Close to the desert and mountains and with its own private beach the sprawling Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach resort has plenty to offer.
Within proximity to the desert, beaches and mountains, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach resort is a multi-award-winning resort sprawled over 1.5km of private sandy beach, just over an hour away from Dubai city centre.
Ras Al Khaimah is the most northern of the United Arab Emirates and has a much more low-key vibe than its neighbour, Dubai. The resort has a superb beachfront location and excellent facilities including 7 pools, water sports, a spa, gym and kids club.
Dining is a highlight with a choice of ten venues whilst rooms are contemporary in style and have a private balcony or terrace.
Who for
The resort is popular with families who make the most of the seven swimming pools, dedicated kids club and teens club and beach access villas. The gently shelving beach with calm water makes it very safe for swimming. It’s also great for couples wanting somewhere quieter than the big resorts in Dubai but still with all the amenities and good restaurants.
Accommodation
The hotel features 471 guest rooms, suites and beach-side villas. The bright and airy rooms have a cool, contemporary feel and feature a private balcony or terrace with either a city, sea or garden view. I stayed in one of the newly refurbished villas, the epitome of sophistication with all the usual mod-cons: flat-screen TV, coffee and tea making facilities and generous bathroom with walk-in shower.
However, what got the biggest thumbs up was the fact that all the lights and lamps in the bedroom were able to be switched on and off by a single easy to use laser sensor switch with the same for the bathroom and sitting area. No scrabbling around in the dark to switch the lights on and off.
Food & Drink
Rumour had it, that hotel breakfast buffets would be a thing of the past following the covid pandemic. Not so in The Kitchen, from European cuisine to South Asian delights, you can take a culinary trip around the world at breakfast alone. It’s where breakfast is served (and lunch and dinner for guests on an all-inclusive package). The resort is also well known for having possibly one of the UAE’s finest Italian restaurants Piaceri da Gustare serving the finest seasonal a la carte Italian dishes. Al Maeda is the resort’s contemporary Lebanese inspired restaurant and hosts regular special events. I dined on succulent, enormous bbq’d prawns at Sol Beach Lounge and Bar – a fun, energetic and friendly al fresco lounge and bar, right on the beach and inspired by classic Mediterranean beach bars like Nikki Beach or Club 55. The resort has a total of 10 restaurants and bars including Sunset Bar where you can chill out with your favourite cocktail enjoying the sunset and view of the Arabian sea
Facilities
The resort has 7 swimming pools including 1 saltwater pool. The latter looks as though it should be a water feature (I’ve been known in the past to mistakenly swim in one!) but is a wonderfully big expanse of water to relax in or swim around exploring the side channels. The spa has nine treatment rooms, two hammam Moroccan baths as well as a jacuzzi, sauna and a steam room. The professional spa team offer pampering body treatments, rejuvenating facials and body massages using ESSE products. Hilton Fitness features cutting edge equipment for cardio and strength training whilst a world of fun is on offer for children at the kids’ club -The Tree House or teen’s club – The Hide.
How much
Rooms at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach resort start from AED 834 (£167) per night
Book your stay at The Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort
What’s Nearby?
The resort is about 75 minutes from Dubai International Airport and the many activities and places of interest in Ras Al Khaimah are all within easy reach including Jebel Jais Mountain and the World’s Longest Zipline (25 km) and the city centre and shopping malls (5 km)
VERDICT
For this Piscean water babe who loves her food, the resort was a winner all around. I particularly loved the choice of swimming pools, the variety of food and there was never an issue in finding a sunbed. The resort and staff were welcoming and friendly and as a single female travelling alone, it felt very safe. I also enjoyed that it was quieter and less blingy than some of the resorts and hotels in neighbouring Dubai.
