Family Fun in Abu Dhabi

First of all, we had the pleasure of staying at the amazing Emirates Palace hotel. This 7* luxury hotel was built as a 'Palace for the People' and reflects the heritage and style of the Emirati. With a breath-taking central lobby with vaulted ceiling and stylish golden decor throughout, the hotel is an attraction in itself and many people come to view it.

The naturally welcoming nature of the staff immediately put us at ease, and we were honoured to be staying in a palace!

The rooms were spacious and comfortable with the biggest beds and welcome sweet treats, the balconies overlooking the gardens and the shimmering water of the gulf.

With several restaurants and bars on site as well as a wonderful spread at breakfast, it was easy to keep the family fed, (the camel burgers at the beach bar were delicious!)

The pool area suits all ages with slides and inflatables for the keen kids (and adults) a lazy river for relaxation and a shaded baby pool. Nearby the children can also be kept occupied at the indoor kid’s club, (whilst adults visit the spa) at the playground, playing table tennis and table football. We used the complimentary hire bikes to cycle around the grounds and our eldest son had a wake boarding lesson (payable) at the Beach Club. Being out on the water in a speedboat, cheering him on is a great family memory. There is also a Bedouin tent on the beach serving complimentary teas and camel rides.

There is a separate adults pool in a different area of the gardens where you will find hammocks swaying over the water - I didn't get to test them this time although they were very inviting!

Afternoon tea was enjoyed by everyone, it is OK to share - the servings are generous, and the servers suggested it was best between 2 people! We had the signature drink, gold topped 'camelcinos' made with camel milk and an array of reimagined British sandwiches, fluffy scones and delicate cakes and deserts, definitely an experience and no evening meal required after that!

There's so much to enjoy at the hotel itself but it would be a pity to miss the other attractions that Abu Dhabi has to offer. We spent a day at Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park, an afternoon at Yas Waterworld and visited the newly opened Louvre Museum. The building itself is spectacular allowing light to flow in through its cleverly designed roof. The Grand Mosque is not to be missed, the sheer scale of it, the beautiful inlaid marble interior and the World's largest carpet. Respectable dress is required, and ladies hire a burqa to wear, everyone removes shoes before entering the mosque itself.

We even fitted in a couple of circuits at the Yas Marina - the F1 track opens on several evenings and plays host to residents and visitors on bikes and on foot.

As a family, we loved Abu Dhabi! It is quieter than its neighbour Dubai, much smaller so easier to get around due to the traffic flow and although it has a fewer number of attractions, it offers plenty to visitors who wish to visit with Warner Bros also having recently opened.

For our busy family, there was not much time to relax on this trip, I think we will have to go back.... now where are those hammocks?