Stir it up this summer

FROM cooking classes to dedicated fun zones and special safaris, hotels in the region and beyond are on the ball when it comes to keeping youngsters entertained this summer.

SHANGRI-LA
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently offers an ideal promotion with all-inclusive benefits that will ensure a memorable holiday for the whole family.

Children take priority with a complimentary interconnecting (where available) room for up to three children when adults book a suite. Children up to 12 years eat for free for the duration of their stay. Each participating hotel has put together its own unique children’s activity, from pizza making to swimming classes.

Parents can enjoy some quiet time while the children enjoy the Adventure Zones and Cool Zones (at some resorts) where activities ranging from planting fish houses to pool diving for tokens and art classes to adrenalin-pumping slides will keep the young guests aged four to 12 years old thoroughly amused from check-in to check-out. Best of all for parents, access to the zones is free for children accompanied by an adult guest.

Adults also benefit from a 25 per cent discount on all spa treatments, as well as daily complimentary breakfast when booking the Family Fun promotion. The promotion is available at all Shangri-La hotels in the Middle East and some European destinations, and is valid until 30 September 2014.

ROSEWOOD CORNICHE CLASSES
Children aged between six and 12 years can now learn how to make their own pizza Rosewood Corniche – rather than wait for one to be delivered – from top chefs at Jeddah’s leading five-star property.

The introduction of a “mini chef’s corner” at the hotel’s Habsburg restaurant for Friday brunch is going down well with young guests, and parents.

“We created a special kitchen area in the restaurant where our chefs teach children how to make their own pizza, and it’s a great success,” says Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director at Rosewood Corniche.

“It keeps kids occupied while mums and dads enjoy brunch. They love the idea, and so do the children who get to make pizza, and make new friends at the same time.”

Young guests enjoying overnight stays at the Rosewood Corniche also have another reason to persuade their parents to return.

Newly introduced “kids mini bars” are the latest addition to the Rosebuds programme which is designed to make young guests feel like VIPs.

These wooden mini castles hold many children’s favourites, including homemade chocolate chip cookies, fruit cocktails, Gerry candy bags, magic and chocolate drinks. Other Rosebuds offerings include cooking classes in the Noodles restaurant, special colour and drawing books, and state-of-the-art PlayStation.

“Our philosophy at Rosewood Corniche is to give every guest, no matter what age, a personalised service,” says Leitzke. “Children appreciate that as much as their parents do.”

The mini pizza-making classes are captured on camera by hotel staff and children go home with a specially framed reminder of their pizza-making exploits. 

Cooking is hungry work, so the hotel also serves up a mini buffet, while Friday brunch attractions for children also include balloon modelling, jumping castles, and face painting.

FUN AT TILAL LIWA
The magnificent Tilal Liwa Hotel is located at the heart of the UAE, in an area called Al Gharbia desert, which is known for its highest dunes in the world. It ranks seventh in the category of Top Hotels for Family in the UAE in the recently concluded 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards.

Discover traditional sights with your loved ones, escape to solitude for a few days away from the normal city life and take pleasure in a special safari tour into the Arabian wildlife. For a limited time and for Dh599, enjoy a hi-tea experience upon arrival, a welcome fruit basket and free wi-fi access in your room, buffet breakfast with spouse and kids, and free activities provided by Tilal Liwa, such as sand boarding, bicycling, kite flying, a visit to camel farms and the camel racing arena.