The weather's good, your weekends are filling up, and pool days are officially back on the agenda.
Beach clubs with a vibe, five-star hotel pools, Burj views (of course), and a few places worth leaving Dubai for. Whatever you've got in mind for your next day off, there's somewhere worth knowing.
With Privilee, you've got access to hotel pools, beaches and beach clubs across the UAE, all through one membership. We've rounded up some favourites for the season, including places to take the family, catch up with friends or spend an afternoon doing very little.
Your next pool day? Take your pick…
Best for beach-club energy
Good music, a beach bed and absolutely no plans to leave early.
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai
Some places need very little introduction. Nikki Beach is one of them.
A Dubai favourite for good reason, with its signature beach-club atmosphere, dreamy sea views and a choice between the pool and the sand. Find yourself a spot, order something good and make a day of it.
Surf Club Dubai
Palm West Beach, good music, and a sunset worth staying for.
Surf Club has a relaxed, boho-chic feel during the day, with the atmosphere picking up as the afternoon goes on. It's the kind of place where lunch turns into another round of drinks and suddenly everyone's staying for sunset.
One for the group chat.
Sakhalin Beach Club
A beach day with a very good lunch on the agenda.
Sakhalin brings Michelin-level dining to the sand, with MediterAsian flavours, standout seafood and sleek interiors overlooking the sea. It's a chic, relaxed spot for a long lunch with friends, followed by a little more time at the beach.
If you're ordering dessert, the signature tiramisu is worth knowing about – part dessert, part showpiece.
Ula Dubai
Beach, infinity pool or lazy river? At Ula, you've got options.
Set at Dukes The Palm, this boho-inspired beach club has a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and lots of reasons to stay for the afternoon.
Bring a friend, claim your spot and leave the rest of the day open.
Best for a five-star resort day
A little hotel luxe goes a long way, especially when you've got the whole day ahead of you.
Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Family pool day on the calendar? Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah is a good place to start.
With separate family-friendly and adults-only areas, there's room for different kinds of pool days. A sunset favourite, too.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
A little taste of Thailand, without leaving the Palm.
Anantara The Palm is known for its unique lagoon pools, Thai-inspired architecture and beachfront setting. There's also an infinity pool overlooking the sea, so finding somewhere to spend the afternoon won't be difficult.
One for when you're craving that holiday feeling.
W Dubai – The Palm
WET Deck, oversized floats and a pool scene with plenty of personality.
W Dubai – The Palm brings a more playful side to the five-star hotel experience, complete with its signature flamingo and unicorn floats.
There's also a selection of Member dining discounts to explore, so you can add lunch or drinks to your plans while you're there.
Best for skyline views
For pool days with that iconic Downtown Dubai backdrop.
Address Sky View
That skyline. That pool. You know the one.
Address Sky View brings some seriously impressive views to your afternoon, with elevated pools overlooking Downtown Dubai and its famous skyline.
A good choice when you're after a quieter pool day with a view worth putting your phone down for. Eventually.
Address Dubai Mall
Shopping, lunch, and tanning? Address Dubai Mall makes a strong case for all three.
Right in Downtown Dubai, this hotel pool is a great option when you want to fit a little downtime around your other plans.
Best pool days beyond Dubai
Dubai isn't your only option; these spots are always worth the drive.
Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Maldives-inspired surroundings, without the flight.
Anantara Mina Al Arab brings a tropical feel to Ras Al Khaimah, with beachfront views, an infinity pool overlooking the sea and a beautiful setting for a day away.
If you've been meaning to spend more time exploring the UAE, here's a good place to start.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
Pool days look a little different in the desert.
At The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, it's all about wide skies, rolling dunes and the chance to spot wildlife in the surrounding landscape.
Swap the usual beach-club scene for a quieter afternoon with views you won't find in Dubai.
Ilios Beach Club
A little Greek island energy, courtesy of Abu Dhabi.
Ilios Beach Club brings Mediterranean-inspired design to the waterfront, with an infinity pool overlooking Surf Abu Dhabi.
It's a great spot to spend an afternoon by the water, especially if you fancy watching the surfers in action between dips.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
A marina-side hotel with a very good pool scene.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION sits on Al Bateen Marina, with a choice of pool spaces, including a rooftop setting, and stylish surroundings throughout.
Make time for Alba Terrace too, the hotel's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens. Pool time and a good lunch? Sounds like a plan.
The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah
For a quieter kind of pool day, put The Chedi Al Bait on your list.
This beautiful Sharjah hotel brings together traditional Emirati architecture, peaceful courtyards and a pool setting that feels worlds away from the city's busier spots.
Spend some time by the water, explore the courtyards or make a little extra time for the spa.
Tips for your next pool day
A little planning goes a long way when everyone has the same idea about spending the weekend outdoors.
Plan your visit. Got your eye on somewhere? Use the ‘Plan a visit’ feature in the Privilee app, with bookings opening at 8pm the night before. Some venues welcome walk-ins, while others can be booked on the day if you're more of a last-minute planner. Check the app for each venue's access details before you go.
Get there early. Popular beach clubs and hotel pools can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Arriving earlier gives you more time to enjoy the day.
Check the Privilee app. Before you head out, take a look at the venue's access information, opening hours and any booking requirements. You'll find the details you need in one place.
Don't forget your sunscreen. Cooler temperatures don't mean the sun's taking a day off. Pack your SPF, sunglasses and anything else you need for an afternoon outdoors.
Mix up your weekdays and weekends. Weekends are great for catching up with friends, but a weekday pool day can be a nice change if your schedule allows. Check the app for any day-specific access conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best pool days in Dubai?
Dubai has a huge choice of hotel pools and beach clubs, depending on what you're after.
For beach-club atmosphere, try Nikki Beach, Surf Club, Sakhalin or Ula. If you prefer a five-star resort day, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Anantara The Palm and W Dubai – The Palm are worth exploring.
For skyline views, take a look at Address Sky View and Address Dubai Mall.
Can I access hotel pools and beach clubs with Privilee?
Yes. Privilee membership gives you access to a wide range of hotel pools, beaches and beach clubs across the UAE, alongside gyms, fitness classes and recovery spaces.
Access conditions vary by venue, so check the Privilee app before visiting.
Can I bring guests to Privilee pool venues?
Guest access depends on the venue and the Guest pass options available with your membership.
Check the Privilee app for the latest guest access information and venue-specific conditions before making plans.
Your next pool day starts here
One weekend, a new beach club. The next, a five-star resort or a little escape out of Dubai.
With Privilee, there's always somewhere new to discover, and plenty of reasons to make the most of pool season.
Explore venues on the Privilee map
