MIDDLE EAST 10 BEST FAMILY HOTELS DESTINATIONS
Epic water parks and eye- popping aquariums would be impressive attractions on any family holiday, but when parents and kids can get to them without even having to leave their resort, they make an even more convincing selling point. The Middle East is already a hit
with families seeking a hassle-free holiday with wall-to-wall sunshine, white-sand beaches and endless entertainment options. Now, helping to reinforce that family-friendly reputation, lavish hotels across the region are pulling out all the stops to dazzle their younger guests with some standout features. From the budget to the brash,
we round up a handful of the best family hotels across the Middle East to please even the fussiest of broods.
1
BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI This luxurious sail-shaped hotel famously offers 17
types of pillow, 24-carat gold- plated iPads worth £4,500 in every room, chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces and an army of butlers. Its children’s offering is no less grand, with youngsters being treated to bespoke bed, bath and beach attire, as well as a personal consultation with the chef to make sure the menus delight their delicate taste buds. Myriad watersports are
available for the whole family to enjoy, from windsurfing and kayaking to scuba diving and banana boat rides. Best of all,
children can feast on unlimited free ice lollies on the private beach. The 202-suite hotel has a kids’
club for three to 12-year-olds, and free entry to Wild Wadi water park next door, which has 30 rides and attractions certain to keep kids of any age entertained. Recommend that clients book
a family lunch at the hotel’s gorgeous Al Mahara seafood restaurant, which has a floor-to- ceiling aquarium that’s home to stingrays and zebra sharks.
2
JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL, DUBAI With its striking wave- like design, this 619-room
hotel is one of Dubai’s most instantly recognisable structures. Ticking all the boxes for fun- loving families, the hotel has six swimming pools, including a children’s pool with slides, a dive centre, a climbing wall, tennis courts, banana boat rides, Hobie Cat sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and unlimited access to Wild Wadi water park. There are 20 tempting
eateries to choose from, but best for families is Beachcombers restaurant, which has live cooking stations and a designated kids’ area. Parents in need of some alone time can leave children aged two to 12 in the kids’ club, which has longer-than-average opening hours from 8am until 10pm, and has a huge area devoted to playing, swimming and chilling out.
3
ST REGIS SAADIYAT ISLAND RESORT, ABU DHABI This swish hotel is
perfect for families who don’t want to scrimp on luxury just because they’ve got kids in tow. It offers 24-hour butler service, an indulgent spa and 18-hole golf course. Younger ones are equally spoilt, as they’re provided with their own adorably tiny slippers and dressing gowns, as well as cups of warm milk and treats left on their pillows at bedtime. Nature-loving little ones will
like the spectacular location of this hotel on a five-mile stretch of gorgeous sandy beach, where turtles nest and dolphins can be spotted cruising the shoreline. Elegant Resorts’ senior sales
and product manager Pam Rutherford rates the property highly. She says: “For one to 12-year-olds, the hotel offers the Sandcastle Club, an adventurous and enchanting play area which is set within a cave-themed space with a sandpit and an outdoor pool. There’s also a family pool and a children’s pool with a water slide, keeping everyone entertained”. The 377-room hotel has
seven restaurants, including a beachside seafood grill and a patisserie where sweet-toothed families can gorge on handmade chocolates.
4
THE PALACE AT ONE & ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE, DUBAI
Spanning 60 acres
of manicured gardens and boasting its own dreamy beach, this 231-room hotel has all the essentials for the ultimate family escape with its relaxed vibe and top-notch facilities. Set within the upmarket One & Only Royal Mirage complex, clients can enjoy an abundance of watersports, including sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking and fishing. Parents in need of a break can head off to the spa and hammam, leaving children aged from four to 11 in the safe hands of the kids’ club to try their hand at camel rides, henna painting, belly dancing and more. Fun for the whole family can
be found in the two pools and on the tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.
5
JA JEBEL ALI BEACH HOTEL, DUBAI Parents can leave their wallets at home when
staying at this five-star hotel as it’s one of the only hotels in Dubai to offer all-inclusive, providing “an attractive price point for families”, according to Kuoni commercial and product manager Sheena Paton. Set on a palm-fringed 800m
private beach, this 231-room hotel’s newest star attraction is its inflatable water park, free to all-inclusive guests. Located just steps from the hotel beach, the water park is open to anyone over the age of six who can swim. There are also two children’s pools for toddlers and older kids.
25 February 2016
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