The best family hotels in Dubai for a fun and sun-filled holiday

As one of the hotels in the Madinat Jumeirah complex, Jumeirah Al Naseem not only boasts its own exceptional facilities, but offers you access to the 40 restaurants, five pools, and a private beach. As one of the newer properties, you can expect supremely comfortable accommodation that leans more towards ‘quiet luxury’ than overly flashy, making it a more family friendly option. Throw in access to the famed slides and tunnels of the Wild Wadi Waterpark and 500sqm of play areas in the 'KiDS’ Club, and you’ll see why Jumeirah Al Naseem is our choice as the best family hotel overall in Dubai. 

For parents with children over the age of 3, the ‘KiDS’ club has plenty to keep smaller guests entertained, from crafts and planned games to an outdoor playground and jungle gym. Children under the age of 3 are also welcome when accompanied by a parent or nanny.

LEGO fans and their families will love Dubai’s LEGOLAND Hotel, where themed rooms and endless LEGO fun will capture the imagination of children and the young at heart. From the dragon-guarded entrance to the Bricks family restaurant and themed rooms with separate areas for the kids, this hotel is a dream for LEGO enthusiasts. 

Not only is the hotel fun for all the family, but it’s also just 130 ‘kid steps’ from LEGOLAND Dubai Theme Park and Waterpark. Tickets to one of the parks are included with each night’s stay so if you stay for at least two nights, you’ll be able to visit both parks. Luckily, after jam-packed days of riding the rollercoasters or building your own LEGO raft, the hotel is close enough to stroll back and collapse into your Pirate Room or Kingdom Suite. There’s also plenty to keep you busy at the hotel, from creative workshops to a pool, a castle play area, and treasure hunts in your room on arrival.

This bright and breezy property is one of the best budget family hotels in Dubai, and offers brilliant value with its beachfront swimming pool and waterslides, outdoor playground, fun-filled water sports and a family friendly lounge. The hotel is water-themed, and water babies will have plenty to keep them active with a lazy river, kids’ water play area, waterslides, and cliff jumping points. Just don't forget to pack your waterproof sunscreen.

Three age-specific Kids’ Clubs and a monthly programme of activities keep smaller guests entertained while you slip off for afternoon tea or a well-deserved spa treatment. Children can also join in the pampering with their own candy-themed kids’ spa complete with edible treatments and joy-filled décor. A choice of meal plans, including Half Board and All-Inclusive, means you can tailor your stay to suit your family; while some of the rooms feature bunk beds, making it a fun option for younger children.

With its ‘All Inclusive All Exclusive Rixos Experience’, Rixos The Palm is one of the best all-inclusive hotels in Dubai for families. It sits on just under a mile of private beachfront on the iconic Palm Jumeirah with views over the Arabian Gulf and the sparkling skyline of Dubai; although children may be distracted from those views when they spot the Rixy Kids Club, the Rixy Kids Carnival with its inflatable obstacle courses and bouncy castles, and the Rixinema where they can enjoy their favourite films from giant bean bags. Add in an Aqua Park with three water slides and a colourful jungle-themed gym, and you have a wonderland of activity designed with kids in mind. 

Not only do parents benefit from the peace of mind of knowing their kids are happy, but the all-inclusive experience means you won’t need to worry about racking up a huge bill on food and drink. With no fewer than 11 all-inclusive bars and restaurants to choose from, a well-equipped gym and fitness activities, the world is your oyster at Rixos The Palm.

While the LEGOLAND Hotel (scroll up for our review) is likely to be a favourite for younger children, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is certainly a contender for the best Dubai hotel for younger children. Two separate kids’ clubs mean that younger children between 4 and 12 years old get their own space, while Le Meridien Teens Club is aimed at teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15. A playground will keep younger kids happy, while the nine-hole crazy golf course and games room is perfect for slightly older kids. To cool off, the shaded children’s pool is perfect for little ones, while the Jungle Bay Waterpark has a range of activities and slides, including more gentle options for younger children. Private cabanas allow families to escape the heat while still enjoying the beautiful gardens.

Dubai’s heat means you’re likely to spend a lot of time in the water, and Atlantis The Palm is a great choice for those who prefer their pool time to have a little more adventure and activity. With two pools to choose from, children can splash as much as they like in the lagoon-style Family Pool while those who prefer a spot of relaxation can escape to the Palm Pool. But the water-based fun doesn’t end at the pool. Staying at Atlantis The Palm gives you access to Aquaventure, the world’s largest waterpark. From swimming with dolphins to discovering 65,000 marine animals in the Lost Chambers Aquarium, or trying out the 105 record-breaking rides, slides, and activities, water babies could easily spend the entire stay in the park without getting bored.

After all that activity, you have five family friendly restaurants to choose from, including Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Kitchen and Bar and 20 live cooking stations at Saffron. And parents aren’t forgotten: why not book a babysitter and head to Nobu or Hakkasan for a truly special meal.

If waterparks are your thing, take a look at Mother&Baby’s recent review of the best hotels with waterparks for families.

While the bright lights and entertainment of the city draw most visitors to the heart of Dubai, why not combine it with a family friendly desert experience at Bab Al Shams. It won’t take much imagination for children to step inside a world of Aladdin and Arabian Nights when they spot their first camel or the golden fort-like walls of the hotel amidst the dunes. Arabian horse riding, desert drives, star gazing, and treks on camelback allow the whole family to live out their Arabian Prince and Princess dreams; while back at the resort, the giant chess, an adventure playground, and activities such as Arabic calligraphy will keep the whole family entertained.

For thrill-seeking teens, little compares to Lapita which comes with access to Dubai Parks and Resorts, including RIVERLAND Dubai, LEGOLAND Water Park, LEGOLAND Dubai and MOTIONGATE Dubai. From adrenaline-inducing rollercoasters to DreamWorks Animation-themed adventures and LEGO-themed water play, there’s something here for everyone. Back at the hotel, four bars and restaurants, Family Rooms, two lagoon pools, a lazy river, and a Kids and Teens Club make this a luxuriously relaxing option for families with older children. While the hotel isn’t on the beach, you can take the shuttle service to Jumeirah Beach in around 30 minutes.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a hotel in Dubai that doesn’t boast a kids club, but many only accept children from 3 years old. At the Fairmont The Palm, children as young as 18 months can join in the fun, whether playing with jigsaws and crafts, or splashing around in the splash park. Older children, up to 12 years old, have plenty to keep them entertained, from dressing-up clothes to PlayStation, Wii, and Xbox games in the chill-out zone. In-house guests get 2 hours' complimentary use per day - though there is a charge for children under 3 years old.

The fun and games don’t stop there; the Fairmont The Palm has a fantastic family pool, with multiple levels and depths making it perfect for all ages. A nearby ice cream counter will keep you refreshed, while the nearby playground and sprinklers provide even more entertainment without having to move too far from your lounger. Interconnecting rooms, complimentary cribs and cots, and babysitting and childcare services (which are chargeable) make this one of the best places to stay in Dubai with family.

Choosing the best 5-star hotel in Dubai for families is near impossible – you’re spoilt for choice with a tempting array of luxury properties, all managing that fine balance of keeping both grown-ups and children happy. But if we had to choose just one, Atlantis The Royal comes in at the top spot of reviews time and again. It’s not hard to see why. Boasting eight restaurants from celebrity chefs, and one Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s a dream for foodies. And if your kids’ tastes lean more towards chicken nuggets than cordon bleu, there’s another four casual restaurants to choose from too. Ultra-stylish rooms, luxurious Frette bathrobes, and an adults-only rooftop infinity pool allow parents to indulge, while babysitting services and a fantastic Atlantis Explorers Kids’ Club keep children entertained. Like Atlantis The Palm, the hotel comes with complimentary access to the incredible Aquaventure Waterpark.