AJMAN & RAS AL KHAIMAH

An exploratory road trip that ends with a luxe hotel is a staycation well played

KEMPINSKI HOTEL AJMAN

The 500-metre private beach is the biggest drawcard to this hotel, with watersports like windsurfing, waterskiing and even parasailing sure to elicit giggles from the kids, who will also become obsessed with the hotel’s colourful beach buggy, delivering chilled drinks and ice cream right to your sun lounger. Treasure hunting, face painting and Zumba classes will entertain the little ones from ages four to 12 at Kempinski Kids’ Club, but surely the most kitsch and fun family activity (especially if you have teens) is heading to Cosmic Bowling, a sixlane bowling alley in the hotel – karaoke optional. www.kempinski.com

WALDORF ASTORIA, RAS AL KHAIMAH

Peacefully placed on a 350-metre stretch of Ras Al Khaimah beachfront, with two enormous temperature controlled swimming pools and a kids’ pool, there’s fun for all ages at this luxurious hotel with all manner of watersports from scuba diving to banana and donut rides, along with adventure activities – from fishing to desert safari expeditions and even horse riding; the hotel works closely with a local stable and can arrange special lessons for horse-loving kids. When the temperature rises, the kids’ club has a daily programme of activities such as cookie making and movie time, as well as a large outdoor, grassed area complete with slides and play equipment. It should keep the kiddies entertained long enough for you to duck off an have a massage or play a round of golf on one of two 18-hole courses, or you can beat the heat as a family at nearby Iceland Water Park, with thrilling water slides, Penguin Bay an Aqua Soccer playground and Olympic-sized swimming pool. waldorfastoria3.hilton.com

Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah