Bye Bye Dubai?

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort boasts four eateries. I ate a fantastic evening meal in the Swaad restaurant, which specialises in innovative Indian cuisine and the masala tea (perfected with much debate from the cheerful staff) is a must. The Views restaurant hosts a magnificent buffet breakfast, with trays of succulent mango, orange, mandarin and melons. The Taste restaurant has impressive views across the pool and beach, and offers decadent Thai fusion cooking, book early though as it can get busy! For light refreshments there is a lobby tea and dates pastry shop (dates being a traditional Arabic delicacy) perfect to refresh after a long day seeing the sites, or lazing by the pool. Don't miss Astros rooftop bar, where you can enjoy a cool cocktail while taking in the awesome views out to sea.

The resort is very child-friendly and kids of all ages can spend the day at the Penguin club which has three trained staff; a nurse, a teacher and a language therapist. Here, the kids can enjoy their own little luxuries, with a covered pool to protect from the sun, indoor play rooms, a climbing frame and much more. It is shaded and well maintained, and when I popped in the kids were having a whale of a time. The Penguin club closes at 6pm, but parents can book a babysitter for the evening through the hotel concierge.