Cool off in the summer heat!
With the weather getting hot, hot, hot, there’s nothing better than a few hours or a day-cation at one of Dubai’s fabulous hotels – particularly when there’s a sparkling swimming pool to dip into. From pools with slides to pools with views, we’ve found 14 of the best for cooling off and having a swimmingly good time, mamas.
Psst… heard of Privilee? This membership not only gives you unlimited access to some of the UAE’s best beach clubs and lush pools but also kids clubs, spa deals and loads more – all for a very reasonable price – and there’s no catch (honestly), just sign up, pay your subscription and start flexing that card!
Fancy a swim with an iconic view? Then the infinity pool at The Address Downtown Dubai is just the thing. Designed with five different levels and birds eye views of the Burj Khalifa, fountains, Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar this urban oasis also includes a children’s area and a bar with fab rocking chairs. See you there mamas!
The Address Downtown Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 436 8888, www.theaddress.com/en/hotels/the-address-downtown-dubai
The original luxury tented desert camp in the UAE, Al Maha remains a kind of well kept secret (ssshhh don’t tell too many others) and boasts not just 1 but 43 infinity pools – each attached to its own suite with individual temperature controls so that your swim can be as fresh or bath-like as you fancy. The main pool at the resort is surrounded by picturesque palms and a desert vista. Sadly no kiddos allowed, so how about a little night away with the hubster?!
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain Road, Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 832 9900, www.al-maha.com
This has to be one of our very fave family hotels – a trip out to the palm feels like a holiday in itself but the Anantara’s swimmable lagoon is the coolest swim spot in Dubai and even has its own shallow beach areas complete with sand and a beautiful Thai boat that floats around bringing snacks and fresh fruit to all the happy bathers. And if you fancy a change of scene then the main pool has a Jacuzzi, bubble beds and swim-up bar plus stunning ocean views. We love.
Anantara The Palm, The Palm, Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 567 8888, dubai-palm.anantara.com
Poolside polo anyone? Desert Palm’s infinity pool stretches out along the terrace of the Epicure restaurant (read our review of Epicure here mamas), with comfy sun loungers and views across lush green polo fields. Show off your best bikini and prepare for some pool/polo glamour combined with a family atmosphere.
Desert Palm, PO 119171 Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 323 8888, desertpalm.peraquum.com
Okay, it’s not technically a hotel BUT just opposite Arabian Ranches is a little desert oasis with fields and trees and horses – plus a gorgeous pool by which to lounge! Yup, we’re talking the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club where you can relax in the shade of a palm tree while watching polo ponies exercise in the distance. The kids pool here is one of the best too – fully shaded and shallow enough for tots who can’t swim yet but who are happy wading/crawling in the water. Oh, and they do regular movie nights around the pool and other cool stuff too (and they’re licensed if you want a glass of something cold at the end of the day… we won’t judge).
Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Opposite Arabian Ranches – next to Studio City
Tel: (+971) (0)4 3618111, poloclubdubai.com
Take a dip or rack up some laps at one of Fairmont The Palm’s two outdoor swimming pools including a dedicated family pool that’s surrounded by lush palm trees and which is right next to the kids club and splash pad area. We love the huge day beds, perfect for the whole fam to lounge on – and for drinks and snacks with a view of the ocean and Dubai Marina skyline.
Fairmont The Palm
Tel: + 971 (0) 4 457 3388, www.fairmont.com
Whether you’ve got a morning to spare alone (err…we wish!) or you’re hanging out as a fam, The Four Seasons has you covered. With two outdoor pools (one for adults only – surrounded by gorgeous day villas available to hire at an additional cost), the ‘active’ pool is massive, surrounded by lush gardens and perfect for plenty of splashy fun. Make a day of it and rent a cabana too – they come with a fan, sun loungers and terrace – perfect for getting the kiddos out of the sun when it gets too hot (and for a quick snooze yourself, mama?).
Four Seasons Jumeirah
Tel: +971 (0)4 270 7777, www.fourseasons.com
A shimmering blue oasis surrounded by palm trees and sun loungers, the tranquil 59 metre infinity edge pool at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is as perfect for practicing your stroke as it is for some serious lounging. If you have the minis in tow then a dedicated kiddie pool with slides and splash park is ideal and is attached to the fab Sinbads Kids Club where you can park the littles for an hour and go enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet – read more about it in our review mamas.
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, The Palm Jumeirah, Crescent Road, PO 27722 Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 453 0000, www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/jumeirah-zabeel-saray
For the ultimate Dubai view while you swim, you can’t get better than the rooftop pool at La Ville Hotel & City Suites – a recently opened boutique hotel at City Walk with incredible views of the Burj Khalifa and downtown skyline. We’d save this one for older kids -or actually for a little break without kids if you can ever manage it. They’ve just launched the ‘pool-cation’, a stay with late check-out, breakfast in bed and a guaranteed rooftop pool subbed with free flow of house and soft beverages from 3pm – 6pm. Sounds heavenly.
La Ville Hotel & City Suites, City Walk, Dubai
Tel: +971-4-403-3111, www.marriott.com
With some of the most gorgeous green rambling gardens we’ve seen in Dubai, Le Royal Meridien is a great place to head to if you want to escape the city without actually going very far. And with three swimming pools including an infinity pool with a special baby swim area at one end (and a swim-up bar…) plus lap pool if you want to burn off some of that summer ice-cream, there’s also a kids playground, crazy golf course and football or volleyball on the beach to enjoy before reclining under a palm tree.
Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, Al Sufouh Road
Tel: +971(0) 4 399 5333, www.leroyalmeridien-dubai.com
Swap the city heat for a sun lounger at Madinat Jumeirah’s plethora of pools, both indoor and out. Little dippers will love the kids pool at the Sinbad’s Kids Club, comlete with splashy water features and toys galore. Once you’re truly waterlogged then wander around the souk or take an abra along the waterways to find somewhere for a bite. Or prepare to get a little more wet at wild wadi just next door.
Madinat Jumeirah, 6 Al Sufouh Road, PO 75157 Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 366 8888, www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/madinat-jumeirah
Nowhere else in the world can you take the plunge whilst watching horses racing from underwater (the glass sided infinity pool is a window out across the race track). This awesome deck and pool on the roof of the grandstand at the Meydan race course is perfectly peaceful and totally magical.
The Meydan Hotel, Meydan Racecourse, Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, PO 9306 Dubai
Tel: (+971) (0)4 381 3333, www.meydanhotels.com/meydan
With a huge main pool overlooking the sea AND 2 kids pools (1 with water slides), plus 3 other pools dotted around the resort, there’s no reason not to love the set up at Sofitel, The Palm. Set in sprawling tropical gardens with a gorgeous beach and plenty of space, this hotel makes for a fab family day out (and if you have privilee membership, your kiddos can enjoy the kids club for free while you get an hour or two to yourself…).
Sofitel, The Palm Dubai
Tel: (+971)044 55 66 77, www.sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com
One of our very favourite places to spend a hot sunny day, the Waldorf Astoria Dubai on Palm Jumeirah literally has it all. A day pass to the pool includes access to two fabulous swimming pools AND Coco’s Kids Club for when the littles have had enough and want to chill indoors (while you grab some ‘mama’ time!). If there aren’t any sun loungers available then spread your towel out on the grass under the shade of palm trees – and prepare to be waited on hand and foot by a team of awesome staff. Sound good? It really is!
Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah
Tel: +971 (0) 4 818 2222, www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
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