FAM-TASTIC DUBAI

Waterparks, balloon rides, beach clubs – is this the perfect ‘whole family’ holiday hotspot?

RIGHT NOW, looking out of the window at a grey British winter, there’s one thing every generation can agree on: we’d rather be on a balmy beach, having fun with the people we love most. 


That’s why Dubai, with 300 days of sunshine a year and stacks of brilliant options for every holiday budget, is the perfect destination for families.



Water feature … Piyus, Sienna, Kapila, Isla, Jay and Sheena play it cool in the pool


 

The city is especially attractive to those looking to enjoy the growing trend for multi-generation getaways, where kids, parents and grandparents all go abroad together. 
 

Wellbeing coach Sheena Tanna-Shah, who founded Inspiring Success – a company that coaches clients to help achieve a positive mindset – is among the four in ten British adults who took a three-generation holiday in 2024. 

In August, Sheena travelled to Dubai with her husband Piyus, 41, daughters Sienna, 13, and Isla, 10, and in-laws Jay, 74, and Kapila, 70. 
 

“The beauty of going on holiday with kids and grandparents is having time and space to be present with each other,” says Sheena, 41, from Northampton. 


“A helping hand with childcare is a bonus, but it’s also about Jay and Kapila spending time with the girls.

“It’s about making all sorts of memories the girls will cherish for ever.” 


 


 

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Dine time all round … there were plenty of delicious options to suit the whole family


 

She adds: “Sienna is now the age I was when I first visited Dubai on a family holiday in the 1990s. 

“I’ve never forgotten the golden beaches, the vibrancy of the city and the warmth of the people – nothing is too much trouble. 

“Those are just some of the things that keep drawing me back to Dubai: we’ve been several times over the past few years. 

“Other plusses are the short seven-hour direct flight and the time zone – Dubai is only three hours ahead of the UK [during British Summer Time], so we don’t lose a day of holiday to jet lag.”
 

Dubai really does offer hotels for all budgets and tastes. 
 

Brand new for 2025, Mama Shelter Dubai is a fun, affordable and design-led hotel with great restaurants and four terraced swimming pools. 

Family-friendly Rove La Mer Beach is in the trendy J1 waterfront district, with direct beach access – and it’s only a short stroll from beach clubs and restaurants. 
 

And Hotel Riu Dubai is a brilliant family-oriented all-inclusive with pools, a spa and the Splash Water World waterpark.


 


 

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Happy returns … remembering childhood holidays in Dubai, Sheena knew it would be the perfect place for Kapila’s 70th birthday


 

This family trip to Dubai was a special occasion. Sheena’s mother-in-law Kapila was turning 70, a landmark the whole family wanted to celebrate together. 

Sheena’s husband Piyus, an optometrist, booked the family into three junior suites at the deluxe One&Only Royal Mirage resort. 
 

With four swimming pools, a kilometre-long stretch of private beach and 65 acres of elegantly landscaped grounds, Sheena and Piyus loved the luxury. 
 

The girls were happy, as they were never out of the water, and grandparents Kapila and Jay got their daily steps in. 

The whole family loved the fantastic views across Palm Jumeirah, as well as exploring buzzy Dubai Marina, only moments away.

Another advantage was the resort’s proximity and complimentary access to Aquaventure World waterpark, a firm family favourite they first visited a decade ago when the children were little.


 


 


 


 

Pool games … it wasn’t just the kids who enjoyed all the waterpark had to offer


 

“The great thing about the waterpark – in fact, about all the theme parks in Dubai – is that there’s so much to see and do,” Sheena says.

“With more than 105 slides and rides, you never feel you’ve done it all.

“As the girls have grown they can be more adventurous, graduating from the gentle Splashers kids’ play area to the faster, higher slides. 

“We all love the Lazy River, but what I really appreciate about Aquaventure World is the sunbathing areas around the pools and lagoons. 

“They have a serene feel, where we adults can relax while the kids splash around.”

Sheena’s other favourite Dubai spot is the historic Spice Souk in the Old Town, half an hour from the One&Only Royal Mirage resort by cab or easily accessible on the city’s efficient bus and metro network.


 


 


 


 


 

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Outings for days ... Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis, The Palm; the Spice Souk in Dubai’s Old Town; balloon rides over the desert; Rove La Mer Beach


 

“The souk is so pretty, with its colourful mountains of spices,” Sheena says. 

“I pride myself on my home-cooked curries, so I always buy some spices – the traders are ingenious at mixing them together to create whole new flavours. 

“I also pick up some spiced teas and – top tip – eucalyptus crystals, which are brilliant at unblocking noses over the winter.”

Indeed, Dubai is famous for its huge range of cuisines, from Michelin-starred restaurants such as Orfali Bros and Row on 45 for special occasions to beachside food trucks and the legendary fixed-price weekend brunches (Bubbalicious is a family fave). 

Two of the city’s Indian restaurants hold Michelin stars: Trèsind Studio, which features innovative seasonal menus; and Avatara, with its vegetarian and vegan tasting menus. 

With flavours to suit all tastes, and excitement and adventure for every generation, it’s no wonder families love to holiday together in Dubai.


 


 


 


 


 

Family favourites

Kids






Mum






Dubai has a huge variety of theme and waterparks for every age and interest. Real Madrid World is the newest, a theme park featuring more than 40 attractions, from a wooden rollercoaster to a virtual simulator ride. Enrol your family’s future Ronaldo at football training camp there this summer – golazo!






Dubai’s spas blend luxury with the science of beauty and the tradition of the hammam. The One&Only Royal Mirage is open to guests and visitors – and with grandparents keeping the girls busy, Sheena spent a blissful afternoon gazing up at the mosaic glass ceiling and indulging in a Hammam Rose Ritual body wrap.

Dad






Grandparents






Thanks to its standout skyline and manmade islands like Palm Jumeirah, shaped to look like a palm tree from above, Dubai is an unforgettable skydiving destination. Why let the birds get all the best views? “I ticked a skydive off my bucket list in Dubai,” Piyus says. “The experience was out of this world.”






Jay and Kapila like to get their daily steps in, even on holiday, and Dubai has a variety of walking – and cycling – routes to suit. The Marina Walk follows a pretty waterside path; stroll through the historic streets of Old Dubai or, to really get the blood pumping, there’s a 7km scenic running track along the beach in Jumeirah. Another highlight was Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: a delightful 6 sq km nature reserve of salt flats and mangrove lagoons in the heart of the city. Visitors can admire migrating birds and shocking-pink flamingoes from three hides along the perimeter.


All together now






Frying Pan Adventures is a brilliant foodie tour company set up by sisters Arva and Farida Ahmed, who were inspired by Dubai’s fast changing local food scene. Take a four-hour walking tour and delve into amazing flavours and memorable stories as you sample delicious, freshly prepared dishes.


Dubai is a lively year-round holiday destination with brilliant options for every budget. With gorgeous beaches, desert adventures and activities to suit families, couples, groups of friends and solo travellers alike, there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

With regular direct flights from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle, discover more at visitdubai.com

And enjoy holiday packages to Dubai from Southall Travel starting from £775pp to stay at the five-star Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. T&Cs apply.

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