Endless beaches, theme parks, waterparks, family-friendly hotels and fantastic golf courses – Abu Dhabi is the perfect golf and family retreat.
Family-friendly golf
Abu Dhabi Golf Club: This is one of the best golf experiences in the Middle East, with 18 exceptional holes emerging from the surrounding desert. There’s also an enjoyable nine-hole option at the Garden course. The Abu Dhabi Golf Academy hosts a programme of lessons for junior golfers, aptly named ‘Future Falcons’. Juniors can also play for free after 3pm, when playing with a paying adult.
Yas Links Abu Dhabi: Ranked by All Square as the best course in the Middle East, Yas Links Abu Dhabi is a superb Scottish-style seaside links course. Facilities include a nine-hole course, luxurious clubhouse and a golf academy. The club is also family friendly with juniors playing for free seven days a week on the Par 3 Academy Course when playing with a paying adult.
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club: Designed by Gary Player, this stunning course is laid out alongside the five-star luxury hotels located on the beach. If you’re looking for a family-friendly dining option here, try ‘The Krunch’. This kid-friendly brunch takes place every Friday at the club between 12pm and 3pm on the Dolphin Lawn overlooking the golf course. A play area with a bouncy castle, plus heaps of fun games, will keep children entertained for hours.
Hotels with great facilities for kids
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort: This 376-room luxury hotel has a private beach, spa, three restaurants and four outdoor pools. The family facilities here are extensive with the Sandcastle Kids Club offering a range of supervised indoor and outdoor activities free to all guests. There’s also a large splash play area with a children’s pool and waterslide.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island: A great choice for those who wish to enjoy a wide range of activities, including golf at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club nearby. Choose from stylish hotel rooms, suites or two and three-bedroom villas with private plunge pools. The hotel houses the popular Camp Hyatt, an exclusive facility for younger guests, offering a host of fun and interactive recreational activities.
W Abu Dhabi on Yas Island: Located at the centre of the Yas Marina Circuit, this five-star luxury hotel is one of the most spectacular in Abu Dhabi and a great location for those playing at the Yas Links Abu Dhabi golf club. The hotel is perfect for families as it’s close to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, all of which offer fantastic attractions for children.
Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa: Located on the fringes of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, this hotel is ideal for golf enthusiasts who want five-star treatment. The family-friendly environment and the huge lagoon-shaped main pool with adjoining children’s area are both perfect for a laid-back family holiday by the sea.
Amazing family attractions
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi: This fully air-conditioned indoor theme park on Yas Island brings a host of legendary characters together, from Superman to Batman and Wonder Woman. Enjoy state-of-the-art rides like Batman: Knight Flight, where you can fly through the skies of Gotham City, as well as interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment. Don’t miss out on exploring six immersive areas where you can wander through famous comic-book locations like DC’s Metropolis and Gotham City. There’s also a fantastic range of themed dining experiences.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: Located on Yas Island, this theme park – one of the world’s largest – boasts numerous high-adrenaline rides, including the world’s fastest rollercoaster, the Formula Rossa. For even more thrills, the Flying Aces rollercoaster has the world’s highest loop and will give you the ride of a lifetime. You’ll also find other family-friendly attractions like go-karting, state-of-the-art simulators and live shows. A new Family Zone, which opened earlier this year, allows little ones to get in on the action too.
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi: A huge waterpark spanning 20 acres with 43 rides, slides, and attractions, this park is divided into four thrill levels, catering for everyone from small children to adrenaline-seeking adults. Don’t miss the Bandit Bomber, the Middle East’s longest suspended rollercoaster with laser guns attached to each car. Another highlight is Dawwama, the world’s largest six-person tornado water coaster. This exciting raft ride plunges riders from the height of a mountaintop, with the final thrill being the ride’s 20-metre-high tornado funnel. The waterpark also boasts Bubble’s Barrel, the world’s largest surfable sheet wave. If that’s not enough, there are also chutes, water playgrounds, wave pools, interactive pearl quests and more.
The Corniche Beach: This 2km stretch of pristine public beach is divided into three sections, so everyone can enjoy their time by the sea. There’s a singles and groups section, one for families (with a quiet zone), and another aimed particularly at children who want to have fun in the sun. This beach features children’s play areas, as well as bikes for hire.
