Evie’s Edit: a luxury family holiday to Dubai, the teenager's take.
Recently, we welcomed Evie to the Black Opal office for her work experience. She shared with us memories of amazing family holidays. We're happy to share them with you, too, in Evie's Edit!
Last May, I had the pleasure of visiting Dubai, and it was one of my favourite holidays I have ever been on!
We stayed for three nights at Atlantis the Palm.
We arrived around 8AM, and headed straight to the hotel, where we were greeted by the huge the Lost Chambers Aquarium inside the lobby! Home to sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses and more species of fish than you could ever imagine. There were so many different activities that took place in the aquarium, such as aquatheater shows where you can watch divers feed and interact with sea life in dramatic, staged feedings; touch tanks where you can handle starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and other gentler creatures; behind‑the‑scenes tours including the Fish Hospital, exploring conservation efforts, and joining guided sessions led by very knowledgeable marine educators; and underwater activities like Shark Snorkel, Aquatrek helmet walk, scuba dives, and even underwater yoga amid rays and jellyfish!
It is also home to the biggest waterpark in the world, just steps from the hotel, which was another standout. There’s something for everyone—terrifyingly steep slides like Poseidon’s Revenge and Leap of Faith, where you drop through shark tanks at incredible speeds, plus gentler attractions like the lazy river and wave pools. The Rapids River ride was surprisingly exciting too, with real currents and wave surges that made it feel like a wild river adventure. There’s even a zipline that soars over the park, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the whole place. For younger guests, the Splashers area is perfectly designed with mini slides and splash zones.
Dining is a huge part of the Atlantis experience, and the variety is impressive. From celebrity chef restaurants like Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen to the Michelin-starred seafood haven Ossiano, where you dine next to a massive aquarium, every meal can be an event. There’s Nobu for upscale Japanese, Hakkasan for modern Chinese, and Saffron for lavish buffets. My personal favourite, was the Wavehouse, with its own arcade, 4 bowling lanes, a huge soft- play and a thrilling outdoor wave rider for post- dinner entertainment.
Top tip! If you upgrade to an Imperial Club room or a suite, you’ll get access to private lounges, complimentary afternoon tea, sunset cocktails, and personalized service that really elevates the stay. (It also provides immediate room check-in for your early morning flights!)
We also stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, located in the heart of the Jumeirah Beach Residence area, offers a completely different, but equally luxurious experience compared to big-scale resorts like Atlantis. It’s more refined and intimate, catering to those who prefer a quieter, more elegant atmosphere while still being close to all the action of Dubai. The grounds are beautifully kept, with manicured gardens, palm trees, water features, and winding paths leading to the pools and private beach.
Dining at The Ritz-Carlton is one of its biggest standouts. Each restaurant feels thoughtfully designed and focused on its cuisine. Blue Jade serves some of the best pan-Asian dishes in the city! Splendido offers classic Italian dishes in a romantic courtyard. Amaseena is a must-visit—it’s an open-air experience with live music, shisha, traditional Arabic grills, and lantern-lit tents.
One of the best parts of staying here is the service. The staff are warm, polished, and genuinely attentive without being overbearing. From beach attendants offering cold towels and sun cream to restaurant hosts remembering your name and favourite drink, the hospitality is personalized and discreet.
Finally, we stayed at Lapita Hotel for 3 nights, nestled within Dubai Parks and Resorts, which offers a unique Polynesian-themed retreat. Its proximity to Motiongate Dubai, and Legoland Dubai, enhancing its appeal, making it an ideal choice for families and thrill-seekers.
The park is divided into several distinct zones:
- DreamWorks Zone: Home to rides and experiences based on hits like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Madagascar. Highlights include Dragon Gliders, a suspended coaster that simulates flying with Toothless, and Madagascar Mad Pursuit, a high-speed with lots of cool neon lights. (Top tip! This section is all air conditioned, perfect for super sunny days).
- Sony Pictures Zone: Features attractions like Ghostbusters: Battle for New York, an interactive 3D dark ride where guests team up with the Ghostbusters to capture ghosts around New York City, and Zombieland Blast-Off, a thrilling drop tower ride inspired by Zombieland.
- Lionsgate Zone: Focused on action-packed experiences such as John Wick: Open Contract, a multi-sensory 4D roller coaster that plunges riders into the world of the legendary assassin John Wick, and the incredible Hunger Games zone immersing you into the dystopian world of Panem, from Peeta’s bakery to the thrilling Capitol Bullet Train Rollercoaster.
- Smurfs Village: A colourful and family-friendly area ideal for younger kids, with gentle rides and interactive play zones.
Lapita also provides 5-minute shuttles to the nearby, Legoland Dubai! One of the central attractions is miniland—an air-conditioned indoor area where over 20 million LEGO bricks have been used to recreate iconic cityscapes and landmarks from across the Middle East and huge cities from around the world, many of which have interactive elements that respond to the push of a button. Across the park, there are more than 40 rides and attractions spread through zones like Lego City, where kids can get their own Lego driving license or captain a boat, and the Adventure zone, which includes treasure hunts, water rides, and rides like Beetle Bounce. As well as Lego Studios 4D, where movies come alive with multi-sensory effects like wind, water, and lighting.
I absolutely loved my time in Dubai and would recommend it for families with children of any age!
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation for your own family holiday.
Back to all blog posts
