Just back from DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah

So… the summer holidays were coming around again and that all important question was being asked, where were we going to go?!

This year possessed a lot of unknowns with the lingering Covid-19 but we were determined to get on a plane and that we did!

Away we went for a three week stay to The DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah in Dubai. After three weeks it felt like we were part of the furniture and I’m sure the staff were beginning to think we had moved in.

Private beach

I decided to fly out a week before the family by myself with two children, 7 years and 16 weeks… However, it was a really pleasant experience. Bags and buggy checked in, baby strapped in a carrier and eldest hand in hand, we were all set for our adventure.

Fast forward and we had landed in the ever slightly warm Dubai!

Now, the question that everyone was asking, and I hear you ask… Yes, it was hot, it was 52c at one point to be precise. However, don’t let this put you off a summer holiday in Dubai.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa Marjan Island offer a complimentary shuttle bus. For a small fee, we opted for a private car to pick myself, the kiddies and what felt like everything except the kitchen sink up.

From Dubai airport, the journey was just under an hour with lots to see enroute. Including a camel sticking their head through the window!

Oh hello!

Upon arrival of the hotel, staff were on hand to welcome and help with check in. All checked in and complimentary warm cookies handed to my eldest – sugar fest! We were escorted to our room.

DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Marjan Island

The hotel is divided into three sections; The main hotel building, Villa style pool rooms and the Bay Club rooms.

We were staying in the Villa style pool rooms, also known as the ‘brown rooms’. These rooms are a great size for a family, with a huge bathroom and easy access to the children’s areas. However, they were a little shabby and seemed to lack love, a little bit of TLC was much needed.

If you’re thinking about booking, I highly recommend booking a Bay Club room. Overlooking the beach, these are completely different and don’t even feel like the same hotel!

Bay Club Beach and Pool

The Bay Club rooms have recently been refurbished to a high standard and scream luxury, ‘The blue rooms’. From the sliding doors entering into the beautifully carpeted hallways, adorning light fixtures and even touch doorbells to each room, this is the place to be!

If you really want to take full advantage, request a ground floor room, wake up in the morning, make yourself that all important coffee with the complimentary Nespresso machine and step out onto your seating area that extends onto the beach, to watch the most beautiful sunrises.

Bay Club Room

Another fantastic perk of being in the Bay Club room, is the access you gain to a much quieter part of the restaurant.

Breakfasts were busy in the main restaurant and on the first day, it was somewhat overwhelming. Staff were beyond amazing and escorted me and the kiddies to another restaurant, The Brasserie. This is the place to have your breakfast! A small restaurant overlooking the pools, much quieter with a lovely personal feel. Making those early morning starts a pleasure.

Being the summer holidays, anywhere in the world, there’s that rush for sunbeds in the morning. Have you ever woken up, nudged your partner and said, “your turn to go put the towels out!”

This brings me onto my next top tip, just be lovely to the pool staff and you won’t have to!

By the end of the first day, I’d made friends with staff and had secured myself a set of sun beds every day by the main pool! This meant I could take my time getting ready with the children, slowly enjoy breakfast in the peaceful Brasserie and poodle down to the pool when we felt like it, knowing we had an ‘area’ reserved!

Main Pool

There are a range of pools.

  • Two adult only pools, one inside and one outside, obviously I didn’t have the pleasure of enjoying this but as we walked past daily, it looked lovely!
  • An infinity pool by the Bay Club rooms, less sunbeds but on the beach.
  • The baby/children pool, amazing in the hot weather as it’s shaded by sails!
  • The main pool, that is huge! This was our daily stop!

The main pool is in the middle of everything. It’s next to the children’s pool so the kiddies can get that all important shade, all-inclusive bar, water slides, beach and so much more!

Waterpark

There’s a vast selection of daytime activities for you and the kiddies to join in with, from water aerobics to yoga on the lawns. Or if you want to spend a few hours in the adult only pool, there’s a gorgeous kids club with a range of activities scheduled daily and even a climbing wall that you can drop them at. Whilst you sit back and enjoy a cocktail or two.

Don’t miss out on the evening activities either, such as kids’ discos or karaoke. If you fancy venturing out, why not book some activities such as a safari dinner or dune bashing!?

As the sun starts to set, I don’t know about you, but my question is always, what’s for dinner! The hotel consists of something for everyone. There’s the main restaurant that is buffet style, with a wide range of cuisine that changes daily. A great stop for the kids to be self-sufficient and have the freedom to help themselves to the kids’ section of the buffet.

You then have the themed restaurants that you can book at reception. These consist of: French, Italian, Asian and Tapas. Let me put it this way, I could’ve eaten at the Asian restaurant every night! Incredible food and setting, where it has an open kitchen to watch the chefs prepare your food.

Sanchaya – Asian Restaurant

A close second was the Tapas restaurant. These aren’t included in your basic all-inclusive package; however, they are a very small surplus and totally worth it!

After three weeks, I can safely say, this hotel has everything you need for a fab holiday and will put a smile on everyone’s face. You sure will never be bored in the UAE.

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