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.

Five unforgettable wildlife encounters in Costa Rica

21 October 2025

If you’re dreaming of a journey that blends adventure, nature, and authenticity, Costa Rica deserves a spot at the top of your list. With its rainforests, striking volcanoes, and pristine coastline, this Central American gem perfectly captures the relaxed pura vida way of life. What truly sets it apart, though, is the extraordinary range of wildlife that calls it home. From sleepy sloths to migrating whales, Costa Rica offers some of the most remarkable animal encounters on Earth. Here are five you won’t want to miss…

Five dream destinations you should be booking now

21 October 2025

Some experiences are too good to leave to chance. The sort of trips where the timing has to be right, the seasons align, and the best places fill up long before most people even think about packing a bag. Planning early isn’t just about being organised, it’s about giving your Travel Counsellor the time to secure the view, the table, the cabin, or the front-row seat that turns a holiday into a story you’ll replay for years. Here are five destinations that almost insist on being booked over a year in advance to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Where to stay in Boston: three great hotels for every kind of trip

21 October 2025

Boston is a city where history and modern life sit side by side. You can walk past landmarks from the American Revolution, then grab a coffee at a busy corner café or head to a Red Sox game that evening. It’s compact, easy to get around, and has plenty to see, whether you’re there for a weekend or a longer stay. The city’s hotels reflect that same mix; some have long, storied pasts, while others focus on space and comfort with a more modern feel. Here are three great options that show off the different sides of Boston.