Background Movenpick’s first beach resort in the UAE opened its doors last year in Ras Al Khaimah. We recently checked into the property, and it doesn’t fail to impress. The resort has two buildings connected by a suspended bridge, which instantly caught our attention with its impressive architecture.
What’s it like? The hotel sets an immediate tone for an ‘island’ feel, with a strong emphasis on nature-centricity. The entrance hallway leads to the lobby on the right, which is adorned with grey walls, soothing hues and attentive service. Ocean-inspired light fixtures hang from the ceiling, a wall nearby is covered with a large line drawing, while high-back wicker chairs offer a perfect reading spot. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows allow natural light to pour in and offer views of lush greenery outside, with winding pathways leading to the pristine beach.
Where is it? The resort is located on the man-made Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. It is a 50-minute drive from Dubai International airport, and is close to other properties including DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa Marjan Island and Rixos Bab Al Bahr.
Food and drink We headed to Boons for brunch which had plenty on offer from salads, breads and sushi to an inviting dessert spread, accompanied by live music. A warm and friendly vibe came strongly through. We’d recommend the mushroom tortellini, braised beef short ribs, volcano roll sushi and smoked salmon rillette. We headed to the Neo Sky Bar later, which is the island’s only rooftop lounge offering stunning views. For dinner, we returned to Boons, where we’d recommend you try the Wagyu Entrecôte. We also dug our feet into the sand the following day for lunch when we headed to Beach House, where we recommend the Kick-in Wings and Steak Fajitas. Other restaurants and bars at the property include The Market, Ula and the Moca Lobby Lounge as well.
Rooms There are 418 rooms, suites and chalets on the property. We checked into the Panoramic Bridge Junior suite on the top floor located on the suspended bridge. The suite offers sweeping sea views and strongly reflects currents of modern design. It has plenty of storage space, a sofa bed and a large balcony. Thankfully, the bed isn’t stacked up against a wall. A partition flanking the bed hosts the LED TV. There is an enclosed walk-in shower offering sea views, a bathtub as well as sustainable bathroom amenities.
Leisure The gym is open 24 hours, while the Citrine Day Spa is open from 10am until 10pm. Guests who fancy an adrenaline rush can opt for water sports, which are available until sunset. A floating waterpark is also present on the premises, along with multiple swimming pools.
Business A ballroom on the property can accommodate 300 people, and that figure can be increased to 450 guests for standing events. The space can be divided into two distinct sections and is complemented by a pre-function area and terrace. Meanwhile, the two meeting rooms, named after the mountains in Ras Al Khaimah, can each host up to 60 people. Each meeting room can be further divided into two smaller sections as well.
Verdict An ideal family-friendly getaway, coupled with impeccable service, great food and stunning views. A must on your staycation – or blesiure – radar.
Words: Zainab Mansoor
Best for: The ability to disconnect due to the resort’s ‘island’ feel
Don’t miss: Watching the sun set from the rooftop lounge, while downing a Red Star mocktail
Price: Internet rates for a Panoramic Bridge Junior suite in mid-April
start from Dhs830
Contact: Al Marjan Island Boulevard, Ras Al Khaimah; +971 7 246 0000; movenpick.com
