You know what’s one of the best things about living in Dubai? It is the number of options that you have for a weekend getaway. UAE has tons of stunning locations which are home to some beautiful properties. Well mostly I refrain from repeating places but this place was an exception, I would happily go back again. After a fabulous weekend getaway at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah I was left wanting for more. Apart from the luxurious set up, decadent food and a fabulous location, there are a zillion other reasons to visit this resort. Let’s find out….
Location:
Touching the Arabian Gulf, this stunning property is located in the Al Hamra district of Ras Al Khaimah which is about an hour from Dubai. Don’t leave during peak hours or you will be stuck in traffic. The resort is around 80kms from the Dubai Airport. Surrounded by the desert, mountain and sea this is an ideal spot for a relaxed weekend.
Check In/ Check Out:
Even though the resort was packed luckily there were no long queues for checking in and checking out. The procedure took 10 minutes and we were escorted to our room. Hot towels while checking in added a great touch. While leaving, the bill was ready and the staff was extremely wonderful and kind.
Hotel Interiors:
Opulence and grandeur is what you can expect from this resort. The hotel lobby boasts a prehistoric and iconic clock based upon the ancient astrolabe which was used to discern the precise times for prayer in the Islamic faith. The magnificent Peacock Alley is connected to the main lobby. The jaw dropping chandeliers, a majestic staircase and a paino set up in the centre all add up to the royalty. The entire hotel is designed to be spacious and resplendent with traditional Middle Eastern touches.
 
Rooms: King Deluxe Room with Sea View with Balcony
I can’t even begin to tell you how impressed I was with my room. I loved how spacious, well decorated, fully equipped and sparkling bright it was. As you enter the room the corridor leads you to the washroom and shower area on the left and a walk in closet/dressing room on the right. The bathroom was shining in golden marbles and stocked with Salvatore Ferragamo shower products, how impressive is that! The closet had a locker, bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer and a fabulous mirror for makeup.
As you cross this you are led into a spacious white room decorated with a tinge of blue, gold and ivory, so classy! There’s a king bed on the left and a seating area on the right. From a nespresso machine to a 42 inch HDTV and WIFI this room has it all. Well the best is yet to come. As you slide the doors of the French windows you will enter a huge balcony with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea and the resort. It is the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.
 
 
  
 
Restaurants:
The best part about any holiday is the food, atleast for me. I’ve been to a zillion resorts in UAE and I’m not always happy with the food but this one was a huge exception. There was absolutely nothing that I could complain about. Infact, everything was finger licking delicious and impeccably served. The staff at all restaurants was attentive, kind and wonderful. To begin with, Waldorf Astoria has 10 spots in all where you can dine and chill. The hotel offers an amazing range of restaurants to suit every mood and flavour. Among these I tried the following:
-Azure: Situated right next to the pool, this restaurant serves delicious Mediterranean dishes. Make sure to try their grilled prawns, lobsters and spaghetti. It’s the perfect setting for lunch or an evening snack.
-Marjan: With quirky interiors, this spot undoubtedly has the best Middle Eastern food in the entire UAE. We tried four flavours of Hummus- Regular, Chilli, Blackberry and Basil Hummus, Tabbouleh, Falafel and Shish Tawouk, it was all so delectable.
 
Sheesha Lounge
-Qasr Al Bahar: They have a fresh minty décor and a garden terrace which is perfect for the day time. The breakfast was amazing with two live egg stations and a variety of international spread.
We really wanted to try The Lexington Grill but it was too busy and impossible to get a table.
Pool and Other Activities:
The resort has its own 350m long private beach, two temperature controlled swimming pools and an 18 hole championship golf course. If you’re honeymooning or want some private time then I suggest head to the pool near the Al Fayrouz bar for the perfect sundown. The hotels spa is a beautiful spot to surrender your stress and restore well-being. Unfortunately we did not get to try the spa but apparently the treatments here are quite a hit. The resort also has activities like horse riding, tennis, water adventures like fly fishing, parasailing, jet skiing, snorkelling and sailing.
 
 
What to Pack:
Getaways are for relaxing and chilling so make sure to carry all comfortable outfits and nothing too fancy. For the day time pack casual dresses or shorts and a top. Since the location is picturesque try and carry bright colours. For the pool, a swimsuit, sunscreen, coverups and a hat would be great. For the night, a dress would be ideal. Don’t bother carrying heels unless you want to dress up for the lounge.
 
Ideal for:Â Â A romantic getaway or a family staycation
Service: Good service is all you need. From the restaurant staff to the lobby ones, they were all so amazing. A big thank you to Faith, Christina and Tintu. At Marjan Chef Mounir greeted and checked on all his guests one by one.
What I loved the most:
-I absolutely loved how the rooms have the luxury of space and serenity.
– The food in each and every restaurant that we tried was so delicious and impeccable.
– The poolside changing rooms were so large in size, unlike some other resorts.
Note:
-Book a table at the Lexington Grill in advance, its supposed to be really good.
-Try and stay for atleast two night, one night is just not enough.
Contact: +97172035555
Reservations.Warak@waldorfastoria.com
