Summer is here and one easy way to beat the heat is to invest in a living space where a stylish change and access to a cool swimming pool await. For those traveling with children, Abu Dhabi has many accommodation options with family-friendly facilities.
From a complete escape on Saadiyat Island to a desert retreat where you can reconnect with nature, the 10 best family-friendly hotels in Abu Dhabi make sure the kids come first.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental may not spring to mind as the first children’s hotel you might think of in Abu Dhabi, but this palace at the end of the capital’s Corniche has plenty to offer families. The spacious rooms – the smallest of which are 55 square meters – mean there’s plenty of room for the whole family and there’s plenty of dining space so even fussy eaters will find something to their liking.
The outside is where this hotel comes into its own for kids. The hotel has two heated swimming pools with the family oriented West Pool featuring slides, waterfalls and a lazy river.
The private beach offers plenty of space for children including wooden swings on the beach and the nearby inflatable AquaFun Park offers a new way to cool off on hot days.
There is also a children’s playground where children between the ages of 4 and 12 can enjoy supervised activities and children’s tennis lessons (charged). Babysitting services are also available upon request and there is a children’s summer camp and pop-up camp running through September. www.mandarinoriental.com
Emirates Park Zoo & Resort
Do you like waking up to the sounds of exotic birds and monkeys? Emirates Park Zoo was renovated in 2019 to add a family-friendly park so visitors can be among the wild animals. The chalets are spacious with living and dining areas, including animal artwork and all come with private terraces, many of which offer direct views of the giraffe enclosure.
All visitors have access to the zoo and can catch bird shows, magic shows and animal talks. Guests staying at Emirates Park Zoo can also enjoy discounts on the resort’s animal activities including lunch with tigers, dinner with elephants or breakfast with giraffes.
There is also an outdoor swimming pool, perfect for cooling off in the morning after visiting the animals, and a large restaurant where breakfast is served daily. www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com
WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
The world’s first Warner Bros hotel on Yas Island is ideal for families traveling with children. Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, the six-story hotel is the place to be for day and night cartoons by the pool, Warner Bros’-themed pop-ups and a splash pad with mini sun strips and parasols.
There is an indoor and outdoor kids’ club, thoughtful children’s menus in the restaurants and an extended breakfast area for children. Guests can also opt for room service with Bugs Bunny, though milk and cake deliveries aren’t cheap.
Adults don’t even have to give up their leisurely escape, with the Overlook rooftop infinity pool the perfect place to relax while the kids play in the kids’ club. There is also a rich library of Warner Bros. movie archives, which will delight visitors of all ages. Best of all, guests get free access to Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi every night of their stay – and it’s less than a minute’s walk from the hotel. www.hilton.com
Desert Islands Resort and Spa at Anantara
For a trip to remember, book a stay at Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara. Located on Sir Bani Yas Island, this is a time of special privilege – even getting to the resort is a pleasure as it is a two and a half hour drive from Abu Dhabi city and is only accessible via ferry from the mainland.
Once on the protected wilderness island, families can check into the Desert Islands Resort and Spa by Anantara, where all rooms and suites come with ocean views. Designed with families in mind, the resort has three swimming pools and three restaurants to choose from.
Many people look forward to this coastal escape, including nature drives for families where experienced guides can help children spot giraffes, ostriches and rabbits. Afterwards, visit the animal farm to see the care and breeding process and get up close to baby deer and Arabian oryx.
There are also falcon shows, where children can meet birds of prey, archery lessons and an easy bike trail around the lake. The supervised kids’ club with indoor and outdoor play areas caters for children aged four to 12 and is ideal for when mums and dads need a break. www.anantara.com
Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
The only hotel to open in Yas Bay, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is ideal for families on a getaway. The main swimming pool is long, palm-lined with plenty of space for children to play and there is also an adjacent kids’ club with its own swimming pool and fountains, as well as an indoor fun area where children can try their hand at crafts. and crafts and watching cartoons.
Graphos Social Kitchen is an all-day dining area, serving food from around the world and children under 12 can choose from dedicated children’s menus in all of the hotel’s restaurants.
The suites are not only large, but smartly designed with a comfortable sofa that can be converted into a bed, a separate bathroom for guests and sliding doors between the living room and the living room that allow adults to put the children to bed, open the closed door and not need to be quiet. master suite.
The hotel is within easy walking distance to Central – where families can enjoy ten bowling alleys and arcades and guests also have access to the Yas Island theme park during their stay – namely Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi. or Seaworld Yas Island can be part of the getaway plans. www.hilton.com
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
On one of the best beaches in Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas has a 9km private beach, a heated swimming pool and rooms that come with views of the Arabian Gulf. There is also the option of booking family rooms with connecting doors or a beach house with its own private pool.
As well as having plenty of places to swim and play, the pool also has a lazy river, a water slide and a splash pad just for children under four. Aladdin’s Cave is a children’s club, open to children aged four to 12 with indoor and outdoor areas and a cinema area. Youngsters can also relax in their dedicated spas and the whole family can exercise at the mini-golf and tennis courts. www.rotana.com
Bab Al Nojoum, Al Hudayriyat Island
Beach views await guests at Bab Al Nojoum on Hudayriat Island. Take the kids on a trip to the island, just 15 minutes outside of the city. Choose from a variety of accommodations including basic tents, vintage trailers, camper vans, cabins and duplex tents that come with private pools.
All tents come with a picnic area and a private picnic area, and the resort also has a restaurant if you don’t want to cater for yourself. Children will love having access to a private beach and there are plenty of activities on offer with everything from volleyball and a children’s playground, water sports and an outdoor cinema. www.babalnojoum.com
Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
The five-star Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi in the city’s Al Maqta area was inspired by the beautiful Renaissance architecture of Venice. Located on the seafront, it has a private beach with views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, beautiful gardens and one of the city’s largest outdoor pools, as well as a shaded children’s pool.
There are eight restaurants to choose from, including Giornotte, an all-day family-friendly Italian restaurant.
The Ritz Kids program is open to children ages four to 12 and offers supervised indoor and outdoor activities including soccer, arts and crafts, sports and scavenger hunts. Save space for the garden of the main room on the ground floor which comes with its own private garden and terrace. www.marriott.com
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
The all inclusive Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is the perfect choice for a stay where there will be no surprises on the bill when it comes to checking out. Everything you need for an Abu Dhabi getaway is included at the Saadiyat Island hotel, which has its own private beach, several swimming pools, a water park, a swimming pool and six restaurants to choose from.
Rixy Kids Club is a large center open to children aged four to 14. It offers all supervised indoor and outdoor activities including face painting, bowling, arts and crafts, cooking classes, a children’s cinema and the Rixy disco. www.rixos.com
Al Wathba, The Leading Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled among the sands of Al Wathba about 40 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi, Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa is a great choice for families when a change of scenery is needed. The peaceful retreat has 99 guest rooms, suites and villas all designed in traditional Arabian style, and villas also come with private plunge pools.
In terms of dining, there are four restaurants to choose from with everything from casual dining to Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
The property has a beautiful 1,000-square-meter infinity pool overlooking the dunes, a swimming pool and a children’s pool. There is also a Flow Rider wave simulator for those who like to surf in the middle of the desert.
The hotel’s kids’ club offers plenty of activities and the whole family can make the most of the desert playground, including camel rides, horse riding and evening desert tours. www.marriott.com
Updated: June 30, 2023, 10:09 AM
