With its natural, unspoilt feel, this lesser-known emirate offers a stunning alternative, says Mark Atkinson.
It’s hard to find a starker contrast to the ultra-modern, hyper-busy cities of Abu Dhabi or Dubai than Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). The most northerly emirate of the UAE, it is situated along about 65km of unspoilt beach and nestled within the Hajar Mountains, which stretch from north-eastern Oman across the UAE’s east coast.
The drive into Ras Al Khaimah provides a scenic view of uninterrupted natural coastline – a particular treat for visitors from Dubai, where it has now become hard to find a stretch of beach that hasn’t been claimed by a hotel. While classified as a city, RAK’s centre resembles more of a town high-street, with brands such as Starbucks, Carrefour and Pierre Cardin, a multi-screen cinema, banks and car showrooms from BMW, Toyota, Ford and Lexus. Including its desert and mountain areas, the emirate spans about 1,700 sq km.
Under the progressive style of its ruler, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi – in power since 2010 – Ras Al Khaimah is prospering as a business and meetings destination. It has an excellent communications infrastructure, has drawn billions of dollars in investment, has a AA-plus credit rating from Standard and Poor’s and was rated the most attractive city for foreign direct investment by the Financial Times’ Fdi magazine in 2009.
Mohab Ghali is country manager for RAK at Hilton Worldwide, which has three properties here already – two Hilton Hotels and Resorts and a Doubletree – with the UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria set to open in March and the Al Hamra Fort being rebranded as another Hilton Hotels and Resorts property.
He says: “RAK is swiftly becoming one of the region’s top MICE destinations, thanks to the quality of its tourism and hospitality [offering]. Overall visitor numbers are steadily increasing as industry and government work in tandem to promote it as a destination globally, attracting niche segments such as adventure/cultural tourism and the meetings and events industry.
“RAK’s strength lies in its versatility and richness of culture. Whether you are looking for a beachside resort to unwind in, want a taste of the Emirati way of life or are an adrenalin junkie in search of adventure, you will find it in RAK or the US$1 billion Real Madrid venture.”
The Real Madrid Resort, a man-made island off the RAK coast, is a joint venture with the football team and is scheduled for completion in January 2015. Targeted to attract one million visitors a year, it will comprise a theme park, museum and luxury hotels.
Getting to RAK is reasonably straightforward – although not via its own tiny airport, which is restrictive in terms of international flights. Travellers generally fly into Dubai, from where it is about an hour’s drive to RAK via the fast and mostly uncluttered Emirates Road highway.
So far, the emirate’s hotel stock is fairly limited, although it ranges from the luxurious and idyllic to the more business-functional. Prices are very seasonal with some good deals on offer during the summer months, but as a ballpark guide may vary from about US$200 upwards for a luxury beach property and US$80 upwards for a city-centre hotel.
Developments under way include the 632-room Rixos Bab Al Bahr, which is scheduled to open in 2013. The target is to reach 10,000 rooms by 2016, compared with the current inventory of 2,947 (1,817 in beach resorts and 1,130 in city hotels).
Even for more leisure-oriented properties, the corporate market is significant. “MICE business generates 20 per cent of revenue,” says Anders Dimblad, general manager of the Banyan Tree Al Wadi desert resort. “It’s an important sector for us [in terms of] accumulating business during the week and contributing high-profile exposure.
“As RAK continues to grow, we are seeing numerous international visitors coming for incentives and meetings,” he adds. “Tour operators and companies from all industries have turned to us for their corporate events, conferences, advisory board meetings, incentives, product launches and teambuilding events.”
Currently in development is Al Qassimi Corniche, leading from the beachfront into the city centre. Its first outlet, Italian restaurant Pesto, opened in February. It will be joined in the first quarter of next year by a seafood restaurant, and more will no doubt follow.
Victor Louis, chief operating officer of the RAK Tourism Development Authority, says: “RAK has its own unique identity with a diversity of landscapes that makes it the perfect getaway for business meetings and teambuilding exercises combined with quality leisure and adventure experiences. Its natural terrain allows for a plethora of activities including mountain climbing, abseiling, biking, kayaking, archery, diving, light aviation, golfing and fishing [see panel overleaf].”
The tranquillity of RAK compared with its busier neighbours also brings its own advantages. Louis says: “By bringing your business event to RAK, you can be sure that it will run seamlessly and without distraction.”
Thus far, Ras Al Khaimah has preserved its unspoilt rural charm and retains some of the most dramatic landscapes and vistas seen in the region. Its emerging MICE market promises to bring the emirate the prosperity it is targeting – yet how it will balance its scenic offering with the trappings of corporate success remains to be seen.
Current and upcoming hotels
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah
Located in the city centre, the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah provides easy walking access to the central shopping and business area. Its has 277 modern guestrooms, three meeting rooms for between 30 and 80 delegates, and a grand ballroom that holds up to 450 for receptions. The property also has two restaurants, two bars, a fitness centre and a pool. A complimentary shuttle service is provided to its nearby sister property, the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa, which has a private beach, a water sports centre, swimming pools, a spa and a wide range of dining options.
- Bin Daher Street; tel +971 7228 8888; hilton.co.uk
Doubletree by Hilton
Also in RAK’s business centre, the Doubletree has 126 simple, modern rooms, suites and one- to three-bedroom apartments, along with two boardrooms, a fitness centre, rooftop pool and an all-day restaurant with live cooking stations. A shuttle service is provided to the beach a few minutes away.
- Al Jazah Road; tel +971 7226 0666; hilton.co.uk
Al Hamra Fort
Located in the coastal Al Hamra Village development 25km from the city centre, the Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort is being refurbished in preparation for rebranding to a Hilton Hotels and Resorts property – the first phase is scheduled to open in the first quarter of next year. The Hilton Al Hamra Resort and Spa will keep the property’s Arabic fort-style villas, which make up a large chunk of the room count of 249. The “extensive renovation” will also include eight food and drink outlets. The adjoining Al Hamra Convention Centre has an 800-capacity ballroom and six meeting rooms, and there are tennis courts, a private beach and water sport facilities.
- Al Jazeerah Street; tel +971 7244 6666; alhamrafort.com
Waldorf Astoria
Strengthening Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio in RAK still further, the 349-room Waldorf Astoria is due to open in Al Hamra Village in March and will feature a design “inspired by the palaces of the Arabian Peninsula”. Rooms overlook the coastline and the 18-hole Al Hamra golf course. The property will have six boardrooms for five to 20 people and is located metres from Al Hamra Convention Centre. Along with sizeable sport facilities, the hotel will have 11 restaurants and bars.
- Vienna Street; tel +971 7228 8844; waldorfastoriarak.com
Banyan Tree Al Wadi
It would be difficult to find a more idyllic setting than Banyan Tree Al Wadi, set in an unspoilt desert location about 35km from the city centre. Opened in 2010, it comprises 101 tented villas in the style of Bedouin tents, but with a few small differences – namely, executive desks, sundecks and private pools. There are four meeting rooms – the Najah holds 50 delegates and can be divided in two, Banyan Hall holds 100 people for banquets, and there are three private dining rooms. The resort also has a spa and a 100-hectare nature reserve. Guests can take a free shuttle service to the beach at the Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach resort, a 20-minute drive away.
- Al Mazraa; tel +971 7206 7777; banyantree.com
Incentive activities
The RAK Tourism Development Authority’s Victor Louis highlights the emirate’s wide spectrum of incentive options:
Pearl Museum and Farm
The only one of its kind still functioning in the Middle East, it produces more than 100,000 pearls a year and allows visitors to learn and experience at first hand the processes of natural pearl cultivation. You can even take one of the gems home if the oyster you pick yields one. rakpearls.com
Water sports
The Arabian Gulf’s blue waters provide perfect conditions for scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing and water skiing – along with kayaking in RAK’s mangroves.
Golf
The emirate has two 18-hole championship courses, at Al Hamra Golf Club and Tower Links Golf Club, with outstanding facilities and night-lit courses. alhamragolf.com, towerlinks.com
Iceland Water Park
The UAE’s newest and largest water park, spread over 110,000 sqm along the Arabian Gulf coast, also has aqua soccer, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the world’s largest rain dance pool, for up to 6,000 people. icelandwaterpark.com
Jazirah Aviation Club
Jazirah is the first micro-light and light-sport aircraft flying club in the region. Besides experiencing a flight across RAK, delegates could have approved training on various flying machines by qualified instructors. jac-uae.ne
Banyan Tree Al Wadi nature reserve
A number of rare indigenous plants, wildlife and endangered species are set within 100 hectares. Visitors to Banyan Tree Al Wadi can also enjoy archery, horseback riding and a falconry show against a natural desert backdrop. An equestrian club and even more wildlife are due to be added by the end of the year. banyantree.com
Future developments
By October, RAK will offer the Bassata Camp desert experience, complete with Bedouin shows, belly dancers, barbecues and dune-bashing. Later this year will also see the launch of the Prince of Sea – a 30-metre boat offering sailing trips and entertainment including lunch, sunset dinners, belly dancing, DJs, snorkelling and water sports. rasalkhaimahtourism.com
