10 Best Family Hotels in Abu Dhabi – Tried & Tested

With its year-round sunshine, sandy beaches, exciting cultural attractions and world-class theme parks, Abu Dhabi is the perfect family holiday destination.

The friendly and welcoming people and high standards of safety make travelling to Abu Dhabi hassle-free. Most hotels have specially designated children’s facilities, and the local ethos really does put children first.

The fact that you can find almost anything that you need from your home country, including your favourite toddler snacks or restaurant chains, all adds to Abu Dhabi’s claim to be one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world.

1. The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton

Located adjacent to Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi, The WB is the only Warner Brothers-themed themed hotel in the World. Here, you can have breakfast with Daffy Duck, take afternoon tea with Batman or get room service delivered by Bugs Bunny.

The rooms are stylish and well appointed with a splattering of Warner Brothers’ themed decor. There are a variety of room types, including connecting rooms and suites available.

The bright and cheerful Side-Kicks restaurant is the perfect place for a family breakfast, lunch or dinner (and also one of the best places for family brunch in Abu Dhabi). The food here is of a high standard and includes all of the kids’ favourites, along with a range of more sophisticated meal choices for adults.

The Matinee pool doubles as a ‘dive-in’ theatre where cartoons are shown throughout the day. There is another pool, the overlook pool, but this is just for adults and includes a swish cocktail bar!

The kids club is sure to keep little ones busy if mum and dad need some grown-up time. Offering a safe and cheerful space, the kids club provides indoor and outdoor activities and includes a playground and splash pad.

Guests receive complimentary access to Warner Brothers World and Yas Waterworld, which are within comfortable walking distance and Ferrari World and Sea World Abu Dhabi (still within walking distance but only during the cooler parts of the year).

You can also enjoy free access to Yas Beach cCub if you want to relax waterside away from the theme parks, accessible by the Yas free shuttle bus.

2. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

A lovely new hotel at the heart of Yas Bay, Yas Island, the Hilton Abu Dhabi, is the perfect base for a family on a longer trip to Abu Dhabi.

The rooms are large, well appointed and well equipped and include interconnecting rooms as well as suites. In the morning, the buffet restaurant serves a hearty international breakfast with many great choices for the kids.

The huge pool has a large shallow section, which is great for children and includes fountains for playful splashing. There’s also a dedicated kids’ pool and water play zone adjacent to the well-equipped kids’ club and playground.

Located within easy reach of Yas Mall, Ferrari World and the other Yas Island theme parks, a stay at the Hilton Yas Bay really allows you to make the most of your time in Abu Dhabi.

It is also conveniently located within walking distance of Yas Bay’s seafront promenade and restaurants, meaning that you are not chained to eating in the hotel restaurant every night without needing to take a taxi.

Hilton is also super close to the Etihad Arena if you want to catch a show and also within walking distance of a number of small playgrounds and a skate park.

Whilst children are not allowed access to the resort’s Cafe Del Mar beach club, complimentary passes to the family-friendly Yas Beach are provided.

Complimentary tickets to Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, Warner Brothers’ World or Seaworld (limited to one theme park per day) are also included in the price of your stay.

3. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Resort

Fancy a 5* all-inclusive on the best beach in Abu Dhabi? Then, the Rixos Premium Premium Resort is the place for you. Considered the ultimate family-friendly resort by many, this hotel has everything you need to keep the kids happy.

The resort features many pools, including a large family pool, a wave pool and a children’s waterpark. There are also swim-up rooms available and villas with their own private pools. Kids can also enjoy the Rixy Kids Club, which provides scheduled indoor activities as well as lots of outdoor fun.

Located on the beautiful Saadiyat Beach, the hotel offers water sports as well as the chance for kids to splash in the sea and play on the sand. There’s a beach bar service to the hotel’s sunbeds, so there’s no need to traipse back to the main hotel building when you get peckish.

There are 10 restaurants on-site, including Italian L’Olivo and the Turkish-inspired Orient. The latter is especially highly regarded.

The beach bar and pool bars serve up tasty snacks and delicious cocktails for the grown-ups… And because the Rixos is all-inclusive, the kids can eat all the ice cream that they want without the worry of wracking up an unexpected bill!

All-inclusive resorts are a rare beast in the UAE, so do weigh this up when comparing family hotels in Abu Dhabi, and you’ll see what exceptional value the Rixos Premium Saadiyat can be for the quality you get.

4. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas

Whilst all of the resorts on Saadiyat are family-friendly, what makes the Saadiyat Rotana stand out is the chilled-out out family-friendly feel.

Rooms are comfortable but not fussy and provide clean accommodation perfect for a family with younger kids. There are a variety of suite options available, as well as the chance to book connecting rooms.

The well-designed Aladdin’s Cave Kids Club offers a great place for kids aged 4 to 12 to hang out. There are gaming, activity and cinema zones as well as an outdoor play area with a splash zone and lazy river.

From arts and crafts to mini golf, your little ones are sure to be kept busy – giving you a bit of time to chill out by the pool or head for a spa treatment.

As well as the pool and splash zone in the kids’ club, the main pool is great for children of all ages. It’s large with no blind spots, so it’s easy to keep your eyes on the kids at all times. There are, of course, lifeguards on duty, which gives you that extra bit of security.

In terms of eating, Italian restaurant Si is great for your little pizza and pasta lovers, and the breakfast restaurant Sim Sim serves up an international buffet that would please even the fussiest of eaters.

Teens will love Hamilton’s P – one of the city’s best sports bars and gastropubs – with its meter-long hot dogs, juicy burgers and the chance to watch their favourite sports teams.

The Rotana resort comes in a little cheaper than the other Saadiyat Island resorts, which is another reason for its inclusion on our list of best family hotels in Abu Dhabi.

5. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental

This may be a pricey option, but this is a place where lifelong memories are made.

At Emirates Palace, children are made to feel really special. As well as being treated like royalty, kids receive toiletry packs, complimentary slippers, and personal activity packs when visiting the resort’s restaurants.

Restaurants include Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Talea, contemporary Indian restaurant Martabaan, the renowned Chinese restaurant Hakassan and the more down-to-earth Vendome, which is where the buffet-style breakfast is served. There’s also BBQ Al Qasr for a truly memorable al fresco dining experience.

Accommodation is second to none, and your private butler takes care of all your needs. The rooms are plush and well-maintained, and the standard of cleanliness is impeccable. Connecting rooms are available, as well as family-sized suites.

There are extensive gardens, a play area, and a fantastic complimentary kids club. Open daily from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm; the kids club is available for children over the age of 5.

There’s a full timetable of events with the opportunity to play party games and video games, as well as the chance to play a variety of sports. Children under 5 may attend but must be accompanied by an adult.

Your little prince or princess will love the pool area with its lazy river and several slides and building sandcastles on the resort’s pristine coral sand beach. For older children, the Emirates Palace has its own inflatable AquaFun Park and various water sports.

There’s also the chance to take camel rides by the sea, something that your little one will treasure forever!

Pricey but absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Abu Dhabi

6. Khalidiya Palace Rayhann by Rotana

A slightly cheaper option in the heart of the city, the Khalidiya Palace is one of our top picks for a place to stay in Abu Dhabi with kids.

It is a ‘dry’ hotel, meaning that no alcohol is served, which makes it very popular with families from other Gulf countries. This, combined with the beautiful pool area, pristine beach frontage and awesome kids’ club, make the Khalidiya Palace an extremely family-friendly place to stay.

The kids’ club is open from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and is for children aged between 4 and 12 years old. It includes a soft play area as well as offering supervised craft activities, games and competitions.

The hotel has friendly staff and offers wonderful afternoon tea. There are also great views over to Abu Dhabi Corniche at the Etihad Towers, one of the city’s premier attractions next door.

7. The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

The stunning Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Al Maqta area of the city is as great for kids as it is for adults. The beautiful marble hallways and chandeliers are awe-inspiring, and the award-winning restaurants are out of this world.

The beautiful Giornotte restaurant is where you will find your buffet breakfast; it’s also the home of the Saturday brunch and the incredible all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta night. Eat outside under the canopy of fairy lights for a truly memorable experience!

Other great places to eat include The Forge steakhouse, Li Jiang with its Asian menu, and the Middle Eastern-inspired Mijana. For a more casual dining experience, there’s the Al Fresco pool and beach restaurant, as well as Dolce for tasty, healthy options.

There’s also the Venetian Village just a stone’s throw away which includes Indian and Japanese dining options, perfect for a date night for mum and dad, especially as the hotel has its own babysitting service!

The large open gardens and pool are great for families because there are no blind spots, meaning that you’ll unlikely lose your kids if they go off to play. There is a beach with access to the canal for swimming. The water is safe, but the sand can feel slightly fluffy due to the lack of tides.

As well as a kids’ club catering to children aged 4 to 12 open from 10.00 am until 6.00 pm, the resort has its own football pitch and padel courts as well as lots of green spaces to run around.

Another Ritz-Carlton bonus is the outstanding views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You can find such stunning views of this amazingly beautiful building in no other hotel.

8. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi

Situated in the middle of the action on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, the St. Regis Abu Dhabi is one of our favourite hotels in Abu Dhabi. High-quality service and attention to detail are really important at the St. Regis, which extends to the hotel’s younger guests.

Rooms are of an exceptionally high standard, and the concierge (not to mention your individual room bulter), goes to every effort to ensure your comfort. The hotel seems like something out of a fairy tale with its impressive staircase and grand chandeliers.

The hotel’s fantastic Nation Riviera Beach Club is fantastic for families and includes a private 200-meter stretch of the sheltered Corniche beach. There’s also a stunning family pool and whirlpool. In addition to the beach club pool, there is also a rooftop pool on the third-floor terrace, near the Azura Lounge.

The Treasure Island Kids’ Club is open daily from 9.00 am until 6.00 pm for children aged 4 to 12 years old. The pirate ship-themed play area includes a water play section with a small slide. The well-trained staff provide lots of fun and engaging activities, allowing mum and dad an hour or two of peace and quiet. The only downside is that it’s located across the road from the main hotel in the Nation Riviera Beach Club (access is via an underpass).

When it’s time for dinner, there’s no shortage of wonderful restaurants, from Catch Seafood Restaurant and Cabana grill located in the beach club, to Villa Toscana Italian restaurant and the Azura Panoramic Lounge with its tapas, grills and incredible views.

Connected to the hotel is a small shopping mall featuring a number of coffee shops, restaurants and boutique-style stores, as well as a cinema.

You can read a detailed family review of staying at The St Regis Abu Dhabi here.

9. Al Raha Beach Hotel

A long-standing family favourite, the Al Raha Beach Hotel is included in our list for many reasons. It’s not too expensive, has great kids’ facilities and is conveniently located not too far from Abu Dhabi Airport and not too far from the action.

Situated in the quiet residential area of Al Raha Beach, a taxi will get you to the Corniche in 20 minutes. Equally, a quick 10-minute hop will get you to Yas Island and all of its theme parks and amenities. It’s also a great base if you fancy making a day trip to Dubai.

The 278 well-appointed rooms, suites and villas sit on their own 900m stretch of beach. The hotel has a lovely pool and dedicated water play areas for kids. There’s also a kids club for children aged 3 to 12 from 10.00 am until 7.00 pm as well as a babysitter on call outside of these times.

Connected to the hotel is Al Raha Mall. It’s not the fanciest mall in Abu Dhabi, but it does contain a lovely cake shop and several fast food outlets. There’s also a cinema and the beautiful Orange Wheels Play Centre, which is great for younger children.

This is a truly overlooked hidden gem if you’re seeking out an affordable family resort in Abu Dhabi.

10. Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort

Enter the world of Arabian nights at Qasr Al Sarab and experience the desert in 5-star luxury!

Children are well catered for at this mirage-like desert resort with a large communal pool and splash pad as playgrounds and a kids club, as well as a separate teen club. There’s no shortage of personal touches intended to make your stay truly special, and if you happen to be celebrating a birthday or other occasion, Qasr Al Sarab really does go the extra mile.

Whilst the hotel is gorgeous, the main attraction is the stunning desert landscape and the chance to get up close and personal with its inhabitants. Enjoy camel riding, horse riding and falconry and find out about the desert’s smaller inhabitants from the resort’s knowledgeable guides.

At the end of the day, enjoy dinner in the resort’s mock-up of a traditional Bedouin camp or have a private picnic in the dunes whilst gazing at the stars. You’re sure to make lifelong memories for you and your kids at this stunningly beautiful desert resort.

The only downside to this incredible resort is the distance from the city; you will need to arrange a hire car and drive or a transfer service with the hotel. It’s about 2 hours from Abu Dhabi city, deep in the Liwa Desert.

Our team have staycationed at every hotel listed here and can vouch for the service and quality of all of them. Do check the availability of services such as kids club and babysitting before booking.

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More Accommodation Ideas in Abu Dhabi

If you are still unsure of the best areas to stay or are looking for more hotel reviews, you may also want to check out next:

• The best areas to stay in Abu Dhabi (with hotel recommendations for different budgets)
• The best hotels in Abu Dhabi on the beach – for a dreamy Middle East beach vacation
• Why not try an Abu Dhabi Glamping or camping site for a unique stay experience from the city to the rolling dunes of the desert

Looking for family-friendly dining in Abu Dhabi? In addition to all of the resort dining options we’ve mentioned above, we have this fabulous guide to family dining in Abu Dhabi to help satisy all fussy-pallets through to junior foodies!

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