[Image: Golf course and view of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.]
If you’re looking for a luxury escape not far from Dubai, (only 50 minutes away) a trip to Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is worth a visit. It opened in August 2013 and since it’s one of the top five-star hotels in the region. Surrounded by desert, mountains and sea; it’s set in a charming beach-front location with access to the best spa facilities, a tennis court and an 18-hole golf course. The perfect leisure getaway!
[Image: Peacock Alley.]
On arrival, you are taken aback by the sheer size of the hotel. It is a grand palace; when it’s lit up at night it could even look like a grand sculpture or piece of art because it is so breathtakingly huge. The inside is just as spectacular. As with all of the Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world, a grand clock is the welcoming feature. However, in RAK, the design reflects the area’s pearling history and five rings around the base indicate each day’s pray times.The traditional elements famous to the New York-grown brand are there, but the real highlights are the unique Arabesque influences, such as the maze-like Arabic script paintings framed on the hallway walls and majlis-like sitting areas in Peacock Alley.
The palatial building was originally built by the ruler of RAK, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, but its transformation into a hotel means each room is oversized. The smallest is 56-square metres and a king classic room has a separate living area running onto a balcony overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the largest of the hotel’s pools. It also has a walk-in-wardrobe with a sit-down dressing table and the enormous marble bathroom.
[Image: Imperial Suite Master Bedroom.]
For each room, highlights include: the Bath Master, Fragrance Master and Sleep Master. Guests can allow the Bath Master to draw their bath at any time of day. You choose from a deluxe menu of bath infusions and fragrances that can be mood enhancing or altering. Blends of essential oils, aromas and infusions are available. This bathing experience is enriched further by a complementary unique culinary experience. The Fragrance Master creates memories. A slight hint of a certain scent brings back or creates sensory memoirs. The facility helps create a special ambience with the finest aromatherapy products. Finally, for the Sleep Master, guests can experience the ultimate pillow menu. Organic and natural pillows of heated cherry stones, buckwheat or the cosiest feather pillows are just part of the extensive menu available to ensure the most enchanting sleep.
[Image: Large outdoor pool.]
For activities, you can take on sailing, scuba diving and other water sports, or join a desert safari. The potential for adventure activities in the Al Hajar Mountains – a defining back drop to the emirate – is far from being fully realised, but you can take yourself hiking there, or book a charter helicopter flight for a view unavailable elsewhere in the UAE. There’s also the Iceland Water Park and traditional camel racing or you can dip into the area’s 5,000-year-old history with a tour of local sites and the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah; or try archery and the most famous Arab pastime, falconry.
Dining is a luxury experience. A highlight, if you love meat, is the Lexington Grill. Simply tuck into a delicious steak. A bite of the chef’s air-dried beef cuts will have your mouth watering. For laidback afternoon tea go to Camelia (where you can also have shisha) or have a poolside meal at Azure. Arabic cuisine in Marjan on the 16th flooris sensational and even higher up the hotel, on the 17th floor is 17Squared, an elevated lounge and nightclub. It has exceptional views and an exciting bubbly menu.
[Couples treatment room at the spa.]
