Lapita, Dubai Parks and Resorts, a Polynesian paradise for a family of 5

Kelly Bush @kellybush_travel

A slice of Polynesian paradise just outside central Dubai. Around a 30-minute drive from the city, this stunning resort is surrounded by palm trees and luxury, feeling like pure heaven from the moment you arrive.

We were greeted with hula necklaces and the warmest welcome, instantly setting the tone for our stay. While the hotel isn’t located in the heart of Dubai and therefore doesn’t have direct beach access, it more than compensates with a complimentary daily shuttle to JBR Beach, Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai Mall.

As a family of 5 who love a good theme and a water park, this hotel was a huge draw for us. Staying at the Lapita Hotel includes complimentary access to the nearby theme parks, including Motiongate (our favourite) Legoland, Legoland Waterpark, and Real Madrid World, with access depending on the length of your stay. The parks are only a 10–15 minute walk away from the hotel.

We stayed for 7 nights on an all-inclusive basis, which meant unlimited park access throughout our stay to all the parks. We absolutely loved it, spending most days by the pool before heading out to the parks late afternoon for the evenings before heading back to the hotel for dinner and cocktails.

Lapita offers an à la carte Asian restaurant, the Hikina, which was absolutely delicious. You do need to book in advance, but it’s well worth it and I highly recommended booking a visit. The food in both the main restaurant and the Ari Restaurant was equally impressive, with Ari quickly becoming a firm favourite which we enjoyed many lunches and dinner there. There’s also the option to dine poolside at the Ari Restaurant, which we loved. Within the hotels itself, you’ll also find a pizza restaurant serving some of the best pizza I’ve had, along with a dessert and ice cream parlour too we visited daily.

The resort features an on-site gym, a spa, a small park, and a kids’ club for younger children. In the mornings, there’s the chance to feed the fish and if you’re lucky, you might spot the gorgeous turtles too! Also look out for the characters walking around too who do love a hug! There are two pools available: a main pool and a shallow pool designed for young children. There’s also a lazy river to enjoy too!

During our stay, we made use of the hotel’s complimentary shuttle to visit the Mall, which was truly incredible and mind-blowing. The Mall features an indoor aquarium (with paid entry and a range of immersive experiences available inside), an indoor ice-skating rink, and just about every shop you could imagine. Just outside the Mall, you can see the iconic Burj Khalifa, and if you time your visit right, you may also catch the spectacular fountain show.

Our second outing was a speedboat trip from Dubai Marina. We booked an Uber from the hotel using the app, which made both the journey there and the return very straightforward and hassle-free.

It’s the little details that really make this hotel shine from fresh pool towels every day, drinks that can be ordered online and delivered straight to your sunbed, and your luggage taken directly to your room on arrival. Throughout the day, staff even bring ice pops around the pool for the kids, which is such a lovely touch. The service truly goes above and beyond, and the cleanliness is exceptional, the hotel was absolutely spotless throughout our stay.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of central Dubai, this hotel is a great choice. It’s ideal for families with children, as well as adults who enjoy theme parks, while still offering a calm and laid-back setting. Conveniently located less than 30 minutes from central Dubai, it strikes the perfect balance between relaxation and easy access to the city’s main attractions, truly the best of both worlds.

We absolutely loved our stay and are already planning to return very soon & we cannot wait!

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