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!

@MyElatedUmberFinch thanks-good to know.
@bert3400 thanks so much for the info. I’m feeling a bit the same about Dubai-I have resisted it for so long and am expecting to hate it! However I’m struggling to think of anywhere else in the world that fits the bill for such an amazing hotel in February. I checked out prices for South Africa for 7 nights for 5 star hotels and the prices were up to £9k for room only!

Muscat/ salalah

Thanks @boulevardofbrokendreamsslooks a lot cheaper than Dubai! Is there much to do for teens?

Dubai is an amazing holiday destination. Agree with your husband regarding the pools I stay out of them December / January / February but it’s do able.

@Helpmefindmysoulmaybe there’s a heated pool at the Atlantis? Hope so.

I found the pools fine in Feb at Atlantis. My favourite water based activity was floating around the massive lazy river on a dingy float thing. I loved it and if I missed my stop to get off I was like oh well I’ll go around again. My DH and I went back without our DC and did it all over again.

@MyElatedUmberFinch oh that sounds fantastic!

Dubai is great for teens. Kite beach, Atlantis water park, Dubai mall, ski Dubai, burj khalifa, jet skiing, dune bashing, boat cruise. I think for 5 days you will have too much to do, and will have to narrow it down.

it’s hot, safe and food is good everywhere.

@justasmalltownmumamazing!! I’ll definitely do my research and get a plan. I think my DS would like to go to the waterpark every day so I’ll need to think of other activities to tempt him.

Will it be anyone’s birthday whilst you are there? Atlantis do a free ticket for the birthday person and 20% off for friends and family. (It’s valid within a week of the birthday). We did it :) saved a bunch, otherwise it gets expensive quick.

@justasmalltownmumwhat? Is the waterpark not free for residents of the Atlantis hotel? There’s an amazing full board deal on for this hotel and I am sure the water park is included.

Is he is in Y11?

DS was in Y11 last year and we found that the workload ramped up significantly after Christmas. He didn’t want to go anywhere until after GCSEs.

We’re in Scotland so he’s in S4. Surely 5/6 days out in the whole academic year won’t be too much? Many of his pals are going skiing in the February school holidays and his exams start 22nd April I think.

Yes I think it is. But the hotel is on palm island. Getting on and off the palm to go to other places is a headache and taxis are expensive from there. But if you are happy to just stay in the hotel then it’s great.

We went out every day, Ubers and taxis are cheap there.

Go to Oman instead, its not plastic and fake as dubai is...i lasted 3 days and flew to muscat....lovely place and you actually meet arabs and not boring flash expats and slave workers !

There are slaves in Oman.

Thanks everyone. We’ve booked the Atlantis on the Palm now and really looking forward to it! I get that Dubai is fake but I’m not going for culture. Just looking for a few days of fun, sun, nice food and family time together. As we’ve booked full board with soft drinks, I’m hoping we don’t spend much more when we’re there so if we need to spend a bit on taxis I don’t mind.

I recommend the Burj Khalifa at sunset and then come out and watch the water fountains.

Also your DS may enjoy dune bashing.

Dubai isn't fake or plastic. It's just new. Large proportion of it is basically brand new city unless you go the the decades old areas. That's like saying Shard in London is fake because it's not old style London😂

You mentioned alcohol. Ylu will spend lot...

@Everyonelikecapybaras that’s okay. It’s our main holiday so I don’t mind. I’ll pick some fizz up at the duty free too.

There are cellars around which are often well priced. Depends on the hotel though. If they are strict on no outside drinks.
Don't miss the grand mosque in Abu dhabi. Gorgeous!

Really? That would be lovely to see. I didn’t realise Abu Dhabi would be close enough to travel to. I’ll need to start researching!

I'd go to Mexico on a budget Barbados if not.