It is not to everyone’s taste and, admittedly, it does lack a bit of culture but there are several reasons why we chose Dubai for our first beach holiday with Mrs T when she was five months old. Here are 10 reasons to visit Dubai.
1. Family friendly – We had been to Dubai before so knew a lot of the resorts are set up for children. Many hotels run amazing kids clubs which are reasonably priced and usually complimentary for children over three. Babysitting services are also available. Most restaurants in the resorts are happy to have kids in the evening. In general, the UAE is very family orientated and accommodating.
2. Relaxing – My husband, Paul, was recovering from chemotherapy so he wanted to go somewhere which was hassle-free and relaxed. Dubai doesn’t have loads of cultural sights to see so you don’t feel guilty chilling out on the beach and embracing the great service, food and facilities.
3. Flight Time – Just under 7 hours (although we got lucky on our flight out which took 6 hours 10mins) so very doable for all ages.
4. Location – If you don’t want to fly long haul in search of some winter sun then Dubai is one of your few options for reasonable weather without a 12 hour flight.
5. Weather – January is probably the best time to visit Dubai. It is ‘winter’ so temperatures are only around 22 degrees! Brrrrr. We’ve had days when it has tipped 26/27 degrees. It is a very comfortable climate for you and young children, complimented by a refreshing sea breeze. It is nothing like the searing heat and humidity which dominates the region during July and August.
6. Hotels – Dubai is renowned for its high quality hotels and you certainly have your pick. There are plenty for varying budgets. Those near the beach are generally more expensive than the Downtown hotels as they are taken up by luxury hotel brands, such as the One&Only and Jumeriah. But, there are good deals to be had on all hotels and flights too if you shop around.
7. Food – Many of the top chefs from around the world have opened restaurants in Dubai and its cosmopolitan society means it is packed with every cuisine you could wish for. Hotels usually have a choice of several restaurants – most of which are child friendly – and you can easily saunter down to them from your room or the beach. Some of the more upmarket eateries throughout the city don’t allow children in the evenings but there are plenty of places that do.
8. Drink – As it is a Muslim country, the alcohol can be expensive and there are limits on where you can drink (mainly hotel bars and restaurants). But, you can buy alcohol at the airport duty free (as we did) and have it in your room. Almost all restaurants serve alcohol but you have to be over 21 to drink in hotel bars so are not allowed to take little ones in.
9. Good Quality Service – It is among the best I have experienced. Polite, accommodating and with plenty of staff on hand; waiters, pool attendants, doormen etc will happily assist with any request.
10. Language – Most of the UAE population have migrated from elsewhere in the world so English is widely spoken with all the malls, hotels, airports etc with English signs/menus and English speaking staff.
Have you ever been to Dubai? What else would you add?Â
You may also enjoy
5 Pros And Cons Of Visiting DubaiÂ
Review: One&Only Royal Mirage, DubaiÂ
You know we keep thinking about booking to go and never quite getting round to it. We really must. Sounds fab.
Mini Travellers recently posted…My Captured Moment – Museum
It is certainly somewhere which needs to be experienced at some point! Really good as a stopover too xx
I was thinking about Dubai for some Oct half term fun but having only been without children wasn’t sure about taking a family there. You’ve just convinced me. Hello sunshine and kids club #TheList
Alice Project:Wanderlust recently posted…5 Rules For a Happy Life
Oh, definitely! There’s loads of stuff for the kids to do! Enjoy!!! Xxx
Oh how I love Dubai – hope to go again one day #TheList
Mummy Fever recently posted…The seven stages of nappy changing
Do you? It has so many advantages, doesn’t it. Some love it but some don’t. It’s an interesting place. We’ll definitely go back at some point x
I often think about Dubai as I feel it’s somewhere that should be visited at least once but then I think it’s just not me, I’m really not into malls, air con and lack of culture, but then I think maybe it would be good to experience…and so the conflict goes on in my head, and so I never go! One day I’m sure I will!! I don’t doubt it’s a good place to take kids though….
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Silent Sunday – 6 September 2015
I’m so with you on it all – hence why I wrote one of my other posts on it. It’s worth giving it a go and seeing it one day – maybe as a stop off! xx
I have always wanted to visit Dubai. It doesn’t matter if it is during a short stop (a couple of days). I think there are still some great sights to see.
Ruth recently posted…A Tour of the Yosemite Valley
It’s a great stop off location!! X
It’s great to know a tourist’s point of view when visiting Dubai. As an expat, it doesn’t give me much room for choice but to stay there and enjoy the most of it. I miss Dubai (currently in the neighboring Doha) and all these things that you’ve mentioned. 🙂
Pinay Flying High recently posted…Ten Reasons Why You Should Stay in Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa – Al Husn.
It’s good to know you liked living there enough to miss it. I’m sure it’s quite a different place when living as an expat but I bet it was fun. Hope you are enjoying Doha! X
I was in Dubai during my honeymoon, and as you I also thought it lacks the culture part. But to be honest the country is very interesting and I would definitely go back there.
I am often impressed by the price of the flight tickets from Europe to Dubai, a bargain I would say.
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes
Packing my Suitcase recently posted…Trip fail: Milan
That’s it! The prices really are reasonable and so really makes it a competitive location for a stop off before going elsewhere. We’ll be back for sure! Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes xx
Dubai is somewhere we have always wanted to visit but never booked, there has always been somewhere we wanted to go more. I know if we take the plunge and book it we will love it x
Sarah Christie recently posted…My Top Tips For Universal Orlando
There’s a bit of something for everyone in Dubai Xx
I’ve never really been convinced by the idea of Dubai. On paper it’s really hard to beat though… #MondayEscapes
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Calypso boat trip around the Isles of Scilly
It’s a bit of a marmite place and it does have drawbacks but it’s brill for a stopover x
Liked re reading this for #citytripping. Useful tip about kids in bars too!
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #34
I didn’t really care much for Dubai until I visited it earlier this year… and then I loved it! It is so eclectic! Although it seems quite artificial , it is amazing what man can do – turn the desert into a thriving city. I cannot wait to go back!
That’s great – I think it is really a place that needs to be seen to be believed! You are right it is an incredible feat of mankind to create such a vision! I’ll be back soon too! X
A great list of tips. I would love to visit Dubai. Even though it lacks culture [like you said], it makes up for it in other ways. I would just love to explore the new architecture and it is real close to the desert as well.
Good advice about visiting the place during cooler temps [well, cool for Dubai].
Constance – Foreign Sanctuary recently posted…The View from Above: Taking the Aiguille du Midi Cable Car in Chamonix, France
Thank you! The architecture is stunning. Well worth a look. Thanks for stopping by xx
You should go visit!!
I visited on my 30th birthday as I was born there but clearly have no memories of the place (I was a bit small) so it was a great reason to return. It did feel like a big playground in the desert as, as you say, there’s not many museums or cultural attractions to visit, so we just celebrated. #citytripping
tots2travel recently posted…Tips on how to Visit the Shard, London for Free
Thanks Elizabeth. We usually have a short stopover in Dubai en route to Australia. We stopped once and found the hotel and experience to be excellent. Now the children are older it might be time to extend the layover. Thanks for the tips
Katy recently posted…Links + Loves – June 2016
You are welcome. It’s a really child-friendly place…meaning you can actually get some relaxation in!
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
Good to share the tips thanks. I always think of Dubai as like Vegas – you must go once at least, you may hate it but you shouldn’t avoid it. I have not done either yet but definitely will do.
I think you are right, Wilbur, although Dubai has far less debauchery. I have yet to visit Vegas but need to see it at some point!
Those are some good reasons to visit! I didn’t realize they mostly spoke English there! I’ve only thought about visiting Dubai for the last couple of years, before that I had no idea it was so amazing! #CityTripping
Lolo recently posted…Blaubeuren’s Blautopf
There are definitely pros and cons (I’ve actually written another post about its not so great points https://www.wandermum.co.uk/dubai-five-pros-and-cons/ but we it’s a place that needs to be experienced and we seem to keep going back!
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
We thought Dubai was great. The weather and beaches were fab and the Atlantis Palm waterpark is brilliant. We went to the top of the Burj Khalifa and had afternoon tea in the Burj Al Arab.
Mellissa recently posted…Discovering Kennedy Space Centre
came over from #Citytripping
Mellissa recently posted…Discovering Kennedy Space Centre
Sounds like you had an amazing trip!
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
To be honest Dubai isn’t really on my list, but who knows, maybe one I do visit it:)
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…Exploring Stockholm in 48 hours (part II)
It does make a great stopover to go further afield!
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
All really great reasons to visit Dubai! It was a much further flight than 7 hours for me – coming from Canada! But I absolutely loved the city. I would also add that it’s possible to see Dubai on a budget – many sights in Deira, Old Dubai are much more budget friendly than in glitzy downtown Dubai.
Deb Che recently posted…Ganges River: Trip of a Lifetime
Sadly, Dubai is a bit farther away for us Americans, but I’ve always been intrigued with the place! And now that we have a little one, I’m always looking for more kid-friendly options. 🙂
#CityTripping
Oooh – it is a bit further for you guys but worth a look if you are over this way sometime x
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
I agree with the above comment – def seems like a Vegas visit and should be done at least once! We’ve never been. But I like your point about the guilt-free factor – if there’s no culture at least you can’t feel guilty, and relish in the r & r! #citytripping
Corey with fifi + hop recently posted…Manhattan: Top 10 Family Destinations
Totally Corey. I usually spend a lot of my holiday trying to see as much culture as I can and if there isn’t a lot makes relaxing a lot easier.
Sometimes trips where you don’t do a whole lot aside from relax are a great getaway! It can be nice knowing you don’t have to rush around seeing all of the great monuments or that one piece of architecture.
I love your idea of buying drinks at the airport for drinking in the hotel room. Sounds like a great way to relax at the end of a long (or short!) day!
#citytripping
Mandy recently posted…IWSG
Definitely Mandy, I am guilty of finding it difficult to relax so when there are little distractions it makes it a lot easier.
I’ve read a lot about Dubai recently and am really impressed with the way I’ve heard it caters for families. I have friends who go for the luxury, so I had thought of it being more of a destination for couples. Handy info Elizabeth – you’ve sold it to me! #CityTripping
Claire at Tin Box Traveller recently posted…New in our travel bag
Haha – it certainly has its pros and cons but it’s very family-friendly destination!
Wander Mum recently posted…5 UK Cities To Visit This Summer With Kids
I have had transit in Dubai airport twice but somehow never stayed overnight or two to visit the city. Perhaps I should someday. And you know what, sometimes it’s nice for a change to travel to a place where everything is efficient and hotels are a little fancy to enjoy, great to be “taken care of” once in a while 🙂 #CityTripping
Oh, it’s definitely worth a few extra days for some sun and relaxation before the journey back home!
Hey Elizabeth! Thanks for the link-up, of course! I didn’t know Dubai had such mild winter temperatures. Do you know what it’s like during Christmas, or is it a bit ignored as a holiday there? Love that Dubai is so accessible from Europe!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…Vernazza: It’s Amore
Have to agree with you, Dubai is a great place for families. There is so much to do there and don’t get me started on the food! Some of the best food I’ve ever had! I’m trying to convince my husband to go back but he wants to try somewhere new! I just want to go back so badly!
I always like to go somewhere new as week – so I get where your husband is coming from – but the great thing about Dubai is it can be a stopover for so many fab destinations! So you could both get your wish!