Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is a luxury retreat for city slickers who need some serious rest and relaxation.
The Lowdown
Visiting the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah feels more like a vacation than a staycation. Despite being easily accessible from every emirate (they’ll even pick you up if you wish), walking through the grand entrance instantly transports you to its sister hotel in New York, with its lavish interior and impossibly high ceilings. However, unlike its big apple counterpart, outside you’ll find an oasis of sunshine complete with large cabanas, pools and a swim up bar. Multiple restaurants, shops, and areas to relax make the vast hotel seem personal. Though it’s perfectly located for weekends away, you’ll definitely want to stay for longer.
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Pampering And Leisure
Whether you’d prefer to explore the 350 metres of private white sand beach or simply unwind by one of the pools, all of the outdoor areas have the feel of a five star retreat. We perched ourselves under a cabana, ordered drinks, and let ourselves unwind in the beautiful surroundings.
Tucked away on the lower ground floor of the hotel is the spa. With minimalist décor and colours that reflect the Peacock palette of the hotel, it’s calming from the onset. We opted for an aromatherapy massage, which is more about relaxation than an intense muscle treatment. After choosing a calming oil and filling out a form with our preferences, we were treated to 60 minutes of total r&r.
Suites
The luxury suites are the cream of the Waldorf’s already stalwart reputation. On entering the King Tower Suite, we were greeted with a grand entrance hall, leading on to a living room kitted out with the hotel’s signature colours – muted creams and sea blues. The cosmic-sized bedroom is like a movie star’s boudouir, complete with floor to ceiling windows and a large dressing table.
There are lots of touches that make it feel special – a freestanding bath, a television inside the bathroom mirror, Salvatore Ferragamo bath products, and don’t even get us started on the dressing gown. We found the suite so impressive that we were slightly heartbroken every time we had to leave it.
Stylish Eats
As with every Waldorf Astoria hotel, the famous Peacock Alley takes centre stage on the ground floor. The tradition started in New York, and since then, it has been personalised according to every destination. The lounge at the Ras Al Khaimah property has a special Arabic theme, with booths curving round a large water fountain, and a clock including five daily prayer times.
Continuing the New York theme, The Lexington Grill is the ideal place to indulge in fine steaks and fresh seafood. With a modern take on the traditional dark wood-paneled steak house, the low lighting and arty walls create the ideal ambiance ideal for a leisurely meal. The food tastes exactly as you would expect quality ingredients cooked by expert chefs to taste – delicious. We recommend the rib-eye steak.
Extras
The Waldorf has some well-chosen shops to cater for those with a shopping habit (aka the whole of the EW team). We were particularly impressed with Dhamani, a local jewellery brand who have a range of styles, from Arabic inspired creations to simple designs. You’ll find lots of dramatic pieces perfect for blinging up a simple black tie dress. We fell in love with the diamonds and covered ourselves in them for the evening. dhamani.com
The details
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah | (07) 203 5555 | Website
