Business Traveller (Middle East)
DOMESTIC BLISS
If you don’t fancy airport queues and electronic-less US flights, take up any of the sizzling staycation deals this summer,
If you don’t fancy airports queues, take up any of the sizzling staycation offers reports Dominic Ellis
Ablast of cold air greets us as we enter Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, voted Best Hotel in Sharjah & The Northern Emirates at this year’s Business Traveller Middle East Awards (see May-June issue). For the tail-end of a season, the hotel is very busy – and the fact I saw three familiar faces from Dubai shows how firmly established it is on the staycations map.
From the sweeping staircase grandeur and fountain on the right to the central Islamic-calendar clock, the hotel makes a bold first impression, and paintings on display in Peacock Alley were a pleasant local tie-in.
The wow factor continues as we stepped out of the lift on the sixth floor – where light shines through the dome-glass ceiling onto a spacious area with lounge seating and we walk along wide, opulent carpets to our end-of-corridor room. The only hotel where I’ve seen anything quite like it, design wise, would be Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace, albeit this is on a broader, more contemporary scale.
It’s a sweltering 40 degrees around the family pool but staff are bringing round flavoured lollies and once inside the ice-cold water it’s perfectly comfortable. The next morning we headed down to the beach, passing a linear adults-only pool.
There are nine F&B venues providing plenty of choice of which two, the Japanese Umi and lobby level Lexington Grill are the highlights, although I couldn’t fault Qasr Al Bahar’s broad buffet breakfast, nor the grilled salmon I ate at Azure by the poolside.
We had dinner outside on the Lexington terrace and my partner and I devoured the tender Australian steaks (rib eye and sirloin) – sourced from a small farm in Victoria, said chef Eric – while my baked potato topped with sour cream was a perfect accompaniment.
We rounded off inside, opposite one of the semicircular alcoves, with maple tart and chocolate pave, the latter having a wonderfully sharp mint ice cream made with herbs from the garden.
Another unwinding option for Hilton Honors members is the four-star Hilton Garden Inn which
recently opened its doors. Located on the site of the former Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, which closed in January 2015 to allow for a multi-million-dirham refurbishment project, the new hotel features 240 rooms, with 10 family rooms and eight suites, an outdoor pool, two tennis courts, a gym and access to beach facilities at the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa.
Prices UAE residents receive 20 per cent off on stays at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, complimentary breakfast and choice of lunch or dinner, starting from AED1,020 per night, valid until December 17
THE OBEROI BEACH RESORT, AL ZORAH AJMAN
Pulling off the main road into Al Zorah and passing the mangrove-strewn golf course to the left, I feel myself unwinding within minutes of entering the new Oberoi resort. I spot water, but not the Arabian Gulf, as beyond the discreet reception and lobby are shallow water features gently rippling in the wind.
The uncomplicated design, by Lissoni Associati, sees plenty of white touches and geometric wood partitions which evoke space and relaxation. The beach, beyond immaculately kept plants and bushes, is a five-minute walk beyond villas and striking 85-metre linear pool.
“I feel I’m not in the UAE,” says my son, as we make the tranquil walk to our third-floor room, which overlooks the pool in the middle, and it’s hard to disagree. Later we stroll down to the beach Clockwise: 85 metre pool; Ferrari 488 Spider cars; New Zealand lamb chops where the waves are up and abundant multicoloured shells are strewn across the beach; it’s a different experience to Dubai, which is barely 30 minutes away.
The spa is so discreet that I doubt anyone on an overnight stay will find it – fortunately I found a member of staff in a buggy who escorted me. It’s a retreat within a retreat with spacious private treatment rooms and the one-hour massage soothed every limb and joint (choice of ‘uplift’, ‘calm’ or ‘relax’ oils).
Lunch in the beach-side Aquario was stylishly simple. You can choose from salads (crabmeat, seasame-crusted tuna and egg) on display, and seafood (atlantic trout, AED150) and meats for mains (eg New Zealand lamb chops, AED170). Often it’s the small details that characterise the luxury chains – in this case, the coffee, milk, sweeteners and chocolates delivered on a silver tray.
Late afternoon, and a memorable treat. We were invited to take a black Ferrari 488 Spider, one of
four parked at the front, out for a drive. Its instant roaring acceleration made light work of the vicinity – aided by quiet roads and traffic lights, in this stilldeveloping district, which were up but not on. I only understood about a tenth of the controls but with the top down, the sun descending and some tunes on the radio, dad and son were living the dream.
The drive showed that this wide-ranging development from Solidere International, in time, will help put Ajman on the map, incorporating leisure, hospitality and four marinas (click on alzorahgolfclub.ae for more details on the par 72 golf course).
After breakfast, we lounged by the pool under thick-mattress cabanas. I swam two lengths – all 170 metres of them, in the aptly named infinity pool; it’s a cardio work-out I haven’t had before. I did clip a guest and the narrowness is a slight downside at busy times, but I doubt most guests will be swimming lengths – and the pool, much like the resort, is large enough for you to find solitude.
There was time for a salad and paella at Aquario before heading back to Dubai.
Prices Weekend rates for Premier rooms with private terrace start from AED1,145, rising to AED1,470 for Deluxe Suites (with terrace) and AED2,700/3,200 for two/three-bedroom villas (prices before taxes). One-night weekend stays incur AED500 supplement. Rates valid until September 30
STAYBRIDGE MAKES KSA DEBUT
IHG is capitalising on growing long-stay demand in Saudi Arabia by opening its first Staybridge Suites, which is connected to Jeddah’s Alandalus Mall. IHG believes its location enables it to appeal to staycationers, religious visitors and business travellers. The 164-unit property contains studios, one- and two-bedroom suites along with spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, laundry rooms, high speed internet, seven meeting rooms, a banquet hall, outdoor pool, spa, gym and business centre.
NEW HEIGHTS OF RELAXATION
JW Marriott Marquis Dubai’s Summer Staycation packages exclusively for UAE residents run until August 21. Guests receive 20 per cent off on regular
room rates, daily breakfast at Kitchen6, as well as 20 per cent off food and drinks in the nine restaurants and five bars. Unwind at the 4,300sqm Saray Spa which spans the entire third floor of both towers and note one-hour massages are half price for staycationers (Sundays-Thursdays).
CHIC ESCAPES
Rooms at Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, are undergoing renovations but you can enjoy summer promotions until September 30. Rates start from AED1,999 inclusive of breakfast on weekdays, rising to AED2,499 including breakfast on weekends. Added incentives are the 20 per cent you’ll save on spa and ayurvedic treatments and for couples seeking peace and quiet, no under 10s are allowed.
Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah (now part of The Ritz-Carlton portfolio), located within a 500-hectare nature reserve, provides parents and kids with falconry shows, archery tournaments by day or by night and the chance to go on bird-watching and animal trails.
The pool residences at Desert Palm Per Aquum cater for well-heeled family escapes and the threebedroom Villa Layali features a 60sqm pool. Unwind at the resort’s spa with a one-hour Lime massage and 30-minute scrub for AED450.
SUMMER PASS AT DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS
The dxbpass, valid until August 31, costs AED350 for one-time access to each attraction and AED750 for unlimited access for UAE residents. A group pass (four people) costs AED1,000 and AED2,250 respectively. The pass also includes 20 per cent off selected restaurants at Riverland and Lapita Hotel. Summer camps for children are also available, priced between AED799-999.
Packages for stays at Lapita start from AED315 per person per night, based on Deluxe Twin with four persons sharing (until September 30). Stay three nights at Address Dubai Marina and you’ll receive free park entry tickets and transport to and from the venue. dubaiparksandresorts.com