I took my kids to the winter sun city with the world's largest waterpark – here's how we visited for free

The Irish Sun

09-05-2025

'I NEVER want to say goodbye to Dubai,' proclaims my 11-year-old daughter.
The city famous for bikini-clad celebrities, luxury shopping and exclusive nightlife appeals to kids too, it seems.
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The ocean-themed resort Atlantis, The Palm, ticks every box
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The resort is themed around the mythical lost city of Atlantis and is a complete destination in its own right
I took daughter Romy and her brother George, six, for a hit of that year-round sunshine that is only a seven-hour flight from the UK.
One of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, Dubai is known for its glitzy skyscrapers, plush beaches and luxury hotels.
And the ocean-themed resort Atlantis, The Palm, ticks all of those boxes.
Situated at the pinnacle of the man-made Palm Jumeirah island, the resort is themed around the mythical lost city of Atlantis and is a complete destination in its own right.
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Romy and George didn't want to look around when we arrived, they wanted to head straight for the on-site Aquaventure World, the world's largest
I have been dragged around plenty of waterparks in my time, but this is on a different scale.
Home to more than 105 slides, attractions, and experiences, Aquaventure is incredible and, better still, free for guests of the resort.
Both my children were desperate to have a go on Leap Of Faith, a 60ft near-vertical drop through a shark-filled lagoon.
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Stunning skyline
But I steered them towards the Lazy River, a 2.3km loop that takes about 45 minutes to complete.
Thankfully, they both loved it.
TUI resort next door to giant waterpark
But it wasn't just children enjoying the rides, adults were whizzing down slides and soaring along in rubber rings faster than the kids.
The fact that you don't need to leave the resort to have a great time is a huge perk.
There are 1,544 rooms and suites, as well as 36 amazing restaurants, bars and lounges, including six celebrity chef restaurants and two with a Michelin star.
And the service is second to none.
Even the most demanding junior eaters can feast like kings and queens here.
For dinner there was a steakhouse and South American and Lebanese restaurants as well as more glitzy options such as the Japanese-themed Nobu.
But it was Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen that turned out to be the true winner for my kids.
For £20 a head they could eat more pepperoni pizza than seemed possible, and for an extra £7 there were bottomless soft drinks.
As the evening set in and the heat subsided, it was more than pleasant enough to dine in the outside area, catching a last view of those golden rays.
We were there in the summer holidays and our days started early with mounds of freshly made pancakes in the Kaleidoscope restaurant.
Then it was time for the on-site amusement arcade, Wavehouse, where my kids spent hours ferociously competing on the latest arcade games and at ten-pin bowling.
You can also feast your eyes on a wealth of marine animals at the Ambassador Lagoon, which is part of Aquaventure World.
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The kids wanted to head straight for the on-site Aquaventure World, the world's largest waterpark
Along with The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Shark Lagoon, it is home to more than 65,000 marine animals, including baby stingrays, piranhas and zebra sharks, watched over by more than 100 staff.
When the kids weren't naming the fish, or racing each other on slides, they were lounging by one of the two pools.
To cool down in the sizzling heat, I was handed complimentary chilled flannels while the kids opted for lollies and ice creams.
Each of the pools is watched over by teams of lifeguards, meaning parents can truly relax.
Although their hearts may get racing again when the kids beg for a ride on the Dubai Balloon, which carries visitors 300 metres above the sea and high into the sky.
It was worth it, though, with 360-degree views of Dubai and its stunning skyline, including the famous
The trip does cost an additional £35 for adults and £15 each for children, but it will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Each evening, the children were so exhausted that they fell asleep within seconds of their heads hitting the crisp cotton pillows in our bedroom.
But I was able to close the curtains on the bright sunshine and views of the Arabian Sea and set the mood lighting so as not to disturb them.
With a stand-alone bathtub and views over the Gulf it was the perfect place to relax and read a book for the first time in months.
Of course, if you do find a moment to leave the action-packed resort, it's easy to reach the main city.
Romy insisted on exploring — and taking boast-worthy selfies for her friends at home — so we took the futuristic monorail across the water to the centre of the city 15 minutes away.
And there you really can shop until you drop.
Dubai may be glitz and glamour to some, but to me it was the perfect place for a family holiday.
And it wasn't just my daughter who never wanted to leave.
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There are 1,544 rooms and suites, as well as 36 amazing restaurants
GO: DUBAI
GETTING THERE:
British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Dubai from £454 return.
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STAYING THERE:
An Ocean Queen Room, sleeping two adults and two children, costs from 1,160 AED (£239) per night, including complimentary access to Aquaventure World and entrance to The Lost Chambers Aquarium.
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