Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi & Ras Al Khaimah

For many people, the UAE is simply a place you connect through on the way to somewhere else. For me, it is a destination in its own right: a place I return to again and again for sunshine, luxury, family fun and unbeatable value.

As a UAE holiday specialist, I have visited several of the emirates both for family holidays and with work. I know first hand how different each one feels, which hotels really deliver, and how to match the right place to the right person. If you are wondering whether the UAE is right for you, let me take you through my own experiences.

Dubai: Stopover Turned Favourite Holiday Spot

My UAE story started in Dubai. Our very first visit was as a family on the way back from the Maldives: a brilliant twin-centre combination if you want pure castaway relaxation paired with a few days of excitement and sightseeing.

We stayed at Jumeirah Al Mina A’Salam, a beautiful, luxurious resort that worked perfectly as a family base. From there, we packed a lot into our first taste of Dubai, including:

• A day at Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark
• Heading up the iconic Burj Khalifa for those unforgettable city views
• Seeing the famous Burj Al Arab up close
• Visiting the incredible shopping malls
• Watching the Dubai Fountain show in the evening

Dubai is bold, glamorous and full of “wow” moments, but it is also very easy as a family destination, with high service levels and so much to see and do.

A Perfect Family Base on The Palm

On a later trip, we went back to Dubai just for a dedicated holiday, this time over October half term. This is a lovely time of year to travel: warm, sunny and generally not as intensely hot as the summer months, so you can really enjoy the pools, beach and outdoor activities.

We stayed at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, which I absolutely recommend for families. It is:

• Very family orientated, with a relaxed, welcoming feel
• A brilliant base if you mainly want to enjoy resort facilities and then dip in and out of the city
• Well located on The Palm, so you have that “resort island” feel but you are still close to attractions

If you are looking for a Dubai hotel that offers comfort, great facilities and an easy base to explore from, this is a fantastic choice.

Ras Al Khaimah: Relaxed, Scenic and Great Value

For our second UAE family break, we decided to do something slightly different and headed to Ras Al Khaimah (often shortened to RAK). You still fly into Dubai, then it is around a 1 hour 45 minute transfer out to Ras Al Khaimah.

This little change of scene was absolutely worth it. We wanted sunshine, relaxation and a slightly quieter feel, and Ras Al Khaimah really did fit the bill. It is:

• A more laid-back alternative to the big city feel of Dubai
• Very cost-effective compared with staying in central Dubai
• A great option if you want a resort-based holiday with that added sense of escape

We stayed at the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, which gave us that lovely touch of luxury alongside a relaxed, “feet up” atmosphere. It was exactly what we needed at the time: beach, pool, good food and no pressure to do anything other than unwind.

If your priority is sunshine, value and a proper switch-off in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah is definitely one to consider.

Abu Dhabi: Culture, Beaches and All Inclusive Luxury

Another favourite of mine is Abu Dhabi, which offers a slightly calmer, more refined feel than Dubai but still has plenty going on, especially for families and couples who like a mix of relaxation and activities.

We chose Abu Dhabi again for October half term and stayed at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island on an all inclusive basis. This worked brilliantly for us because:

• The weather was fabulous at that time of year
• The all inclusive gave fantastic value for a high-end, luxury stay
• The hotel itself felt very premium, with great facilities and service

Abu Dhabi also has plenty to explore beyond the hotel. During our stay we:

• Spent time at the waterpark
• Enjoyed Ferrari World, which is great fun for thrill-seekers and families

You can still easily head out for culture, shopping or attractions if you wish, but equally it is the sort of destination where you can happily stay in a beautiful resort and simply relax.

Abu Dhabi works very well for couples, families, groups of friends or even solo travellers who like a luxury base with options beyond the pool if they want them.

Doha: A Stylish, Affordable Alternative

Our most recent visit in the region was to Doha, which is a very popular stopover city and an excellent alternative to Dubai.

Doha feels stylish and modern, but often comes in more cost-effective than Dubai while still offering superb standards of hotels and service. We stayed at The St. Regis Doha, a fantastic five-star property with:

• Beautiful rooms and facilities
• A great beach and pool area
• An impressive selection of restaurants, including Hakkasan and OPPA (a superb Greek restaurant)

One of the things we really enjoyed about Doha was the waterpark we visited. It was brilliant fun, and noticeably less busy than places like Atlantis in Dubai, which made the whole experience feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

If you want the Middle Eastern sunshine, luxury hotels and activities, but at a slightly gentler price point than Dubai, Doha is definitely worth considering as either a stopover or a standalone break.

Why Book Your UAE Holiday With Me?

Because I have personally stayed in these destinations and hotels, I do not just know them from a brochure. I know:

• How they feel for a family with tired children in tow
• Which hotels work best as a “base” and which are better for full resort stays
• The little details that make a holiday smoother, more special and better value

Each emirate and city has its own character. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Doha all offer something different in terms of atmosphere, budget, style and activities. My role is to listen to what you want from your trip, then guide you to the destination and hotel that truly suit you.

Whether you are:

• A family looking for a fun October half term break
• A couple wanting a luxury winter sun escape
• A group of friends planning a short sunshine getaway
• Or a solo traveller wanting a safe, sunshine-filled base

I can help you create a UAE or Gulf holiday that is tailored to you, whether that is a simple one-centre stay or a clever twin-centre combination, like Maldives with Dubai.

If you would like to start planning your own UAE adventure, from glamorous Dubai and laid-back Ras Al Khaimah to cultural Abu Dhabi or chic Doha, I would love to help you find your perfect trip.

Contact me to start planning and I will put together a personalised holiday designed around you.