24 Hours in UAE’s Hidden Gem Hatta with a Toddler

The United Arab Emirates has numerous hidden treasures typically within a two-hour drive. Hatta stands out as one of these gems, nestled in the mountains just 90 minutes away. I previously had the chance to go hiking there a few years ago. However, this time, I have carefully organized our 24 hours in Hatta, keeping in mind that we will be traveling with a 2.5 half year old toddler.

First Stop: Hatta Honey Bee Discovery Center

To make the most out of day, we left home early in the morning. I had scheduled activities for the morning until check in time. We arrived around 10 am and headed straight to the Hatta Honey Bee Farm, which is 8-minute ride away from JA Hatta Fort Hotel.

At the farm, an exciting tour awaited us, providing a unique opportunity to explore the world of bees from the inside out. The tour started with all of us putting on bee suits, including our little one, covering every inch of our bodies. Dressing up for the occasion added an experimental touch heightened our excitement. Even though D. had a slight hesitation as we entered the discovery center, her excitement soon took over.

Tour was an educational journey, delving into the significance of bees for our ecosystem (quite a shocker when you are unaware), various types of honey produced (with a promise to taste at the end of the tour😊), the different kinds of bee hives utilized, and the incredible efforts of bees in making it all possible. Witnessing the queen bee and observing the busy workings of thousands of bees in a confined space was truly awe-inspiring. We were also offered to hold the bee blocks and taste a variety of honey types at the end.

This experience definitely exceeded my expectations. It turned out to be a remarkable learning experience not only for D. but also for us. We were impressed by both the bees and D’s notable patience and interest throughout.

When I visited Hatta years ago, I can’t imagine I would have appreciated this activity as much. However, now that I have a little one whom I hope to nurture into a curious individual, my curiosity and enthusiasm for the little things in life have certainly intensified.

Worth visiting if you are looking for a family activity exploring the wonders of nature.

Next Stop: JA Hatta Fort Hotel

Our family retreat destination was the JA Hatta Fort Hotel, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The hotel is perfectly tailored for families with kids, which made our get away much more convenient and fun.

As we drove in, we were welcomed by the spacious green landscape surrounded by Al Hajar mountains. Each room offered magnificent views of the greenery and grand mountains as well, making our time here extra calm. Our room was wonderfully spacious, featuring a king size bed, a must for families like us who prefer co-sleeping during their vacations.

JA Hatta seemed to have put a lot of thought into the activities they offered. In fact, due to our limited time (only a day), we had to make some tough decisions😊

Upon checking in, we made our little one’s day by heading straight to the family pool (They also have an adult-only pool for those seeking some quiet time). After our pool time, it was our turn to indulge in some unique experiences. My husband and I tried our hands at air gun shooting and archery, with the archery being a first-time experience for me. I loved it, but I must admit it is surprising how much muscle power it actually requires. My husband rocked it though. As it turns out, he is quite skilled in sports involving precision aiming, a fact I discovered about him for the first time in our more than a decade long relationship.

Later in the day, there was kite-flying activity in the lawn area from 5 to 6 pm, an event that was hard to miss as families filled the sky with colorful kites. Our little on D. immediately grabbed one of the kites, turned it into a family activity leading us on a playful chase across the lawn.

Following the kite-flying activity, we explored the Wildlife Discovery area, where we observed a few deer and bunnies. Across from the Wildlife area, there is a lovely and nicely sized play area with sandy ground. D. was thrilled to spot the playground and wasted no time in going in.

On our way back, we saw some kids enjoying the pony rides. D. got excited to ride one but we ran out of time and decided to save this activity for the next time we come across ponies. After a 10 minute of explanation, she agreed to this plan.

In addition to the activities we have already enjoyed, JA Hatta Fort offers various other outdoor options including Mini Golf and Padel tennis. Furthermore, there are indoor activities like foosball, billiards, and table tennis, which I feel will be more suitable for us as D. grows a bit older.

On the weekends, they host poolside movie nights, which could be a wonderful option if you have older kids. It would be an opportunity to gather around and enjoy a movie as a family in an outdoor setting.

Our time here was very enjoyable for our family. For our next visit, I am certainly extending it to a two-day getaway to make the most out of the activities, and relaxation offered by this serene family friendly hotel.

The next Day before Check Out: Kayaking at Hatta Dam

We decided to try another new activity as a family – kayaking. When you say of Hatta, I say kayaking😊

Kayaking is one of the most popular activities in Hatta so we planned it for early in the morning to beat the heat. After enjoying a delicious breakfast in JA Hatta, we headed to Hatta Dam, just a quick 5-minute drive from the hotel.

There are several touring options at the dam, and we picked the Double Kayaking, which conveniently had a small seat for toddlers positioned between two adult seats. It was adorable. I took the back seat, with D. right in front of me. We paddled ourselves, enjoyed the serene waters surrounded by the mountains. It was a fantastic and refreshing way to kickstart our day. After about 45 minutes kayaking, we made our way back when D. was no longer able to contain her excitement to take a dip in the water😊

Hatta: A Place of First-Time Experiences

Hatta truly left a lasting impression with all the first-time experiences it offered. Exploring the astonishing honey bee farm, enjoying our stay at JA Hatta Fort, filled with fun activities, and kayaking at Hatta Dam all introduced D. to exciting new adventures, nurturing her ability to step out of her comfort zone each very quickly passing day.