Rixos Qetaifan Island North

A family holiday to Qatar

Serena Jesson on 17 Oct 2025

For October half term, we took a trip to a new destination for us-Qatar, and what a trip it was! From gorgeous beaches to record breaking water slides, luxury malls, and family focused fun everywhere we went, Qatar completely exceeded our expectations.

Our Hotel: Rixos Premium, Qetaifan Island North

From the moment we arrived, the hotel felt like pure luxury.

  • Our room was huge—perfect for a family—and the night time view was incredible. When the city lights up after dark, Qatar honestly looks magical.
  • The dining was fantastic, with something for everyone.
  • The pools were amazing, and the staff were so friendly and welcoming.

It’s the kind of hotel that makes you feel relaxed the minute you walk in.



Meryal Water Park – A Big Highlight!

One of the children’s favourite parts of the holiday was the free access to Meryal Water Park, right by the hotel.

We had hours of fun there, and honestly, it’s worth the trip alone if you have kids who love water parks.

It has the most water slides in the world
It’s home to the tallest water slide
It’s officially in the Guinness World Records


Exploring Qatar

We didn’t just stay by the pool—there’s so much to see locally.

Vendome Mall

This place is incredible.
We took gondola rides right in front of the dancing fountains, and the kids absolutely loved it. Inside the mall there are so many family activities:

  • Trocadero
  • Soft play
  • Play zones and attractions everywhere

It’s the kind of mall you can spend the whole day in.

Dinner Out

In the evenings, we explored more of Qatar’s beautiful spots.

  • Lusail – with dancing fountains you can actually walk through
  • Timeless Qatar – a lovely meal with the most amazing views of the Raffles Hotel glowing at night

🏝️ Banana Island

One of our favourite days!
We took a trip out to Banana Island, and it’s absolutely perfect for kids. They have:

  • Zip lining
  • Water sports
  • A splash park
  • A gorgeous beach
  • Lots of restaurants

So much fun , every one spent the whole day smiling.

What really stood out to us was how family-focused Qatar is. Everywhere we went, the children weren’t just welcomed—they were really thought about. Activities, service, food options, entertainment—everything is designed for families to feel comfortable and happy.

We had an amazing time and highly recommend Qatar as a family destination. It’s safe, clean, fun, luxurious, and full of things to do. We would absolutely go back!