“I feel like royalty already,” I told my companion as we drove up the palatial entrance of the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, towering carved marble pillars in front of us, with Middle East-inspired chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.
“Actually, this place feels like a real palace,” my companion said as we stepped into the foyer where a bespoke clock 3-metres high with gold trimmings and mother of pearl dial sat at the centre, a blue sitting area with round ottomans at its base. Every Waldorf Astoria in the world has a distinctive timepiece, and this Dh1.5-million piece in Ras Al Khaimah is no exception—it even tells the day’s prayer times.
It’s impossible to miss the luxurious details everywhere—from the ornate pillars and art on the walls (old Arabic calligraphy of phrases from the Quran) down to the Arabian-inspired carpets. The lobby lounge features a giant marble fountain, a vintage bar and an impressive staircase that reminded me of The Great Gatsby.
“It’s so…” I falter, searching for the right word. “Opulent,” my companion said as we made our way to the reception; a decorative art made of gold and pearl trimmings in the shape of the UAE shoreline spanning the wall. We were introduced to our personal concierge. Apparently, it’s part of their VIP service.
“Whatever you need, I’m here to help,” she said with a big smile, picking up our bags and leading us to our room. “Shall I put these in the walk-in closet?” she asked as we stepped inside our luxurious accommodation. All I could do was nod, hardly containing my amazement. When we told her there was nothing else we needed, she wished us a pleasant stay and headed out, gently closing the door behind her.
At the click of the lock, the first things I did was turn on the coffee machine, sit at the work desk, prop my feet up the ottoman and connect my iPad to the WiFi, while my companion headed out to the large balcony to soak in the great view of the sea. The marble bathroom beckoned and I couldn’t decide whether to soak in the tub or try the rain shower. What a nice problem to have, I thought.
When hunger pangs struck, it wasn’t a problem because the hotel has plenty of signature restaurants, lounges and bars to choose from. There’s UMI for modern Japanese dining and a huge collection of saki, Marjan for Middle Eastern cuisine, Al Fayrouz for Mediterranean delicacies, international cuisine at Qasr Al Bahar, Camelia tea lounge and Peacock Alley for a cup of exclusive teas and coffees, and cocktails at Cigar Bar.
First, we headed to the poolside restaurant, Azure, which serves Mediterranean delicacies and delicious cocktails. My companion ordered grilled lobster (with some lipsmacking, it was gone in 15 minutes). I ordered kebabs, which were grilled to tender perfection. The waiters and waitresses were so attentive it made the entire experience even more enjoyable.
We also tried Lexington Grill, which is famed for its delicious steaks, fresh seafood and those unique air-dried beef cuts. For some late night lounging, we went up to 17squared nightclub and enjoyed spectacular cocktails with a view of the shoreline at night.
The next morning was spent lazing around the main swimming pool. It was a little windy to enjoy the sunshine on the white sands of the private beach, so we thought we would just unwind in the temperature-controlled pool.
From the water we could see the hotel in its full palatial glory. “It does look like a palace,” my companion said. “No wonder I feel like a princess for a day,” I said.
