Review: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

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The lobby’s lavish ceiling guides you effortlessly to the reception area, where dedicated Personal Concierges ensure a smooth and welcoming check-in process. The hotel boasts 203 spacious rooms and suites, each offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the majestic Hajar Mountains.

Accommodation

The King Ocean View Junior Suite where we stayed stands out for its panoramic vistas from a private balcony overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Inside, the suite invites you to relax in an elegant bedroom with a king-sized bed, complemented by a separate lounge area equipped with a sofa bed and dual 55-inch LED TVs for endless entertainment. 

The marble bathroom, equipped with a luxurious bathtub and rain shower, is your spa-like retreat, while a walk-in closet adds to the indulgence. The arabesque marble bathrooms, adorned with opulent Aesop products, provide a sanctuary for unwinding after a day of exploration. 

Culinary highlights

From the authentic Japanese delights of UMI, where skilled chefs craft exquisite sushi and showcase Teppanyaki skills to the indulgent steaks and fine grapes of Lexington Grill & Bar, guests enjoy a diverse gastronomic experience with nine distinctive dining venues.

Our day began with a delightful lunch at Azure, the inviting poolside eatery offering stunning views of the resort’s main pool and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The show kitchen took centre stage, showcasing culinary artistry with an open-fire grill and pizza oven. With the help of our server’s recommendations, we ordered the Squid tempura with chives and black garlic mayo, as well as the Roasted carrots paired with creamy burrata, tangy orange, and fennel.

For the main course, we savoured Truffle risotto with grilled porcini mushrooms, and a Nduja pizza featuring spicy sausage, buffalo mozzarella, rocket leaves, and confit cherry tomatoes. Don’t miss the traditional tiramisu to end the feast!

As night fell, our culinary journey continued at the Japanese restaurant UMI, a true star from our stay at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Our evening began with a selection of starters: Spicy edamame, crispy and perfectly cooked Ebi tempura with gochujang mayo, and Corn tomorokoshi with furikake and tonkatsu barbeque sauce.

For the main course, we recommend the Tender baby chicken teriyaki and melt-in-your-mouth MB-6 wagyu striploin teppanyaki, complemented by king oyster mushrooms and aromatic soy. The meal concluded with Yuzu crème brûlée, a decadent custard infused with citrusy yuzu, served with pistachio biscotti and vanilla ice cream.

The next day, we were greeted with a breakfast spread at Qasr Al Bahar, where a sumptuous buffet caters to global tastes with Arabic, European, and Indian dishes. Freshly squeezed juices, fragrant teas, and aromatic coffee complement succulent veal sausages, chicken Nürnberger, roasted potatoes, and plenty more.

Specialities include vegetable fried rice, dark chocolate doughnuts, zaatar croissant, and a live egg station for custom breakfast creations, alongside cheese, bread, and gluten-free options. Health-conscious guests can enjoy fluffy pancakes, salads, and smoothies, while a pastry corner offers tempting treats. A “little kids corner” ensures younger guests are catered to with pina colada sago, smoothies, salads, and granola, ensuring a delightful start for the whole family.

Finally, we capped off our stay with a visit to the waterfront Sunset Beach Lounge (all thanks to late check-out) featuring an infinity pool and a contemporary menu with craft beverages against a backdrop of DJ entertainment.

Starting with the refreshing Compressed cantaloupe watermelon salad featuring Persian goat feta cheese and sunflower seeds, we moved on to the indulgent Truffle and parmesan fries, complemented by a smoky garlic mayonnaise. The Spicy lamb impressed with its tender meat, Asian slaw, and spices, while the Chimichurri slider, brimming with Wagyu beef and portobello mushroom, showcased a blend of savoury flavours enhanced by onion marmalade.

Facilities

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah offers a coastal paradise catering to all ages, ensuring a delightful getaway filled with aquatic adventures and relaxation. Craving an adrenaline rush? Enjoy activities such as jet skiing and parasailing, discover the underwater with scuba diving and snorkelling, or opt for a leisurely deep-sea fishing excursion or relaxing sunbathing on the private beach. Families can have quality time at the supervised children’s club, which includes a water playground with interactive fountains. 

Away from the sun-drenched shores and thrilling aquatic activities, the acclaimed Waldorf Astoria Spa awaits, featuring enchanting signature treatments. The spa boasts an impressive array of facilities tailored to each guest’s desires. Twelve spacious treatment rooms ensure a personalised experience, alongside a dedicated VIP couples’ suite to treat your loved one.

We indulged in the Exclusive Couples Suite, a luxurious retreat featuring a whirlpool bath for two, perfect for an unforgettable shared experience. Skilled therapists began with a revitalising foot scrub, then performed a full-body massage using techniques that melted away tension and revitalised tired muscles, including long, flowing strokes and deep tissue work to ensure thorough relaxation.

The blissful journey concluded with a soothing head massage, targeting pressure points and gently releasing stress, leaving us feeling deeply relaxed and refreshed. After the massage, we relaxed and detoxified in the jacuzzi and steam room, emerging rejuvenated and ready to head back home.

BOOK NOW

The King Ocean View Junior Suite is available from AED1,360 per night. Visit website.