Your first holiday in dazzling Dubai is likely to be such a magical experience that it won't be long before you're making plans to return to this awe-inspiring Arabian Gulf destination.

From epic landmarks and fun-packed attractions, to vibrant nightlife and world-class dining, this sun-drenched getaway is a dream come true for families, couples and friends craving an unforgettable holiday of a lifetime. Dubai really has the wow factor, with its futuristic skyline, luxurious hotels, amazing theme and water parks, giant shopping malls, beautiful sandy beaches and impeccable hospitality. Check out the famous city sights, take to the sea for water sports thrills, barter for a bargain in a traditional souk or head off for an adventure in a vast desert wilderness. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why your first visit to Dubai is unlikely to be your last.

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Exceptional Hotels and Resorts

Dubai’s magnificent 5-star hotels and resorts are brimming with luxury, comfort, style and a level of unrivalled service which will make you feel like royalty. The emirate is home to palatial havens of opulence which will seriously impress you with their world beating design, exquisitely-appointed accommodation, top-class dining venues, extraordinary leisure amenities and phenomenal entertainment. A host of incredible attractions include glistening infinity pools, cutting-edge gyms, sumptuous spas, excellent kids clubs, bowling alleys and private cinemas. Some also have their own pristine sandy beaches, championship golf courses, dive centres and superb water parks. Extensive all-inclusive concepts, in-room dining, concierges, 24-hour room service, shuttle buses, valet parking and limousine pick-ups are among the services available which allow you to really live the good life throughout your stay.

Sun, Sea and Sand

A winning combination of sun, sea and sand will ensure hours of fun and pleasure for anyone visiting Dubai for the first time. Chill out and soak up the glorious sunshine in a lounger, sip a refreshing drink in a beachside retreat or enjoy volleyball and other games on the sands. Alternatively, you’ll find a host of exhilarating water sports, including wakeboarding, paddleboarding, flyboarding, jet skiing, kneeboarding and waterskiing. Pedal and banana boat rides, canoeing, scuba diving, fishing, sailing and romantic catamaran cruises are other exciting activities in the gulf waters. This enchanting destination is also home to exclusive beach resorts boasting plush restaurants, comfy cabanas, temperature-controlled pools and plenty of entertainment. Dubai Marina is a must-visit spot, offering a charming waterside promenade and blonde sands at Jumeirah Beach Residence, luxury yachts, smart cafes and pop-up craft markets.

Amazing Attractions

Dubai is in a league of its own when it comes to phenomenal attractions. Jaw-dropping landmarks include the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa), Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Frame. The city is also home to the world's deepest indoor pool, the world’s largest dancing fountain show and Aquaconda, the world’s longest water slide. Learn about the fascinating history of the emirate in the Dubai Museum, descend the giant icy slope in Ski Dubai and visit an underwater world at Dubai Aquarium. Then there’s Dubai Safari Park and the legendary theme and water parks, including Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks and Resorts, featuring Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park. Other key attractions include Dubai Opera, Dubai Mall, Museum of the Future and Dubai Miracle Garden.

Fabulous Food

When it comes to dining, Dubai has all options covered, with everything from fast food favourites to gourmet meals in world-class restaurants. You’ll discover cuisines from around the globe, as well as a plethora of mouth-watering local dishes. These include Harees, a porridge-like favourite featuring crushed wheat mixed with meat or chicken, and Majboos, which comprises basmati rice, various meats and wonderful Arabian spices. The city’s giant shopping malls boast a multitude of dining venues, while other informal dining choices include beachfront BBQs, pleasant cafes, big-name food chains and lively street food trucks. Popular street food spots for some flavoursome fare include Sultan Falafel in Deira and Al Habasha in Deira’s Abu Hail area. Dubai’s luxury hotels are home to top-class dining venues and the city now has its own Michelin guide, with plenty of Michelin-starred or recognised restaurants to choose from.

Sensational Activities

Enthralling activities can be found everywhere in Dubai – in the city, the desert, the waters and even in the air. Swim with dolphins, head out to sea on a fishing trip or scuba dive beneath the waves. Enjoy a splashing time in Wild Wadi Waterpark and take the plunge on the Leap of Faith, a 30-metre near-vertical slide at Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark. Dare to ride the zipline in Dubai Marina, get a bird’s eye view of the city at the Sky Views Observatory, hit the heights in Dubai’s amazing indoor skydiving centre iFLY or take off for parasailing, hot air balloon and helicopter thrills. The desert offers more fun, with camel rides, dune-bashing buggy safaris and quad biking among the delights on offer, while the city is a shopper’ paradise, with traditional souks, glitzy boutiques and high-end malls offering the opportunity for some retail therapy.

Dubai has an arid desert climate, with two distinct seasons of summer and winter. There's plenty of sunshine all year round, with an average of 8 to 10 hours a day when you can catch some rays. September to April is an excellent time to visit when it's warm and sunny, creating ideal conditions for getting out and about to discover everything this amazing destination has to offer. Temperatures soar from May to August, with the mercury hovering around 30°C, but sometimes hitting 45°C. This is, however, a good time to clinch a great-price holiday deal and enjoy hours of fun in the sea. Thankfully almost all of the shopping malls, restaurants and key indoor attractions are air-conditioned so the conditions are pleasant, even during the hot weather. Dubai experiences very little rainfall, with an average of just 68mm annually.

"Dubai really is a place you’ll want to return to again and again after your first visit – not least of all because there’s simply too much to see and do during one holiday there. This amazing destination really has it all, with its fantastic attractions which ensure a fabulous time for couples, families and groups of friends.

“Dubai certainly knows how to do things in a big way – from its world-famous landmarks and sensational theme parks to gigantic shopping malls and lavish restaurants. It’s non-stop thrills and spills in this marvellous getaway – even your hotel is likely to have a range of superb attractions, Many of them have stunning private beaches, luxurious spas and packed programmes of evening entertainment.

“Even more pleasure awaits when you venture outside the city to the mesmerising desert where a myriad of activities include camel rides, sandboarding, jeep safaris and meals under the stars in a traditional Bedouin camp.”

Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah

Succumb to sublime relaxation, comfort and tranquillity at this luxurious 5-star family-friendly hideaway on the iconic Palm Jumeirah. Enjoy heavenly nights in lavish accommodation offering beguiling gulf views, savour culinary delights from around the globe in gourmet dining venues and soak up the sun on a beautiful private beach. An array of other superb amenities include a plush spa, a beauty shop, a well-equipped gym and a sparkling swimming pool and a lively kids club.

Check out the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

The ultimate family holiday adventure awaits at this magnificent beachfront getaway which boasts a striking wave-shaped design. Fine dining experiences, tastefully-appointed beachside villas, a sensational spa and a fun-packed club for the little ones are among the delights you’ll discover. A plethora of other wonderful amenities include tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, 5 glistening swimming pools, a private beach and unlimited access to Wadi Wadi Waterpark.

Check out the Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort

It's 5-star luxury, elegance and service all the way at this magical escape where spectacular over-water villas are among the impressive accommodation options available. You’ll dine in style in a choice of top-class restaurants, experience head to toe pampering in a fabulous spa and enjoy water sports action on the 400m private beach. Other wonderful amenities include kids and teens clubs, tennis courts, 3 lagoon pools and a fully-equipped fitness studio.

Check out Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort