LLM Exclusive March 2026 / Beyond The Skyline: All-inclusive Family Luxury in The Emirates / By Lauren Murphy

For families who thrive on variety, the UAE is a dream. In one trip, you can explore a world-class city, unwind on white-sand beaches and dive into theme park adventures. And when you’re travelling with children of different ages, all-inclusive means more time together and less time planning meals or juggling bills.

On our first family trip to the UAE, we split our stay between Rixos The Palm Dubai, Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah and Legoland Dubai Resort. Three completely different stays – but each delivered on value, facilities, food, drink and location.

Rixos The Palm Dubai: Wellness meets waterfront luxury

Perched on the lower tip of Palm Jumeirah’s eastern crescent, this imposing hotel offers pure luxury and world-class, personal service. Image credit: Rixos The Palm Dubai

Set on the eastern crescent of Palm Jumeirah, Rixos The Palm Dubai blends five-star style with a focus on family wellness. The premium all-inclusive is generous – ice cream from multiple spots, smoothies made to order, fresh fruit cut poolside and buffets that feel curated rather than chaotic.

Our two-bedroom family suite was fresh from renovation – calm, neutral tones, rattan accents and three balconies with ocean and garden views. The living area was our nightly retreat, perfect for board games or simply catching up.

The Exclusive Sports Club kept everyone moving. Colin and Cole started most mornings at the RixGym, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Gulf. Carter and I swam laps before snorkelling in the calm bay. Classes included yoga, pilates, TRX, CrossFit and even stand-up paddleboard yoga. Aqua yoga and sound baths offered a gentler pace.

Pools cater to every mood: the relaxed Breeze Family Pool, an adults-only lap pool for uninterrupted lengths, and the lively main pool with swim-up bar and skyline views. The Rixy Kids Club ran kids’ yoga, Zumba, pilates, meditation and a splash park for all-day fun.

Dining is a strong point. A La Turca and Turquoise offer abundant buffets, while Bodrum serves Mediterranean seafood, Toro Loco grills premium steaks, and L’Olivo became our go-to for pizza and pasta after active days.

With Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Parks and Resorts all nearby, city highlights are at your doorstep.

Families travelling with young ones benefit from the fully supervised Rixy Kids Club offering a variety of entertainment and leisure activities for the little ones as well as their own private swimming pool. Image credit: Lauren Murphy

Location: Eastern Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Airport: 40 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

All-inclusive highlights: Premium buffet and à la carte dining, unlimited drinks, snacks and ice cream, extensive fitness and wellness programme, daily kids’ activities.

Top tip: Book a family suite for space to spread out and multiple balconies for sunset views.

Don’t miss

• Aqua yoga with a view of the skyline; mocktails at Breeze Family Pool.

• Stand-up paddleboard yoga in the pool.

• Kids’ Zumba and meditation at the Rixy Kids Club.

• Dinner at L’Olivo after an active day.

Rixos Bab Al Bahr: Big energy on Marjan Island

Nestled on the pristine sands of Marjan Island, Rixos Bab Al Bahr is the ultimate destination for families and friends seeking fun and adventure. Image credit: Rixos Bab Al Bahr

An hour north of Dubai, Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah brings barefoot beach energy with a lively edge. The all-inclusive is vast, covering most food, drinks and entertainment from sunrise until well past sunset.

The private white-sand beach became our daily anchor. Mornings meant a swim or jog; evenings were for family volleyball under pink and gold skies. Eight pools range from the activity-packed aqua park to an adults-only infinity pool. Newly renovated cabanas in calm cream tones gave us a shaded retreat between swims.

Sports run all day: beach volleyball, pool, Zumba, football, basketball and tennis. Motorised water sports add extra adrenaline. Teens Republic kept Cole busy with games and tournaments; Carter thrived in Rixy Kids Club’s treasure hunts, discos and shows.

Dining covers the globe – seafood at Fishbone, Turkish at Lalezar, Italian at D’Olivio, the extensive Seven Heights buffet, Meat Point for steaks, Aja for sushi and Toast ’n’ Burger for easy poolside bites. Drinks flowed at Isla Beach Bar and other venues.

Evenings are just as lively as the days. From family shows and live bands to acrobatics and DJ sets, the resort turns into an open-air festival in cooler months.

Off-property, we visited Suwaidi Pearl Farm, gliding by boat through mangroves before learning the region’s pearl-diving history. Colin and Cole took on Jais Flight – the world’s longest zipline – soaring over the Hajar Mountains at 150 km/h.

Five delectable a la carte restaurants, including a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant, offer a diverse dining experience. Image credit: Lauren Murphy

Location: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

Airport: 60 minutes from Dubai International Airport

All-inclusive highlights: Seven restaurants, multiple bars, live entertainment, kids and teens clubs, beach and pool sports, motorised water sports (extra charge).

Top tip: Reserve a beach cabana for shade and comfort between activities.

Don’t miss

• Themed nights at Entertainment Square.

• A family volleyball game at sunset.

• Fresh seafood at Fishbone.

• DJ sets under the stars.

Legoland Dubai Resort: Where play meets convenience

Legoland

Dubai Resort is the first Legoland park in the Middle East. Image credit Lauren Murphy

We ended our trip at Legoland Dubai Resort, a choice made for the boys – both lifelong LEGO fans. And yes, you’re never too old for it.

Our LEGO Ninjago-themed room came with an in-room treasure hunt. Cole helped Carter crack the clues, their laughter spilling into the hallway. These playful moments are when we’re most connected.

The all-inclusive is excellent value: buffet breakfast at Bricks Family Restaurant, à la carte lunch and dinner at LEGO-themed spots, and unlimited drinks at select hotel venues. No constant spending in the parks – just go and enjoy.

Direct access to both Legoland Dubai Theme Park and Legoland Water Park meant we could be on a ride within minutes of finishing breakfast. Carter loved the Summer Splash Fest pool party – DJs, a LEGO dance crew and Shark Suit Guy – while Cole joined in water games and boat races.

Neon Nights turned the water park into a glowing dance floor on weekends. Back at the hotel, creative workshops, colouring competitions, and morning water aerobics kept the energy flowing.

The location within Dubai Parks and Resorts means Motiongate, Real Madrid World, Riverland and Neon Galaxy are all a short stroll away.

The park is  designed for families with children from ages 12 years old and younger. Image credit: Lauren Murphy

Location: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai

Airport: 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport

All-inclusive highlights: Themed family rooms with treasure hunts, buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch and dinner, unlimited drinks at select venues, and direct park access.

Top tip: Visit during seasonal events like Summer Splash Fest or Neon Nights for extra fun.

Don’t miss

• Evening strolls through Riverland.

• Build-a-Boat races with prizes.

• Neon Nights laser-lit pool party.

• Completing the in-room treasure hunt.

Three resorts, three styles of family luxury

Each resort brought its own magic. Image credit: Rixos Bab Al Bahr

Each resort brought its own magic. Rixos The Palm Dubai gave us city access and a wellness focus. Rixos Bab Al Bahr delivered high-energy beach life and vibrant evenings. Legoland Dubai Resort brought immersive play and unbeatable park convenience.

All three offered strong value at a luxury level, with thoughtful touches, quality dining and activities for all ages. Most importantly, each gave us space to connect – whether through a sunrise workout, a sunset game or a shared laugh over LEGO clues.

We left recharged, not run down, with memories already on repeat – the best sign of a holiday well spent.

Factbox

Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites

Website: rixos.com/hotel-resort/rixos-palm-hotel-suites
Address: East Crescent, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Rixos Bab Al Bahr

Website: rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-bab-al-bahr
Address: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Legoland Hotel Dubai

Website: legoland.com/dubai/
Address: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates