The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is a stunning Bedouin-style wilderness resort nestled in the terracotta dunes that brings together pampering services with opportunities to discover the land and the people while creating an unforgettable experience for the entire family.
The resort boasts 100 private villas and focuses on offering exceptional experiences alongside unparalleled service for guests whilst being committed to providing traditional Arabian hospitality.
Guests can also enjoy robust activities and experiences such as nature drives, animal feeding, private falconry shows, horse riding lessons, and a lot more.
The property is also a protected nature reserve spanning 500 hectares (1,235 acres) and is home to diverse wildlife living naturally around the desert oasis. With more than 50 different species of birds, falcons, and Arabian Oryx, and beautiful sand gazelles, guests can experience the breath-taking scenery of the secluded nature reserve whilst enjoying authentic encounters with nature.
Why We Love This Hotel
There are so many usual activities to fill your days here that you will always find an adventure to excite. Guests can connect with nature and view the signature falconry show, whereby majestic birds of prey, including desert eagle owl and a dusky hawk who call the reserve their home, participate in a breath-taking interactive display. This is a secluded haven for creating memories with loved ones and creating indelible marks for all the family.
For the active, free bikes are provided with your villa, and a trail is laid out for you to be at one with the wildlife. For your wellbeing, private yoga sessions and nature walks are also organized. For those looking for something a little more relaxed, guests can discover the galaxy via the stargazing platform.
Location
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert resort, is superbly convenient, a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and yet a world away. The cost of this transfer is in the region of £100 GBP or $130 USD. The resort itself sits in the heart of the 500-hectare protected Al Wadi Nature Reserve, where local wildlife such as antelopes, Arabian oryx, and gazelles wander freely.
Best Time To Visit
October, March, and April are brilliant months in this region when it’s not too hot to be outside. During this time, expect to find the temperature ranging from 16°C – 32°C. Summertime starts from late May, with July – August swarming with intense heat, all the way up to 50°C.
How To Get There
Direct flights go from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Dubai International Airport. Flight time is around 7 hours.
Style & Character
Traditional watchtowers watch over tented suites, and the resort, which is partially lit in the evening by traditional lanterns, has a timeless atmosphere.
Service & Facilities
In addition to a communal pool at the Oasis Bar, each villa includes a private pool and deck. There is also a kids club aimed at 5 to 12-year-olds. With the resort’s Ritz Kids® program, kids ages four and older are introduced to the natural wonders and cultural traditions of Ras Al Khaimah through fun, educational activities such as the Pony Splash, where children are invited to connect with these gentle creatures and learn how to take care of a pony through grooming, washing, and walking lessons, followed by an introductory ride and Mini Falconry where kids can experience the majestic beauty of the falcon in an interactive show.
A healing water oasis in the middle of a desert can be experienced at The Rainforest. The tranquil spa combines European hydrothermal culture with Middle Eastern bathing rituals, creating a rejuvenating sanctuary in the Arabian desert. The experience includes 16 different stations, each traveling one step farther in the journey to relaxation. Guests are encouraged to follow the mapped sequence and allow time for the body to cool, whether naturally or with the Ice Igloo or showers, after completing a warm station.
Rooms
There are 100 stand-alone private villas featuring outdoor furnished terraces and a private infinity pool looking out across the desert. Each villa offers a cozy living area with a large television and sofa. The villa bathrooms offer an enormous stand-alone tub with Asprey amenities and a glass-enclosed rain shower.
Best Rooms
The Tented Pool Villa (Al Khaimah or Al Sahari) is a brilliant choice at 2,700 square feet with private entrances, tented ceilings, a huge bathroom, a massive shower, a stand-alone tub, and a private pool on the deck, all steeped in Bedouin designs.
Food & Drink
Restaurants include Farmhouse with a gorgeous terrace and outdoor bar, ideal for watching the sunset. Farmhouse serves meats from its own smokehouse, fresh fish, and home-grown salad. Private dining on the dunes under a starlit sky is also not to be missed and is tailored for each occasion.
All guests will enjoy the international breakfast at Kaheela that also offers other delights from flavors and dishes reaching from the Middle East and India to casual BBQ nights under the stars. You can also bask in a Moroccan inspired atmosphere with Arabic touches at Moorish, where you can enjoy a variety of Moroccan favorites with a Mediterranean twist and traditional influences. And for an unforgettable evening, Moon Bar is the perfect place to enjoy the evening hours whilst perched above the treetops, with the immaculate feeling of sitting among the stars.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert offers the perfect two center holiday option where you can stay in the desert to relax and then drive back into Dubai to enjoy the vibrant city or drive to a beach resort in Abu Dhabi, which will take around 2 hours.
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