9 Fabulous family-friendly resorts in the GCC

Whatever age your children are, or interests they have, whether we’re talking about long weekends or mid-term breaks, summer holidays or close-to-home staycations, these family-friendly resorts in the GCC are destined to make a family holiday memorable (for all the right reasons).

From full-on theme park resorts to action-packed mountain-side adventure playgrounds and chilled beachside spots, these world-class, GCC-based hotels should delight every member of the clan.

Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha, Qatar

The palatial Al Messila resort has a strong health and wellbeing theme running throughout, particularly for women (the 1,4000 sq m female-only on-site wellness retreat features therapy pools, 26 treatment suites, a two-floor gym, fitness studio and more).

It’s not only the mums that are well looked after here though. Little Explorers Club is an interactive edutainment centre like no other in Doha, boasting a child-friendly gym, super-fun (and educational) play zone, bean bag-filled mini cinema, swimming pool and outdoor playground with water fountains. There are accommodation options to suit groups of all sizes (regular rooms, suites and two-three-and-four-bedroom villas with private pools), as well as a good selection of restaurants, including the health-focused Food Lab and internationally-influenced Deli Kitchen.
www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/dohla-al-messila-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa-doha/

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Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Nizwa, Oman

For families seeking al-fresco adventures, it doesn’t get better than the awesome, set-2,000m-above-sea-level, resting-on-the-edge-of-a-canyon Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar.

Trust us, even the most tricky-to-impress teens will fall hard for this place, thanks in no small part to a to-do list that includes everything from scaling mountains and abseiling down them, to biking through rugged, rockery terrain, playing archery or just chilling at their own holiday club (which comes equipped with X Box and no little ones allowed policy).The minis of the bunch are also well catered for; there’s a shaded children’s pool and playground area and Asfour Kids Club puts on a range of daily activities – nature walks, crafting and donkey rides included. Activities aimed at adults meanwhile include painting and photography classes, cultural walks, yoga sessions, cooking classes, luxury spa treatments and more.

Evenings spent en famille munching popcorn and watching a movie at the open-air, canyon-side cinema or taking in the glittering night sky from the hotel’s private stargazing platform are experiences destined for the family memory book.
jabal-akhdar.anantara.com

Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, UAE

A playground for all generations; Atlantis The Palm is a family-friendly, ocean-themed wonderland.

With days spent exploring the world’s largest waterpark Aquaventure and the awesome aquarium The Lost Chambers (access to both is included in the price of a hotel stay), playing on the vast beach and trying water sports aplenty, the thrills just keep on coming.

The array of restaurants here means there’s something for every taste: ice cream parlours, pizzerias, trendy street food and gastro-pub fare, as well as swish spots Nobu and Hakkasan should Mum and Dad fancy a date night. is an all-encompassing On-site entertainment destination Wavehouse brings visitors a bowling alley, state-of-the-art wave machine, games arcade, soft play area and restaurant all in one. There’s also an excellent kids club, dedicated children’s menus available in most restaurants and incredible ad-on activities (swimming with dolphins and sea lions included). Impressive stuff.
www.atlantis.com

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, Doha, Qatar

While it feels a remote world away from all the hustle and bustle of the capital, Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara boasts an offshore location that’s just a 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Doha (hello, long weekend).

Families looking for a top-class beach break need look no further: this crescent-shaped slither of man-man sand delivers. By that we mean your nights can be spent slumbering in a luxurious overwater villa and your days whiled away sunbathing on an idyllic 800m private beach. There are additional opportunities for relaxing abound (the spa is world-class, as Anantara spas tend to be, and the Balance Wellness Centre is well worth a visit). There’s also masses of kids-focused attractions and activities (boutique 20-seater cinema, small water park, surf pool, bowling alley, dive centre and kids’ and teens’ clubs included).
www.anantara.com/en/banana-island-doha

LEGOLAND Hotel, Dubai, UAE

The first LEGO hotel in the Middle East only opened its primary-coloured brick doors at the end of January but we’re still granting this kid-thriller a place on the list. After all, how many resorts do you know of with a dragon-guarded entrance, treasure hunts on arrival, a disco lift, castle-and-moat lobby play area and LEGO-themed bedrooms and suites?

Those themed rooms can sleep a family of five and suites will accommodate up to eight guests, the hotel has a pool and kid’s splash area and there’s a designed-with-children-in-mind restaurant. Perhaps most importantly of all, the LEGOLAND Dubai is just 130 teeny-tiny kid steps away (access to both the LEGOLAND theme and water park is included in the stay, as is breakfast).

A few days here might not be an adult’s idea of a relaxing break, but you know what they say: do it for the kids.
www.legoland.com

Radisson Blu Resort, Al Khobar Half Moon Bay

A few days spent relaxing in the sun on the golden stretch of sand knows as Khobar’s Half Moon Beach is a tonic for the soul. When it comes to places to do so, the Radisson Blu Resort, Al Khobar Half Moon Bay comes recommended, especially for families.

Here adults can embrace a slower pace of life, spending lazy days luxuriating on the sand or by the outdoor pool, while children will enjoy the various outdoor activities and water sports on offer, as well as splashing around in their designated pool. Accommodation-wise, there are adjoining family room options in the main hotel and two bedroom-plus chalets dotted around the resort with private gardens, outdoor terraces and parking.

The resort is less than 50km away from the bustling, increasingly trendy town of Khobar itself. Take a day trip there and you can wander the vibrant corniche, experience the architectural marvel and cultural hub that is Ithra (kids will love the child-focused museum and Ideas Hub) and enjoy a jaunt around the contemporary, community minded Adjan Waterfront with its restaurants and cafes, luxury cinema and shopping centre.
www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-resort-al-khobar-half-moon-bay

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

This Arabic-style beach resort on the west coast is popular with families for good reason: the amenities are five-star, the thalassotherapy spa offers top-class, adults-only pampering and the kid’s club delivers free all-day entertainment for children aged four to 12.

The overall feel here is suitably grand yet homely too, the large outdoor swimming pool is temperature-controlled (and has a pool bar in the middle) and there’s a beach club with fitness facilities. Restaurant-wise, the casual Fiamma Italian is a top spot for families thanks to the hot-from-the-wood-fired-oven pizzas and outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.

In addition, both the Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park and the Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve are under 10 minutes-drive from the resort.
all.accor.com

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Fusing sleek, high-end luxury with a relaxed welcome, the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort does family friendly very well indeed.

The proximity to the twinkling Arabian Gulf, gorgeous stretches of gleaming white sand inhabited by Hawksbill turtles and fantastic amenities (fabulous spa, array of restaurants and world-class golf course included) at this property are of course a major draw. It’s the extra touches that make this resort a top-notch destination for families, though. The Sandcastle Kids Club is excellent for young children, there’s dedicated kid’s splash pool complete with cave entrance and waterfalls, as well as organised activities such as face painting and basketball. The gorgeous gardens are ripe for running about in, the on-site water sports options are excellent and brunch is a fun-filled affair, with a designated kid’s area.
www.stregisabudhabi.com

The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio collection by Hilton, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The world’s first Warner Bros. Hotel is a magical, film-based destination with enough iconic movie paraphernalia to thrill all ages (there are 400 different props and images dotted about the mega property). Guests can frolic in front of the iconic Friends fountain, take a selfie with the new Batmobile and admire James Dean’s cowboy boots. And that’s not all, folks! (sorry).

For little ones especially the highlights keep on coming: the kid’s club boasts a ‘dive-in’ open-air pool cinema complete with mini sunbeds and parasols and room service is taken to a whole new level here, with the option to have milk and cookies delivered to your door courtesy of Bugs Bunny.

The resort is just an excitable hop, skip and a jump away from the Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park (daily access to the park is included with the hotel stay), sits next door to Yas Waterworld and is five minutes’ drive from Ferrari World.
hilton.com/en/hotels/auhwbqq-the-wb-abu-dhabi-hotel.