Riu Dubai
★★★★Dubai Islands, DubaiDeira Islands, 17777Specialist pick
Overview
Riu Dubai is a large all-inclusive beach resort on Dubai Islands (still commonly called Deira Islands), with around 750 rooms across a four-star property that opened in 2020. It suits UAE resident families who want a straightforward weekend where the food and drinks bill is already settled before you arrive.
The draw is the beach and pool set-up: three to four pools including dedicated children's sections, a waterpark called Splash Water World, and a kids club (RiuLand) split by age group. Days are spent moving between sunbeds, the swim-up bars and the buffet; evenings bring live entertainment. It's busy, sociable and geared squarely at families rather than a quiet couples' escape.
Don't expect five-star polish - guests consistently describe it as a solid, no-frills four-star rather than a luxury stay, and some reviewers have found the beach sand mixed with shell and pebble underfoot, so pack reef shoes for the little ones. There was also construction under way on the adjacent plot through 2025, worth checking is finished before booking a sea-facing room if that matters to you.
- private beach access
- three outdoor pools
- splash water world waterpark
- riuland kids club
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- four restaurants, six bars
- renova spa
- swim-up bars
- free on-site parking
- family rooms available
Rooms
Sign in or create an account to see live prices for your dates and book online. Sign in
Good to know
- Meal plans
- All-inclusive
- Paid at the hotel
- The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
- Cancelling
- Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow
Eating and drinking
- Al-Andalus — The main buffet restaurant with a terrace, serving international dishes with live cooking stations. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and the default spot for most meals during your stay - easy with fussy young eaters.
- Spices — The hotel's Asian specialty restaurant, buffet-style so children can pick and choose rather than commit to a set menu. Open for dinner and worth booking ahead as it can fill up.
- The Palm — A poolside Italian restaurant covering pizza and pasta classics in a relaxed, open-air setting. Open for lunch and dinner and popular with families wanting something familiar after a day in the water.
- The Moon — The poolside Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurant, with grilled meats, hummus and flatbreads. Open for dinner and a good change of pace from the main buffet.
Getting there
It's a short run from Dubai International Airport, roughly 15-20 minutes depending on traffic, and closer to Deira and old Dubai than to the Marina or Downtown, which is more like a 30-40 minute drive. Self-parking is available on-site, and given the all-inclusive set-up most residents just drive themselves rather than arranging a transfer.
Ask about Riu Dubai
Another room type, more than one room, or a date that is not showing — send it over and a specialist replies with what is available and what it costs, usually the same working day.