DESTINATIONS


UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | FAMILY HOLIDAYS WHERE


to STAY


BANYAN TREE DUBAI


With the brand’s reputation for tranquil spa stays, this property wasn’t my first thought for a


family-friendly option. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Set on a beautiful beach and with extensive pools in its grounds, the elegant, 179-room resort was a welcome respite from


Dubai’s fast and furious pace. Staff were exceptional, from front-of-house who engaged with my son every day, to the restaurant team who


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Aquaventure water park, Dubai; writer Joanna Booth and family; Banyan Tree Dubai, which is next to the Al Ain Dubai Ferris wheel


creditable number of the park’s 105 experiences before dinner at Gastronomy, a fittingly huge and luxurious buffet at neighbouring Atlantis The Royal. Yet our real Dubai highlight came at what must be its lowest-rise attraction: exploring the Desert Conservation Area with Platinum Heritage. With our guide Riyaz at the wheel of a vintage 1950s Land Rover, we spotted Arabian gazelles and oryx – the national animal of the UAE – among the dunes. After a thrilling display of falconry, we headed to a desert camp for an evening of Bedouin cuisine and musical performances where the only ‘supercars’ in sight were the camels traditionally used as transport in these desert dunes.


ABU DHABI:


THRILLS AND CHILLS The Abu Dhabi skyline may not be as high-rise as its neighbour’s, but it’s more high-concept. Architects of international renown have been given free rein (and generous budgets) to create jaw-droppingly


travelweekly.co.uk


what's new


wh ew


E Dubai has been named a Certified Autism Destination, with training for tourism staff, new sensory guides and the addition of ‘hidden disability’ lanyards at visitor attractions.


E If Only is giving agents a chance to win a holiday to Saadiyat Island, based on bookings made by June 30. Find out full details at: ifonly.net/


agents/incentives


E Disney has announced its first theme park in the Middle East. It will be located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and operated by Miral, which also runs Ferrari World and Warner Bros World.


beautiful and creative public buildings. Many of these are to be found in the cultural district on Saadiyat Island, but the most famous has to be the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Dexter was blown away by this extraordinary structure – the first mosque he’s been able to enter as a non-Muslim – with its soaring white minarets, expanses of marble, huge chandeliers and ornate carpets. Visiting with our guide, Peter, meant we learnt and understood far more of the cultural and religious context than we would have independently, and his lively commentary really held our son’s attention. This also held true at the


Louvre Abu Dhabi in the Saadiyat Cultural District. The slatted, Jean Nouvel-designed dome holds a host of treasures and, with the help of a guide, we were able to pick out a handful of choices that fascinated Dexter, from Egyptian sarcophagi to contemporaneous historical editions of the Qur’an, Bible and Torah. After a double dose of culture,


combined genuine warmth with swift service. Even the


smartest eatery – the in-vogue pan-Asian Demon Duck – has a kids’ menu, and while mealtimes tended towards the calmer end of family dining, we never felt out of place. banyantree.com


RIXOS MARINA ABU DHABI


In the more tranquil emirate, we opted for a livelier stay.


The huge, high-rise Rixos sits on a curving white-sand beach on Breakwater Island, next


to the Marina Mall and near the Corniche and downtown. It features a vast heated pool complex with swim-up bar, sports facilities and a newly expanded kids’ club. Rooms


are classic luxury in style, and the vast lobby is crowned with a chandelier. The brand’s Turkish roots are evident in the main


Terra Mare buffet, where mezze, simit and baklava are among the international fare. Service was


we threw in some family-friendly ²


responsive and personal, and a new ultra-all-inclusive package also covers dining at the Italian and Asian à la carte venues. rixos.com


15 MAY 2025 35


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