Work-life in the UAE is hectic, and we all need to unwind and relax from our monotonous routines. What if we tell you there are absolutely stunning places in the Northern UAE, perfect for those who need a quick getaway? What about options for the best summer staycation in RAK?
The best part? You don’t even need to stress yourself with visa applications and ticket hassles!
Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost part of the UAE. It is a popular spot for beautiful hotels with stunning beachfront and mountain views. These hotels offer a mix of island and city life. You can have unforgettable experiences and thrilling outdoor activities for kids and adults.
In this article, we will explore some of the best hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, which are the perfect spots for a summer staycation.
Best Summer Staycations in RAK
Here’s a roundup of the best summer staycations in RAK, where you can spend your time off in style! Pack your bags because here we go!
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
Let’s get straight to the highlights. The DoubleTree By Hilton Resort features seven gorgeous pools, including 650 metres of private beach access. The best swimming pool here is the floating sea pool, where you can soak in the sun and enjoy your in-pool breakfast.
There is also a huge indoor swimming pool for adults and two shaded ones dedicated to kids only. Guests can enjoy 13 restaurants and bars, including an all-day dining facility. They can also access four specialty restaurants, a rooftop bar, two pool bars, a beach bar, a fruit kiosk, a lobby lounge, and a coffee house.
There is also a kids club offering a climbing wall, ball pit, video games, movies, and many other supervised activities. It has a dedicated arcade area for older kids and an outdoor playground.
Head to the Pirate Boat Aqua Zone, which features water slides, sprinklers, and buckets. The resort also has the largest Tarzan boat in the Middle East, with two high dive boards (the tallest being 14 feet high), two water slides, and a giant rope swing for thrill seekers.
The newest attraction is a Padel tennis court, which the whole family can enjoy.
Room amenities include spa-inspired bathrooms with jacuzzi and flat TVs. Luxury suites with terraces offering breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. The resort also has an entire spa side to experience.
- Address: Al Marjan Is Blvd – Jazeerat Al Marjan – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 203 0000
- Booking: King room starts at AED 404 per night; www.hilton.com
Banan Beach
Although Banan Beach is not technically a hotel, it is one of the most popular spots for staycation in RAK. This glamping spot is the UAE’s best secret location, attracting residents looking for a rustic glamping experience.
The whole campsite screams beach and boho, featuring blue-tiled swimming pools, white-washed tents, white loungers, and lavish white and blue chalets.
Experience a stay in the triangle-shaped roof lofts, which have a private bathroom, one queen, and one double bed and comfortably fit four adults. The loft also offers a private chic courtyard with a personal jacuzzi and a barbecue pit.
There are also two—and three-bedroom luxurious chalets with blue and white tiled courtyards, private pools, bougainvillaea, a swing, and a bar. The best part? Banan Beach is pet-friendly, too!
- Address: Nad Al Sili – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 235 3566
- Booking: Tents from AED 360; bananbeach.com
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
Inaugurated in 2022, the gorgeous Movenpick Resort is located on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah. The resort boasts an entire kilometre of private beach with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.
Movenpick has quickly become one of the best summer staycations in RAK. It is ideal for people who want to experience an array of dining options with friends and family. The best among them is the beach club Ula, offering a diverse menu of food and drinks.
You can also book a private pool villa at Movenpick, featuring a decent-sized lush garden, a private furnished terrace, and, of course, a swimming pool. Breakfast here is a royal affair with several live cooking stations and scrumptious buffets.
Not to forget, you will also observe the classic Movenpick touches in the resort, like the Chocolate Hour, which is open to all guests. How cool!
- Address: Al Marjan Is Blvd – Jazeerat Al Marjan – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 246 0000
- Booking: doubles from AED 480; movenpick.accor.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Al Hamra Beach
Experience the best summer staycation in RAK at the Ritz Carlton. Located on the pristine white sands of the beautiful Al Hamra beach, the Ritz Carlton resort boasts unmatched luxury!
It is a vibrant community featuring countless restaurants, bars, a marina, shops, and a lush 18-hole golf course. Book a private pool villa here for the experience of a lifetime!
When you check in, you will feel the royal vibes as the guests are transferred to their private beachfront villas directly from the reception through speedboats. These residences feature foliage-filled gardens, terraces, and beach access. The interiors, too, are worth talking about.
Typical Indian Ocean-inspired, the beds are draped in chic white coverings, lots of teak, outdoor showers, and jacuzzis. The private gardens are loaded with beautiful palm trees and comfortable sitting areas to relax, bask in the sun, and enjoy the sunset afterward.
- Address: Vienna St – Al Hamra Village – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 204 8888
- Booking: Villas from AED 2,720 ritzcarlton.com
Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Speak of modernity and luxury, and you will get a name, Anantara. The brand has just opened a resort in Ras Al Khaimah: the stunning Anantara Mina Al Arab Resort. This beachfront is located within protected mangroves, offering a Maldives-like experience to its visitors. Here’s how.
The resort features overwater villas, offering a unique experience. These promising villas have a private infinity pool perched above the ocean with magnificent mangrove views. The villas also feature modern luxury kitchens, spacious bedrooms with wooden floors, outdoor showers, and sea-view bathtubs.
Guests are bound to think they are actually in the Maldives while staying at Anantara, as the interiors and facilities are reminiscent of Anantara’s Maldivian properties.
Other amenities include a 9000 sqm private beach, the Anantara luxury spa, signature Mekong restaurants, yoga pavilions, indoor kids’ areas, and a wildlife centre.
- Address: Mina Al Arab – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 204 2222
- Booking: Doubles from AED 1,700 per night; anantara.com
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
The next resort to make to our list of the best summer staycations in RAK is the Waldorf Astoria. The property stands tall above the beach and the nearby Al Hamra community, looking impressive against the Arabian Gulf.
This luxury five-star hotel in Ras Al Khaimah is inspired by Arabian palaces, with gold domes, Arabesque arches, and turrets like traditional Arabic forts.
Inside, the hotel features mother-of-pearl details and Arabic calligraphy, reflecting the UAE’s pearl-diving history. You will also notice the classic Waldorf Astoria touches, like a grand clock made in gold showing the five daily prayer times.
You will find eight restaurants and bars, an underwater spa, and a private beach with stunning ocean views. As part of the Al Hamra community, guests can also access an 18-hole golf course, a shopping mall, and a marina.
- Address: Vienna St – Al Hamra Village – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 203 5555
- Booking: Doubles from AED 730 per night; www.hilton.com
The InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa
Ras Al Khaimah is home to countless beautiful islands. One is Hyatt Island, home to the brand-new InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort and Spa.
This sprawling property is just 40-45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, making it a perfect summer weekend escape. It features more than 351 magnificent rooms, suites, and private villas, all with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.
It is an ideal staycation spot for families, where they can enjoy facilities like private pools, beach access, relaxing spas, fitness centres, and many water activities. There are countless luxurious options for private villa guests, like in-villa dining, spacious wooden-floored bedrooms, private jacuzzis, outdoor showers, etc.
An entire children’s club is dedicated to kids having the time of their lives. While the little ones enjoy the kids’ activities, adults can take quick strolls on the beach, enjoy their favourite food from one of the six different dining outlets, and drink at the beach bar, New York style!
- Address: Hayat Island – Mina Al Arab – Ras Al Khaimah – UAE
- Phone: +971 7 202 6666
- Booking: AED 980 a night; icrasalkhaimah.com
FAQs
1. Is Ras Al Khaimah Worth Visiting?
Ras Al Khaimah is utterly gorgeous with its rugged Hajar Mountains, golden beaches, and vast desert landscapes. Adventure enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to enjoy, from desert quad-biking and mountain biking to water sports and hiking up Jebel Jais, the UAE’s tallest peak.
2. Is Ras Al Khaimah Better Than Dubai?
While Dubai is famous for its skyscrapers, shopping, and attractions, Ras Al Khaimah offers a different experience. Known as the “nature emirate,” it has many luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and stunning scenery.
There we have it! This ends our guide about the list of best staycations at Ras Al Khaimah, where you can beat the heat in style. From tranquil beachfront to endless dining options, shopping and activities, we are sure you won’t need to plan an international vacation! Because the UAE has it all!
