Dubai in Feb with DS age 15

[thedogdaysareover51]

We (me, DH and DS) are looking at places to go on holiday in DS’s February school holiday week. I think I’d like some sun so it’s tricky to try and find somewhere at that time of year. I fancy Dubai but DS isn’t up for it as he thinks it might be expensive and tacky 🙄. I’ve found some good half board deals with BA to the Ritz Carlton and Raffles. Just posting to see if others would recommend it and I’ll try and tempt DS. He’s a typical 15 year old boy into sports, cars, pool, eating!

If you want to turn a blind eye to the horrendous atrocities committed by the regime against their own citizens there - and also risk the wrath of the authorities on your teen child - then…go for it?

https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/healthandfitness/trainyas-detailpage

It was an awesome experience

Thanks @AltitudeCheckThat looks so much fun!

If you go, I hope that every time you’re served in a restaurant or bar or wherever that you think about this image. This is the reality of workers there.

tbh shame on you if you’re ok with that

Hi, I have been visiting Dubai every year since 1994 and seen the city change from a desert town to a glitzy city, ( also seen hotel prices increase 10 fold.

I have now swapped my visits to Adu Dhabi ( Yas Island ) , there are a cluster of hotels ( crown plaza , Radisson Blu or the Staybridge if you want a kitchen and freedom to cater yourselves )

these hotels allow You to use each others grounds and pools as well as a private beach - they either golf cart you or you can walk for 10min. Or there Yas beach you get free entry to - access is via a free 5min bus trip or a walk for 10 / 15 min. .

The main reason we now go to Yas, is the island has a great vacation feel, good shopping mall, The F1 circuit you can cycle, walk / run for free. They sometimes have races you can go to for free.

also there is a water park, Ferrari World, , Warner bros theme park and Seaworld, which can break up your beach time.

good luck what you choose.

See post above Paul @PaulH43

My teenager loves dubai for theme parks and water parks. It’s guaranteed son but rather artificial so if you’re looking for relaxation and attractions with guaranteed sun it’s great but there is no culture!

I echo the review re: Abu Dhabi

We hardly needed any lunch as there’s breakfast were so big. Lunch near the souk one day was just a few pounds, it’s not too expensive if you do want a change from the five star hotels and restaurants.

I had a look at Abu Dhabi. Looks great but is working out much more expensive than Dubai (on BA holiday site anyway) We can get full board at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai for 6 nights for 3 of us for around £5k. The Abu Dhabi hotels we liked were a similar price for room only or bed and breakfast. So while the Atlantis probably wouldn’t be my first choice I can’t really beat that price for a huge 5 star hotel with all food and most drinks included.

Is your ds in his GCSE year? We didn’t go on holiday in Feb half term when ours was. Although he didn’t have exams until after Easter he just needed a rest and to spend time with his friends

Wow, last year we got 7 days in a club room for £900 ( in Feb ) , things have gone up so much.

A lovely hotel in Dubai is the Royal Meridien on Jhumeriah beach, or the grand Hyatt in Dubai, where your actually in the city.

Are drinks included?

@PaulH43 this is including flights from Glasgow (via Heathrow) with BA and all food and soft drinks with meals. I thought £5k was actually ok. We went to Madrid in Easter and spent about £4k in total for fewer nights so I thought £5k for Dubai was ok.
@HereWeAreTodaywe are in Scotland. He’ll have his prelims (mock exams) in January then his National 5s at the end of April. Chatting to other parents with older kids they advised to go on holiday in Feb as it’s nice for the kids to have a bit of a break at that time.

Could do a room swap with the staff if you wanted it cheaper?

I stand corrected! Price is £4600 for 6 nights from board with flights from Glasgow. So £1548 each.

@MyElatedUmberFinchonly soft drinks.

That’s a pretty good deal then.

I’m not familiar with the Scottish exam situation but when my DC got to GCSE year they all asked me not to book any holidays until the summer. In previous years we always went long haul Feb and or Easter but they said it would actually stress them
being away for a week.
Obviously for some DC a total break is good and for others it isn’t. Well it probably would be good for them but mine were stress heads so I didn’t want to make things worse for them.

@MyElatedUmberFinchmy DS doesn’t stress enough in my opinion! He has done well in his tests so far though so he’s doing something right. It will be only 6 days in total for the whole academic year so not too long away from home.
A lot of his friends are going skiing in Feb.

Watch out he doesn’t get coerced into modern slavery like the 132k workers there at the moment!

Enjoy your luxury cocktail though

Kite beach is awesome. A lot of Dubai schools are really sporty so there's always a match you can go watch. February is the perfect time to go, weather's just right. A walk along the marina at night is amazing, and you'll find pier 7 where you can get a wee beverage or two, I suggest going on ladies night as booze is not unexpectedly expensive.

Ski Dubai at the Emirates mall is also a good shout.

Dreamland aqua park up near Al raafah was interesting, much quieter than atlantis or wild wadi. I suspect atlantis

Sil lives in dubai and bil in doha. I certainly won't be returning to doha.

@BoarBrush all these recommendations sound amazing! Thanks so much. I’ve got loads of research to do as I’ve never heard of any of these.
DH is slightly concerned it’ll be too cold for the pools in February but I’m hoping it’ll be okay.

It’s ok until about 4 and then it’s gets a bit nippy suddenly but all pools were fine.

We went in Ramadan....not a problem at all. It's a bit of a faff if you are SC (which we were) to get a liquor license but really isn't a big deal and the off license deliver to the apartment. We loved Dubai, didn't want to ...was prepared to hate it, but I found it safe, clean accessible and. So much to do . Took our 12/19 Year olds plus DM, DF so a right age mix....we all loved it