Overview
Spanning over one million square metres, JA The Resort is perhaps Dubai’s ultimate experience resort — and JA Palm Tree Court is its tropical, family-oriented heart. Here, you’ll swap skyscrapers for lush gardens and stress for space, as roaming peacocks and babbling streams full of fish feel more ‘nature reserve’ than bustling city resort. Parents will be astounded by the sheer quantity of on-site activities, spanning horse riding at the equestrian centre, shooting at the private range, padel & tennis, a pristine 9-hole golf course and spoiling ‘Calm’ spa. Meanwhile, tiny travellers will quickly settle into their own holiday rhythm: making friends at the kids’ clubs (with a caring crèche for babies from four months), paddling between almost double-digit pools, and burning off energy at the shaded splashpad, playground and waterpark
The all-suite setup is a huge win for families — spacious, bright and airy, they’re designed for spreading out, arranged in pretty low-rise ‘villas’ never more than a couple of minutes from the sea. Mealtimes are genuinely enjoyable thanks to excellent à la carte dining included in the all-inclusive plan (though options start from B&B), with enough variety to keep even fussy eaters happy and designated kids menus at almost every restaurant. And with an 800-metre stretch of private beach, calm shallow water, and some of the most magical sunsets we’ve been lucky enough to see, it’s easy to understand why JA The Resort becomes a “let’s book it again next year” favourite for so many families
We know the details matter when travelling with children. Want to know what JA Palm Tree Court was really like for our family? Read our first-hand review here
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Flight
It is around a 6 hour 45 minute direct flight from London to Dubai International Airport (DXB) – which is mega manageable when it comes to winter sun! Most alternate destinations clock in at 9 hours or more!
Transfer
The hotel is a 45 minute transfer away. If you book via Tiny Travel Agency, we can arrange this for you (so you can cross at least one thing off your holiday to do list – age appropriate car seats included, obviously!)
Best time to visit
If Dubai is known for one thing, it’s the city’s failsafe sun – to say rain is a rarity is an understatement. You really can’t go wrong any time between mid October and the end of April (for more info, check our monthly temperature breakdown below)
October: Average highs of 33°
November: Average highs of 31°
December: Average highs of 26°
January: Average highs of 24°
February: Average highs of 24°
March: Average highs of 27°
April: Average highs of 32°
Favourite room
The short answer – you can’t really go wrong. One of JA Palm Tree Court’s many selling points is its super generous room sizes (the smallest option comes in at 60sq m, and every single suite has its own private outdoor area). The suites are spread out over 10 low-rise ‘villa’ buildings, joined by winding paths and flowing streams, giving the hotel a lovely, laidback tropical feel
Junior Suites, the entry level option, come with either Garden or Sea views -best enjoyed from your private balcony – and can sleep 2 adults in a king size bed, plus 2 children on a sofa bed, and one infant in a cot (though to note, this is all sharing the same sleeping area – albeit, a very large one!)
Taking a step up into the next level of luxury, Terrace Junior Suites come with their own little garden, complete with seating area and sunloungers (and if you really want to indulge, there are beachfront options available)
Or if separate sleeping spaces are a non-negotiable, One Bedroom Suites (Sea View or Beachfront) promise a master bedroom as well as a separate living area. These are perfect for slightly bigger broods, as they’re able to accommodate 2 adults, 3 children, plus an infant in a cot
The largest and most lavish of all, the Sea View Residence Two Bedroom Suite has ‘multi gen getaway’ written all over it. Boasting two en-suite bedrooms plus a sprawling living space and ‘wow’ terrace, this has (more than enough) room for 4 adults, 3 children and an additional infant in a cot (honestly, it’s bigger than my whole house!)
Nearby
Tucked away on its own 800m stretch of golden sand at the quieter end of Dubai, JA The Resort feels blissfully removed from the hustle and bustle – yet you’re surprisingly close to the action once you’re relaxed, rested, and ready to dip your toe into city life!
The resort is just a 20 minute drive away from Dubai Parks & Resorts, featuring family favourites like Motiongate, LEGOLAND Dubai and Real Madrid World (the first ever football theme park)
The glitz of Dubai Marina and plenty of shopping temptation in world-renowned malls are in easy 45 minute reach too – and the resort runs regular, complimentary shuttles should you want to explore
Or if you head in the opposite direction, up-and-coming Abu Dhabi is an hour away (now home to a whole host of theme parks, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and Yas Waterworld amongst others)
Though honestly, with a private marina, 9-hole golf course, equestrian centre, mini farm and 9 pools spread across the resort’s 1 million square metre plot, there’s little need to leave its lush grounds (we had a whole host of plans, but couldn’t drag ourselves away!)
Price
from £430 p/night
FAQs
What family facilities are there, and how much do they cost?
Make sure you’re comfy, because this might take a while – there is so much on offer!
Starting with the tiniest of tots, there’s babysitting available upon request, starting at £25, which must be booked 24hours in advance. Then there is also a (paid) creche from 4 months which runs 2 sessions a day, six days a week, in the kids club (for between £40 and £50 per 3 hour session, depending on age). Outside, the splashpad is appropriate for even the youngest of tiny travellers, as here lots of different sprinklers and water features are spread across a soft, colourful and shaded surface babes can lie or sit on, as well as crawl around. This is right next to a little playground as well, with a slide, swings, trampolines and a few other toys. Separately, there’s a great tots splash pool (again, protected from the sun) with lots of loungers around the edge – so you’re never in danger of having nowhere to sprawl
Slightly older tiny travellers (age 4+) get one hour free at the kids club per stay, but extra sessions are perfectly reasonable, at around £10 for a 2hr session (if yours are anything like ours, they’ll be begging to go back! And to be noted, this is complimentary if you’re staying All Inclusive). The kids club runs a bumper agenda of activities from 10am until 6pm daily, including treasure hunts, kids zumba, dance sessions, bracelet making, kids cinema, magic wand making and oh-so-much-more. It’s worth noting you aren’t able to stay and play here, but elsewhere, there’s plenty of family fun to be had
The Kids Club is just across from the resort’s waterpark, which is paradise for those aged between 4-12, with a handful of slides and flumes as well as a giant tippy bucket that soaks anyone in reach every few minutes! And would you believe us if we said there’s even more as well? Spread across the resort you’ll also find mini golf, tennis and padel courts, a 9 hole golf course, equestrian centre (you can swim with the horses too!), kids grass football pitch, watersports, a mini farm & falcon shows. While most activities are in walking distance, a regular shuttle runs to those which are a bit further away (or if you just fancy saving your step count!)
Last but by no means least, is the private stretch of sandy 800m beach. This is everything you’d expect from Dubai – crystal clear, bath-water warm, shallow and still (in other words, dreamy sandcastle-building and splashing territory)
Which equipment is available to borrow for babies & children?
Cots, highchairs, baby bathtubs, sterilizers and bottle warmers are all available on request
What are the pools like?
Plentiful and gorgeous – I’d liken JA The Resort to an oasis, with either a swimming pool or the sea around every corner! There are 9 in total spread across the 3-hotel resort, including a great children’s splashpool at JA Palm Tree Court, and a couple of stunning seaview infinity spots. Guests of this hotel also get exclusive access to the Tamr pool, which tends to feel a little more serene (and is a huge selling point of this hotel in particular)
Elsewhere, there’s an adults-only pool at Lake View Hotel if you seize the opportunity whilst your little ones are in the kids club. And another big tick if you ask us – a couple of the pools (including one right down on the beach) have swim up bars, so a cocktail is never more than a glide away
The pools come in all shapes and sizes, and two things you can always be sure of – they’re beautifully warm thanks to Dubai’s balmy temperatures, and lifeguards are always in attendance!
Is there evening entertainment?
This runs on a rotating schedule but in a word, yes – upon arrival, you’ll be able to see what’s planned for the coming days. There tends to be family-friendly live music on in a few destinations across the resort, though there isn’t a mini disco or the like specifically for tiny travellers
What’s the protocol for allergies?
All restaurants are fully equipped to accommodate dietary needs. Just inform the team in advance (for example, upon check-in), and chefs can customise dishes where needed
What’s the dining set up?
Dining across the resort is fantastically flexible, with buffet, à la carte and all-inclusive options. Guests at JA Palm Tree Court are able to enjoy any of the restaurants across wider JA The Resort, from fine dining to Asian fare, delicious tapas, casual beachfront grills & gastropubs (there’s no shortage of choice, with 25 restaurants and bars to choose from in total, plus most open at 6.30pm!)
Room service is available 24/7 (at an extra cost), and kids’ menus feature at nearly every venue. The one thing we would say – book your restaurants in advance, as the a la carte options in particular are prone to getting fully booked during peak. If we had to pick some of our favourite spots:
- White Orchid – absolutely stand out, serving Southeast Asian fusion dishes worth writing home about in a family friendly (but make it refined) evening setting
- Kinara by Vikas Khanna – A gorgeous, gourmet Indian restaurant led by a Michelin-star chef in elegant surroundings
- Taperia — A warmly-welcoming Spanish tapas restaurant, perfect for sharing small plates and a few glasses of wine, where the kids will feel right at home
- Smokin’ Gun — A proper smokehouse joint that promises to deliver if you’re in the mood for something casual and hearty. Think burgers, oak-smoked meats, and frothy shakes
Meet the family...
@bec_pb
Parent to Tiny Travellers aged 5 & 1
Honestly, before visiting JA The Resort, I would have sworn I wasn't a resort girl - never had I lasted more than 3 days in any one hotel, without politely requesting our hire car keys back so we could go and explore! Really, it is the highest praise I can give that this wasn't the case at JA. We felt absolutely no need to leave! From the Kids Club (that my daughter begged to go back to daily), to the huge shaded splashpad, waterpark, gorgeous beach, tonnes of pools & mini golf, we were all totally in our element. And the vibes were really not what I expected of Dubai either - in the best possible way! It was so tranquil and tropical. We're already planning our return!
Worth waking the baby for
01
Splashpad and waterpark
A short stroll along the beach from the Palm Tree Court suites, the resort’s splashpad and waterpark cleverly sit right next to each other. While the tiniest of tots will love crawling around the splashpad, slightly bigger kids will be in awe of the action packed 4-slide waterpark
02
LEGOLAND Dubai
Just a short drive away, LEGOLAND® Dubai is a fantastic day out for all ages with a whole host of rides, engaging activities, and a water park. There’s so much to do, you’ll want to arrive early to make the most of your day (and we would strongly recommend booking online in advance as well)
03
Dubai Marina & JBR Beach
If you fancy swapping resort seclusion for a bit of city sparkle, head to Dubai Marina. Families can stroll the waterside promenade, hop on a boat tour or Dhow cruise, and enjoy beachfront dining at The Beach, JBR. There’s a kids’ splash area, mini rides, trampolines and plenty of ice cream stops, making it an easy win for all ages
