Dubai is an outstanding destination on so many levels, and we think it’s perfect for a family holiday. You could keep kids of any age entertained in Dubai as there is just so much to see and do, including plentiful adventure activities, theme parks, cultural and historic sites to see, and of course, warmth, beaches, shopping and dining. What would make the best Dubai family holiday? We’ll give you some ideas.
Where To Stay for a Dubai Family Holiday?
The following hotels have family-friendly features, family rooms, kids clubs, and activities for kids or teenagers. Your location in Dubai isn’t hugely important unless you would prefer to be on the beach. Dubai is easy to get around by taxi or metro train. Most of the tours and adventure activities we list below will pick your family up from your chosen hotel.
- Atlantis, The Palm, is home to some of the most spectacular attractions in Dubai. You can book an underwater suite or the Regal Family Suites which will accommodate very large families in style. Here you can find interconnecting suites with adorable kid-friendly features. Atlantis has all sorts of aquatic attractions such as a full aquarium inside the hotel with water slides that take you right through the tanks, as well as a water park, multiple pools, private beach area and boating. The hotel advertises a Kids’ Club and an outdoor kids’ playground along with indoor play facilities and games. Cots, babysitting and extra kids’ beds are available on request. Atlantis has some 15 diverse restaurants, many featuring the work of internationally renowned chefs.
- The Jumeirah Beach Hotel. is the place to stay for unlimited access to Wil Wadi Waterpark, plus the hotel’s own 5 swimming pools. It has its own stretch of the beach and stunning views of The Arabian Gulf and the mesmerising Burj Al Arab. Family rooms are available, with Wild Wadi Admission included, which makes the cost actually quite reasonable. Of course you can pay more and reserve one of the several styles of family suite which give you access to extras such as afternoon tea or canapes. This hotel offers special treats for kids such as a kids club, special kid’s activities, children’s pool, play areas, nanny services and children’s equipment including cots on request. You also get complimentary access to the nearby Wild Wadi Water park, play areas and musical instruments in an activity centre. (Subject to opening, one pool is currently closed according to the hotel’s information.)
- Lapita Resort is a more moderately priced hotel, with a Polynesian theme. This is a great place to stay in Dubai to be near Dubai’s theme parks. It is situated at the Dubai Parks and Resorts area and theme park access can be included in your room price, making it an affordable option. This hotel boasts its own kids’ concierge, kids club, teens club, and afternoon teas, the hotel also features its own pool and lagoon. Family rooms and Royal suites are available at this hotel. The Lapita Resort Hotel is near Dubai Legoland, Legoland Waterpark, Riverland Dubai, Motiongate Dubai, and Bollywood Parks.
- Golden Sands Hotel Apartments might not be as luxurious as others, but they are certainly more affordable than some Dubai family accommodations on this list. They feature family rooms and pools available for guests, as well as an optional breakfast. The Golden Sands Resorts are actually multiple hotels with kid-friendly individual apartments allowing you to cook and do laundry, that’s always a bonus if you’re travelling with children and don’t want to spend so much on family accommodation. We’ve used the Golden Sands apartments ourselves on short stop-overs in Dubai and found the rooms to be comfortable and the staff very helpful. There should be a swimming pool for you to cool off and the hotel arranged shuttle buses for guest to go to Jumeirah Beach. The location is good, central, but not on the beach. There is also a Golden Sands Apartment Hotel on Dubai Creek, which is a lovely area to stay, close to the souks and Old Dubai. This is a really nice place to stay if you’re interested in cultural experiences.
- Jumeirah Mina A’Salam is another wonderful family-friendly hotel near Wild Wadi Waterpark offering guests beach-side accommodation and sea views. Featuring family rooms and suites, a kid’s club, kid’s activities, nanny services and equipment like baby safety gates. The hotel can also offer access to the nearby Wild Wadi Waterpark as part of certain room packages. If you want a hotel near Wild Wadi Waterpark, choose this child-friendly Dubai hotel! Be sure to visit Sinbad’s Kids Club.
- The Taj Exotica is one of the most extravagant hotels on the planet, being located on one of the world’s largest man-made islands. The Palm is a feat of human ingenuity and engineering. The hotel itself also features a multitude of different available services, such as a kids club, kid-friendly buffets and meals, nanny services, and activities for both kids and their parents available. It also features kid-friendly family rooms and suites with dozens of room configurations to suit even large extended families. Kids of any age are welcome, but kids twelve and above must pay as adults. The Taj also features its’ own exclusive private beach, as well as a pool available all year round. The Taj is also quite close to the Aquaventure Water Park. Adults can enjoy gyms and spa facilities while little ones are well cared for. There is a kids playground on site.
Best Time For A Family Holiday in Dubai
Dubai can get very hot in the northern hemisphere summer, so hot that it’s not pleasant. This makes Dubai a popular winter sun destination for holidays. The best time to visit Dubai is normally November, December (Christmas), January and February, but you could stretch the season into October, March and Easter. You’re unlikely to encounter bad weather, but dust and sand storms can and do happen in Dubai.
The cheapest time to visit Dubai would be May to August, but out-of-season the heat will be extreme. We recommend you don’t book in summer to save money!
How long to spend in Dubai? I’d be more than happy to spend a 2 week family vacation in Dubai, others just spend a few days seeing the sights. There is so much to see and do in and near Dubai that you can spend weeks here, but, costs will quickly add up!
How To Book Your Flights to Dubai
Go to Skyscanner, use this link, enter your home airport and enter the destination “Dubai”. Select the month you plan to travel, then search for the cheapest or best flights for you. It’s that simple!
Once you have your flights booked, use the links on this page to book your hotels and browse activities to build your itinerary for your holiday of a lifetime.
Activities and Adventures on a Dubai Family Holiday
We recommend the following activities for your Dubai family trip. Many of these we’ve done with our own kids and they loved the experience. Do book your tours and activities in advance, online using the links below. We found it very difficult to organise things to do such as these once we were in Dubai.
Many of the activities below will take up a full day of your holiday in Dubai, making your itinerary planning so much easier!
- Ride a camel in the desert, slide down sand dunes, take a 4×4 desert adventure and enjoy dinner and entertainment at a desert camp. Check what’s included in the tour you book, as it does vary.
- Visit Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, with a pick up from Dubai. Your transfer will also take you to see the sights of Abu Dhabi, giving you a full-day excursion. Book a skip the line ticket here. There are buses to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, but you’re much better booking a transfer.
- Ride the Dubai Wheel, Ain Dubai, the biggest of its kind in the world. While you’re at Ain Dubai (Ain means eye) check out the beach and Dubai marina, which is adjacent.
- Spend a day at The Dubai Mall. The mall itself is spectacular, but 2 of Dubai’s biggest attractions are here, The Dubai Aquarium, and The Burj Khalifa. You’ll need to be here at the end of the day to see the dancing fountains show, but buy a combi ticket for The Aquarium, plus access to the observation decks of The Burj You’ll maximise your day and your time that way.
- Visit the brand new and highly acclaimed Dubai Museum of The Future. Book your spot here. It does sell out.
- Tour Old Dubai, the souks, fort, and The Creek area. My favourite part of Dubai.
Need more information on Dubai or on family holiday travel?
- More Dubai Posts
- Shop for Family Travel Essentials
- Take Out Good Travel Insurance For Dubai
- Browse more Dubai hotels on Agoda
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We also suggest you take a look at this company to get a quote for all kinds of the more tricky adventure or extended travel insurance.
Try Stayz / VRBO for an alternative way to find rentals on homes/apartments/condos in any country!