Your guide to Ras Al Khaimah’s luxurious escapes

18 August 2025

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE’s northern most Emirate, has transformed into a destination synonymous with high-end experiences. With a blend of world-class resorts and unique adventures, it offers something truly special. Whether it’s serene villas with private pools or curated expeditions into the desert, this Emirate redefines the meaning of luxury. Here’s a closer look at what is waiting for you.

Your guide to Ras Al Khaimah’s luxurious escapes

Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah

The highlight of staying at this five-star hotel is their Maldivian-style overwater villas with floor-to-ceiling windows, private decks, and direct access to the sea. The interiors are calm and uncluttered, finished with natural wood and soft fabrics that create a relaxed mood. Kayaking through the nearby mangroves is a serene experience - look out for herons stalking the shallows, groups of crabs scuttling on the mud, and sometimes even turtles coming up for air. It’s a solid pick if you value privacy, good design, and a little adventure with your morning coffee.

InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa

This resort brings understated elegance to the beachfront, offering everything from romantic couple suites to roomy family villas. With six distinctive restaurants, including Levant & Nar for Middle Eastern flavours, NoHo for a New York-inspired vibe, and Saffar for international dishes, there’s always something new to try. The spa is a real treat too, blending local ingredients and time-honoured rituals for a little extra indulgence during your stay.

The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert

If you’re after your own hideaway, The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert stands out with its private pool villas surrounded by golden dunes and interiors inspired by Arabian traditions. There’s plenty to do, such as guided stargazing sessions that take advantage of the clear desert skies. On the right night, you might spot constellations like Orion, the Pleiades cluster, or even the glow of the Milky Way. The equestrian centre offers well-kept Arabian horses and tailored riding lessons for all levels, along with organised desert hacks and even sunset rides. Cap off your day with a meal that could either be Bedouin-inspired under the stars or international fine dining.

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

For something grand, the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah impresses with its magnificent architecture and luxurious rooms offering sweeping views of the shore. An 18-hole championship golf course winds between lakes and immaculately kept greens, while a long private beach stretches nearly 350 metres along the shoreline for guest-exclusive sunsets and quiet walks. Service here is a real highlight. The staff offer attentive poolside service, luggage unpacking on request, and can even arrange private beach dinners or tailored excursions. Whether you want to perfect your swing, walk the sand at sunrise, or simply unwind in a cabana, the focus is always on a comfortable, relaxed experience where small touches make a big difference.

The Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach

This resort focuses on seclusion, with 32 villas spaced for privacy and direct beach access. Guests can start their mornings with beachside yoga sessions, usually held at sunrise on the sand, offering peaceful views and gentle waves as a backdrop. Afterwards, attentive staff provide custom refreshments tailored to your preferences, such as freshly pressed juices, coconut water served in the shade, or personalised snack platters delivered to your villa or poolside. Walking along the shore, especially during quieter parts of the day, makes the location stand out as a place to relax and recharge.

Curated adventures that go beyond ordinary

If you’re after adventure, Ras Al Khaimah delivers with experiences like the Jais Flight zipline, soaring high above the dramatic mountain terrain, or gently drifting over the desert at sunrise in a hot air balloon, often finishing with a gourmet breakfast. You can encounter Arabian wildlife on a guided drive through Al Wadi Nature Reserve and even discover the tradition of pearl diving at Suwaidi Pearls Farm, and maybe even find your own pearl.

To book your luxurious escape to Ras Al Khaimah, speak to your Travel Counsellor today.

5 standout destinations for summer 2026

20 March 2026

Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a season where travellers are mixing the familiar with the less obvious. The big names are still popular for a reason: they’re easy to reach, reliable in terms of weather, and offer plenty to do. But there’s also a growing shift towards destinations that feel a bit more manageable in peak season, whether that’s smaller islands, lesser-known coastal towns, or places that reward a slower pace. With short-haul travel across Europe continuing to expand, it’s easier than ever to combine both. Below are five destinations to have on your radar: two well-known favourites, and three that offer something slightly different without taking you too far out of your comfort zone.

5 European villa escapes with Oliver’s Travels

20 March 2026

A villa holiday offers a level of space and flexibility that’s hard to find in a hotel. Instead of shared facilities and fixed schedules, you have your own place to relax, cook, and spend time together, whether that’s around the pool, on a terrace at sunset, or over a long dinner outside. Oliver's Travels specialises in handpicked villas across Europe, with properties ranging from stylish coastal homes to restored country estates. Many sleep anywhere from six to 14 guests or more, making them ideal for families or groups travelling together, and your Travel Counsellor can find the best one for you and your needs.

How to spend 48 hours in Copenhagen

20 March 2026

Denmark’s capital is a city that’s easy to settle into quickly. Much of the centre can be explored on foot, the harbour is never far away, and the food and bar scene makes it easy to plan your day around where to eat next. In two days, you can cover the highlights while still leaving time to enjoy the restaurants, bars, and local experiences that make the city such a good choice for a short break.