Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
Abu Dhabi has seen exponential growth since the 1960s and it is now full of skyscrapers, swanky shops and plenty of things to do with the family such as day trips to the desert. Plus there is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi which is home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, Formula Rossa. It is also full of Emirati culture including mosques and old-school fortresses. The Corniche is a smart seaside boulevard with gorgeous sandy beaches, shiny skyscrapers and the modern marina mall. Another highlight is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which has a white marble structure and is the largest of its kind in the UAE. There are some excellent hotels in Abu Dhabi that are great for families. We take a look at some of the best including their facilities and bedrooms.
1. Conrad Hotel Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Address: Corniche Rd – Al Bateen – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Etihad Towers is a complex of buildings with five towers in Abu Dhabi and the Conrad Hotel Abu Dhabi is located in one of them. Guests have a private beach plus three swimming pools to choose from. It is located 2.5km from the Marina Mall and 5km from downtown Abu Dhabi.
This hotel has 7 restaurants for you to choose from which serve food such as Pan-Latin American, Lebanese and Italian. A stay at this hotel gives you free access to the Observation deck at 300 which is a 10-minute walk away and enjoys 360-degree views. If you are a family of 4 their Premier double rooms with a sea view will be perfect for you. The only trouble you may have is tearing yourselves away from the amazing view.
2. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Address: Khor Al Maqta – Rabdan – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – This hotel located on the Abu Dhabi Creek looks out over at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. If you want to see it close up and the rest of Abu Dhabi the hotel runs a free shuttle bus. The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr has two top-class private beaches plus a giant Olympic-sized swimming pool. Rooms enjoy either city or sea views.
There is a choice of five restaurants including an international buffet, an Italian and a sushi bar. Plus an Arabian with live entertainment. Kids staying at this hotel have the Little Flamingos Kids’ Club to keep them entertained with a soft play area and games consoles. There are lots of beach activities and water sports at this hotel. Bedrooms are doubles and twins that can sleep up to 4 people. Make sure you book a sea view room if you want to enjoy views of the mosque.
3. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Address: Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Right next to Saadiyat Beach with its huge stretch of milk-white sand backed by grassy dunes is the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. Pool fans will love their two landscaped swimming pools. One is shaped like a lagoon and the other is edged by day beds and palms.
The hotel-run kids’ club has all sorts of activities for children and while the kids are playing the adults can relax at the spa. There is a golf course next door plus 3 restaurants, a games room, tennis and a children’s playground.
4. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Address: Al Rawdah – المَقطَع – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – For true luxury through and through you may want to consider the Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal. Located next to its own private beach on the edge of the canal the hotel is just across the road from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The swimming pool is one of the biggest in Abu Dhabi and there are plenty of sun loungers surrounding it. There is a shallow section for toddlers plus a splash pool next to the kids’ club. This is for children aged 4-12.
With a great range of restaurants, you are certainly spoilt for choice. The hotel also has a great range of other facilities including mini-football, beach volleyball, mini-archery, minigolf and giant chess. Plus table tennis, watersports, a putting area and padel courts. Bedrooms have balconies and they have double rooms that can sleep up to 4 people.
5. Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan
Address: Corniche St – Al Khubeirah – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – With a beautiful sandy beach and one of the largest swimming pools in the city, the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan is a popular choice with families. This 5* hotel offers excellent service, comfortable rooms and great activities. Little ones can have fun in the kids’ club plus there is a splash pool and a children’s playground.
Other facilities include two tennis courts, two squash courts and a fitness centre. For those who prefer to be pampered, there is an on-site beauty salon. Their all-day dining venue offers a wide range of international and local cuisine.
6. Al Raha Beach Hotel
Address: Channel Street, Near Al Raha Mall Al Raha Creek – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Located in lush parkland overlooking the Arabian Gulf is the Al Raha Beach Hotel. This was the first resort hotel in Abu Dhabi and it is well-balanced in design with contemporary architecture and traditional Arabian design. The hotel has both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool plus a sauna and spa treatments.
Children have plenty of things to do at this hotel. As well as the pools including a kids’ pool and waterslide there is a kid’s club, a play area and child-friendly entertainment. The hotel also has a games room, golf, tennis, watersports, pedal boats and more.
7. Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Resort & Spa
Address: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – Al Mirayr – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Located in the Liwa Desert, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world is the Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Resort and Spa. This hotel is located outside of Abu Dhabi and is certainly the most remote hotel on our list. The pool is an infinity-edge freeform pool that looks out towards the surrounding desert valley. For younger children, there is a separate covered shallow pool with a water fountain.
Adults can unwind in the sumptuous spa and children are more than welcome here. There is a small kid’s club for ages 3-12 with consoles and arts. From the hotel, you can enjoy a guided camel trek. Or you can go on one of their 4×4 desert safaris (ages 5 and over). For over 8s, there is horseriding and archery. There are rooms here with balconies or a private terrace plus one-bedroom pool villas.
8. W Abu Dhabi-Yas Island
Address: Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Heading back over to Abu Dhabi is the W Abu Dhabi Yas Island which is next to a yacht-filled marina and the F1 racetrack. This is the world’s only hotel that has been built over a Formula One racetrack. The building is incredibly striking with a huge canopy that lights up after dark. You are 10 minutes away from Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. Plus the hotel has a free shuttle bus to Yas Beach.
Both of the hotel’s pools are located on the rooftop, one of which is just for adults. There is a choice of restaurants including an Indian, tapas and an international buffet. For children, there is a kids’ zone with soft play, playhouses and game consoles. Adults have a gym, beauty salon, spa and fitness classes. Their suites with balconies can sleep up to 4 people.
9. Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Address: King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Al Bateen – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – With a choice of six gourmet restaurants the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi is a foodie heaven. This is where royal and celebrity visitors come to stay, lured by the marina-front location and the private beach club. There are five swimming pools to choose from including a shallow one for kids with a slide.
The hotel runs a kid’s club for ages 3-14 and in the evening you can enjoy music in the cooler months. Other facilities include two tennis courts, beach volleyball and a range of water sports. Adults can unwind in the spa and there is a gym plus a beauty salon. Bedrooms can sleep up to 3 people.
10. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
Address: Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Located next to a five-mile-long stretch of snow-white sand is the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas. Close to the beach, the resort has a giant swimming pool with a swim-up bar and a splash park for the kids. Foodies are spoilt for choice with four restaurants including an international buffet, an Italian bistro and a rooftop bar and grill.
Children aged 6 months to 12 years will have fun at the Aladdin’s Cave kids’ club which even has a cinema zone. Why not challenge your family to a game of mini-golf? Plus there are 2 tennis courts, beach volleyball and a playground. They have large spacious family rooms that have balconies and can sleep up to 4 people.
11. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Address: Yas Bay – Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Opened in 2021 is the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island resort. It enjoys a waterfront setting and is close to the theme parks including Warner Bros World, Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World. The pool is stunning and has palm trees right next to the water plus there is a splash zone for the kids.
Also on-site there are a couple of restaurants plus a lounge and bar. Adults can enjoy being pampered in the spa and there is also a 24-hour gym. This hotel has 2 bedroom family rooms which have an interconnecting room and can sleep up to 7 people. Some room types have a pool or bay view.
12. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
Address: Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – This upmarket hotel is perfect for a family-friendly holiday. The Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort has a private beach and three swimming pools, one of which has a swim-up bar. For children, there is a hotel-run kids’ club for ages 4-14. Activities include badminton, video games, crafts and more.
There are seven restaurants to choose from including signature dining, a gastropub and an Italian. Plus a host of activities including tennis, billiards, table tennis, watersports and basketball. Adults can relax at the spa or work out in the gym while their kids play at the club.
13. Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Address: Al Zahiyah – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – Located on its own stretch of a golden sandy beach is Le Meridien Hotel. This exquisite 5* hotel is well-located and has a great range of facilities and comfortable accommodation. There are outdoor swimming pools including one for the kids plus a poolside bar that serves drinks and snacks.
This hotel operates an entertainment programme with live music, happy hour and themed dinner nights. You can eat in the hotel’s buffet-style restaurant or the a la carte which serves local and international cuisine. This hotel has family rooms and you can enjoy a view of the city or the sea.
14. Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
Address: Marina Mall Ring Rd – Al Kasir – Al Marina – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Hotel Information – With a central spot and a great dining scene, the Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi is a great choice for families. It is located right next to the marina with a pristine beach on the other side. There are three swimming pools including one long pool lined with palm trees and children have their own pool to splash around in.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants as this hotel has 6. These include a buffet, an Italian and a steakhouse. For children aged 4-12, there are additional activities run by the Rixy Kid’s Club. This hotel even has an evening entertainment programme. Plus there are watersports and a spa with a Turkish Bath, massage, treatments, a sauna and a steam room. There are double rooms that can sleep up to 4 people plus 2 bedroom family rooms that can sleep up to 6 people.
Dubai is also a great city to visit with kids in the UAE – Why not check out this post for further reading? 14 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Dubai
