What better way to take advantage of the fabulous weather at this time of year than by spending the days lounging with a book, splashing about, taking on new watersports or fitness classes or just spending quality time with family, at one or more of the emirates’ stellar beach clubs.
– #Quiz360: WIN dinner for 2 at Jumeira Rotana, Dubai
Here are our top spots…
Nation Riviera Beach Club
To arrive inside the Nation Riviera Beach Club guests can take a walk from the St Regis through a discreet, air-conditioned marble tunnel that runs below street level.
Awesome health and recreational facilities include 200 metres of private pristine beach, a fresh water, temperature-controlled swimming pool with swim-up bar and Jacuzzi, plenty of watersports and state-of-the-art exercise facilities, alongside beach circuit training, Pilates and sunrise/sunset yoga.
There are also luxury sauna and steam rooms, great dining at Cabana Bar & Grill, and various supervised indoor and outdoor activities for kids at the Treasure Island Children’s Club, distinctly designed as a mock pirate ship. Nanny services are also available.
Club entry per person (adult or child) on weekdays is Dh300, and Dh400 on Fridays and Saturdays, while those under four go free. 02 694 4780; www.nationrivierabeachclub.com
RIVA Beach Resort
A hit with a young, trendy, more svelte crowd who come for an evening SUP and sundowners set to throbbing music, RIVA is still worth a peek no matter your age or interest as it is incredibly easy on the eyes; think St Tropez meets Ibiza meets Dubai.
To be a member rewards you with full use of all its stylish facilities – sun loungers by the sea, the Shoreline Palm Jumeirah’s only climate-controlled pool, their Technogy-loaded gym, plus preferential rates for personal training, classes, beauty services and private bookings.
You’ll get invitations to any RIVA events and discounts on yacht charters, watersports and F&B. Friends and family are welcome free and only charged for pool/day bed/lounger use.
Daily entry is affordable at Dh100 per adult, Dh50 for kids, which includes sun lounger/daybed and towel. On weekends you pay Dh175 (Dh85 for kids 4-16). 04 430 9466; www.riva-beach.com
Saadiyat Beach Club
It may have been rebranded but it’s as full of taste and classic charm as ever, from its well run The Workout Room, where popular bootcamp programmes, yoga and barre classes are led by dedicated professionals; straight down to its serene stretch of beach with views of some of Saadiyat’s most ambitious developments.
Spa facilities are definitely worth a visit, and their pool area is one of the most stunning in the city, with attached cabanas so you can dive straight in and lap up luxury.
Meanwhile the restaurant, Safina’s, and evening hotspots Cabana9 and De La Costa, are some of the capital’s top venues right now.
Attractive memberships are offered, but take advantage now until February 28 when daily entry per adult is Dh175. Meanwhile, ladies are treated on Tuesdays and pay Dh125. 02 656 3500; www.saadiyatbeachclub.ae
Meydan Beach
It’s smack in the middle of busy The Walk, JBR, yet Meydan Beach is an elegant exclusive affair.
Enjoy access to deep blue infinity pools and a private beach, poolside dining, members’ gym, spa treatments and a salon. While the club seems more suited to adults – think Monte Carlo chic with white sun loungers and expensively dressed visitors – there is a play area and paddling pool for kids.
Day rates start at Dh250 per adult (incl. Dh100 F&B voucher) or Dh150 for entrance only; and kids from Dh75 (Under 4s are free).
Go glam and splash out Dh500 (weekdays, or Dh750 on weekends) for a cabana for more space; it includes a fruit platter and bottles of water for two people. 04 433 3777; www.meydanbeach.com
Yas Beach
Not only popular with the hotels nearby, whose guests have complimentary transport and access; even Abu Dhabi’s city dwellers regularly make their way over paying just Dh100 (weekends, half that on weekdays) for a prime spot in the sun on a stylishly tucked away shoreline.
You’ll find enthusiastic volleyballers and avid outdoor circuit trainers (they offer classes), as well as Noukhada Adventure on-site operating eco, non-motorised watersporting rentals from SUP to sail boats and kayaks that can take you round nearby mangroves, with views of Yas attractions and, randomly, a private ostrich farm.
Hot-white cabanas and DJ sets make it a popular lazy Saturday spot for young crowds. The food is fresh and yummy too. Changing facilities are standard and there’s no pool but it’s a great scene for what you pay, with affordable monthly and annual deals too. 056 242 0435; www.yasbeach.ae
Club Mina
Set on Dubai’s shoreline and combining the awesome facilities at both the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, you and yours are truly spoilt for choice.
They have 500m of private beach, five lovely pools and a watersports centre offering waterskiing, wakeboarding, windersurfing, SUP, banana boating and sailing for small additional sums. The children’s pool has a waterslide, while adults enjoy swim-up bars.
Entry Sunday to Thursday for adults is Dh225, Dh125 for kids aged 4-12; on weekends it’s Dh350, Dh175 for kids. Add a weekend BBQ and it costs Dh425 (adults) or Dh225 (kids). 04 399 4141; www.westinminaseyahi.com
Emirates Palace
The ultimate; with incredible, extensive facilities to ensure you’ll be there well past sunset.
Bring the kids too, they have their own dedicated play area with qualified overseers so you can spend some quality ‘you’ or ‘two’ time at the excellent newly rebranded spa, top-notch restaurants, near the sea sampling extensive watersport offerings, or chilling in one of Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful marinas.
They have an exhaustive list of fitness classes, popular tennis courts, a cycling/running path, two luxurious temperature-controlled pools, plus immaculate lawns with nice secluded pockets away from the sprawling beach for further relaxation and sunning, as well as a lovely lazy river.
‘Cultural snorkelling’ with interesting underwater sculptures is a quirky highlight, and bird and dolphin watching. Outdoor guests pay Dh500 on weekends and Dh300 on weekdays, and kids Dh300 and Dh150 respectively. 02 690 9000; www.kempinksi.com
Other worthy mentions:
Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi – Still reasonably priced, packed with fun and activities for kids as well as awesome dining and gym facilities for adults. They’ve got everything, down to free wi-fi. 02 697 9302
Jumeirah Beach Hotel – Going strong for over a decade with one of the best watersports centres in town and five-star food and service. With 700 sun loungers and 900m of beach, it’s huge yet still cosy. 04 348 0000
JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa – A fantastic family-friendly atmosphere. Peacocks strut around this desert oasis as visitors bask at one of the three freshwater pools. Kids have shaded pools of their own too. 04 814 5800
