Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Our take

Planted on the Palm with the Dubai skyline sprawling behind the pool, this is where families come to do Dubai loudly and well. The kids' club is genuinely considered — not an afterthought — and the outdoor pool delivers the view it promises. But the energy never drops. If you're after stillness, romance, or the kind of hush that costs serious money, redirect your budget. This is a resort that performs for four, not two, and it knows exactly what it is.