If you are heading to Dubi on a family vacation, chances are a swimming pool, and outdoor leisure are ranking as a pretty important part of your trip.
But with so many incredible family resorts in Dubai, how do you really set them apart? Which represents the best value for money with inclusions, and which have that little something extra that the kids will fall in love with?
We are on the lookout not only for hotels that grant you complimentary access to their attached water parks, but also hotels in Dubai with excellent facilities within their grounds that include slides, lazy rivers and a little something extra they’ll be talking about for years after!
You can read our complete guide to Dubai’s’ Best Water Parks here
Dubai hotels with water park access
Family stays at the following hotels will get you access to one of Dubai’s three largest water parks. These can be great value when you factor in the cost of a single day at a water park + accommodation and transport costs within the city.
However, do consider how much value you will get from staying at one of these attached hotels; of course, the complimentary ticket cost is built into your nightly rate. If you plan to do plenty of other things than just the water park on a trip to Dubai you may lose some of the value staying at an attached property for a premium.
We won’t give exact pricing for each hotel and waterpark tickets as it changes constantly – you will frequently find special package offers, particularly over the summer low season.
Atlantis the Palm – Aquaventure
Guests at Atlantis the Palm not only get access to the hotels two enormous swimming pools, an expansive private beach and entry to Lost Chambers aquarium, they also get complimentary access to Aquaventure water park – up there as one of the leading water parks in the world, including the longest lazy river in the Middle East, highest water tower, longest family tube ride and many more record-breaking features.
Alternatively, if you are considering only a day trip to Atlantis, check ticket our single pricing here, or consider the value you will get from purchasing the Dubai Pass.
Jumeirah Group Hotels – Wild Wadi
Wild Wadi Waterpark is attached to the iconic Jumeirah Beach Hotel, however, guests at any of the Jumeriah group hotels in Dubai can take advantage of a free ticket to Wild Wadi. This includes guests staying beachside at:
- Burj Al Arab
- Jumeirah Al Naseem
- Jumeirah Al Qasr
- Jumeirah Beach Hotel
- Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf
- Jumeirah Mina A’Salam
- Jumeirah Zabeel Saray – Palm Jumeirah
As well as their city properties Jumeriah Creekside Hotel and Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Each of these hotels in themselves is exquisite, but they do come with a hefty price tag too, and not all have brilliant room configurations for families without upgrading to much larger suites.
Of all the Jumeirah group hotels, we’d normally recommend Jumeirah Beach Hotel for its incredible extensive family facilities, however, it will be closed for further extensive renovations until October 2021.
Our next favourite pick for family facilities is Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, located on the outer frond of the Palm Jumeirah. The poolside facilities here are excellent and include a mini water park feature with several slides.
You can check pricing for a day pass to Wild Wadi here.
Lapita – Legoland Water Park
Situated to the west of Dubai in an area known as Jebel Ali, Lapita is a hidden oasis Polynesian-styled resort within the grounds of Dubai’s premier theme park complex, Dubai Parks & Resorts. Guests of Lapita get complimentary tickets to their choice of theme parks which includes Legoland Water Park Dubai.
Guests at Lapita can also enjoy the choice of 3 swimming pools and a lazy river within the hotel complex. It’s definitely worth extending your theme park trip to enjoy a few days at Lapita.
Alternatively, check out how much a single day park pass costs, or whether you may get good value from the Dubai Pass
Dubai hotels with their own slides and mini water parks
So if you’ve decided you’d rather enjoy a pool and play within your own hotel, these are the best of the best offering far more than just a shaded toddler pool to get the kids excited about coming to Dubai.
Habtoor Grand Resort
Sitting at the eastern end of JBR Beach, Habtoor Grand Resort is a lush beachside oasis bursting with surprises. As well as the three swimming pools and a kids playground, you will find a small waterfall and two incredible slides.
Grand Hyatt
Not often thought about as it does not sit along the Arabain Gulf beachfront like most, the Grand Hyatt certainly delivers on family entertainment. Nestled on Dubai Creek, it is close to the airport making it an excellent choice for a short stopover and fly through guests wanting to enjoy a bit of the Dubai weather en route.
You can expect to find 3 swimming pools – including one of the largest pools in Dubai, an indoor pool and a kids-only pool with a giant splash playground and slides. There are plenty of flexible room layouts to allow for family-sized groups and the choice of 10 restaurants.
Le Meridien & the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
A beachfront offering that will blow the kids away. Here you will find an incredible 1.2km long beachfront, a lush garden setting with five swimming pools – two dedicated to families and access to Club Mina with a sensational range of recreational sports on offer and Kids Club.
A new addition sees Jungle Bay Water Park at Mina Seyahi enter the lineup. The Lighthouse, Whizzard and Body Slides are perfect for junior thrill-seekers or try Family Waves, a pneumatic wave pool along with Aquapla, perfect for kids of all ages.
We include these two together as although they are separate hotels, they enjoy the use of the same facilities (and we frankly think the Westin makes for the best value for money!)
Sofitel Dubai the Palm
The Sofitel is a superb example of an all-in-one family resort in Dubai. You could easily settle in for a week here and still not get bored with the range of entertainment on offer.
A Polynesian-styled resort, families can enjoy the three swimming pools, as well as the Amura Kids club and extensive beach frontage on the Palm. Kids will love the addition of a slide into the main swimming pool and there are plenty of flexible room options and villas (some even with private pool) to suit different family sizes.
Dukes The Palm, A Royal Hideaway
This hotel isn’t huge, but it has a few features families will love, not just one of the most incredible infinity pools that looks back over to JBR, but a meandering lazy river in the shaded gardens. This one won’t break the bank either, so well worth having on your “something special” list for kids in Dubai if the idea of staying at one of the larger resorts doesn’t appeal.
Have you got a favourite Dubai family resort you think we have missed? We will cover more family accommodation choices in the next in our Dubai accommodation series for those looking for more central, apartment or budget accommodation choices in Dubai.
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
Take me back to the top family attractions & things to do in Dubai
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE and transit passengers self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our recommendation links.
Dubai Travel Planner