Words: Lauren Murphy
This was our first trip to the UAE – and we arrived with a mix of excitement and curiosity that you only get on a long-awaited family holiday. As a Blacklane transfer pulled up to the airport and drove us into the city, and Dubai’s skyline rose, it felt like a promise of what the week would be for us as a family of four: myself, my husband Colin, our teen Cole, and Carter who is almost nine. We wanted movement, sunshine, good food, and time together. Two Rixos resorts gave us all of it.
Rixos The Palm Dubai
Wellness With A Waterfront View
Rixos The Palm sits on the eastern crescent of Palm Jumeirah, with water on one side and the city skyline on the other. It is a multi-award-winning, premium all-inclusive that actually earns the title – it’s the sort of place that encourages you to reset.
We stayed in a recently renovated two-bedroom family suite that had three balconies – each giving us different views of the ocean and resort gardens. The living area also became our spot for games and proper conversation at the end of active days.
Eat Well, Stress Less
The premium all-inclusive takes the pressure off parents, so no negotiations over snacks and no meltdowns about ice cream, and is available at several points around the hotel (and, yes, it is genuinely good). We rotated through A La Turca and Turquoise for an abundant open-buffet choice, booked Bodrum for Mediterranean seafood, Toro Loco for a treat-night steak, and L’Olivo when only pizza and pasta would do (which ended up being our family favourite after busy days). Fresh salads, grilled fish and vibrant sides made healthy choices the easy default without feeling worthy.
Pools, Play and Aqua Wellness
There are different pools for different moods. The Breeze Family Pool is lagoon-shaped and relaxed, with the Breeze Bar a few steps away serving hand-crafted mocktails, fresh smoothies and, inevitably, ice creams for the boys. The main pool is the heartbeat of the resort with a swim-up bar and uninterrupted views across to the Dubai skyline. Just beside it, a fresh fruit bar runs all day; watermelon, mango and pineapple cut in front of you (it became my cool-down routine after a swim).
For quiet training, the adults-only lap pool works well and doubles as a hub for aqua wellness. Sessions rotate through aqua yoga, aqua Zumba and low-impact circuit work. Mornings often started with Carter and me easing into a few laps, then moving to the gentle private bay to snorkel side by side – these are the small moments that stay with you.
Move Together: The Exclusive Sports Club
Fitness at Rixos The Palm is structured through the Exclusive Sports Club. It is not a token timetable, with daily complimentary classes spanning yoga, Pilates, TRX, CrossFit, group cycling and Kangoo Jump. Schedules change weekly, which keeps it interesting for longer stays.
Colin and Cole turned the RixGym into a father-son ritual before breakfast, with its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over Azure Beach and the Arabian Gulf. Inside there are proper weights, well-maintained machines, spin bikes, treadmills and ellipticals, and outside, the Jungle Gym and Outdoor Wellness Area use wooden structures for functional training, climbing and bodyweight circuits under the palms. Stand-up paddle boards are also set up in the pool for balance and core work that feels like play, and special sessions such as sound baths and full moon yoga also add a restorative note that balances out these high energy options.
Spa and Salon
Anjana Spa is Turkish-inspired in the best way – steam, hammam, sauna, cool quiet treatment rooms and therapists who take their time. I booked the full hammam ritual followed by a long, slow full-body massage and walked out lighter and clearer. The beauty salon covers hair, nails, waxing and quick glow-ups for both women and men – useful when the schedule swings from pool to dinner without a lot of turnaround time!
Nearby, Big-Ticket Dubai
One advantage of The Palm is easy access to the city. We went up the Burj Khalifa for the full view and stayed to watch the fountains at its base, and the Dubai Mall is a day out on its own with the aquarium and ice rink as detours when shopping fatigue hits. Dubai Parks and Resorts was also a hit across ages – Legoland for Carter, Motiongate for Cole, and Real Madrid World for the football-mad among us, with rides and immersive exhibits.
Website: www.rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-the-palm-dubai
Address: East Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Getting There: We arrived in style with Blacklane Transfers. It was the perfect introduction to Dubai — panoramic views of the skyline and none of the airport hassle. www.blacklane.com
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Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Ras Al Khaimah
Beach Energy From Sunrise
A change of pace and scenery took us to Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Rixos Bab Al Bahr sits on a long strip of white sand with turquoise water, and is also all-inclusive, with most dining, drinks and daily activities included (with a few exceptions). The resort is about 25 kilometres from Ras Al Khaimah City and roughly 70 kilometres from Dubai International Airport.
We booked the two-bedroom family suite, with two connecting rooms and a privacy door as well as calming garden views. There is also free Wi-Fi, a safe, coffee and tea making facilities, a sofa for flopping, and a simple bathroom with a good shower that handled the morning queue without drama.
Eight Pools, Endless Play
There are eight swimming pools across the resort. The aqua park drew the boys immediately (and never lost its appeal) and the large activity pool was more busy and social. The adults-only infinity pool was set up for quiet swims and sea views, while the children’s pool was to keep little ones in their own safe zone. The spa also had two private pools – one in the men’s section and one in the women’s.
We also spent a day in one of the newly renovated cabanas, with shade when you need it and the sand a few steps away. It is an easy base for reading, chatting and watching the boys move between beach games and the water.
Food That Fits The Day
There are seven restaurants and plenty of casual options between them. Seven Heights for the big buffet selection, Meat Point for steaks, D’Olivio for Italian comfort, Toast ’n’ Burger for the quick fix the boys loved, Lalezar for Middle Eastern dishes, Aja for Pan-Asian, and Fishbone for seafood by the water. Unlimited beverages are also available at Isla Beach Bar and Mojito Lounge, which becomes part of the rhythm of hot days and long evenings.
Active Outdoors
If you have energy to use, this is the place to use it. Beach volleyball, beach football and casual games appear and gather people quickly, while on land there is football, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, billiards, table football and darts, with tennis available at a court that can be lit at night for a fee. Pool fitness leans into Pilates, yoga, Zumba, stretching, paddling and water gym sessions, and for motorised water sports there are jet skis, banana boats, water skiing, parasailing, fly fish rides and catamaran trips (usually at an extra charge).
Our favourite time of day became sunset on the sand – a family volleyball match, the sky turning gold to pink, tired legs and that easy happiness that comes from moving together.
Kids, Teens and Your Own Hour Back
The Rixy Kids Club runs a lively programme – think Rixy disco, musical games, cinema time to cool down, treasure hunts, beach and pool games, talent shows and more. Carter made new friends fast and loved the independence. Teens Republic gives older kids their own space with PlayStations, pool tables, table soccer, daily tournaments and workshops. Cole liked the balance of freedom and check-ins for dinner.
Gym, Classes and Trainers
The fitness centre is properly equipped, with machines and free weights for all levels, plus group classes including yoga and aerobics. Personal trainers are also available to supervise sessions or build a plan that fits your goals. Colin booked one and came back both tired and pleased with himself!
Avitane Spa
Avitane Spa is one of the largest in Ras Al Khaimah and split into two ultra-luxurious spaces – one for men and one for women. Each has a private pool area, steam room, sauna, an invigorating ice fountain and quiet reading zones. The traditional Turkish hammams under the central domes are the heart of it, with a deep cleansing scrub that is as satisfying as it sounds. There is also a full beauty salon for hair and skincare.
When The Sun Goes Down
Bab Al Bahr turns the volume up at night. There are usually several entertainment options running at once, including family shows, show-stopping performers, themed nights, acrobatics in the amphitheatre, and DJ sets. In winter, more happens outdoors by the beachside bars and the adults-only infinity pool bar. In summer, the programme shifts indoors and keeps the mood easy with live music and themed nights at Aisha Lobby Lounge. It matches the energy of the day without feeling chaotic.
Nearby, Culture And Adrenaline
Ras Al Khaimah is worth exploring. The Suwaidi Pearls Farm Tour starts from the fishing village at Al Rams, where you travel by traditional pearl fishing boat through a shallow bay protected by mangroves while guides share stories of the divers, the breathing techniques and the old tools from the trader’s box known as the bish-takh-tah. At the floating farmhouse, you see how pearls are cultivated today, and can open an oyster yourself and hope for a little treasure. The gift shop also has a curated collection of Ras Al Khaimah pearls.
For a complete change of pace, head to Jais Flight at Jebel Jais – the highest peak in the emirate. It is the world’s longest zipline at 2.83 kilometres and reaches speeds up to 150 kilometres per hour. You cross deep ravines and jagged peaks of the Hajar mountain range at 1,680 metres above sea level. The ride takes about three minutes. The smiles at the end last longer!
Why These Resorts Worked For Us
Travelling with children at different ages can split a day in four directions, but the option of both hotels solved that. Colin and Cole found time together in the gym each morning, and Carter and I had our own rhythm in the water with laps and snorkelling. The kids clubs and teen spaces gave them independence and gave us an hour back for a class or a coffee. The spas and cabanas were quiet anchors whenever we needed them. Fitness did not feel forced – it was woven into the day and often looked like fun!
The UAE, First Time And Not The Last
We came home energised – healthy food was easy to find, movement was part of every day, and there was enough rest to balance it. Beyond the resorts we found culture and new experiences, from Dubai’s icons to Ras Al Khaimah’s pearl-diving heritage and a record-breaking zipline. But most of all, we found space to connect as a family in new ways.
Two hotels, two moods, one brilliant first trip to the UAE. The boys are already asking when we can go back – that seems like the best review of all.
Fact Box – Rixos Bab Al Bahr
Set on the pristine sands of Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, Rixos Bab Al Bahr is a lively, all-inclusive resort where beach games meet luxury cabanas and nights end with world-class entertainment.
Website: www.rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-bab-al-bahr
Address: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Getting There: Our journey from Dubai with Blacklane Transfers was effortless — air-conditioned comfort, plenty of space for luggage, and a scenic drive from desert to coast. www.blacklane.com
