Some hotels are more accommodating to the needs of bigger families, especially those located outside of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and many offer large rooms at reasonable rates, according to Abu Dhabi-based travel blogger Keri Hedrick. We asked parents of larger broods for their recommendations on where to stay in the UAE, without breaking the bank.
Ras Al Khaimah
When we did a social-media call-out to UAE parents for their recommendations on where to stay with a family of five or more, the three resorts on RAK's man-made island of Al Marjan – the Rixos, Hilton and Marjan Island resort hotels – all received the thumbs up for their larger-sized rooms. Hedrick and her family recently stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island. "It's gorgeous," she says. "We stayed in one king-size room, which had a sofa that turned into a double bed. We used their portacot, and the 'existing bedding' in this case meant a sofa that folded out. They didn't charge extra for that." DoubleTree has recently added a water park and an extensive playground, and expanded the indoor kids' club to include a climbing wall and arcade zone. The 240 rooms the hotel is currently building are 49 square metres, rather than the standard 32 square metres. "That tells me that at least the Hilton chain is thinking of family needs," adds Hedrick.
• A one-night stay in a deluxe twin room is approximately Dh1,200, including taxes. Call 07 203 0000 or visit www.doubletree.hilton.com
Abu Dhabi resident Noha Elsendyouney, from Texas, whose four children are 3, 5, 8 and 9, loves staying at the Waldorf Astoria in RAK. "It has spacious rooms and a great kids' club. The hotel is very accommodating to us," Elsendyouney says. The Elsendyouneys book a standard, or classic, room and say that it provides more than enough room for them all with its two queen-size beds. "We've never been charged extra for the children, but I assume once they get bigger it won't be as easy," she says. "Complimentary cookies and milk are also delivered to our room for the kids, and the breakfast buffet has many child-friendly options." Elsendyouney says she always books over the phone rather than online to avoid having to pay for a bigger room or suite. "When I call I mention the children, and it's always been fine."
• A one-night stay in a 56-square-metre classic room costs Dh1,260, including taxes. Call 07 203 5555 or visit www.hilton.com/rasalkhaimah.
Egyptian Sohair El-Batea, who lives in Dubai, stayed at the Marjan Island Resort and Spa last month with her husband and three children on a Groupon deal. "Our youngest, who is 2, slept in a cot free of charge, and they offer rollaway beds for an additional fee if you have older kids. There was a king-size bed and full bathroom, along with a living room with a pull-out sofa, which our 7- and 5-year-olds shared, and a separate toilet. Since we used a Groupon voucher, we felt we got our money's worth."
• A one-night stay in a 76-square-metre king suite costs Dh1,060, including taxes. Call 07 203 6666 or visit www.marjanislandresort.com
Fujairah
Fujairah is known for its natural soft-sand beaches, mountains and coral reefs, and several family resorts there have something to suit everyone and many offer bigger rooms, too. Indian Dubai resident and mum-of-three Christina Rodrigues has a soft spot for Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort. "It's lovely for a family, with lots of activities for children and the staff are very accommodating." A 45-square-metre family room features two sofa beds, which are separated from the main sleeping area by a wooden partition with a sliding door.
• A one-night stay costs Dh1,500, including taxes. Call 09 244 9994 or visit www.miramaralaqah.com
Romanian mum Mona Bulboaca recommends the Le Méridian Al Aqah Beach Resort next door. "It has large rooms, a double bed and sofa bed, and they offer a baby bed, too. Kids can enjoy the teenage club and mini-golf. We had a great holiday there."
• One night in a 48-metre-square superior room costs Dh1,000, including taxes. Call 09 244 9000 or visit www.lemeridien-alaqah.com
Dubai
Abu Dhabi-based Elisa Beamson, from the United Kingdom, recommends JA Palm Tree Court, which is part of the Jebel Ali Golf Resort. "The rooms are huge. There's plenty to do for families, including a fantastic water park in the sea, and it's home to about 20 peacocks. Considering it's so close to Dubai, it seems like a well-kept secret. It's a bit dated, but you get so spoiled by glossy new five-star hotels in the city, so it's nice to find something a bit different."
The hotel’s 54-square-metre junior suites contain seating areas with either two lounge benches, which convert into single beds, or a sofa that converts into two pull-out twin beds. They can also be offered as connecting rooms for larger families.
• A one-night stay in a junior suite costs Dh1,900, including taxes. Call 04 814 5800 or visit www.jaresortshotels.com
Further out of town, in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains, lies the Hatta Fort Hotel – a favourite destination of British Abu Dhabi-based mum Philippa Loates, with its mini-golf, archery and bouncy castle for the kids. "This hotel is old-school, which is its charm," she says. "The chalet-style accommodation is ideal for larger families."
• A one-bedroom deluxe suite costs Dh1,600, including taxes. Call 04 809 9333 or visit www.jaresortshotels.com
If your family prefers to be closer to the heart of Dubai, but doesn't want to pay the earth for the privilege, Emirati mum-of-five Nora Al Bukhari from Abu Dhabi recommends Novotel Suites Dubai Mall of the Emirates. "It is walking distance to Mall of the Emirates and provides great value for money," she says. The 48-square-metre family suites contain a double bed, a sofa and a sofa bed for two people, and a crib is available on request. There are also two bathrooms and a separate toilet.
• Rooms cost from Dh606 per night, including breakfast and taxes. Call 04 382 3200 or visit www.accorhotels.com
Abu Dhabi
Sarah Jones from the UK recommends the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal in her adopted home city. "The brunch and stay package is good, and we find the kids' club is better in Abu Dhabi's Ritz-Carlton than the one in Dubai." The deluxe rooms cater for up to two adults and two children, but if you call the hotel directly they will usually accommodate another child.
• Rooms start from Dh835, including taxes, and extra beds cost Dh240. Call 02 818 8888 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com
The Yas Viceroy suggests families with three-plus children use its colossal 102-square-metre deluxe suites, which can accommodate a tent for the kids to add to the holiday thrills. Tents come with a mattress and duvet.
• Deluxe suites cost from Dh1,360 per night, and the tent costs an additional Dh145. Call 02 656 0000 or visit www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Sharjah
This emirate has an abundance of family-friendly activities, including the new butterfly house on Al Noor Island, Sharjah Aquarium and the Arabian Wildlife Centre. Sharjah's Coral Beach Resort provides interconnected family rooms across 54 square metres of space. Alternatively, three children are permitted to stay in a standard room, with a Dh110 extra-bed charge.
• A one-night stay costs Dh1,300, including taxes. Call 06 522 9999 or visit www.hmhhotelgroup.com
All hotel rates are representative of a one-night stay over a weekend in April.
