Business Traveller (Middle East)
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
BACKGROUND Opened in 2013, the super-luxurious Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is the brand’s regional flagship property.
WHAT’ S IT LIKE? A gargantuan structure seen from miles around and inspired by traditional Arabian architecture, but with a modern twist. The hotel’s interior is quintessentially Waldorf; contemporary, classical and elegant. The iconic Peacock Alley, common to all Waldorf properties, wows guests as they enter the grand lobby, as well as the characteristic clock tower, which in RAK, has been uniquely designed to honour regional Arabic culture and displays the five daily prayer times.
WHERE IS IT? It’s a coastal resort adjacent to an 18-hole championship golf course, close to Al Hamra Mall and just a 50-minute drive from Dubai International Airport. The destination’s crown jewel, the Hajar Mountains, are 90 minutes away, but well worth the trip. Here you’ll find
Jais Adventure Park, home to the world’s longest zip line and other pursuits such as hiking and climbing. This destination is incredibly popular for corporate teambuilding events.
ROOMS This is a mega hotel with 346 rooms and suites. I stayed in the King
Junior Suite with a balcony and beautiful sea views. The sound of the ocean waves lapping on the shore provided a relaxing acoustic backdrop. With an open-plan design, accented with Arabian-style arches, the suite was light and airy and featured a comfortable desk space, day bed, table setting for inside and outside dining and a huge walk-in closet.
FOOD AND DRINK Due to COVID-19, some restaurants were temporarily closed.
I had dinner at Lexington Grill, famous for its selection of quality meats. Dark woods and low lighting gave a warm feel to the New York-style venue and I thought the cosy booths would be ideal for a private meeting/dining experience. I also devoured a delicious veal Milanese at Azure – a bright and spacious Italian diner with pool and beach views. Breakfast at Qasr Al Bahr was a la carte, rather than a buffet and the choice was huge.
BUSINESS The impressive business setup includes an extensive range of meeting and event facilities with indoor and outdoor locations available. Five spacious meeting rooms offer state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and natural light. The boardroom is designed to host smaller meetings for five to 20 people.
LEISURE The superb hotel gym is kitted out with high quality Technogym cardio equipment and free weights and is spacious, clean, well thought-out and maintained. Social distancing measures include limited numbers and set closure times for cleaning. There is also an impressive spa and an adults-only pool.
VERDICT A well-located property linking Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and offering excellent business facilities in a beautiful, natural setting. Watch out for the extras though. Prices are certainly on the higher end of the scale for the likes of your favourite coffee in your room or a soft drink by the pool. Melanie Swan
The hotel’s interior is quintessentially Waldorf; contemporary, classical and elegant