As long as you have a nice pool to chill in (literally), a summer staycation in the UAE is a fun weekend option. Here are some great deals to book…

Provided there’s a very chilled pool, a summer staycation in a UAE hotel can actually be a very pleasant way to pass a weekend.

Even more pleasing is the bill at the end of the stay – almost all of the Emirates’ hotels offer cheaper deals over the scorching months, and so here’s a list of the best options in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and more.

Remember, daily rates will change based on when you’re booking and for what night you’re booking, so the prices quoted below won’t necessarily be exactly what you find. But they should be very close.

This is a rolling list that we’ll constantly update it as deals come in, so it’s definitely one to bookmark…

11 UAE SUMMER HOTEL DEALS

Cove Rotana

So what will I pay? Room rates over summer start from Dhs525 a night

Valid: The hotel’s cheaper summer rates run until September 3.

The deal: This large Ras Al Khaimah resort is made up of 204 rooms and 78 villas – it’s particularly good for families as there’s a children’s pool, a kids’ club with a baby sitting service and a menu for little ones. There are two infinity pools – although only one of them is chilled, the other is warm (which some people may prefer). The best food options is the Basilico, which serves delicious Mediterranean food. Oh, and there’s also a 600 metre stretch of beach for those early morning walks. 

More info on website. Tel: (07) 206 6000.

Media One Hotel

So what will I pay? Dhs500 per night… but you’ll be able to redeem that back in food and beverages.

Valid: Until August 31.

The deal: This chic hotel in Media City is offering a “stay for free” rate – basically, you pay Dhs500 for your room (plus a 10% municipality fee, 10% service charge and Dhs15 Tourism Dirhams), but they’ll give you Dhs500 back to spend on dining at any of the Media One-owned outlets during your stay. We’re big fans of Qwerty

More info and bookings on website. Tel: (04) 427 1000.

Lapita Hotel, Dubai Parks and Resorts

So what will I pay? Dhs822 for a one-night stay, plus two days multi-park access at Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Valid: Until September 30.

The deal: The Polynesian-themed Lapita Hotel is located right in the middle of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and is the perfect place for families to relax after hitting its world-class theme parks. This package includes unlimited access to Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Waterpark, plus unlimited Q-Fast access to Motiongate and Bollywood. You’ll receive two tickets per deluxe king room and four tickets per deluxe twin room, junior suite and family suite.

More info and bookings on website. Tel: (04) 449 0888.

Fairmont The Palm, Dubai

So what will I pay? From Dhs585 a night minus fees and taxes

Valid: May 27 to August 30

The deal: Relax for a weekend on the Palm at this hotel that boasts four temperature-controlled pools (key in the hotter months). With this deal you will get 10% off the best available rate, free buffet breakfast at Flow Kitchen as well as free dinner or lunch there. You will also get two complimentary hours of play at the Fairmont Falcon Kids’ Club for those over 3.

More info and bookings on website. Tel: (04) 457 3388.

Anantara Qasr Al Sarab

So what will I pay? Dhs1,999 per night for a pool villa with its very own private plunge pool (yes that’s a lot, but it’s usually a lot more)

Valid: May 15 to September 30

The deal: The atmospheric Qasr Al Sarab in the Empty Quarter is well worth the three-or-so-hour drive – you’ll feel completely away from it all when nestled among the mountainous sand dunes that surround it. You can get your very own one bedroom pool villa, with breakfast for two included for Dhs1,999 a night this summer.

And yes, it will be hot, but the fact the hotel is so far out in the desert means the heat is a drier heat all summer long.

More info and bookings on website. Tel: (02) 895 8700. 

Fairmont Fujairah

exterior fairmont fujairah

So what will I pay? We checked a random night in June and it came up as Dhs425 a night. 

Valid: May 1 to September 30

The deal: Stay at this new hotel over summer and you’ll get 20% off of the best available daily rate, as well as complimentary buffet breakfast and a 20% discount at Cafe Pronto, Arteasan and The Copper Lobster (the latter is the place to go for dinner).

Now, there’s a serious caveat here: the hotel’s beach and main pool isn’t yet ready, but they are offering a free shuttle to a neighbouring hotel’s private beach, and there is a perfectly lovely pool with a swim-up bar to use at the hotel too.

More information and bookings here. Tel: (800) 2088. 

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai

JW Marriott Marquis, Business Bay

So what will I pay? We checked a random night in June and the room rate was Dhs420 a night (and that’s without 20% off).

Valid: May 19 to August 21

The deal: This incredibly tall and incredibly popular inner-city Dubai hotel is offering an exclusive deal for UAE residents that means 20% off of the best available rate, complimentary breakfast at Kitchen 6, and then 20% off all food and drinks at 9 of the hotel’s restaurants and bars.

And the restaurants here are all very good – we love Rang Mahal and Prime68 – so this is a great gourmand staycation option.

Plus, there’s a chilled pool, and a great spa (with 4,300 square metres of wellness facilities) where all staycation guests can get 50% off of 60-minute massages from Sunday to Thursday.

More information and bookings here. Tel: (04) 414 0000. 

Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah

So what will I pay? From Dhs280 (minus taxes)

Valid: Friday May 19 to Sunday October 8

The deal: They’re offering 20% off of the already low rate this summer. The hotel doesn’t open until May 10 so if you book it in you’ll be visiting a brand new property. It overlooks the Hajar mountains and has a huge garden – it’s in the centre of RAK’s business district so isn’t necessarily a super-obvious staycation option, but it has a pool, is creek-side and the deal is on offer until October.

More information and bookings here. Tel: (07) 228 8888

Danat Al Ain

So what will I pay? Dhs259 minus taxes a night

Valid: May 1 to September 7

The deal: For Dhs259 (plus a 10% service charge, a Dhs15 room fee, a 6% tourism fee and a 4% municipality fee – phew!) you’ll get a night in this old-school family resort (it’s been going for around 25 years). The Dhs259 rate includes a buffet breakfast, a 25% discount in Tanjore (the Indian restaurant) and the Horse and Jockey Pub and free WiFi.

There are three pools, and while it’s a very kid friendly place there is a pool that’s adult’s only. This isn’t a luxury, couple’s getaway, but more of a cheaper family weekend away.

More info and bookings on website. Tel: (03) 704 6000. 

AND HERE’S ONE IN OMAN…

Al Baleed Salalah by Anantara

It’s a short flight away, sure, but remember Salalah remains cooler than most of the GCC throughout summer…

Valid: No particular dates.

So what will I pay? Dhs1,307 PER night for two nights (so Dhs2,614 for the stay), plus heaps of trimmings…

The deal: The new resort is on the coconut-lined beaches of Salalah – where June temperatures, for example, hover around the late-20s, early-30s. For Dhs1,307 you’ll get two nights, a free upgrade to the next room category, daily breakfast for two people, a late check out of 4pm, one signature cocktail per stay, and 20% off of food for the entire stay.

The hotel is situated between a beach and a freshwater lagoon, and is truly a resort. Relax at the infinity pool, send the little ones to the kids’ and teenagers’ clubs and walk to the Al Baleed Archaelogical Park, which is just a stroll away.

More info and bookings on website. 

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Photos: supplied