018 18:46

Yeah francine, who cares about all the workers kept there against their will, have had their passports taken off them, or been injured or killed on building sites. If op wants a relaxing holiday she is entitled to it!

If she wants her money to fund slavery and oppression then thats up to her!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 31/01/2018 19:00

Well I'm looking forward to going. We'll do it as a long stopover for 4 nights on the way to Japan later this year. Can't wait.

FrancinePefko · 01/02/2018 00:57

I think holidaying there attracts a certain kind of person...

Justanotherzombie · 01/02/2018 11:17

There's many many good and innocent people in Dubai running businesses that rely on the tourist industry.

It's not so black and white, especially when you consider how our country treats the vulnerable....Francine et al. How do you live with yourself putting money into this country which exploits and mistreats so many of our society??

FrancinePefko · 01/02/2018 15:12

Nowhere is perfect. I just can't understand going to a place where they've spent so much trying to create an illusion that you're somewhere else. The royal families of several gulf kingdoms have realised that the days of being able to dig all of their wealth out of the ground and the internal combustion engine are numbered. Hence the reason why Dubai has invested so much in tourism. But it's all completely "artificial". A theme park in the desert.

CrazyExIngenue · 01/02/2018 15:17

The Grand Hyatt is lovely, though not on the beach. Anantara and the Atlantis are amazing. Intercontinental festival city is a great choice as well.

CrazyExIngenue · 01/02/2018 15:23

And do check Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Beautiful resorts in all 3 emirates for cheaper than Dubai. Abu Dhabi is especially child friendly.

charliedontsurf · 01/02/2018 15:25

What kind of person is that Francine?

OP I've been to the Grand Hyatt and Jumeirah Beach and recommend both. Lots to do for kids in Dubai and we enjoyed it.

FrancinePefko · 01/02/2018 19:51

People who think they're too posh for Magalouf

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 01/02/2018 19:59

😀

Stay in your elite bubble Francine. Have fun!

FrancinePefko · 01/02/2018 20:07

And you enjoy your shopping mall

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