🌴 Anantara The Palm: The Family Resort That Surprised Us in the Best Way
This trip was one of those rare, magical occasions where it was just my husband and me — no pram, no snack bag, no one asking for the toilet at the exact moment the seatbelt sign comes on. But because we’re parents and can’t switch off that part of our brains, we still did the full tour of the kids’ facilities to see whether Anantara, The Palm would work for a future family holiday. Spoiler: we were very impressed.
📍Location
Anantara The Palm sits on the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, giving families a peaceful beachfront base with wide Arabian Gulf views. Its location on the outer crescent keeps the atmosphere calm and spacious, away from the busier trunk of the Palm, yet still just a short drive from Atlantis, The Pointe, and the mainland. From here, you can enjoy a private stretch of beach, easy resort-style living, and convenient access to Dubai’s major attractions, with most journeys taking around 10–30 minutes depending on where you’re heading. We had heard some horror stories about the traffic coming on and off The Palm but we really didn’t have an issue with this throughout our stay (Maybe we just had our timing on point!)
🛏️Accommodation
Anantara The Palm has a really unique layout compared to most Dubai resorts, with rooms spread across low‑rise buildings, peaceful garden pathways, and those signature lagoon pools that wind through the property. Guests can choose from standard or Lagoon Access Suites close to the main resort hub, spacious rooms in the North and South Residences (set slightly further away from the main hub), or the resort’s show‑stoppers — the over‑water villas perched above the sea.
We opted for the Premier Lagoon View Suite, and it was such a lovely choice. The suite was big, bright, and beautifully laid out, with those calm lagoon views that make mornings feel slow and peaceful. The upgrade itself didn’t cost much, and it genuinely felt worth every penny for the extra space and the scenery.
If you’re travelling as a family, the Deluxe Family Lagoon Access Room is for you!! It comes with a separate sleeping area for children, complete with bunk beds, playful but tasteful child‑friendly décor, and fun touches like teepees and bean bags. It’s one of those room types that instantly makes kids feel at home while giving parents a little extra breathing space — a win on every level.
🏊♀️ Swimming Pools
The resort has a brilliant mix of pools, each offering something a little different depending on the kind of day you’re having. The main beachfront pool is the lively heart of the resort, with plenty of space, a relaxed atmosphere, and easy access to the beach for those back‑and‑forth sand‑and‑swim moments. It’s also where you’ll find the most sunbeds!
One of the things that really stood out to us around the pools was the service. Throughout the day, staff wandered by with frozen fresh‑fruit lollies, little bowls of fresh fruit, and even sunglass‑cleaning — such simple touches, but they make you feel genuinely looked after. And the pool bar cocktails were excellent. You’ll also find the kids club playing pool games here at certain points during the day!
Winding through the centre of the property are the lagoon pools, which are such a standout feature of Anantara. These calm, meandering waterways give the whole resort a tropical, villa‑style feel, and they’re perfect if you prefer quieter swims or want to be close to your room. Families staying in lagoon‑side rooms or suites can slip straight into the water from their terrace, which makes quick dips with little ones incredibly easy.
🍽️ Dining
For this Dubai trip - we booked the half board package. We got a great deal and decided it was worth it even if we did eat out some days! Anantara has a really varied dining scene, and even with half board we never felt limited or repetitive.
Crescendo is the resort’s main all‑day dining spot, and it’s a great fit for families. Mornings start with a big international breakfast featuring live stations and plenty of fresh choices. You can return for a generous buffet at lunch, or come back in the evening for one of the rotating themed dinners. Weekends have their own relaxed feel, with a laid‑back Saturday brunch and long outdoor Sunday lunches. The terrace is bright and open, and there’s even a dedicated kids’ room so little ones can play while you finish your meal. Overall, it’s a warm, easygoing place to eat throughout the day.
Mai Bar is the resort’s easygoing pool and beach bar — perfect for a cocktail after a swim or a refreshing watermelon crush between dips. Light bites, platters, burgers and salads are served straight to your lounger all day, and the swim‑up bar makes everything feel effortlessly holiday‑ready. Stay for sundowners as the beach glows in the evening light.
The Beach House - a bright, waterfront spot serving easy Mediterranean favourites like wood‑fired pizzas and crispy calamari. It’s relaxed by day and beautifully atmospheric at sunset — and it quickly became our favourite place for nighttime cocktails thanks to the views and the laid‑back vibe.
Mekong is the resort’s signature Asian restaurant, serving beautifully crafted Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese dishes in a cosy, lantern‑lit setting. It’s perfect for a relaxed evening meal and a lovely change of pace during your stay.
Bushman’s is the resort’s signature spot for steak lovers, serving a hand‑selected range of premium cuts matured in‑house for incredible flavour. The menu focuses on beautifully grilled meats, classic sides, and a strong wine list — simple, high‑quality dining done really well.
Revo Cafe is a lovely spot for something lighter, whether you’re after a good coffee, a nourishing breakfast, or a simple lunch with Gulf views. You can sit indoors or out, enjoy pastries, smoothies, or fresh dishes, and take in the calm stretch of Jumeirah below. It’s an easy, wholesome café that works just as well for a quick stop as it does for a relaxed meal.
Lotus Lounge sits on the upper level of the resort and is a lovely spot to pause for afternoon tea or enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets over the Palm. In the evenings, the atmosphere shifts with ambient music and creative drinks from the bar.
🌿 Anantara Spa
I can’t leave this post without mentioning the spa — genuinely one of my favourites I’ve ever visited. It has the most calm and luxurious feel and the treatment menu ranges from traditional hammam rituals to modern wellness options. You can go all in with a full day of pampering, try a Turkish or Moroccan hammam, book beauty treatments, or even opt for IV therapy if you want something more restorative. It’s the kind of place you walk out of feeling lighter, calmer, and a little bit obsessed.
Highly recommend!
🎨 Tuk-Tuk Kids Club
We didn’t have the kids with us this time, but we still popped in for a look — and honestly, it felt like a little haven for younger guests. The Tuk-Tuk Kids Club is packed with creative activities like arts and crafts, games, sports and even sandcastle building!
Meanwhile, the Chill Teens Club gives older kids their own space with foosball, air hockey, video games and themed evenings. Everywhere we looked, the children around the resort were having an absolute blast, which says it all.
✨ Final Thoughts
Anantara The Palm completely exceeded our expectations — from the food and the views to the little details that make a holiday feel effortless. Even without the kids this time, we could see just how brilliantly the resort caters to families, and it’s somewhere we’d happily return to with them in tow. Whether you’re here for slow mornings, beach days, incredible dining or a bit of spa‑level bliss, it’s the kind of place that leaves you planning your next visit before you’ve even checked out.
