Dubai all-inclusive hotels | escape to year-round sunshine

Towering over the ocean, and only seconds from the soft sands of one of Dubai’s favourite beaches, the JA Ocean View Hotel certainly lives up to its name. This 25-story hotel is an oasis within an oasis. Step into the dazzling white lobby, where a cool contemporary chandelier reflects off the polished floor and a sweeping modernist staircase takes you up towards the suites.

All 342 rooms here have views from a private balcony over Jumeirah Beach and the Persian Gulf, so stretch out on your lounger and take in those pastel sunsets. Inside, your room is decorated in restful white with accents of ocean blue and green. Patterned feature lights and minimalist lamps offer soft light in the evenings. Nearly half of the rooms are interconnecting, so you needn’t be far from the kids (a family of up to four can also choose a family suite).

There’s plenty to keep kids entertained in the hotel, from the children’s splash pool to the playground – a shaded area with soft flooring where kids can run, jump and climb on a colourful jungle gym. If the adults would like some time alone, just book the kids into the Chillzone or the Coolzone, two clubs with fun activities tailor-made for different age groups.

In the morning, you’ll wake to fresh breakfast pastries and coffee from the buffet at Le Rivage restaurant (which in the evenings also offers a changing daily selection of Asian, Mediterranean and South American foods).

As the day goes on, the dining choices multiply: try BBQ from the smoker at Girders sports bar or sample a taste of Arabian life under the stars with mezze, grilled meats and shisha at the evenings-only, open-air Sehr Al Bahar restaurant. If you can’t tear yourself away from the infinity pool, a poolside bar is on hand with pizzas, salads and sandwiches, as well as refreshing cocktails.

Whether you’re in search of deep relaxation or pulse-raising excitement, the JA Ocean View Hotel has an answer. Ease yourself into a world of tranquillity in the Calm Spa – try a rejuvenating Elemis treatment such as a salt scrub with lime and ginger, followed by a Jacuzzi, sauna and the invigorating steam rooms.

In the evening, the area around the hotel offers some of Dubai’s most vibrant nightlife. Head to the terrace of the nearby Bahri Bar, where you can enjoy views of the spectacular Burj Al Arab while jazz and soul tunes fill the air. Ask the barman for a Pure Romance cocktail (blood orange, raspberry and prosecco) to complete the experience.

A stylish, contemporary five-star hotel, the Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is designed to indulge all your senses. At the Layali Pool Lounge, one of its five restaurants, the scent of sizzling grills combines with the salty ocean breeze, while sweet shisha smoke and soulful tunes hang in the air. The Arabic-inspired design and the views of the sun-drenched Persian Gulf are a feast for the eyes too.

Take a journey into Americana at the Soul Restaurant and Bar, with a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere inspired by Manhattan and a menu of American classics to match. Sample everything from classic cocktails like a mint julep and international wines, to dishes such as Maryland-inspired crab cakes and a prime New York striploin steak.

That’s not all: there are also gastropub dishes at the West Beach sports lounge, themed international buffets at The Talk Restaurant, and The Falls café, where you can sit down to healthy breakfasts, all-day sandwiches and pizzas, and of course Mövenpick’s famous ice cream.

The Body Talk Wellness Centre is there to indulge the rest of your senses. Get your heart pumping with a workout in the fitness centre – lookout on sea views as you train on state-of-the-art treadmills and exercise bikes. Relax in the sauna and steam room before taking your pick of the restorative spa treatments. Why not indulge in the luxurious Caviar Signature Treatment? It includes a soothing hand and arm massage using caviar and pearl extract to restore your skin, leaving it with a healthy glow.

There’s also an on-site beauty salon, Hair Talk, which offers treatments for hair, skin and nails. While you’re off re-energising, the hotel will provide babysitting for the little ones: there’s a fun-filled Little Birds Club packed with games and activities that’ll feed their imaginations.

From family rooms to the lavish royal suite, each space in the hotel is bright, colourful and welcoming. Ocean and desert themes run subtly through the plush décor, whether in the form of wave motifs on the carpets or the palette of blues and sandy tones. Each morning, step outside to views of the ocean or gleaming skyscrapers from your private balcony.

Jumeirah Beach is famous for its pure white sands stretching along the coast, backed by glittering glass skyscrapers, and the hotel is located right at its heart. So it’s ideally situated whether you want to relax by the sea or explore all that Dubai has to offer. The shopper’s paradise of Dubai Marina Mall is just moments away, where you’ll find everything from H&M to Balmain.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and head to the calmer region of Jebel Ali for your all-inclusive trip to Dubai. Only 25-minutes from Dubai Marina, the JA Jebel Ali Hotel offers you a slice of peace and privacy, yet keeps you close to the liveliness that makes Dubai a world-class destination.

Admire the beauty of the Gulf Sea from a Family Two Bedroom Sea View room. Decked out in neutral tones and boasting two ensuite bathrooms and two standing balconies, the whole family can spread out and get comfy. With two interconnecting rooms, the kids can also have their own little haven of privacy. The younger members of your clan, aged from 4 months to 12 years old, can head to the hotel’s kids club and make new holiday friends.

One of the most entertaining resorts in town, everyone can find their type of fun here. Adrenaline seekers can try out water skiing, wakeboarding or perfect their balance on a stand-up paddleboard. If you prefer something a bit calmer, the hotel boasts a championship standard resort golf course with a floodlit driving range. Or if you’re no Tiger Woods, keep it simple at the nine-hole mini-golf course.

For a calmer Dubai getaway, this all-inclusive resort has you covered with an 800-metre palm-lined private beach and two outdoor swimming pools with underwater music.

The Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa is an ideal five-star home-away-from-home during your time in sunny Dubai. All 361 rooms are decked out in neutral hues and plush bedding, making it feel like an oasis away from the excitement of the city.

If you want to take your all-inclusive trip to Dubai to the next level, why not book yourself into one of the beach villas? Wake up to freshly made Nespresso coffee on your private terrace while breakfast is being organised by your private Butler. There won’t be any need to mingle with other guests either as your Polynesian-designed villa boasts a private pool and Jacuzzi.

This resort takes relaxation to the next level at The So Spa. Put your wellbeing first and treat yourself to Oxygen Therapy, aimed at accelerating cell regeneration and improving the lustre of your skin and hair. Don’t miss out an opportunity to spend some time in the Hammam to finish off your pamper session in style. Once rejuvenated, spend the rest of your day by the temperature-controlled swimming pool surrounded by luscious gardens.

Not to worry, this isn’t an adults’ retreat, there’s plenty for the kids, too. Aside from riding the waterslides at the swimming pool, they can also spend their days hanging out in the Children’s Club and evenings in the Video Game area or watching cartoons on their in-room flatscreen TV.

At Rixos The Palm Dubai, there are exotic delights for the whole family. The Rixy Kids’ Club offers little ones an exciting world of mystical magic shows, action-packed treasure hunts and creative cooking classes. Children can splash around in their own pool area or clamber around the play equipment under careful supervision.

That means you can relax more deeply than ever, and the Turkish-inspired spa is the ideal place to do it. Intricately patterned tiles evoke the bygone splendour of the Ottoman Empire, while the authentic hammam re-energises your skin. Step into the steam room, Jacuzzi, ice fountain or sauna, or take some precious alone time with your partner in the private couples’ suites – try a Marrakesh-inspired treatment with argan oil, orange blossom and jasmine.

Inside your room, the décor is all about sophisticated comfort. Soft tones of cream and gold meet rich dark wooden furniture and parquet flooring. As for the views, floor-to-ceiling windows look out on the lush hotel gardens, the sparkling sea or Dubai’s iconic skyline.

Upgrade to a family suite for a private balcony with sun loungers and your own cabana by the pool or beach. When evening falls, lie back and soak in the marble bathroom’s generously deep tub – a staple in every room – before planning which of the hotel’s tempting restaurants to dine in.

With four restaurants and five bars, there’s a tantalising array of cuisines to try. Sip on a zingy G&T at the Highlights Bar before heading over the A La Turca for grills, kebabs and mezze inspired by Turkey – live music in the evenings really sets the atmosphere.

Alternatively, try Italian cuisine in romantic surroundings (sometimes with live classical music) at L’Olivo, fresh seafood served out by the lagoon of Palm Jumeirah at Aqua & More, or feast on Wagyu or Argentinian steaks while the DJ spins the decks at Toro Loco Steakhouse. For dessert at any time, head to Patisserie Istanbul’s 24-hour café, where you can snack on delectable baklava with strong coffee.

Stroll out onto the private beach in the evening, and thanks to the carefully planned design of Palm Jumeirah and its lagoons, you’ll be treated to a dreamlike view of shining skyscrapers lighting up the sky and ocean. In the daytime, simply lie back on the soft sands and relax, or take a refreshing swim in the peaceful waters of the private lagoon. Don’t miss the chance to go deeper with the help of the hotel’s scuba diving instructors. They’ll help you explore the crystal clear waters and get up close with the marine life – you might even spot a sea turtle.