Are you looking for a family holiday that is hot all year round, has world class attractions, theme parks that will have your children squealing with excitement, stunning beaches, desert adventures and a direct flight from Dublin! – Dubai should be on your travel list.
Flying with Emirates is the obvious choice as it is a comfortable 7.5 hour flight. Free food, beverages and entertainment is all included onboard and they have the friendliest hostesses who are excellent with young children. It can be a seamless long haul flight if you plan it well with flight times depending on the age of your children.
There are endless things to do and see in Dubai for families. Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai – the tallest building in the world and the highest lounge area at the top – also has the largest indoor aquarium and underwater zoo, the fastest indoor rollercoaster called the ‘Stormcoaster.’ KidZania is an interactive city where kids aged 4 to 16 can explore over 80 real-life role-playing activities like being a firefighter, doctor, pilot, or chef, which lets them learn, play and experience how the world of work is in a fun and engaging way. Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye in Arabic) is the world’s tallest observation wheel located on Bluewaters Island, directly across and in walking distance from the beach. Your children will never be bored and for the parents, Dubai has great shopping and a vast selection of fine dining options to suit every palate.
In terms of where is the best family hotels, there are many options. If you want to stay in the heart of Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) beachfront and bustling area, JA Ocean View Hotel is just steps away from one of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) most popular beaches.
JA Ocean View Hotel is in the perfect spot for strolling to the marina, restaurants and beach. Their legendary pizzas at Il Motto Pizzeria are a must-try, cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. For a taste of Greece, OIA restaurant by the pool serves authentic dishes and cocktails with stunning Dubai sunset views – pure Santorini vibes in the heart of the city.
JA Lake View Hotel is a stylish, modern retreat within Dubai’s JA The Resort, overlooking a golf course and just steps from a private beach. It offers 348 sleek rooms and suites, each with a balcony and modern amenities, three outdoor pools and top-class dining, including options from Michelin-starred chefs. Overlooking a championship 9-hole golf course and just steps from a private 800-meter beach. Guests can enjoy three outdoor pools, a rooftop lounge and diverse dining options, including Michelin-star chef-led restaurants. Committed to sustainability, the hotel features solar-powered systems, paperless check-in and was the first in the Middle East to equip every room with voice-activated Alexa technology. With access to the full range of JA The Resort’s facilities – such as the Calm Spa & Salon, JA Marina, equestrian center and water sports—the hotel is ideal for families, couples and golf enthusiasts seeking a luxurious yet eco-conscious getaway.
For a rugged escape, you could head to the Hajar Mountains and check into JA Hatta Fort Hotel, a perfect family-friendly resort away from Dubai’s hustle. Or, do both – spend a few days soaking in Dubai’s glitz before a scenic two-hour drive to Hatta, where the landscape feels straight out of Mars. Here, you can really switch off, sip cocktails by the pool and enjoy the sounds of nature.
For a unique stay, JA Hatta Fort Hotel also offer eco cabins that sleep up to six, blending the outdoor adventure vibe with all the hotel’s comforts. And there’s plenty to do in the mountains! Visit Hatta Honey Farm to taste the region’s famous honey (€12pp), or if adventure is your thing, Hatta Wadi Hub (€70pp for a day visit) has zip-lining, mountain biking, trekking, waterslides, giant trampolines, and a play area for little ones. Whether you want to explore or just unwind, Hatta is a great alternative mountain retreat worth adding to your itinerary.
Nearby is the crystal-clear Hatta Dam it looks like it is from the movie Jurassic Park. Here you can do kayaking, paddleboarding or ride around the dam in a doughnut boat (seats up to four people) There are food trucks here after you enjoy the water activities, it’s a very popular attraction for visitors. Many people who live in the city, take their holidays here, as it is a real urban escape in the serene mountain area.
What Dubai has that other countries doesn’t is a diverse, authentic, atmosphere in the midst of opulence and a diverse landscape to suit adventurers or beach lovers.
And just when you think it doesn’t get better than Dubai, you can take a short flight from Dubai to the breath-taking Maldives. The Maldives is pure paradise – think crystal-clear waters, soft white sand and overwater villas on stilts. It’s the kind of place where you wake up to the sound of gentle waves lapping against the water villas, or snorkel with the most vibrant colourful marine life and sip cocktails while watching stunning sunsets. Whether you’re floating in a private infinity pool, dining barefoot on the beach, or exploring hidden spots on the island, every moment feels like a postcard come to life. You can have adrenaline-fueled water sports or total relaxation in world-class spas – the Maldives is the ultimate getaway for anyone who is looking for a little slice of heaven on earth.
Getting to your island paradise depends on where you’re staying – by seaplane or boat. I stayed at JA Manafaru, a private island in the Maldives’ northernmost atoll, an 80-minute seaplane ride away. The aerial view is breathtaking – circular atolls, aquamarine waters and white sand stretching endlessly. The atolls look like giant jellyfish, I envision their invisible tentacles swirling below. Landing feels like stepping into the TV show ‘Fantasy Island’, greeted by beaming smiles, just like the actors Mr. Roarke and Tattoo welcoming guests to their dream escape.
Next we hop on one of many island buggies, along the wooden pathway leading to the over-water sunset villas. They are spacious and have breathtaking sea views, a private ladder into the crystal-clear water and your very own infinity pool and lounge area. I feel like I have woken up in a dream. As I shower, I watch fish leap from the sea before diving back in for their next meal. The only sound is the gentle ripple of the water against the stilts of the overwater villa.
There are also larger villa options for multi-generational families which offers more privacy but really, the island itself offers that. There is also a kids club, movie room, kids shaded pool, play area, volleyball area and lots more for kids. It is definitely for families who love down time and beach life.
Over the next few days, the occasional hum is of island buggies drifting by as they deliver floating breakfasts, check in on guests and transport guests to different authentic restaurants around the island. I had the most incredible dining experience at the Cellar – you step past a heavy wooden door, descend candle-lit steps and find yourself in a stunning underground chamber lined with volcanic rock. The tables are beautifully set, adding to the magical atmosphere. Our host was a total wine expert, talking us through perfectly paired wines for each course. If you love great food and wine, this is a must. You can also switch things up with a Teppanyaki dinner, join a Maldivian cooking class (and taste your own creations) or dine poolside. The spa is incredible, I have never had a massage as good, especially when the masseuse climbed on top of the table and cracked my back. Every bit of tenseness was removed from my body and I floated out of the room after my treatment and into the sea for a swim.
The JA Manafaru team’s attention to detail is next level – even noticing which side of the bed I sleep on. No request is too small and if I so much as drop something, someone magically appears with a smile, ready to help. It’s top class hospitality.
Every piece of furniture is made from the natural habitat, the lush green island is full of secret walkways leading here, there and nowhere. The banyan trees are some of the oldest in the Maldives and we see many around the island. Their roots grow downwards from their branches, growing outwards, creating canopies, providing shade from the sun. They are absolutely mesmerising and magical in appearance.
Water activities include sea trips out to swim with manta rays, turtles and even reef sharks, while also being mesmerised by the colours of the tropical fish and underwater coral. Or you can take a trip over to the mainland and spend the day there. We went snorkelling with www.bestdivesmaldives.com and I will never forget the underwater world we saw, it was like a scene from ‘The Little Mermaid.’
One of the mornings, I had the ultimate treat – a Floating Breakfast! Served on a round wicker tray, it was piled high with fresh fruit, cheese, bread and pastries, all washed down with tea as I lounged in my infinity pool, gazing at the endless sea. A true pinch me moment! Whether you want to laze on the beach, soak in the silence, dine at world-class restaurants, or dive into that alluring sea, the Maldives is pure paradise – one that exceeded all my expectations.
Travel Facts
Return flights from Dublin to Malé (connecting in Dubai) with Emirates approx. €700+ pp
Seaplanes to Island resorts start from $290+ pp (depending how far your resort is)
JA Palm Tree Court – from €187 per night low season, from €326 high season per night
JA Lake View Hotel – from €157 per night low season, from €278 high season per night
JA Ocean View Hotel – from €95 per night low season, from €214 high season per night
JA Hatta Fort Hotel – from €95 per night low season, from €179 high season per night
JA Manafaru – from €650 low season, €1000 high season per night
Promotion Details for a two-stop hotel package –
Book 7 nights at JA Manafaru, Maldives on Half Board or All-Inclusive and you will receive 2 complimentary nights (on bed & breakfast) either at JA Ocean View Hotel, JA Hatta Fort Hotel or at JA Lake View Hotel, Dubai
Article published in the Irish Daily Mail on 26/4/2025