Thinking of getting away with the kids? Don’t book anything until you’ve read our guide to the UAE staycations with the best kids’ clubs.
One thing all parents of little ones know, a staycation just isn’t the same without a kids’ club.
Attempting to entertain, pacify, referee, organise and delight children away from their own toys, beds, blackout blinds and personal routines is a formula for sleeplessness, tears and occasionally utter disaster.
But if the kids are happy, then mums and dads, you might actually get some time on a sun lounger to read a good book (looking for inspo? Click on our reading list here) or catch up on some sleep.
These are the top UAE staycations with the best kids’ clubs so the whole family can have a proper break.
DUBAI
Address Beach Resort
This is a staycay dream for the whole gang with a gorgeous stretch of pristine sandy beach coupled with various swimming pools to suit everyone in the family. There is an adult pool, family pool and even a kids’ splash pad. But if you want some peace and quiet, the Six Kids Club will be your best friend. Open every day of the week between 9am and 9pm, as a hotel guest you can drop your little ones between four and 11 off for a couple of hours a day of fun. Got tiny tots under four? They can still enjoy the delights of the kids club, buy you’ll need to stay with them. Pass the glitter.
Address Beach Resort Dubai, JBR, addresshotels.com (04 879 8888).
Anantara The Palm
Zip around the Palm to this swanky hotel where the littlest staycationers will get free access to Tuk Tuk Kids’ Club and Chill Teens’ Club. And if once child-free you prefer an active day over some chill time on the lounger, you can enjoy a jam-packed day of fun, with plenty of activities on offer including longtail boating, watersports such as paddleboarding and kayaking, two tennis courts and a well-equipped fitness centre.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Palm Jumeirah (04 567 8999).
Atlantis The Palm
No surprise this popular family-friendly resort on Palm Jumeirah makes the list. With access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers included in the price of the stay its a huge hit with kids. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for little marine lovers to get up close and personal with the resort’s sealife at the Atlantis Dive Centre. You’ll also find cool restaurant cum arcade Wavehouse on-site with a wave machine, bowling alley and a live entertainment venue. But if you’re doing all of that with the kids you’ll have earned some time to relax alone! The Atlantis Kids’ Club is aimed at little ones between three and 12, while teens can hangout at The Zone. They will enjoy plenty of games for kids of all ages, plus there’s babysitting for younger guests.
Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, www.atlantis.com/dubai (04 426 2000).
Fairmont the Palm
This family-friendly hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah has an ideal location on the trunk, meaning it’s close to Dubai Marina, as well as within walking distance of super-cool boardwalk area Palm West Beach and Nakheel Mall. The hotel offers plenty for adults and youngsters alike, from four swimming pools and a private beach, to the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club aimed at tiny tots between 18 months and 16. Little ones under three need a parent to stay with them, whereas kids over three can be dropped off by themselves under the watchful eye of the club staff. At the kids club, there’s a playhouse, climbing wall, splash park and zoned areas for different imaginative play. Healthy food and snacks are also available at an additional cost. Plus kiddos are really made to feel special when they check in for their family-friendly staycation at this hotel with a welcome backpack, children’s menus and pretend money which they can use in the resort all handed over.
Palm Jumeirah, fairmont.com/palm-dubai (04 457 3388).
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Who says luxury and kids don’t go together? With a free kids’ room with a curved, bright sofa and cushions, toys, and TV loft at this five-star beachside resort, we disagree. There is also a free kids’ programme designed to educate and entertain little ones between four and 12. Best of all, the kids club is open until 11pm every Thursday and Friday so you can enjoy a child-free meal. Bliss.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah 1 (04 270 7777).
JA Palm Tree Court
When you go from a family to two to a family of three or more, staycations in the UAE can become rather expensive because you have to get additional rooms for the kiddos. But if you don’t want to fork out for multiple guestrooms, you can opt for a one- or two-bedroom suites. Experiences at the resort 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. Plus, there are two heated pools for kids and a huge range of water sports including wakeboarding and water-skiing. There is also a babysitting service and two on-site kids’ clubs, Coolzone and Creche, which offer fantastic childcare for children from four months up to 12 years old.
JA Resorts, Jebel Ali, www.jaresortshotels.com (04 814 5555).
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina
If your little ones want to spend more time in the water than on dry land, then with three pools, including a shaded children’s pool and whirlpool, as well as a the brilliant Jungle Bay Waterpark, this family-friendly Dubai resort will be the perfect family staycation. And once they’ve had their fill of splashing around they can head off to the free kids’ club, where mini staycationers can have fun playing games and getting involved in loads of fun activities. There is also a babysitting services, special kids’ menus and daily beach games that are perfect for families. The resort also has a range of outdoor activities such as boating, horse riding, hiking, mini-golf, volleyball courts, bike hire, nature trail hikes and fly-fishing.
Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Al Sufouh (04 399 3333).
Madinat Jumeirah Hotels
You can’t beat a kids’ club when you’re on a family staycation in the UAE, which is why you’re winning if you book any of the Jumeirah Hotels at the Madinat Jumeirah Complex as all offer free access to Sinbad’s Kids Club during their stay. You can pop your poppets there if they are over two or take advantage of the childcare and babysitting service if they are younger. Kiddos can access the 1,000 square meter play area and pools as many times as they want for free during their stay where they can enjoy a huge range of activities from crafts and face painting to sport and movie screenings. In addition, they can also access KiDS at Jumeirah Al Naseem where they can take part in fun planned games, activities, and crafts. There is also a spacious an added bonus, kiddos can feed the resident turtles and learn more about Jumeirah’s Turtle Rehabilitation Programme every Wednesday and Saturday.
Jumeirah Al Qasr (beside the main pool area), 10.30am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm, 4pm-6pm.
ABU DHABI
Emirates Palace
Don’t be put off by the opulence of this capital hotel, little staycationers are not only very warmly welcomed, but there is an awesome kids’ club for them to try out too. Little ones under 12 keen to try it out can expect to find henna art, face painting and educational activities. Kids older than 12? Don’t worry, there are lots of cool activities for the tweens and teens too, in fact there’s even a kids’ spa. There’s a child-friendly beach and harbour, huge lagoon-like pools, plus spa, tennis courts and gym. With playgrounds, sports and waterslides, there’s plenty to keep children entertained and if your kiddos are between six and 12, you’ll get 50 percent off extra beds. Best of all, kids’ menus are available across all restaurants apart from Hakkasan and children under six get free breakfast.
Al Ras Al Akhdar, West Corniche Road, www.kempinski.com (02 690 9000).
Four Seasons, Al Maryah Island
Attached to The Galleria Al Maryah Island, this is a top location if you’re looking for a family-friendly staycation packed with tasty dinners, world-class shopping and heaps for the kiddos to do. Plus, the swimming pool is stunning. The Kids For All Seasons programme offers personal touches such as milk and cookies on arrival, kids’ toiletries, free use of buggies and access to children’s and teens’ clubs. Nice.
Al Maryah Island, fourseasons.com/abudhabi (02 333 2222).
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
As far as brilliant hotels go in Abu Dhabi, this is right up there and there is heaps for kiddos to get involved with. There’s a cool pool, complete with children’s area that has soft floors, splash pads and swings, as well as kids’ and teens’ club where kids can enjoy free cooking classes in real kitchens, a passport of activities to do when in the resort, Zumba classes, yoga and new kids’ spa treatments with mum or dad. From camel riding and learning about Bedouin culture to falconry shows, the kids won’t have time to whinge (phew).
The Empty Quarter, www.anantara.com/en/qasr-al-sarab-abu-dhabi (02 886 2088).
St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
When an island has beaches so pristine they attract Hawksbill Turtles to nest in their native sand dunes, you know it boasts something special. There is a kids club, and a kids’ area set up for the Friday brunch in the restaurant. The Sandcastle Club is great for kids up to about ten, with a fun pool area and excellent kids entertainers.
Saadiyat Island, www.stregissaadiyatisland.com, reservations.saadiyat@stregis.com (02 498 8888).
W Hotel Abu Dhabi
Active kiddos will love the kids club at this top resort in the capital. Located alongside the thrills and spills of Yas Island (Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Yas Beach are all on your doorstep if you choose this hotel as your family-friendly staycation. There is a kids’ zone for children up to 12, who can enjoy two free hours per day. Little ones can tumble in the soft play area, or catch up on TV while you have a serene fine dining experience or lounge in the adults-only pool, WET Deck. The hotel is half on water, half on land and overlooks the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, so you may spot F1 racing cars from your balcony.
Yas Island, Yas West, www.marriott.com (02 656 0000).
For more brilliant UAE staycations click here.
