The much-anticipated opening of Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is here, with guests now bedding down at this all-new resort, with its golden sands, natural mangroves and views of the Hajar mountains and Arabian Gulf.
A 30-minute drive from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, you can cherry pick where you want to lay your head from 174 different rooms, suites and villas, whilst taking time to learn about the emirate and its local culture and customs. Think hiking on nearby Jebel Jais – the UAE’s highest mountain – with a picnic to refuel those steep steps; guided kayaking in the gorgeous mangroves, home to flamingoes and herons; and luxury cruising along the Arabian Gulf with a sunset dinner prepared by your personal chef.
There’s also Padel, yoga and soaking up sun at the infinity pool, or relaxation and recharging at Anantara Spa. Its manicured gardens will weave a soporific spell over you, while its serene views of the sea and mangrove trees will prove to be a catalyst for calm. Choose a body scrub, such as the Ras Al Khaimah Ritual using dates, salt and honey from mangrove hives or go for an Anantara traditional therapy from Thailand.
For a place to call home, the main building is peppered with guest rooms and suites, or set within traditional riads, with design cues borrowed from nature and the local culture. Each comes with its own private balcony or terrace to max out on the views. For something a little more special, check into one of the emirate’s first over-water villas, which have huge outdoor decks with private plunge pools, sea views (of course) and are flanked by the natural mangrove lagoon. To up the exclusivity ante, each villa comes with its only private cabana on the villa-only beach. Plus, you’ll have a dedicated host at your beckon call, as well as complimentary experiences like a massage or an in-villa BBQ. As for the décor, it’s all about eco-creds with furniture and fittings crafted from sustainable wood and recycled fabrics and plastics.
Feeling hungry? You’ve got cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam and China at Mekong or easy-breezy Mediterranean food at Beach House. When it comes to cocktail hour, you can sip something refreshing at Jalabar as the sun goes down. Or, to bank some brownie points, you can call on your personal chef through Dining by Design and make memories with a dinner-for-two on the beach or aboard the hotel’s private yacht.
