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THERE was little chance of the Szecowka family being stuck up the creek without a paddle ... for in stepped little Stan to take over as captain as we headed back to berth on a voyage up and down one of the Middle East's most wondrous waterways.
Dubai Creek is surrounded by top-class hotels, bizarre-shaped business buildings and plays host to numerous floating restaurants and a buzz of little vessels happy to take a tourists for a ride ... in the nicest possible sense.
For like the Emirates' taxis which boast a large notice on the dashboard in front of the passenger seat stating 'no meter, no cost' - yes, you ride for free if any driver dares attempt to rip you off - the same fair fare philosophy appears to run on the water.
Our exclusive tour along the creek cost the equivalent of BD7 for a family-of-four sat comfortably on the cushioned floor - although shortly after we launched little Stan, five, and his nine-year-old sister, Imogen, joined the captain as we cruised heartily along.
Summer in Dubai is extremely good value for stay-at-home expats living in Bahrain looking for a short-break trip and judging by the number of Westerners taking advantage of the super summer deals at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, it's no wonder the rooms were being quickly snapped up.
As we tucked into a glorious pizza in the hotel's impressive outside pool area, as well as families enjoying the facilities we were also joined by a small party of business executives taking a break from a hard session at a nearby conference and a number of women enjoying a "shopping trip" with a comfortable overnight stay as part of the package.
Their aim was to bronze by the pool during the day and hit the retail outfits in the evening and I noticed the good lady wife Kathryn's eye glint at the prospect.
Entrance to the fitness club was all part of a 'royal club' service which also included access to an exclusive lounge area on the hotel's 10th floor.
The venue offers a delightful buffet breakfast (the poached eggs with spinach surround are heavenly) as well as providing the stage for afternoon high tea, evening snacks, canapŽs and drinks.
There was even a dedicated area for 'check in and check out' and close by a little computer section with free internet access which allowed the children a short dose of play at their favourite 'club penguin' site.
The Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Creek is in the heart of the business and shopping centre on Baniyas Road and it is just seven kilometres from Dubai International Airport.
Our luxurious suite offered stunning views of the legendary creek from its private balcony and the enormous bathroom included a whirl-pool bath and a separate power shower.
With 11 restaurants, three bars, a dhow and a cake shop, the choice for eating out was endless.
And, thanks to regular flights from Bahrain International Airport the short stay break in Dubai - with its value-for-money summer hotel offers - makes for a tempting school holiday prospects. The Szecowka family flew with Gulf Air.
For further details on similar breaks visit www.deiracreek.dubai. radissonsas.com
Is Jameirah Beach Hotel all it's cracked up to be? See Travel Weekly next week.
