Waldorf Astoria Ras al-Khaimah, Ras al-Khaimah

rooms

The 346 rooms and suites are generously proportioned and elegant in style. Decorated in soothing hues of cream, white and beige, they feature splashes of turquoise and slick, black marble bathrooms with bathtubs and rain showers. Arabian touches include traditional mashrabiya windows and patterned floors. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer stellar views of either the sea or the championship golf course. Rooms range in size from the 56 square metre King Classic Room to the King Imperial Suite, which is an impressive 422 square meters and has a VIP elevator and direct, private spa access.

facilities & activities

The resort boasts a wonderful spa, with 12 treatment rooms, plus a sauna, steam room, an ice chute and tropical showers. Treatments feature organic, sustainable seaweed products. There is even a ‘bath master’ who handpicks individual fragrances - such as English lavender and sweet basil - for guests to soak in, in order to relieve stress. The gym is open 24 hours, and there are two tennis courts.

The hotel can arrange desert dune buggy rides with the option of camel rides and dinner around the campfire. Other available activities include golf, horse riding and watersports such as jet skiing, wakeboarding and sailing. Nearby attractions worth visiting include the Iceland Waterpark, the archery range at Al Wadi and Via Ferrata in Jebel Al Jais Mountain.

dining

Pick from the resort’s ten restaurants and lounges, which each have their own individual style and cuisine, ranging from smart to casual. Qasr al Bahar is a light and airy restaurant where the buffet breakfast is served. Marjan serves traditional Middle Eastern dishes and hosts belly dance performances, while Lexington Grill is the place to go for steak and seafood. UMI offers great Japanese fare in a sleek, low-lit setting, and the poolside Azure restaurant is a good choice for light salads and sandwiches. In-room dining is also available 24 hours a day. Book half board (which includes buffet breakfast and credit for dinner in all the restaurants) for best value.

family

Families can choose from a wide range of room types, including many with two queen beds, sleeping two adults and two children. Junior suites sleep two adults and one child, while larger suites can accommodate a family of four. Interconnecting rooms are also available for larger families. Children aged under 12 stay for free (maximum of one child per room).

There is a kids’ club for children aged three to twelve, open daily from 8am until 7pm. Activities include scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and puppet shows. Book in advance for the babysitting service, which costs 60AED (£12) per hour and is available from 7pm. There is also a family pool (as well as an adults-only pool) and children's menus with high chairs also available. Children under six eat for free, while those aged six to 11 get half price meals.

location

Around an hour’s drive north of Dubai International Airport, the hotel sits on the beach in Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, it’s the ideal spot from which to try a range of watersports, such as scuba diving, snorkelling and deep-sea fishing. Though the hotel is easy to access from Dubai, it’s wise to avoid 6-8am and 4-7pm, when rush hour traffic is at its peak.