There’s nothing like a little break from the routine to recharge the batteries while you enjoy some quality family time together.
Wondering where to start? We’ve rounded up some of the best options out there for a family staycation so all you need to do is book, pack and relax.
Bab Al Shams
If you’re organised and book your staycation in advance – seven days in advance to be precise – then you will get 15 percent off the regular room rates. Book 21 days in advance and the discount goes up to 20 percent. Mums, you got this.
From Dhs638. Al Qudra Road (04 809 6100).
Fairmont Dubai
Stay in a two-bedroom suite and get Dhs300 credit to spend in any of the restaurants in the hotel including Trophy Room, Café Sushi, Cascades, Pronto Café and Cin Cin.
Prices vary. Sheikh Zayed Road (04 332 5555).
Four Seasons Hotel DIFC
Looking for a city stay? This hotel offers 30 percent off best rates on suites for residents, which includes a guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking. You’ll also get early check-in at 11am, late check-out at 4pm, plus a glass of bubbly at any of the hotel’s outlets. And while that’s all great for mums and dads, kids will be thrilled to hear that you also get free access to the pool and beach at the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, too. Mums, fancy a little me-time? If you opt for a 60-minute treatment you’ll get an extra 30 minutes free. Don’t forget your Emirates ID as you’ll need it when you check in to prove you’re a resident.
Prices vary. DIFC (04 506 0000).
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
There’s an exclusive UAE residents’ deal at this swish beach resort in Jumeirah. You’ll get 10 percent off best rates, 20 percent discount on in-house food and drinks, early check-in from 11am and late check-out at 4pm. There’s also a guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking. Plus, there’s a kids’ club on-site for little ones between four and 12 meaning mums and dads can look at booking a 60-minute spa treatment with a view to getting upgraded to a 90-minute treatment. Best of all, the kids club is open until 11pm every Thursday and Friday so you can enjoy a child-free meal. Bliss.
Prices vary. Jumeirah Beach (04 270 7777).
Hilton Dubai Jumeirah
This longstanding beachfront hotel along the JBR strip has a Family Fun package where you’ll get breakfast for four, guaranteed interconnecting rooms and premium WiFi. The kids will be kept entertained with loads of on-site activities to choose from including snorkeling and swimming. In addition, there is a kids’ club and a games room.
Prices vary. Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, JBR (04 318 2111).
JA Ocean View Hotel
This hotel on JBR has a super deal where for a minimum two-nights stay you’ll get 40 percent off the standard rate of a suite, early check-in, late check-out and breakfast. Plus, order a main course at Motorino and get 50 percent off the total bill. As well as a swimming pool and beach access, there is also an indoor play area to keep the kids happy.
Prices vary. JBR (04 814 5200).
JA The Resort
Book a room at either JA Palm Tree Court or JA Beach Hotel and staycationers will also receive up to Dhs400 credit (depending on which room type you book) to spend in the resort’s restaurants, bars and across select activities and experiences including horse riding, tennis, squash, badminton, clay pigeon shooting at the JA Shooting Club and golf on the 9-hole, par 35 championship standard golf course with floodlit driving range.
Prices vary. Jebel Ali (04 814 5555).
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
This one is just for Jumierah One members – it’s easy to sign up – the Family Moments package includes breakfast for the whole family, free access to the kids’ club and a ten percent saving on the best available rates. Plus, kids under 12 eat free. And with Wild Wadi on-site, the kids will be in their element. And this really is a staycation for the whole gang, because now the hotel’s doggie hotel
is open, you can take along your beloved pooch, too.
Prices vary Prices vary (ten percent off best available rates). Umm Suqeim, (04 406 8500).
Jumeirah Creekside Hotel
Head over to Old Dubai and take in the views of the Dubai Creek and Dubai skyline at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, as it’s offering up to 25 percent off best available rates. The Ultimate Staycation package offers daily breakfast, a choice of either lunch or dinner, early check-ins and late check-out, plus exclusive benefits. Or you can go for the Ultimate Staycation with Half Board, which gives you up to 15 percent on the half board rate, breakfast and a choice of lunch or dinner at selected restaurants. Early check-in and late check-out are also included.
Prices vary. Rebat Street (04 230 8555).
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
Home to the Royal Residences, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is offering discounts of up to 30 percent on its Flexible Rate. During your stay you’ll get breakfast, early check-in at noon and late check-out at 3pm, twenty percent off any treatment at Talise Ottoman Spa as well as at selected hotel restaurants, plus the little ones will get free access to Sinbad’s Kids Club.
Prices vary. West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, (04 453 0000).
Marriott Dubai Harbour Hotel & Suites
All the family can bunk down together, whether you’re a family of four, or bigger. Plus, family games night will step up a notch when you book at Marriott Dubai Harbour Hotel & Suites. Book a two-bedroom suite for up to four people, or three-bedroom suite for up to six people, and your overnight stay will include themed welcome amenities, a game of your choice from the hotel’s selection of board and card games, and two flip charts with coloured markers. Two-bedroom suites for up to four people are priced from Dhs450 per room per night, while three-bedroom suites for up to six people are priced from Dhs600 per room per night.
From Dhs450 per room per night (two-bed suite, up to four sharing), Dhs600 (three-bed suite, up to six sharing). Dubai Marina (04 319 4000).
Nara Escape
Nomadic desert experience Nara Escape is offering desert retreats to UAE staycationers. Open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for reservations, travellers and families in small groups can head to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to take on a unique ‘safari experience’. Along with uninterrupted views of the Arabian desert from the Nara campsite, guests can expect to tuck into a fusion menu and sleep in beautiful nomadic tents. Plus, kids can take part in loads of activities including movies under the stars, storytelling, sandboarding, camel rides, treasure hunt and archery.
Dhs550 (adults), Dhs350 (kids under 16 years old). Open Thu-Sat (reservations required). Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain Road (050 336 7909).
Park Regis Kris Kin
Add some thrills and spills to your staycation with an family overnighter at Park Regis Kris Kin. Book a room at this Bur Dubai hotel, which is located near to the Burjuman Center, and get tickets to a Dubai Parks and Resorts theme park of your choosing. Plus, you can book now and pay later to give you some flexibility. The package is available throughout the week, though a minimum two night stay may apply on Saturdays.
From Dhs164 per room per night. Sheikh Khaifa Bin Zayed, opposite Burjuman Center, Dubai, www.parkregiskriskin.ae (04 377 1111).
Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis
Book a room and your four-legged family member can join you for an overnight stay for free. Rooms are kitted out with pet beds and food bowls to make your furry ones feel right at home. Relax together at OUIBar + Terrace, where you can enjoy a one-hour unlimited beverage package while your pampered pooch slurps up a free pet-friendly ice cream, and make time for an early morning or late-evening stroll around Silicon Lake. In addition, every pet will received their very own loyalty card giving them the chance to get more free pet ice cream on their tenth visit.
From Dhs289 per room per night. Dubai Silicon Oasis (04 571 4343).
Rixos The Palm Dubai
The Family and Friends package at this all-inclusive family-friendly resort gives you 25 percent off the rates and 15 percent discount on massages and hamman treatments. Plus, two kids up to 14 years old stay for free.
Prices vary. The Palm Jumeirah (04 457 5555).
Rove Downtown
What happens when you put together a whole private hotel floor with a private cinema? The ultimate movie staycation, of course, and Rove Downtown has just the deal. Call the hotel home for a month and pay Dhs2,999 for which film lovers can expect to watch the latest blockbusters in cinema in their own private cinema at The Reel Boutique, along with ten Rover rooms booked out for friends and family. Oh, and expect popcorn and soft drinks with the movie, along with breakfast in the morning.
Dhs2,999. Downtown Dubai (04 561 9099).
Studio One Hotel
Studio One Hotel has two great staycation packages for families. For Dhs150 per person, you can sleepover at the hotel, watch a film and play games in the hotel’s gaming room.The price also includes soft drinks, popcorn and snacks as well as a 20 percent discount in the hotel’s restaurant LARTE. For an extra Dhs50 per child, the little culinary fans can also whip up their own pizza before they settle down to watch the film. Kiddies can try out the variety of games in the studio arcade where they can challenge each other on the PlayStation. Mario Kart anyone? Karaoke is also on the cards. Alternatively go for the staycation that offers you tickets to Dubai Parks and Resorts. The Family Room starts at Dhs700 and gives you four tickets, while The Bunk room gives you four tickets with prices starting from Dhs540.
Prices vary. Dubai Studio City (800 788 346).
The H Hotel
Family of thrill-seekers? The H Dubai’s Stay and Play package not only includes breakfast, but also two adult tickets to IMG Worlds of Adventure for Dhs475 per room, and families can also get 50 percent off an additional room. As an added bonus, you’ll also get an early check-in and late check-out guaranteed and kids under 12 eat for free.
Dhs475 per room, 50 percent on a second room. Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Centre 1, Dubai (04 501 8888).
The Meydan Hotel
The hotel is offering up two family-friendly staycation deals and one even includes tickets to a popular Dubai theme park. As well as an overnight stay and breakfast, the Stay & Play package, which is Dhs599 for two adults and two children, also includes two free tickets to IMG Worlds of Adventure. The Stay N’ Dine package includes free dining for two adults and two kids under six, for Dhs599.
Dhs599. Nad Al Sheba (04 381 3231).
Anantara Eastern Mangroves
Looking for more choice with a staycation? Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel has two staycation packages for UAE residents. The All-Inclusive package is, well, all-inclusive and includes unlimited beverages and three meals a day across different dining outlets with rates starting from Dhs795, while the UAE Residents’ Staycation Deal includes breakfast, a free room upgrade, late check-out and 50 percent of the room rate back in resort credit to spend on food and drinks with rates starting from Dhs475.
From Dhs475. Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel (02 656 1000).
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Travel with the fam and get 50 percent off a second room. Plus, kids eat free at participating restaurants when dining, so that’s a result too.
From Dhs525. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiya (02 644 6666).
Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Head to Abu Dhabi’s renowned corniche to stay at this family-friendly resort, with activities for staycationers of all ages. Relax at the spa, work out at the gym, unwind on the beach or try your hand at a whole load of fun watersports. Stay at the hotel and you’ll get Dhs200 in credit to redeem on food, beverages and activities during your stay.
From Dhs397 per person. Abu Dhabi Corniche (02 681 1900).
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Gather the family for a staycation at Rosewood Abu Dhabi and you can enjoy all the perks. The UAE resident package includes ten percent discount on standard room rates, 35 percent discount on suites, discount on food and beverages, free in-room or restaurant service breakfast, early check-in and late check-out.
Rates vary. Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
The hotel on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island, which has a 450m private beach, eight swimming pools and a kids’ aquapark for the youngest guests, is offering 20 percent off best available rates and 20 percent off in-room dining, on top of a free rom upgrade and free a la carte in the hotel’s 14 restaurants and bars.
From Dhs750. Ras Al Khaimah (07 202 0000).
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is offering a special family-friendly deal. The Ritz Kids Rangers deal includes a three-hour kids’ programme, plus breakfast and kids’ lunch.
Prices vary. Wadi Khadeja, Ras al Khaimah (07 206 7777).
Fairmont Ajman
Take a trip to Ajman for a “stay and taste” half board package. You’ll get free breakfast and dinner at Spectrum, plus access to the resort’s 200-metre private beach, infinity pool and floating water park Aqua Bounce, plus free WiFi and valet parking.
From Dhs599. Ajman, (06 701 5757).
Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort
Book online on the hotel’s website and you’ll get 15 percent off best available rates this winter. There are six restaurants, plus Lava Beach Club at the hotel, as well as 181 sea view rooms and suites.
From Dhs499. Fujairah (09 201 1111).
