Dubai & Ras al Khaimah

Dubai – big, brash, bold and brassy! I’ve come away from Dubai with the same opinion that I went with, that it’s completely over the top in every sense and now I get why so many love it and keep going back – it really was worth going just to see what all the fuss is about.

Arriving in the early hours I was amazed at how much traffic there was, even at 3am. Oh and the heat, even in the middle of the night it was stifling, so walking into the cool and calm Ritz Carlton was a welcome blessing and it wasn’t long before I was tucked up in bed for a much needed sleep.

After a late breakfast and meeting up with the rest of our group we had a good look around the facilities and were treated to some pampering in the beautiful spa, a fabulous few hours to chill out and relax. I was lured down to the beach by the hazy view of Atlantis the Palm in the distance, the sand was a bit too hot underfoot and the sea like a warm bath. Thankfully it was a little cooler sitting in the shade by the adult-only pool, a popular spot with its swim-up bar.

Keen to see something other than monolithic skyscrapers, the following morning provided a brief glimpse into Dubai’s past as we crossed the creek by boat to visit the old town, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which gave more of an authentic Arabian experience. Then it was off to the spice market and Gold Souk, both teeming with visitors and locals, very atmospheric and great if you love bartering. For lunch we visited JA Oceanview. Cool, calm and beachfront, it has unrivalled views of the soon-to-be-completed Dubai Eye.

Dinner that evening was at the sumptuous Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on The Palm. Understandably, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is extremely popular with its Arabian style and architecture, quite unlike any of the other hotels we visited. And we left stuffed to the gills again after another delicious buffet. A must-see of an evening is the fountain display by the Burj Khalifa and it was evident that we weren't the only ones to think so - stunning is the only way to describe it! Atlantis the Palm was the next stay and it encapsulates everything that is OTT about Dubai, from the grand entrance to the facilities, dining options, shopping, ShuiQi Spa, Aquaventure Water Park, Dolphin Bay, Lost Chambers Aquarium and activities aplenty, truly a complete resort. If you love quirky and have deep pockets I can highly recommend The Poseidon and Neptune Underwater Suites, their glass-walled bedroom and bathroom mean you have thousands of sea-creatures peering in from the colossal aquarium! The best pre-dinner rosemary G&Ts were downed in Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen prior to dining at Ronda Locatelli, Atlantis’ Italian restaurant – I’m pretty sure they brought us everything on the menu!

Our final two nights were in Ras al Khaimah at the stunning beachfront Waldorf Astoria, originally designed as a palace meaning that everywhere was extremely spacious, even the corridors, they were wider than my entire house and garden! No time to chill just yet, we went straight to Hilton Al Hamra for a recce and lunch, Polynesian style dining in the fabulous Mai Tai Lounge at Trader Vic’s, absolutely delicious! And followed by a cocktail class – of course, all the cocktails were divine, I can't quite remember how many I tried although I am a bit of a lightweight where alcohol's concerned, especially at lunchtime!

Some blissful pampering was the order of the afternoon in the hotel’s spa then dinner was at Marjan, Waldorf Astoria’s modern Lebanese restaurant and favourite of the sheikh of RAK, his grand table always ready for an impromptu visit. Excellent food and service means it’s easy to understand why it’s the sheikh’s preferred dining choice. Taking advantage of happy hour we headed to 17 Squared Lounge (yes, it’s on the 17th floor) and kept the bartenders very busy for quite some time!

Our final morning gave us a few hours to explore or relax then it was off to DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, a 100% resort hotel completely unlike DoubleTree’s usual corporate properties. This is a great hotel for relaxing and also has a wealth of facilities, a choice of rooms and even the choice of all-inclusive making budgeting easier. Our final night was spent at a local Bedouin camp where there was camel rides, shisha, dressing up, dancing and a delicious meal, all washed down with a few beers!

So, two very different sides to UAE; the high-rise, high-cost, high-octane and high-living Dubai then the peaceful, more affordable Ras al Khaimah, a fabulous place to recharge your batteries.

Please do get in touch if you'd like some help planning and booking your Middle East break.