Jumeirah Resort and Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai, UAE
Airing Date: Nov 29th, 2004
When you think of family holidays overseas it's not the Middle East that springs to mind. However, there are few places in the world as dedicated to leisure as Dubai.
The ruling sheikhs are big on family, so most attractions are extremely family-oriented. Whether you're visiting on a European stopover or you've come to stay for a while, Dubai is bound to impress.
If you're looking for accommodation, you can't go past the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. This hotel is set to inspire and dazzle. It's received countless awards, and Conde Nast magazine even voted it the best hotel and best resort in the world. The moment you walk in you'll understand exactly why.
This landmark 26-storey hotel has 618 oceanfront rooms, and is designed in the shape of a breaking wave. If you think that's impressive, check out the 20 odd restaurants and bars on offer.
There are also four swimming pools, seven tennis courts, three squash courts, a marina, water sports galore, a health spa and a fitness centre. Jumeirah is just bursting with facilities. There's even a man-made coral reef for scuba diving guests!
There are plenty of water activities at Jumeirah, and right next door to the hotel is one of the best water parks in the world. It's called Wild Wadi Water Park, and if you're staying at the resort entry is free. The park offers 12 acres of pure fun, with 23 adrenalin-pumping rides that leave you gasping for more.
When the owners first dreamed of building Wild Wadi, they decided to create a water park that was totally unique. They went globetrotting, travelling everywhere from the States to the Far East, and the end result was Wild Wadi.
Rides include the Jumeirah Sceirah, the tallest and fastest slide outside the United States, the aptly titled Tunnel of Doom, which takes you on a spine-tingling underground journey of twists and turns, the Summit Surge, which uses high-powered water jets to propel up to four people uphill, and the Wipeout, where the adventurous can surf a tube wave nearly three metres high.
The facts:
Emirates fly to Dubai. Prices start from $2030 ex Brisbane, $2030 ex Melbourne, $2360 ex Sydney and $1920 ex Perth. Includes taxes. Subject to exchange rates.
Emirates
Tel: 1300 303 777
Rooms at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel start at $672 per night twin share.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Tel: 0011 97 14 348 0000
Wild Wadi
Suggested reading material: Lonely Planet
Prices correct at 29/11/04
