The beautiful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is a favourite destination for staycations and holidays thanks to its dramatic backdrop of the Hajar mountain range and the serene views of the Arabian Sea. Although it is only a short drive away from Dubai, it has a completely different vibe and feels like a dreamy holiday spot somewhere far away.
Arrival and check-in
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is conveniently located only an hour’s drive from downtown Dubai. This luxury beachfront resort boasts 346 spacious rooms and suites with golf and sea views.
Even when the hotel is busy with arriving guests (Friday afternoons are the busiest), the check-in process is very fast and efficient. The hotel staff at the check-in counter is happy to accommodate special requests, including a late check-out.
The suite and amenities
Although even the smallest rooms at the resort are very spacious at 56 sq. m., I opted for one of their 84 sq. m. (904 sq. ft.) Junior Suites with a balcony and a sea view.
As you enter the suite, you find yourself in a spacious hallway. On your right, you will find sliding doors with a generous walk-in closet with a vanity dresser. It has more than enough room to store your luggage and you get a whiff of a lovely citrusy smell every time you open the sliding doors.
The suite has an open-plan layout with a king bedroom situated in the middle of the suite.
Love the details 
I appreciated that Waldorf offers generous safety kits to its guests containing a hand sanitiser gel, wipes and masks
The suite comes with a cosy dining area with a corner sofa and a small round table.
I loved that there was a spacious lounge area where you can sit down with a book.
The most exciting feature of the suite for me was its large balcony with the most serene sea view! I enjoyed spending my time on the balcony admiring the calmness of the azure Arabian Sea despite the very hot August weather.
As one would expect, the suite has a very large and elegant marble bathroom. I loved the sparkly copper tiles on the walls and the super fluffy bathrobes.
Restaurants and cafes at the hotel
The resort’s guests are spoiled for choice with 9 restaurants on the grounds. The hotel is very popular on weekends and if you wish to avail of the dining facilities at peak times it is recommended to book your favourite restaurants on arrival. The primary purpose of my visit was to relax and enjoy the sea view from my balcony, so I did not want to leave the suite, even for breakfast. Luckily, the in-room dining options were quite good (except that they did not have freshly squeezed juice unfortunately).
The only restaurant I tried during my stay was Peacock Alley, a modern lounge offering a vast selection of teas, coffees and light bites.
The location
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is located in the Al Hamra development facing Marjan Islands. There is a complimentary ferry boat service if you wish to visit the nearby Al Hamra Village.
The Emirate boasts a rich heritage so there are numerous forts, museums and even an abandoned fishing village to visit if you are interested in learning more about the history of the area.
Value for money
The resort has a special offer on its website whereby the UAE residents can book a suite for the price of a classic room. I paid approximately AED 1,230 for my sea view Junior Suite in August 2021, which is an excellent value for money if you compare it to similar resorts in Dubai.
Final thoughts
Waldorf Astoria RAK is the perfect place for anyone who is looking to have a quiet and relaxing stay at an impressive seafront palatial hotel. The resort is beautiful and well-maintained, the staff is very courteous and accommodating, and the rooms are modern, spacious and tastefully decorated. I highly recommend this hotel and I am hoping to be back when the weather gets cooler to stay there again and explore everything the surrounding area has to offer.
