Beach getaways that will suit your pocket

Along with old favourites such as the Le Meridiens and Sheratons, residents will now be further spoilt for choice with elite clubs such as the Monte Carlo Beach Club and soon-to-open Blue Marlin Ibiza on Saadiyat Island. With six-figure annual memberships and a celebrity client list these may be redefining the concept of relaxing on the beach, and may not be for everyone, but the UAE is known to cater to all budgets. Manjari Saxena looks at a few beach getaways that will suit your pocket

Kempinski Hotel and Residences Palm Jumeirah

• Length of beach: 500 metres
• Price of day entry: Dh300 per adult, Dh120 per child between 2-16 (extended memberships available)
• Facilities offered: 1,200 sq m free-form swimming pool with an additional shaded pool for children, volleyball, table tennis, craig boat, kayak, paddleboarding, private cabanas.
• Towels and loungers cost: Included (but private cabanas separate)
• Kids' play area: Kids Club with a covered swimming pool
• Contact: 04-4442000. Visit www.kempinski.com/palmjumeirah

Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach

• Length of beach: NA
• Price of day entry: Day pool pass is Dh125 per person (weekday) and Dh150 per person (weekend). Hotel does not have a private beach.
• Operating hours: Pool is open from 8am-8pm
• Facilities offered: Hotel rents beach kits (beach bag, cooler bag, pool butler service — fruits x 1, cool towels x 2, magazines) for Dh40 per couple to use on the public beach just outside.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh60

Contact: 04-4498888. Visit www.moevenpick-hotels.com

 Jumeirah Beach Hotel

• Length of beach: 900 metres
• Price of day entry: Dh250 for adult; Dh150 for kids
• Operating hours: 9am to sunset
• Facilities offered: Water sports, banana boating, water ski, triple tube, fly fish, boat trips, boogie boats, kayaking, wakeboards, windsurfing.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh95
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.
• Kids' play area: Separate swimming pool.
• Contact: 04-4068800. Visit www.jumeirah.com

Monte Carlo Beach Club Abu Dhabi

• Price of day entry: Sunday-Thursday: Dh695 for a full-day pass, one-hour spa treatment, access to the workout room and a three-course Chef's Special lunch at Le Deck.
• Friday: Day pass and brunch for Dh695, with soft drinks, or Dh859 with selected beverages.
• Operating hours: 10am-6pm
• Facilities offered: On Fridays, ladies can also enjoy an aqua fitness class from 11.30am-12.15pm.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Day pass inclusive of lunch.
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.
• Kids' play area: Two kids' pools.

Contact: 02-6563500; Visit www.montecarlobeachclub.ae

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi

• Length of beach: 9 kilometres
• Price of day entry: Dh800 (per room), including access to a Park King Room from 10am-6pm, maximum four guests. Prior bookings necessary. Alternatively, book a spa treatment for 90 minutes and get access to the pool, beach and spa wet facilities.
• Operating hours: 10am-6pm
• Facilities offered: Access to beach and spa wet facilities.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Buffet (Dh200 per person, from 2.30-4pm) available at The Café all-dining restaurant. Barbecue by the Beach on Friday Dh300 per person and Dh390 per person with select beverages.
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.
• Kids' play area: Camp Hyatt, where kids can enjoy supervised indoor and outdoor activities with pool access.

Contact: 02-4071234. Visit www.abudhabi.park.hyatt.com

Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa, Fujairah

• Length of beach: 230 metres
• Price of day entry: Dh150 and Dh222 (with lunch) per person
• Kids' play area: Kids Club with a covered swimming pool.

Contact: 09-2449000. Visit www.lemeridien-alaqah.com

Fujairah Rotana Resort & Spa

•  Length of beach: approximately 120 metres
• Price of day entry: Weekday: Dh125 per person (without lunch), Dh55 per child; Dh200 per person (including lunch), Dh75 per child (under 6). Weekend: Dh150 per person (without lunch), Dh75 per child; Dh250 per adult (with lunch), Dh100 per child.
• Operating hours: 7am until sunset.
• Facilities offered: Gym, sauna, steam, swimming pool and gym. Beach volleyball, water aerobics, petanque, badminton.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh96
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.

Kids' play area: Flippers Kids Club, activities on request.

Contact: 09-2449888. Visit www.rotana.com

The Cove Rotana Resort - Ras Al Khaimah

• Length of beach: 600 metres
• Price of day entry: Weekday: Dh180 per couple, Dh100 per person, Dh50 per child (4-12 years). Weekend: Dh250 per couple, Dh150 per person, Dh75 per child (4-12 years). Alternatively, have lunch at Cinnamon and spend the day at the two swimming pools and beach. Weekday: Dh175 per person. Weekend: Dh220 per person. Dh100 for children between 6-12 years.
• Facilities offered: Gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room (full access is not applicable on public holidays). Spa facilities available on request.
• Contact: 07-2066341. Visit www.rotana.com

 Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah

• Price of day entry: Beach & Pool package, Dh199 per person (until March 31), Dh260, if lunch at Casa Samak is included. Regular weekday day pass: Dh75 for adults, Dh50 for kids. Weekend and holidays pass: Dh150 for adults and Dh75 for kids.
• Facilities offered: Access to beach and two temperature-controlled swimming pools, kids' club with baby pool, buffet lunch, tea/coffee, 30 minutes of relaxing beach massage and use of towels and locker.
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.
• Kids' play area: Available.

Contact: 06-5229999. Visit www.coral-international.com

Kempinski Ajman

• Length of beach: 500 metres
• Price of day entry: Weekday: Dh100 per person. Weekend: Dh150. Kids under 6 free.
• Operating hours: 9am-9pm (pool); 6am to sunset (beach)
• Facilities offered: Water sports, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, minigolf, tennis.
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh90. Friday brunch at Café Kranzler for Dh195 per person. Kids under 6 free.
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.
• Kids' play area: Kids' club with a full list of activities and play area (baby-sitting services available).

Contact: 06-7145555. Visit www.kempinski.com

The One&Only The Palm dubai

• Length of beach: 450 metres
• Price of day entry: Weekday: Dh350 per person. Weekend and public holidays: Dh500. Alternatively, choose an air-conditioned poolside cabana (excluding the Royal Cabana) for Dh1,750 (weekday) and Dh2,500 (weekend and public holidays) for an occupancy of four. Facilities include a 46-inch TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, one-time filled non-alcoholic minibar, one local newspaper (English or Arabic), pool and beach access, sunbeds and towels, indoor and outdoor showers and private patio, and still and sparkling bottled water, a fruit basket and flowers upon arrival.
• Operating hours: 10am-6pm
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh165 at Zest restaurant
• Towels and loungers cost: Included.

Contact: 04-4401010. Visit http://thepalm.oneandonlyresorts.com

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort

• Length of beach: Approximately 200 metres
• Price of day entry: Weekday: Dh100 per person, Dh60 per child (5-16 years), Dh60 for nannies (not allowed to swim). Weekend: Dh180 per person, Dh100 per child (5-16 years), Dh100 for nannies (not allowed to swim).
• Operating hours: 7am-6pm
• Facilities offered: Squash court access (Dh150, plus racquet hire for Dh30)
• Cost of a burger, chips and soft drink: Dh115
• Towels and loungers cost: Included in entry fee.
• Kids' play area: Outdoor and indoor kids' play area and supervised activities at the Pirates' Kids Club.