HOTELS have an exciting line-up of activities for kids to keep them busy during their long break during the summer season. On offer are a full range of recreational facilities ranging from beach and pool fun and personal fitness programmes to learning a new skill and understanding a new subject.
Jean Pierre Simon, regional general manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, puts it this way, “Although the temperature is hovering above 40 degree Celsius and humidity still hangs in the air, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have the fun. With a plethora of activities awaiting you, it is time to escape and unwind.” THE CORAL BEACH RESORT – SHARJAHAmong the most sought-after programmes at this UAE resort is ‘Swimming Clinic for Kids’. Free for members and in-house guests every Saturday at 11am, participating children can learn how to swim under the supervision of the hotel’s expert coach. On July 2, children can participate in the ‘Young Chef’ activity where can learn to make sushi. Summer membership is valid until September 30 and starts from Dh350 ($95) per person.MAZAGAN BEACH & GOLF RESORT Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco has partnered with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to launch the Paris Saint-Germain Soccer School at Mazagan. The camp, targeted at youngsters aged between six and 16 years, promises an outstanding soccer training programme supervised by Benjamin Houri. Spread over the entire summer season, there are three sessions: one for technique training, one for beach soccer and another for fitness games. The sessions will take place daily until September 15, except Mondays and Tuesdays.ARMED FORCES OFFICERS CLUB & HOTELOne of the biggest children’s summer camps in Abu Dhabi will be hosted by the Armed Forces Officers Club this year, running from August 11 and September 5 between 9am and 2pm. Open to children aged five to 13 years, the camp is designed to make use of all the sporting facilities of the venue including a large swimming pool, bowling alley, shooting gallery and multi-purpose halls that can accommodate football, basketball and volleyball games. Children can also learn martial arts, water sports, arts and crafts, take part in cultural events and competitions, participate in accompanied recreational trips around the emirate and hone their skills at Play Station and video games. Cost for a week is Dh1,000 ($270) per child, Dh2,500 ($680) for three weeks and Dh3, 000 ($815) for the entire period. There is a special discount if a family wishes to enrol more than one child into the programme. THE RITZ–CARLTON, SANYA The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya in China is set to host Smart Camp on its tropical shores again this summer. There are many packages to choose from that include luxury family breaks with specialised workshops for children of different age groups. For instance, a four-day-three-night stay includes two full days of Smart Camp with prices starting from CNY7,390 ($1,185) for a deluxe room. Developed in collaboration with Petit VIP, a professional French childcare organisation, Smart Camp is open to children aged four to 14 years. Led by a team of international coaches, the activities revolve around science, arts, music, cooking, sports, foreign languages and cultural education.MAYBOURNE HOTEL GROUP Stay at one of Maybourne’s three hotels Claridge’s, the Connaught and the Berkeley in London and make the best of summer training offered by some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious learning institutions. There are day camps for age group three to 15 and residential courses aimed at teenagers between 12-17 years. All of the courses and camps are accessible by car or train from London and offer a wide range of dates, subject choices and skills on offer.Rates at The Berkeley and Claridge’s start from £390 and The Connaught from £450 inclusive of all taxes, for a superior king-bedded room, double occupancy and are valid from July 18 to September 7, subject to availability. Rate is inclusive of 20 per cent VAT, but a 5 per cent discretionary service charge will be added at check-out. Price for the courses are not included.JUMEIRAH ZABEEL SARAYThemed around the tales of Sinbad, the fearless seafarer, the Sinbad’s Kids Club at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray offers a haven of fun for children. With facilities spanning 1,885 sq m, children and teens up to the age of 16 can engage in a mini water park, climbing wall, fun playground, interactive gaming and iPad stations, soft play area and much more. Guests can enjoy some of the time zones for free – from 8 am to 9 am and 9 pm to 10 pm. External guests may use the facilities at Dh250 per time zone of four hours and Dh70 for every extra hour. Children under four must be accompanied by a parent, or a babysitter at all times. Day passes are available at Dh250 per child as well as five-day, one week and two week packages at discounted rates.Special parent offers entitle adults to 20 per cent off on all dining experiences and treatments at the Talise Ottoman Spa, as well as exclusive access to the infinity pool and private beach at the rate of Dh250 per person per day. Parent offers are valid until September 5 and up to four adults, amongst which the parent of the Summer Camp participant needs to be present. It is only available for the duration that the child is enrolled in the camp.