Dubai with Kids: Where Families Should Stay

Short answer

For a beach holiday, stay on Palm Jumeirah or by the coast at Dubai Marina, JBR or Emaar Beachfront. For a walkable, central base with things to do on foot, choose City Walk. For space and value on a longer stay, JVC. For a quiet beach away from the city, Al Zorah in Ajman.

Whichever area you pick, an apartment with separate bedrooms and a kitchen usually suits a family better than a hotel room.

Why an apartment works better with children

A hotel room puts everyone in one space. An apartment gives children their own bedroom, so bedtime does not end the evening for the adults, and a living room for the hours in between.

A kitchen matters more than it sounds: breakfast on your own schedule, familiar food for fussy eaters, and no need to go out for every meal in the heat. A washing machine turns a week of sandy clothes into a non-event.

Most residential buildings also have a pool and space downstairs, which on a hot afternoon is often what children want most.

For the beach: Palm Jumeirah and the coast

Palm Jumeirah is built around the sea. Many apartment buildings on its trunk have beach access, and the villas on its fronds back onto the water — the most space and privacy you can have by the sea in Dubai, at a price to match.

Dubai Marina and JBR put a busy public beach and a lively promenade within a walk, with plenty to eat and do. Emaar Beachfront, between the two, has its own residents' beach and is noticeably quieter, which suits younger children well.

For walking and things to do: City Walk

City Walk is one of the few districts in Dubai designed for walking, with open-air streets, cafés and fountains, and The Green Planet's indoor rainforest within the district. It is central, a short drive from Downtown and the beach, and calmer than the towers.

For families who want to step out of the door and have somewhere to go without a taxi, it is hard to beat.

For the big sights: Downtown and Business Bay

If the trip is built around the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and its aquarium, staying in Downtown or next door in Business Bay saves a great deal of travelling. Business Bay usually costs less for the same space and is a short ride or walk from Downtown.

Neither is a beach base, so plan beach days as outings rather than the rhythm of the holiday.

For space and value: JVC, and Ajman for a quiet coast

Jumeirah Village Circle is a residential community inland, with parks, low-rise buildings and more apartment for the money. It suits a longer family stay, as long as you are happy to drive or take taxis to the sights.

Further up the coast, Al Zorah in Ajman offers a quiet beach, mangroves to kayak through and generous homes, well away from the city's crowds — ideal if the point of the trip is time together rather than a full itinerary.

What to look for in a family apartment

Look at the bedroom layout before the photographs. Two bedrooms with their own doors give a family far more than one large open space, and a second bathroom matters more with every extra child.

Check the building as well as the apartment: a pool, a lift, and somewhere to walk or play nearby make long afternoons easier. A balcony is lovely, but ask how it is secured if your children are small.

Finally, ask who meets you at check-in and who to call if something breaks. With children in tow, a local team that answers the phone is worth more than any amenity on the list.

Practical things to plan for

The heat shapes everything. From about November to March, days outside are easy; in summer, plan the beach and the park for early morning and evening, and indoor attractions for the middle of the day.

Taxis and ride-hailing are the usual way to get around, so if you need a child seat, arrange it in advance rather than assuming one will be in the car. And for anything longer than a week, ask about monthly rates — longer family stays are priced lower per night.