When you’re a family lucky enough to live in a beautiful holiday destination, why even think about leaving?
Forget airport check-in, slow queues at immigration and long, boring flights – all with the kids in tow – and instead pack up the car and head to one of these top family-friendly staycation destinations right here on your doorstep. You might even have time for a spot of eye spy in the car.
Atlantis The Palm
The popular family-friendly resort on Palm Jumeirah has a “stay and play” package starting at Dhs549 on week nights and Dhs649 on the weekend. You’ll get breakfast, access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Dhs200 credit to spend at the resort. We’ll see you there.
From Dhs549. Ongoing. Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, www.atlantis.com/dubai/uae-resident (04 426 2000).
DoubleTree Hilton Al Marjan Island
With some children in the UAE still opting for distance learning, the resort’s “Study Hard, Play Hard” package costs Dhs999 for two adults and two children and includes breakfast and plenty of snacks (brain food) for little learners to munch on while they are doing their online school work. The offer is available from Sunday to Thursday every week until December 17 and, once the work is done of course, kiddos can put their pencils down and enjoy the various activities and facilities the hotel offers including a kid’s club with a climbing wall, arcade games and an extensive outdoor playground. There is also a pirate boat aqua zone, a bouncy castle, water trampoline and inflatable climb.
Dhs999 (three nights). Until Dec 17. DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, Marjan Island Blvd, Ras Al Khaimah. Email reservations_dtmarjan@hilton.com and quote “Study Hard, Play Hard” (07 203 0000).
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a relaxing family-friendly staycation at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. The beautiful hotel in Abu Dhabi is running a UAE residents’ deal until the end of the year that includes a 20 percent discount on all restaurants, gym and beach access as well as two free hours at the kids’ club for little ones.
From Dhs640. Until Dec 31. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi (055 239 7806).
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel has a top “Kids R On Us” family staycation package. Book a stay and enjoy a free breakfast, free meals for children under 12, unlimited ice cream for kids and 50 percent discount on food for kids between 12 and 16. Plus you can also take advantage of early check-in from 10am and late check-out the next day at 6pm. It’s worth it for the free ice cream alone, right?
From Dhs550. Ongoing. www.hyatt.com (02 510 1234).
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
InterContinental Dubai Festival City has a cool family staycation from Dhs399 per room per night that includes plenty to keep the little ones entertained. The Suite Playcation package is in partnership with Toys “R” Us meaning kids can expect to find lots of fun surprises when they open the doors to their family room. The price includes a free upgrade to an InterContinental Suite, as well as breakfast either in your room or in all-day dining restaurant Anise. Lunch or dinner is also included and you can choose to have room service (a good option with little ones) or to book a table for the family in Anise, and early and late check-ins are also an option. In addition, kids under 12 eat for free during your stay and baking activities with the hotel’s chefs are on the menu too. Kids these days don’t know how good they’ve got it.
From Dhs399. Ongoing. InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai Festival City, www.ihg.com (04 701 1111).
JA The Resort
Rates at the family-friendly beach hotel start from Dhs396 per night and staycationers will also receive the full price of the stay back in credit to spend in the resort’s restaurants, bars and across select activities and experiences. Experiences include 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. The deal is valid for UAE residents only so don’t forget to pack your Emirates ID. When booking on www.jaresortshotels.com, just punch in the promo code ’UAESTAY’ and the offer is all yours.
From Dhs396 per night. Ongoing. www.jaresortshotels.com (04 814 5555).
Lapita Dubai Parks and Resorts
The Polynesian resort is perfectly placed for families with Dubai Parks and Resorts right on the doorstep and when you book a stay here with your mini adrenaline-seekers, you’ll get free access to Motiongate – winner. Stays start from Dhs530 per night for up to two guests, a price that also includes half board and the opportunity to have your beverages included too. For the ultimate luxury experience, families can stay in Lapita’s luxury villas from Dhs2,450 per night for up to six people, including private pool and hot tub, in-villa breakfast, complimentary buggy transport, and Q-Fast Passes to Motiongate.
From Dhs530. Ongoing. www.dubaiparksandresorts.com (04 449 0868).
Rove At The Park
Ready for a fun-packed weekend, whooshing down rides and meeting your favourite characters? Book a room at this hotel any time up until December 26 and pay Dhs398, for two interconnecting rooms. The price also includes four tickets to any of the Dubai Parks and Resorts theme parks so whether you’re after a rollercoaster ride with The Smurfs at Motiongate or making a movie at Bollywood, there is loads of fun to be had at this bargain theme park staycation this winter. Let the thrill-seeking fun begin…
Dhs398 per night for two interconnecting rooms. Until Dec 26. Rove At The Park, Dubai Parks and Resorts, www.rovehotels.com.
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 until December 30. The Ritz Kids Rangers deal includes a three hour kids’ programme, plus breakfast and kids’ lunch.
Prices vary. Until Dec 30. Ras Al Khaimah, www.ritzcarlton.com (07 206 7777).
The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
The Westin Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina has a top all-inclusive deal for families, but it’s only until the end of the month so get in quick to snap up a hot family-friendly deal. The staycation is Dhs1,299 for a family of four (with two adults and two kids up to the age of 14) which includes breakfast at Mina’s Kitchen, lunch and dinner at any of the resort’s restaurants and two drinks per person. You’ll also get free access to the minibar, as well as the use of non-motorised watersports. The hotel is home to restaurants including Bussola, El Sur, Sui Mui, Fish and Bounty Beets – all of which are included in the deal.
Dhs1,299. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Al Sufouh (04 399 4141).
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah has a new kids concierge service dedicated to the youngest family members, which is free for children from four to 12 staying at the hotel with their mums and dads. Little guests can then create their own entertainment programme by choosing from loads of cool, fun-filled activities to suit their particular interests such as crafts, pizza making, cooking, footgolf, football, obstacle races and archery. You’ll find us chilling by the pool with a book and some peace and quiet while the kiddos do their thing…
From Dhs939 per room, per night, Kids Concierge is free (kids four-12). Ongoing. Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Village, Ras Al Khaimah, www.waldorfastoria.com (07 203 5555).
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeriah
This five-star hotel has introduced its new collection of Family Rooms and Suites. The Deluxe Family Room houses two generous connecting rooms: one room with a king-sized bed and the other with two queens. The Deluxe Two-Bedroom Family Suite features a spacious suite boasting a separate living room, dining table and private bedroom with a king-sized bed connected to a deluxe room with two queen-sized beds. Designed with families in mind, the kids will love all the special touches just for them including mini bathrobes, slippers and pillows, kid-friendly toiletries, in-room activities and a variety of kids’ TV channels.
Prices start from Dhs1,050 per night. For bookings and reservations, call 04 818 2222, email dxbpd.reservations@waldorfastoria.com or book at waldorfastoria.com/dubai.
Yas Island
When you’ve got little ones in tow, a five-star stay in luxury surroundings might not be the order of the day, as kids need entertainment, and helping to keep families busy, a load of awesome staycation packages have launched on Yas Island. The #TogetherAtYas promotion is offering overnights stays with theme park tickets to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi for families in the UAE. A total of 20 hotels in Abu Dhabi are offering theme park tickets with a stay including Centro Yas Island, W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and more. The offer is valid until December 30, so there’s plenty of time to plan a staycation with the whole gang.
From Dhs323 per person. Various hotels on Yas Island. Until Dec 30. www.yasisland.ae.
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