Luxury in the Desert – Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah Video Suite Tour

Ras Al Khaimah, known as RAK, is the neighboring emirate to Dubai. Like Dubai, it’s an emirate (a territory ruled by an emir) that is part of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is made up of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain).

The emirate’s close proximity to Dubai (it’s about 45 minutes from DXB) makes it a great vacation and weekend getaway destination for Dubai’s residents. The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, a full-service, luxury beachfront resort, boasts all the amenities necessary for a amazing vacation experience. There are 10 restaurants and lounges, a world-class spa, an endless array of outdoor activities and watersports, a championship golf course and of course, legendary Waldorf service.

The Resort

The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is a beautiful, palace-like resort which sits right on the clear, warm, blue waters of the Persian Gulf (known locally as the Arabian Gulf). Its height means some of the rooms and suite and various public spaces offer epic, sweeping views across the bay. With everything you need on-site, it’s convenient as you never need to leave. The resort offers a range of experiences, it’s great for families, solo travelers or couples looking for a romantic getaway.

Marjan Island

This beachfront resort area of RAK includes several hotels and resorts. Adjacent to the Waldorf is the Hilton Al Hamra Golf and Spa Resort, which offers its 18-hole, championship-level course to Waldorf guests. The Waldorf sits of a bay where a wide range of watersports are offered, including all kinds of boating, parasailing and even flying boats.

Ras Al Khaimah

RAK has a fascinating history and beautiful physical location that makes it a wonderful vacation destination. The Middle Eastern emirate’s history includes colonial conquest and wars (for a long time it was a Portuguese colonial trading port) and even pirates. The desert landscape is joined with mountains, including the UAE’s highest peak.

Getting There

Ras Al Khaimah is easily accessible by air or car. It’s less than an hour from DXB, about the same distance from the airport as downtown Dubai. RAK has its own airport (RKT), serving a growing number of European destinations as it develops as an international resort destination. The drive from Dubai is fun, the superhighway goes through the seemingly endless Arabian dunes. Many people stop along the way for 4×4 activities, desert camel rides and other fun diversions.

Read more of Freddy Sherman’s take on travel on his Go World Travel Blog. You can also follow more of his adventures at luxuryfred.com blog, @luxuryfred on Instagram and on his YouTube channel.