Anyone with teenagers knows they are ridiculously hard to please. Trying to find a holiday destination that offers everything they want (good WiFi, impressive activities) while still leaving room for quality couple time for us grown-ups? It feels impossible.

Does it get any cooler or more impressive than Dubai?

In our experience - as a big, blended family navigating travel with 4 very demanding teens - the answer is a resounding yes. Dubai is engineered to be family-friendly, from its accommodation options to its sheer scale of entertainment. We’ve been tons of times, and it consistently meets all our needs.

Here’s a look at why we keep going back, and how we made the most of our most recent trip.

Getting Off to a Flying Start (and insider perks)

The holiday started strong with our Emirates flight. Even in Economy, the teens were impressed. We’re talking comfy seats, endless entertainment, and food and snacks on demand. It was like they never left their bedrooms, which, frankly, made our lives instantly easier.

Top Tip: If you fly Emirates, you can use your My Emirates Pass to get significant discounts on many of Dubai’s top attractions throughout the duration of your stay. That's real family saving!

Our Home Base: Rixos the Palm

When travelling with 4 teenagers, space is non-negotiable. We chose the luxurious beachfront resort, Rixos the Palm, for a very good reason: their MASSIVE three-bedroom apartment.

With floor-to-ceiling windows offering an amazing view of the Arabian Gulf, a huge master bedroom with its own dressing room, and an ensuite for every single bedroom (plus a main bathroom!), we all felt we had the privacy we desperately needed. This is one secret to a successful big family holiday: separate bathrooms!

We also appreciated the well-stocked mini-bars with non-alcoholic drinks and goodies.

Important Note: In Dubai, the legal drinking age is 21 years old.

Beach Bliss & Water Activities

We spent plenty of time beating the heat in one of the resort's pools (one even has a swim-up bar - bonus!). The resort is situated on the beautiful, man-made Palm, offering a massive stretch of golden sand, chic beach clubs, and the warm, turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The teenagers loved the free water sports included in the Ultra All-Inclusive package, especially kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkelling. While the water isn't particularly clear due to the protective breakwater built by engineers, it kept them entertained for hours, allowing us to enjoy relaxing on our sunbeds while making the most of the beach waiter service.

Dining & Adult Time

The hotel boasts 11 restaurants, offering something for everyone. Our teenagers aren't huge fans of seafood, which worked out perfectly: it meant we could enjoy some quality adult time at the beachfront seafood restaurant while they happily filled up at the main buffet.

Our favourite restaurant for a sophisticated evening was L'Olivo, an elegant Italian and Mediterranean spot with a refined à la carte menu. The cocktails were top-notch, best enjoyed at the beach bar while watching the sunset.

The standout feature of this hotel was the service. The staff truly treated us like royalty, always going the extra mile. The Rixos has even been nominated for the Middle East's 'Leading Lifestyle Resort 2025' - a well-deserved accolade!

Teenager-Proof Activities (The Highlights)

Dubai is purpose-built for big fun, making it easy to keep the 'I'm so bored' sighs at bay.

1. Aquaventure Water Park (The Biggest Win)

This was probably the highlight of the trip, and we went multiple times. It’s the largest in the world, with over 100 rides. Even if adrenaline isn't your thing, the lazy river is a must-do. We also loved 'The Lost Chambers'; Aquarium - one of the most magical we've ever visited.

Insider Tip: Splash out on 'Fast Passes'. The park gets busy, but these passes allowed us to get on every ride we wanted, several times over.

2. Desert Safari

This is an essential Dubai experience. The teens had an absolute blast with sand dune bashing and sand surfing (amazing for the Insta photos). This was followed by a traditional BBQ, belly dancing, and camel rides. It offers a totally different feel from the city.

Tip: The sand dune ride is very bumpy. Do not do it on a full stomach!

3. Iconic Sights & Retail Therapy

• The Burj Khalifa and Fountain Show: The tallest building in the world (828 metres tall!) is a must-see. The area right in front of the entrance is one of the best places to watch the spectacular (and free!) fountain show.
  

• The Dubai Mall: With over 1,200 shops, hundreds of places to eat, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, and an Olympic-sized ice rink, you can literally spend a whole day here and not see it all.
  

• Top Golf: You can play golf anywhere, but the experience of hitting balls with Dubai’s neon skyline lit up at night as your backdrop is seriously next-level.
  

4. Underwater Experiences

• Swim with Dolphins: Swimming with the friendly and curious Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Bay (Atlantis Water Park) was a truly magical experience and a great photo opportunity.
  

• Scuba Diving (Fujairah): We highly recommend the boat trip to the neighbouring emirate of Fujairah. The stunning clear water has its own coral reef. The best part? The teens tried scuba for the first time, and the dive actually counted towards their Junior PADI Licence!

The Final Verdict: A Win-Win

We squeezed a lot into our 10 days, and with new, bigger, and better attractions popping up all the time, Dubai is constantly evolving.

Amazing technology + so much for teenagers to do + less 'I’m soooo bored' = more quality adult time for us. It’s a win-win, and that’s why, even with a crowd of hard-to-please teens, we keep going back.

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