Dubai For The Cool Kids: The Ultimate Family Itinerary
I have always maintained that, once kids are out of nappies, it’s time to reclaim one’s holiday aspirations. Granted, you’re not going to achieve the spontaneity of your travels pre-kids. Some things have to be let go. But why should holidaying with youngsters equate to stay-cays and short hauls, with kids’ clubs, playgrounds, family entertainment and an early bedtime? Time for a rethink – and Dubai is the perfect solution.
The glorious thing about travelling East from the UK is that time rolls forward. Ever since our girls were born, my husband and I have saved for regular trips to Dubai and beyond because we can – loosely – take advantage of our jet lag. Many parents agonise over their routines abroad, but we luxuriate in waking up late, lunching late and having a proper dinner-time dinner – keeping the kids up with us until 11pm, which, when in Dubai, equates to just 7 pm or 8 pm in the UK. After all, why not? Saves the adjustment on the way home, too – double win.
Your days may still begin in a chaos of toothpaste and you might only get brief moments of peace on a sun lounger. But if you plan to engage with your kids, pack some good mealtime distractions (yep, iPad in emergency cases only), find the right spots and balance out your itinerary, then it is absolutely possible to enjoy a trip that blends a little of everyone’s version of holiday fun.
Read on for a tried and tested guide to how to holiday stylishly with young children in Dubai – and ensure everyone loves it ;)
Where to stay
Cheval Maison – The Palm
If you’ve never considered an apartment hotel overseas then now is the time to get wise. This is the most economical way of landing yourself a luxury penthouse suite equivalent, with the added benefit of adult space away from the kids after bedtime).
With a concierge, pool, restaurant and room service on site, Cheval Maison strikes the perfect balance between home-away-from-home and hotel stay – and I cannot recommend it enough. Positioned on the Western trunk of The Palm, a mere one-minute walk from the Nakheel Mall, the 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments are elegantly furnished and come stocked with all you might need for the times you choose to self-cater. However should you decide to dine in, I say go for a Deliveroo – the beauty of an apartment hotel is that you can order takeaway! Food in Dubai is always delicious and the choice of restaurants in this area is endless, so feed kids tea on the beach then indulge in that movie night after putting them to bed. Dreamy.
website: www.chevalmaison.com
This strikes the perfect balance between home-away-from-home and hotel stay – and I cannot recommend it enough
Bab Al Shams – The Desert
If your trip to Dubai is longer than a week, consider incorporating a decadent change of scene by decamping to the desert for a night or two. We tripped out to Bab Al Shams – a short 1-hour drive from The Palm – and had the most incredible experience. Quite literally an oasis amongst endless sand, this is as lavish as it claims to be. It’s also extremely child-friendly, with an enormous modular pool our girls spent hours playing in – made perfect by the continuous and relatively shallow depth.
Sunset brings the daily opportunity for grown-up sundowners whilst the children are entertained by a falconry show and camel rides (no fear, adventurous adults can have a go too!). The hotel has four outstanding restaurants on site, and the jewel in the crown is the unmissable Al Hadheerah, an open-air authentic Middle Eastern dining experience (more on this later).
webiste: www.babalshams.com
Where to eat and drink
Clearly, with kids in tow, there are no adults-only bars on this agenda. The good news, however, is that Dubai is a family-centric city and children are widely welcomed at many bougie spots that would be unsuitable back home.
Matagi
Ichigo Ichie night brunch
If your children enjoy sushi – and let’s be honest, which generation alpha kid doesn’t? – then this is an experience not to be missed. Enter through the ornate gilded gold lobby of Raffles Hotel on The Palm and be directed along to the dark-wooded interior of Matagi, home of the most delicious Japanese night brunch in Dubai. The endless set menu offers twelve sharing starter courses, a self-selected main, three side dishes and a dessert platter and can be complemented by one of three drinks packages. Our children were mesmerised by the presentation over dry ice and staff were infinitely kind, expertly serving around their game of UNO.
webiste: www.rafflespalmdubai.com
Children are widely welcomed at many bougie spots that would be unsuitable back home.
Koko Bay
Beach dining
Our favourite spot in Dubai, Koko Bay, is beach dining with Ibiza vibes. Bamboo Balinese style seating extends down almost to the ocean, resident DJs play incredible tunes, and waiting staff serve up expertly made cocktails alongside a mix of Asian and European food, with a focus on Far Eastern flavours.
Kids can run and play on the beach and it’s just 10 minutes on foot from Cheval Maison. Don’t miss the opportunity to let the kids splash in the dancing water fountains on West Beach Boulevard during the walk home – they might get soaked through but the heat will have them dry again in minutes.
wesbite: www.kokobay.com
Al Hadheerah
Immersive Middle Eastern desert experience
This restaurant within Bab Al Shams is so special its almost impossible to describe. Take pathways through a real-life souk to arrive in an expansive open-air courtyard for a true Middle Eastern immersion. Food is self-served, but this is no ordinary buffet – the presentation is perfect, and the choices are endless. Whilst you tackle the almighty task of deciding what to fill your plate with, dancers and musicians come out to entertain. But that is not the half of it.
Horse and camel rides are offered throughout the evening and the night culminates with the most incredible show involving galloping stallions, camels, goats, fire and drama. Yes, really. Our kids were entranced.
website: www.alhadheeerah.com
Ce La Vi Brunch
Free-flow brunch in the clouds
Kids will love the butterflies in their tummies as an external glass elevator whisks 54 floors into the sky to land you at Ce La Vi, which every Saturday plays host to an unrivalled bottomless champagne brunch. We visited with another family, and the experience was epic. Internationally renowned guest DJs play uplifting tunes, magicians circulate the tables, and a sensational contemporary Asian menu is served against breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa. Venture onto the outdoor terrace to capture shots on the selfie swing and wait for later in the session when the vibe ramps up, and the saxophonist joins the party. Prepare to leave just a little bit squiffy…
website: www.celavi.com
Things to do
Nikki Beach Restaurant & Beach Club
Renovated and relaunched at the end of 2024, Nikki Beach Dubai resides a 30-minute taxi from The Palm but is well worth the journey. A backdrop of lively beats, all-white decor and a relaxed atmosphere immediately has you leaning happily into a long chilled afternoon. We visited with our kids plus the grandparents and it was adored by all generations. Food is flawless, with a menu of light yet satisfying dishes full of colour and easy to stomach in a swimsuit (IYKYK). But the pièce de résistance is the VIP Pool Cabanas – this is where children are invited to party the sunset away alongside their crew, safely ensconced in an area with its very own private pool.
website: www.nikkibeachdubai.com
Wild Wadi Waterpark
No visit to Dubai is complete without a trip to one of the famous waterparks. Granted, it is less stylish than essential tourism, but the key here is making the experience joyous. Wild Wadi is our preferred spot – it’s smaller than Atlantis, which means our kids (ages 8 and 10, both confident swimmers) can adventure off solo after we’ve all powered through a couple of flumes together.
Insider intel: Visit on a weekday and arrive in time to make the most of the all-you-can-eat day pass for the kids – unlimited meal + drink deals that can be ordered every 30 minutes between 10 am-4.30 pm. More importantly, avoid bagsying the first sun loungers you see around the crowded pools and find the elevated platform with views of the ocean and the infamous Burj Al Arab – we made this our base for the day and managed more than one 45minute stint of uninterrupted sunbathing!
website: www.wildwadi.com
Insider intel: Visit on a weekday and arrive in time to make the most of the all-you-can-eat day pass for the kids
The View at the Palm
Situated two floors above AURA Skypool, the world’s highest 360-degree rooftop infinity pool (sadly adults only but well worth a visit if you have relatives in tow willing to babysit), The View At The Palm is a 4-minute walk from the Cheval Maison and a great activity to do with the kids. At 240m high, it offers a birds-eye view over The Palm Jumeirah, one of the world’s most famous landmarks and a feat of modern engineering.
website: www.theviewpalm.com
The Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis
Another crowd-pleaser: who doesn’t enjoy mooching around being mesmerised by brightly coloured sea fishes? In Dubai, everything is bigger, better and slicker than the norm, and the Lost Chambers Aquarium is no different, boasting the largest marine exhibit in the Middle East and Africa. Top tip: Book a table afterwards at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza for bottomless pizza slices, craft beers, creative cocktails and ice cream.
website: www.lostchambers.com
La Perle
A little early evening excursion with the kids is sometimes just the ticket and Dubai’s first permanent show, La Perle, is one not to miss. Taxi 15 minutes downtown to the tailor-made aqua theatre for the 6.30-8pm performance and witness the stage flood with water and drain again in just a matter of seconds. The unique seating provides a 270-degree view of the action as skilled artists perform mind-blowing aqua and aerial feats.
website: www.laperle.com
Best time to go
Dubai is warm throughout the year – the only time to avoid are the summer months of June to August when temperatures can exceed 40 degrees (ouch). We recommend making the most of Europe in the school summer holidays and travelling in the October half term when the weather has cooled down and escaping the air conditioning is enjoyable once more.
The verdict
Dubai strikes the perfect balance between luxe indulgence and family fun. As a mid-haul escape, the journey time allows for a 7-day break, and the time difference is totally manageable with kids. Yes, it’s expensive when you are there, but flights and hotels usually offer deals that help offset the overall investment. This is a manmade city designed for enjoyment, so not one for culture seekers. We love our trips and will continue to visit – if a safe, easy, stylish family holiday that blends beach with city is your jam, then I guarantee you will too.
