Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It is famous for its impressive sights and attractions, such as the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, or the shopping malls that feature their own aquariums and indoor ski slopes.This cosmopolitan city offers state-of-the art facilities and is extremely tourist- and business-friendly. The vast range of shopping experiences are almost infinite and there is a great blend between traditional Arabic culture and modern western lifestyle. It is also certainly a place of contrast: you can visit the old town and explore the souks (markets) and then go shopping at some of the world’s most famous designer stores.
Dubai Airport is a hub for international flights and is well-prepared to receive a very high number of travellers. The public transport system is outstanding, with modern facilities and inexpensive rates. The city is also a very safe place, with virtually no crime at all.
Activities for adults
At the Resort
Relax at the beach, pools and gardens
There are so many different spots to relax at the hotel, you will have a hard time deciding where to start. Explore the lush gardens or sit in a shaded area to enjoy a book. You can also freshen up in one of the four temperature-controlled swimming pools or soak up the sun at the hotel’s exclusive private Jumeirah beachfront, where you can play beach volleyball or try out some of the different water sport options available.
Spa
Allow yourself to completely relax and indulge at the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa facilities. There are different massages and beauty treatments available, which can also be booked as a couple, such as the bathing ritual in the hotel’s Oriental Hammam.
Sports
For those looking for an active holiday, the sporty options at the resort are endless. There is a gym, with modern cardio and resistance training systems. You can either train at your own pace or together with an experienced personal trainer. Other options range from tennis, padel (for an additional charge) and football to beach volleyball, badminton and pétanque, each catered for with dedicated spaces. You can also practice your golf skills at the resort’s exclusive putting green or at one of the many nearby golf courses.
Further Afield
Burj Khalifa – see Dubai from above
The Burj Khalifa is Dubai's landmark building and its major tourist attraction. With a gigantic height of 829.8 meters, this incredible construction is the tallest building in the world. Going up the observation deck on the 124th floor and enjoying the breath-taking views of the city’s skyline will definitely be one of your trip’s highlights.
Dubai Fountain
The Dubai Fountain is yet another iconic landmark in Dubai: it is the world's largest choreographed fountain system, and it is located at the centre of the Downtown Dubai. Made by the same company responsible for the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel Lake in Las Vegas, the fountain can spray 83.000 litres of water in the air at any moment. It features over 6.000 lights and 25 colour projectors. There are animated performances set to light and music at different times, every day.
Dubai Mall
This is the city’s main mall and the most recommended place to visit if you want to do a day of shopping. It is also the ideal destination if you are looking for indoor activities to keep the kids busy (see “Activities for children”). From the Dubai Mall you can enter the Burj Khalifa as well as the Dubai Aquarium. Besides internationally known fashion brands, you can find an ice-skating rink, a gaming zone, a huge cinema complex and endless dining options.
Explore the desert
There are several options to visit and explore the desert if you want to enjoy some natural scenery. Some tours include quad rides, sand boarding, camel riding, hot-air balloon adventures or barbeques at sunset. There are so many different options, you will have a hard time deciding what to do!
Wander around the souks of Deira
Deira is an area north of Dubai Creek, known for its traditional markets (souks). The Gold Souk is the largest gold bazaar in the world, and at the Spice Souk, you will find every spice you can imagine to take home with you. There is also a fish market. Don’t forget to visit two architectonical landmarks in this area: Heritage House (constructed in 1980 as the home of a wealthy Iranian merchant) and Al-Ahmadiya School (the oldest school in Dubai, erected in 1912).
Activities for kids
At the Resort
Pool and beach splash time
Kids will enjoy swimming and playing at the hotel’s extensive private beach (1km long). There are also two temperature-controlled swimming pools, with supervised lifeguards and shallow ends for the little ones for the whole family to cool day on a hot day.
Kids Club
The Kids Club at the hotel is open daily from 10am to 7pm for children 4 years old and up. Besides the regular daily activities offered by trained and experienced staff, little guests can also enjoy the resort’s natural playground, the vast lush gardens, and the private sandy beach. There is also a kid’s slide at one of the resort’s pools. The kids club programme includes activities such as seashell hunting, painting, sand art or culinary classes. For younger children, babysitting services can be booked on request.
Further Afield
Explore Dubai Mall and its numerous attractions
There is no time to get bored at the world’s biggest shopping mall. Kids will have a hard time deciding what to do first: checking out DubaiDino (a 155 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton that is on display at the mall), going to the Virtual Reality Park, visiting the Aquarium and underwater zoo, ice-skating… and so much more!
Waterparks
There are several waterparks in Dubai to refresh on a hot day! Some of the most famous ones are Wild Wadi, Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, Laguna Waterpark, Legoland Waterpark or Aqua Fun Dubai.
Glow Garden
This is a very fun family-friendly place to visit in Dubai. You can wander around and explore the different glow-in-the-dark installations, and observe how the lights change to the beat of the music.
Theme Parks
Dubai also has many different theme parks that kids will love to visit. Some of the most famous ones are IMG Worlds of Adventures (Dubai’s largest indoor park, featuring the world of Marvel and Cartoon Network), Legoland, Motion Gate (an amusement park that is ideal for families with toddlers or young children, as it has several rides based on famous children’s movies, such as Madagascar, Shrek and the Smurfs, and also hosts several daily live performances) or Bollywood Park.
Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
This Wildlife Park is located 17km away from Dubai city centre. You can rent your own car or take a taxi. It is a wetland reserve that attracts a large number of migratory birds. Both kids and adults will enjoy spotting the beautiful birds. This also makes a great place to enjoy the sunset. It is one of the few urban protected areas in the world, and the entrance is free of charge.
Aventura Parks
Let the kids enjoy some time outdoors and feel like monkeys at Aventura Parks, an obstacle park where you can zip-line, rock climb, and jump around through all sorts of different obstacle courses.
OliOli - experiential children's play museum
This interactive children's museum, another good option to escape the heat for a bit, is a great activity for little explorers from the ages of two to twelve. Located in Al Quoz, OliOli allows children to let their imagination run wild in a total of eight interactive galleries. Each area was developed by leading educators, developmental psychologists, artists and manufacturers, and is equipped with artistic and modern furnishings.
