Chilled swimming pools are the norm in the UAE and while that’s great for most of the year, when summer hits, the scorching heat and red-hot loungers that come alongside a pool day can be more than enough to put people off.
Indoor swimming pools are a great alternative, allowing visitors to enjoy some fun in the water without having to deal with desert heat.
Here are 10 hotels in the UAE where you can enjoy an indoor swim this summer.
1. Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Escape the summer sun at the Four Seasons in Dubai with a visit to the hotel’s fitness centre. Take a chilled dip or work out with a few laps in the climate-controlled indoor pool. Set under a glass dome, the sun’s reflection on the water will make you feel like you’re still outside, but without the searing summer heat. The marble columns, artistic blue tiles and stylish lounge chairs also help to remind you that you’re in a swanky five-star retreat.
Free for in-house guests; www.fourseasons.com
2. Bulgari Resort Dubai
One of Dubai’s sleekest hotels is also home to one of the city’s prettiest indoor pools. Bulgari Resort Dubai is located on a seahorse-shaped island in Jumeirah Bay and has chic nautical vibes and views over the ocean. It’s also where guests will find the Bulgari Spa, a 1,700 square-metre experience with a large 25-metre indoor pool and a vitality pool, inspired by the ancient Caracalla Roman baths. Serene and tranquil, the indoor pool comes with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea so you can still enjoy the views, but away from the glare of the sun.
Free for in-house guests and those booking a spa treatment; www.bulgarihotels.com
3. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai
One of Dubai’s largest indoor swimming pools can be found at the Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. The palatial spa is based on the traditional hammam concept and has a huge thalassotherapy pool at its centre. Open to both male and female visitors, there are day beds, loungers and private alcoves that guests can unwind in. The water is perfectly temperature controlled, the sun streams through stained glass windows and there’s even a twinkling night sky effect on the ceiling. Guests can also make use of the Jacuzzis, sauna, steam bath, snow room and heated marble beds.
Free for in-house guests, Dh250 for a day pass; www.jumeirah.com
4. Marjan Island Resort & Spa, managed by Accor, Ras Al Khaimah
With not one but two indoor swimming pools, one for ladies and the other for gents, Marjan Island Resort & Spa has you covered for all your summer bathing. Each pool is more than 10 metres in length, making it large enough to fit in a few laps. There’s also a Jacuzzi located next to each pool, perfect for some extra relaxation. It’s only open to those aged 16 and over, but children can enjoy their own 16-metre outdoor children's pool instead.
Free for in-house guests; www.marjanislandresort.com
5. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Nestled in one of the capital’s most pristine locations, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is known for its unspoilt private coastline but what most people don’t know is that it’s also home to a generously-sized indoor swimming pool. Located inside the Athletic Club, the 25-metre pool is open daily from 6am until noon, and then again from 2pm to 7pm, and welcomes both in-house guests and day visitors.
Free for in-house guests, from Dh158 for a day pass; www.marriott.com
6. Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah
Swimmers in Fujairah can make a beeline to the Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort for a dip in the hotel’s temperature-controlled indoor pool. Backed by the Hajar Mountains, the hotel's indoor pool is open daily until 9pm for in-house hotel guests above the age of 16, and there are also ladies-only timings on weekends. For those who want to brave the sunshine, there’s also an outdoor main pool and a children's pool, plus 200 metres of private shoreline.
Free for in-house guests; www.miramaralaqah.com
7. Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, Dubai
Dukes The Palm has its own indoor swimming pool, located on the 14th floor of the hotel meaning it comes with great views over the ocean, as well as the hotel’s private beach and Palm Jumeirah. The temperature controlled pool is a great place to enjoy a pleasant swim at any time of the year, and is lined with comfortable sunloungers and day beds. There’s even a fully-stocked bar at the pool so that you don’t need to brave the heat to get your favourite poolside beverage.
Free for in-house guests; www.barcelo.com
8. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert
If you’re looking for an oasis in the desert, then The Rainforest at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah should be on your list. Combining European hydrothermal culture with Middle Eastern bathing rituals, the indoor facility includes 16 different water-dd experiences. Try out ice igloos and a rain walk or brave the drench shower as you journey through the facility, before ending up at the vitality pool. This ultimate indoor pool is loaded with water massage jets and maintained at 30ºC year-round. Ultimate bliss.
From Dh159 for a 60-minute visit; www.ritz-carlton.com
9. Raffles The Palm Dubai
The first Raffles resort in the Middle East is located on Palm Jumeirah and comprises a 500-metre stretch of private beach and a palm tree-surrounded swimming pool, plus a luxury indoor pool that’s part of the Cinq Mondes Spa. Tranquillity is of the essence in this spot where guests swim under chandelier-style lighting and Arabian trellis panels. If privacy is what you seek, there are also secluded beachfront villas available to book, each of which comes with its own swimming pool and private built-in spa room.
Free for in-house guests, day visitors must book a treatment at the spa to access the pool; www.raffles.com
10. Burj Al Arab, Dubai
They say to save the best for last, so the UAE’s only "seven-star" hotel seems like a fitting way to end this round-up. The famed sail-shaped hotel is best known for its fine-dining restaurants, private beaches and expansive Burj Al Arab terrace, but it's also one of only a handful of resorts in the country that boasts an indoor swimming pool. On the 18th floor, the pool is part of the Talise Spa and comes with lashings of gold, a separate Jacuzzi and spectacular views over the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai coastline, ideal for summertime dips.
Free for in-house guests, day visitors must book a treatment at the spa for access; www.jumeirah.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Company%20profile
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Results:
First Test: New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15
Second Test: New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
Third Test: New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
