We visited the Rixos The Palm in November 2023 with a newborn (3 months old) and a toddler (20 months old). This stay quickly set the bar for the ultra all-inclusive family experience in Dubai.

The Game-Changing Suite Upgrade

Upon arrival, we were immediately upgraded to a spacious suite—and it was truly perfect for our stage of family travel. The layout included a separate lounge, dining area, a second toilet, and a huge master bedroom.

• The Sleep Hack: The separate rooms meant we could set up two cots in completely different areas. This was critical, as our little girl was still waking in the night, and the separation ensured our toddler wasn’t disturbed.
• The Trade-Off: The only slight negative was the lack of a balcony for evening drinks, but the sheer size and separation of the suite easily made up for it!

Unrivaled Water Play for Little Ones

The Rixos pools were, in a word, brilliant. There’s an adults-only pool, a large main pool with a swim-up bar, and a shallow pool with a gentle gradient entrance, which is perfect for timid toddlers.

• The Kids’ Pool Highlight: The biggest win was the dedicated Kids’ Pool located within the gated Rixy Kids Club area. It features multiple slides and spray features perfect for our 20-month-old. We spent virtually every day here.
• Rixy Kids Club Area: In this same gated zone, you’ll find a great playground and a little indoor kids’ club with toys. Inside the main buffet restaurant, they even have a soft play area tucked away in the corner, allowing parents a few extra minutes to eat in peace!
• Weekend Woe: The only downside we experienced was the sunbed scramble on the weekends. The resort obviously attracts many local visitors, so if you’re out late after a nap, finding a prime spot near the pool can be tricky.

Ultra All-Inclusive & The 5 PM Problem

Rixos truly delivers on its ultra all-inclusive promise, but we quickly discovered one logistical challenge for young families.

• Premium Drinks & Perks: The drinks selection was fantastic, including branded spirits and good quality beers—a huge pro that definitely made us feel we got our money’s worth. Plus, the free ice cream and free fresh fruit by the pool were a massive perk!
• Dining Quality: The a la carte restaurants were all good—a nice change of scenery from the buffet—but not amazing. The buffet was solid, often featuring themed nights like a BBQ where you could select meat or fish to be cooked fresh.
• The 5 PM Dinner Gap: Our biggest challenge was finding dinner for our toddler around 5:00 PM, as the buffet didn’t open until later, and the lobby snack bar options weren’t great for kids.
• The Hack: We solved this by heading to the beachside restaurant around 4:45 PM to get our toddler some early dinner while we enjoyed a cocktail. This worked perfectly.

The Rixos X-Factor: Free Atlantis Tickets

One of the best value inclusions of this hotel is the complimentary access to the Atlantis Waterpark. We took the free shuttle over for the day, and our son absolutely loved it! It has more than enough slides and attractions to keep a toddler thoroughly entertained (our little one was a bit too small for most of it, but that’s what the Rixos kids’ pool is for!). We also enjoyed the weekly Rixy Festival with giant inflatables, free food, and drinks—a super fun and unexpected bonus.

Category	Pros	Cons
Accommodation	Suite Upgrade provided crucial separate sleeping rooms for two cots.
All-Inclusive	Premium Brands Included (branded spirits, good beer).	No 5 PM Kids Dinner Option (requires parental ingenuity/hacks).
Kids’ Fun	Brilliant Dedicated Kids’ Pool with multiple slides & at a kid-friendly height.	Very Busy Weekends can lead to difficulty securing sun loungers after lunch.
Value & Perks	Free Atlantis Waterpark Tickets and free poolside fruit/ice cream.	À la carte restaurants are good, but not amazing (limited wow-factor).