Best Family Friendly Resorts in the Middle East

Review our hand-picked collection of the best family friendly hotels and resorts in Oman, Dubai, Ras al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.

It's a 7 hour direct flight from the UK and best from October to March when the weather is not too hot and humidity is low. 7 nights from around £950 per person, including flights and transfers. Please tell us your dates and preferred departure airport and we will gladly provide you with a tailor-made proposal.

We have visited almost all the hotels and resorts in the Middle East and understand the pros and cons of all destinations, and which options are best as regards the ages and interests of you and your children. Below we feature our top recommendations.

With prices guaranteed to be the same or better than going direct, with the security of ATOL protection and 24/7 support whilst your away, please get in touch by phone (it's always best by phone as it gives us the opportunity to understand everything properly) or email and let us know your brief. We'll do the rest.

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~~Anantara The Palm, Dubai~~

There are numerous resort hotels in Dubai, so we're just featuring our favourite all-rounder (which just so happens to be one of the better priced options) in the top family friendly options in the Middle East: Anantara The Palm. It's a luxury Thai style hotel on a private stretch of Jumeirah Beach with elegant villas and family accommodation fronting on to enticing swimming lagoons. Anantara The Palm is a tranquil and pleasing alternative to the flashy excess of many hotels in the region, and located on a 400m private beach with a multitude of facilities and services - including a Kids' Club and a Teens' Club - that will keep everyone happy. There's also a fabulous spa. We also like this resort for families as it has good sized one and two-bedroom Beach Villas with private pools and - unique in Dubai -18 Over-Water Villas.

Take a look around Anantara The Palm Dubai

~~Shangri-La Barr al Jissah, Oman~~

The Shangri-La is generally the best priced option for families, often offering substantial discounts. This superb resort sits on a large, immaculate beach, between the mountains and the warm, clear waters of the Gulf of Oman. The resort consists of three hotels: the 4* family friendly Al Waha, the 5* family friendly Al Bandar and the adult-only Al Husn. Overlooking the bay at Barr al Jissah, the resort is set in enormous landscaped grounds and offers superb family accommodation, a dedicated “Cool Zone” kids club, and numerous bars and restaurants. The resort also has a Chi Spa, 3 private beaches, 3 freshwater swimming pools, a fitness club, tennis courts, and a dive centre. Guests can enjoy complimentary water sports such as snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. It's just a 45 minute transfer from Muscat airport to Shangri-La. Find out more about family friendly Al Waha neighbouring Al Bandar

~~Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman~~

This is a luxury resort like no other in the region. Six Senses Zighy Bay is a peaceful oasis set on an enormous sandy beach, beautifully blending traditional rustic Omani architecture with contemporary ingredients, and an appreciation of the local surroundings - a far cry from the bling and opulence of most Gulf resorts. With just 82 generously proportioned luxury villas designed and furnished to reflect the character of a local Omani village using natural stone and warm woods, this laid-back, luxurious and stylish hideaway also comes with a fabulous Six Senses Spa. The resort is great for adults and families love it too as there is so much to enjoy and experience here - whatever your age and interests. There's even a gorgeous Omani dhow for chartering if you wish to explore the coastline or the nearby fjords.

Discover Six Senses Zighy Bay

~~Qasr al Sarab, Abu Dhabi~~

For a true senses of Arabia, why not venture deep in to the Liwa Desert - one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world - and spend a few nights at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort. It's a luxury family friend resort and provides a gorgeous, luxury oasis for a unique holiday adventure. It's just a 2 hour drive from Abu Dhabi airport and could easily be combined with a stay at St Regis Saadiyat Island for a more traditional beach resort experience. At Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort there are one, two and three-bedroom villas set away from the main hotel building, each with a private pool and sundeck, and butler service, making them ideal for families. There's a kids club for children aged 4 years and above and babysitting is readily available. Everyone will enjoy the traditional desert pursuits such as camel riding, archery and falconry. Or you can head out into the desert in the comfort of a four wheel drive vehicle. Explore Qasr al Sarab

~~St Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi~~

Set on a fabulous beach, St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort provides the refined, contemporary elegance with extensive indoor and outdoor facilities, plus great service, making it a fabulous winter sun getaway for families. Children from 1 to 12 years old will love The Sandcastle Club, an adventurous and enchanting play area, the club is set within a cave-themed space and features indoor and outdoor play areas, a sand pit and an outdoor pool. There is also a family pool and a children's pool with water slide. At the resort there's also a superb health and fitness club with a 25m indoor lap pool, a very good spa, plus 2 tennis and 2 squash courts. Across the landscaped grounds of the resort there are 4 swimming pools and circling the resort there is an excellent Gary Player designed 18 hole golf course. Nearby, there's much to enjoy: the new Louvre, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Ferrari World. Have a closer look at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort