Many of the beaches along the coast are privately-owned by the large hotel chains. As a self-catering visitor, however, you get to pick and
choose exactly what suits you.
Day passes, which entitle you to use the beach club facilities (pools, sunbeds, childrens playgrounds, tennis, watersports
etc), can be bought from most of the resorts, and on some days the price includes a buffet lunch.
If you prefer a “back to basics” approach, take your towel along to either Jumeirah Beach Park or Kite Beach,
where the sand is every bit as soft and white, and the sea is just as warm and welcoming. Do heed red flag warnings,
though, as there can sometimes be a strong undertow.
When you fancy a break from the beach, it’s worth sampling some of Dubai’s extensive leisure options:
Cinema (see map)
If you don’t want to stay in and watch DVDs in the comfort of your villa or apartment, head out to the Imax cinema at Ibn Battuta Mall, or one of the other cinemas at, for example, Wafi City, the Mall of the Emirates or Mercato.Ice-skating
Chill out after a hard day’s sunbathing with some ice-skating at the Hyatt Regency Galleria in Deira or at Al Nasr Leisureland.Spa treatments
In a city as glamour-conscious as Dubai, it’s no surprise that sumptuous spa treatments are very much in evidence. The Six Senses Spa at Madinat Jumeirah or the Assawan Spa at Burj al Arab are the ultimate in luxury, but there are equally relaxing treatments to be found elsewhere.