Don’t just take our word for it! Kaya, a mum of three and Privilee Member, tells us why Taj Exotica Resort is a fabulous Privilee daycay for the whole family.
One of Palm Jumeirah’s latest openings – and a newbie to Privilee, Taj Exotica Resort is fast becoming a family fave.
Almost at the very tip of the east crescent (past Sofitel The Palm and The Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah), the stunning location offers an instant holiday vibe (think views across the water, over to JBR and beyond from the beach).
This palatial hotel may seem more suited to grown-ups on first impressions but despite the sophisticated interiors, it is most definitely fun and very family friendly! From smiley welcomes at the the hotel entrance to the warmest greetings poolside – the team here really do go out of their way to make Privilee Members comfortable.
We arrived just before lunch - and were welcomed with a lovely sea breeze which meant the weather was absolutely perfect. The hotel has one main pool which faces a private beach and is massive (apparently the longest on Palm Jumeirah’s crescent). It was great for everything, from swimming lengths to setting the kid's swimming challenges (aka tiring them out!), while guaranteeing you’ll never be bumping into anyone or jostling for room. Even a game of water polo didn’t hamper any swimming opportunities!
The swimming pool is chilled to exactly the right temperature, so you feel refreshed after a dip.
We loved all the space around the pool – it didn’t feel at all crowded and there were plenty of beds to choose from, with an attentive team to help you find shade and lay out towels. We chose the beds nearest the beach - for easy access to the sea and the sand, plus gorgeous views (and that aforementioned breeze). A complimentary cool bag of iced water was instantly brought over and topped up whenever we needed it – and there were regular rounds of ice lollies and iced towels to keep everyone feeling chilled. These went down an absolute treat with my kids!
If you have younger kids in tow, there’s a fully shaded little children’s pool just a few steps from the main pool – with sunbeds and a dedicated lifeguard to guarantee safe play. It’s not big enough for actual swimming but is perfect for letting littles have fun in the water, and out of the sun. This pool is right next to a large shaded play area and a table tennis and archery space that my kids loved visiting in between their swims.
Whether you want a poolside snack or a full-on meal, Taj Exotica has six eateries to choose from – with two of them offering alfresco dining or delivery to your sunbed.
We chose the Lime Pool Bar, a relaxed space just next to the pool where bare feet and swimsuits are very much allowed, and a menu of delicious light poolside fare awaits. Our super lovely waiter suggested we order from our sunbeds and wait to be called to our table when the food was ready – perfect for allowing the kids to stay in the pool and not get fidgety. From sushi to nachos, burgers to pizzas and everything in between, there are also lots of really good dishes with an Indian twist (the Mumbai Masala Toastie and Paneer Tikka wraps were a big hit) and the portions were big enough to mean that leftovers were taken back to our sunbeds and snacked on later! Kids' menus are available on request, but there’s plenty for little people to choose from on the main menu too.
Top tip: Get the kids a drink or treat at one of the two swim-up bars, situated at either end of the pool when they start getting hungry again (which seems to be all the time!) – the novelty of sitting at a bar in the water never wears off!
We ended our day at the hotel’s private beach – a beautiful stretch of sand facing the Palm’s waterways and central fronds, dotted with sunbeds, hammocks and cabanas from which to watch the sunset.
We loved this resort for so many reasons. From the spacious lounging areas to the mega friendly staff and the perfect blend of luxury with a chilled out vibe. Most importantly, Taj Exotica offers that all-important ‘ease’ factor when you go anywhere with kids – the one epic pool, adjoining play areas and beach are all within easy reach of each other and there’s plenty to do without an overwhelming amount of choice that can sometimes spoil a family outing!
If (when) you’d like a few minutes of kid-free time, Popsicle Kids’ Club offers games, toys and books for kids up to the age of 11 to enjoy. Perfect - enjoy your Privilee day here.
Looking for more ideas on where to Privilee?
- View all Privilee venues on The Palm
- Check out Habtoor Grand Resort
- Discover Privilee venues with splash pads and slides
- Learn more about Taj Exotica Resort, Palm Jumeirah here
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