Ras Al Khaimah: The quiet emirate rises as the perfect escape for tourists

By Sara Taher

Located on the sandy white beaches of Al Marjan, a pristine man-made island in Ras Al Khaimah, the brand new Rixos Bab Al Bahr’s distinctive pyramids offer travelers the perfect escape from the city bustling activities of the UAE.

When one mentions the UAE, most people immediately conjure up images of Dubai with its towering skyscrapers, attractive opportunities, and high-end lifestyle. Although the famous emirate has managed to steal away the spotlight for many years now, its neighboring northern emirate, Ras al Khaimah, is slowly etching its way into the limelight with new tourism developments and projects in the works.

Known among the residents as a great location for a mini stay-cation, Ras al Khaimah is working hard to establish itself as a prime tourist destination. The emirate has a reputation for being laid-back and relaxing, and its beautiful scenery and rich history add to its charm. Recently the emirate has engaged in various activities to boost tourism numbers, such as building the Bedouin-style camp of Al Basata, as well as organizing activities such as the RAK Half Marathon.

“Ras Al Khaimah is a beautiful emirate with a lot to offer but yet to be fully discovered,” said General Manager Haytham Omar. “Now that tourists have a well-known property like Rixos Bab Al Bahr in the emirate, we feel they would be more inclined to visit and explore. Ras Al Khaimah is a nature’s marvel, yet to be fully discovered. It is growing as a leisure destination at a very fast pace. The presence of Rixos Bab Al Bahr will definitely contribute to the growth, as much as Ras Al Khaimah as a destination will add value to the resort.”

Relying on its growing tourism infrastructure, the up-and-coming emirate also offers an old-world view of the Middle East, unlike its flashier neighbors, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Having preserved much of its ancient sights, the emirate’s more prominent attractions include the Dhayah Fort, a dune-top castle built to fight the British troops in the 16^th century and the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, housed in the palace of the Royal Al Qawasim family.

The emirate is also famous for the preservation and celebration of its native values, heritage and culture, giving visitors a unique look into the region’s oldest traditions and lifestyle. One can still see farmers growing date-palms, Bedouin tribes roaming the desert, ride camels in the desert and see rolling sand dunes as far as the eye can see. While the city’s Old Souq and bazaars still exude a remarkable and unmistakable old-world charm, the emirate’s slew of luxury hotels, spas, theme-parks and retail projects continue to promote the emirate as rising star and an attractive tourist destination.

“All-inclusive exclusive” luxury attraction

Having just opened its doors on February 12, 2014, Rixos Bab Al Bahr promises to give visitors a new experience in hospitality through its idyllic setting. Overlooking the seemingly endless blue horizon, this hotel offers visitors the perfect view of the Arabian Gulf and has fully embraced one of the most notable features associated with the up-and-coming emirate – relaxing.

Made up of three large pyramid shaped buildings, the 655 room resort includes a decked out spa, a large swimming pool with private sun beds and a main central courtyard with live entertainment.

“There is no shortage of big brand hotels in the region and at the end of the day, a hotel room is just a hotel room,” said Omar. “We are offering our guests something completely new, especially in terms of entertainment and dining options.”

Something different is exactly what hotel visitors can expect.

Visitors can opt for the intense authentic Turkish Hammam, a cleansing and relaxing experience infusing old world tradition with modern day treatments that leaves your skin feeling silky smooth with a youthful glow. Others can spend the day lounging by the pool on large white mattress sun beds with flowing white drapes. There are also activities provided to keep the little ones entertained while mum and dad soak up the sun.

Every night, a live band sets the mood by the beach, giving visitors a chance to complete their serene experience with dazzling entertainment including dance shows, acrobatics and performances. And of course, no vacation is compete without a DJ’s pulsating music at the resort’s nightlife spots, Entertainment Square and the Night Club, to make the island come alive and let visitors party until midnight.

“It has really been designed so that anyone can just come for a few days and have everything they need right here at the property,” said Omar.

A culinary journey for city-escapers

One of the Turkish chain’s main attractions is its “all-inclusive, all-exclusive” feature, which means that for a set price, visitors can forget about their wallets and settling bills and simply enjoy the wide array of dining choices at the resort. Although many resorts across the globe do have an “all-inclusive” policy, Rixos Bab al Bahr is the first resort in the Gulf to offer this unique feature.

“It will really give our guests much more freedom in their stay with us,” said Omar. “What it particularly focuses on is dining. Usually when guests stay at a hotel for a week or so, on check out they have to deal with the extra charges racked up for dining. We have 14 options for eating that the guests can choose from and they won’t have to worry about the hassle of settling the bill at the end. This will really give them more freedom and will make the entire experience much more relaxing.”

With 14 distinct restaurants and bars to pick from, any visitor is sure to be spoilt for choice.

Guests can opt for high-end venues like Lalezar, an Ottoman Middle Eastern restaurant serving up delicious Turkish and Lebanese dishes. Others can sample rich pastas at the Italian L’olivo or savor fresh catches from the sea at the romantic seafood restaurant Marjana. Meat lovers can enjoy succulent cuts at the South American grill Meat Point or sink their teeth into a robust burger at the Toast’n Burger Café. The hotel is also equipped with more casual eateries, such as the Su pool bar and the See & Sea beach bar.

Among the hotel’s many attractive features, location is also a key lure for visitors. Located to the north, residents living in Dubai can pack up the car and trade in their hectic schedules and traffic for open terrain and pampering in just 45 minutes.

By pairing modern luxury with traditional Turkish hospitality to create the perfect getaway for any traveler, this new hotel will certainly give the emirate of Ras al Khaimah more visibility in the region. With its old-world charm, year-round sunshine and harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, Ras Al Khaimah is already showing signs of being a serious contender in the region’s tourism industry.

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