It’s time to gather the gang for a (much-needed) local break. Here’s our pick of the best fantastic family-friendly staycation deals in the UAE for you to check out this month.
DUBAI
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).
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, 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 the resort’s website, just punch in the promo code ‘UAESTAY’ and the offer is all yours.
From Dhs396 per night. Ongoing, www.jaresortshotels.com (04 814 5555).
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’ which promises to be heaps of fun for the whole gang. Along with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Desert from the Nara campsite, guests can expect to tuck into a fusion menu.
Dhs550 (adults), Dhs350 (kids under 16 years old). Open Thu-Sat (reservations required). Ongoing. Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain Road, www.nara.ae (050 336 7909).
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
This Palm Jumeirah hotel has a special family staycation the summer – and comes with loads of deals for the whole gang. Book in for a stay before September 10 and you’ll get a room from Dhs750 a night. You’ll also get breakfast included, as well as late check out, a free upgrade to a suite and 20 percent off at all restaurants. Plus, two kids stay free.
Dhs750. Until Sep 10. Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, www.sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com (04 455 6677).
ABU DHABI
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Pack your bags and get ready to enjoy a relaxing family-friendly escape 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 hours free 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 before September 30 and families can enjoy complimentary breakfast, free meals for children under, 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 checkout the next day at 6pm. It’s worth it for the free ice cream alone, right?
Prices vary. Until Sep 30. www.hyatt.com (02 510 1234).
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. Ongoing. Abu Dhabi Corniche, www.radissonhotels.com/staycationsuae.
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. Plus, there are optional add-ons for cultural experiences, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Hosn and more. One-night stays start from Dhs323 per person, two-night stays from Dhs650 per person and three-nights stays from Dhs756 per person. The offer is valid until December 30, so there’s plenty of time to plan a staycation.
From Dhs323 per person. Ongoing until Dec 30. www.yasisland.ae.
RAS AL KHAIMAH
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).
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
All-inclusive hotel Rixos Bab Al Bahr is offering stays from Dhs800. The hotel on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island has a 450m private beach, as well as eight swimming pools and a kids’ aquapark which is guaranteed to keep the little ones busy. The deal includes watersports as well as meals at Rixos Bab Al Bahr’s 14 restaurants and bars. Book three nights or more and you can also receive two free tickets to attractions including Jais Flight, Jais Sky Tour, Jais Sky Maze or Suwaidi Pearls Farm.
From Dhs800. Ongoing. Ras Al Khaimah, www.babalbahr.rixos.com (07 202 0000).
