Situated on a private peninsula of golden sands and natural mangroves in the UAE, Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah was the scenario for this luxurious OHLALA adventure.
Team OHLALA flew to the UAE as guests of the recently opened Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort to attend their grand opening ceremony. The occasion revealed the brand’s steadfast dedication to creating a truly sophisticated retreat and its outstanding efforts to conserve and promote the local environment.
MEET-AND-GREET SERVICE
Touching down at Dubai International on a sunny Thursday afternoon, we were warmly welcomed by the hotel’s friendly and efficient meet-and-greet service. We soon found ourselves en route to the northernmost emirate of the UAE, the accommodation itself a mere 45-minute journey from the airport.
EXQUISITE LOCATION
As we neared the eco-friendly, Thai-inspired hotel, we were captivated by the outdoor setting. The Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is situated on a private golden peninsula, in a natural mangrove sanctuary. With views of the lagoon and breathtaking Arabian Gulf, along with access to pristine natural beaches and a backdrop of the majestic Hajar mountains, one could not ask for a better location to unwind, relax and explore.
AWE-INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE
As we entered the reception hall through a towering, triple-storey arch, we were greeted by the smiling faces of attentive staff members, along with the remarkable contemporary chandelier suspended from the ceiling. This masterfully designed and crafted centrepiece, inspired by the winds of the desert moving through the trees with hundreds of handblown glass baubles, appears to move in unison.
With our effortless booking process lasting just two minutes, we were soon at our first-class villas.
DELUXE ACCOMMODATION
The stunning accommodation of this Anantara Resort comprises a selection of 174 exquisitely designed rooms, suites and villas, all conceived for exceptional comfort and to provide the most breathtaking views.
Fortunate enough to be in an Emirate-first, Maldives-esque Overwater Pool Villa, our stay could not have been more stimulating or comfortable. Specially constructed to be in harmony with nature, our spacious accommodation proved the epitome of island luxury with its exclusive pool and private terrace overlooking the beautiful waters.
Must-mention room amenities include a separate living room, an impressive walk-in wardrobe and a separate tub and rain shower. Complementary high-speed wi-fi and a smart TV are also on-site. We must admit to putting the espresso machine through its paces throughout the weekend.
THE GRAND OPENING
After a late lunch, all guests made their way to the Grand Opening Party, an enchanting evening affair that offered an opportunity to mingle with investors, hotel management and fellow guests alike.
Treated as royalty, we thoroughly enjoyed this celebration of success, appreciating the speeches outlining the brand’s vision to create an ecofriendly resort that embraces, protects and promotes the local terrain, flora and fauna to benefit all.
As the night eventually drew to a close, we happily made our way to our respective rooms, grateful for our first night in these tranquil and picturesque surroundings. A better night’s sleep has never been had.
FINE-DINING
The Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort houses no less than six dining options. We experienced three outstanding venues, all of which proved exceptional.
LUNCH AT WAVES CAFÉ
On our first day, we lunched at Waves Café. This light-bite location offers cold-brew teas and single-origin coffees carefully sourced from all over the world. We indulged in sandwiches, wraps, bowls, soups and shakes, all made to order. We also spoilt ourselves with freshly baked pastries and some artisanal gelato.
BREAKFASTS AT SEA BREEZE
On both mornings of our stay, we were invited for breakfast at Sea Breeze, a venue with a contemporary-chic interior offering international cuisine on a mangrove-view terrace.
Looked after by meticulous servers, these breakfasts consisted of a vibrant market-style buffet complete with eggs cooked to order and some of the freshest and tastiest baked bread and pastries we’ve ever had.
GROUP DINNER AT MEKONG
On the final evening of our stay, we dined at the glamourous Mekong, a world-class restaurant offering signature dishes and favourites inspired by Anantara’s native Thailand as well as Vietnam and China. The master chefs have reinterpreted these traditional meals for the modern palate while remaining true to classic cooking techniques.
My meal consisted of three equally delicious courses; however, the main course of Pad Thai Noodles demands a special mention. Truly delicious!
HOTEL EXPERIENCES
The Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort offers a variety of activities designed to showcase its rich natural surroundings and accessible locations. These include kayaking through natural mangroves filled with protected wildlife. Several other water-based activities are also on offer, including luxurious yachting experiences.
The nearby Jebel Jais Mountains provide further opportunities for exploration. The hotel kindly shuttled guests to the phenomenal Jais Viewing Deck Park, where we took advantage of the seven viewing decks with 12 powerful binoculars to take in the wonderful panoramic views. The fresh mountain air also proved invigorating.
Perhaps the most exciting moment of the adventure was the Jais Sleder – a solar-powered toboggan mountain experience – 1,885 metres long. This novel way to experience the terrain was exhilarating, making us all feel like children again.
For the truly adventurous, there is the Jebel Jais zipline. Not only the world’s longest zipline, it also reaches speeds of up to 150km/h.
Mountain hiking, hot air ballooning and desert exploration are also offered by the hotel, along with an assortment of activities for youngsters.
HOTEL AMENITIES
Amongst the multitude of amenities and services at the Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort are both wedding locations and conference facilities.
We were lucky enough to experience a tranquil oasis in the form of the Anantara Spa, where we were treated to the venue’s signature massage that combines Eastern and Western techniques with Anantara’s signature oil blend. After an hour of bliss, we left feeling relaxed, revitalised and ready to return to our everyday lives.
TIME TO GO
After the second night of our truly amazing stay at this uniquely beautiful hotel, it was hard to say goodbye to all our new friends and to leave such a serene and luxurious environment.
Seated on our return flight, we had already agreed this was one venue we would visit again in a heartbeat.
OUR SINCERE THANKS
We want to thank The Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort for inviting us into their magnificent property, for the unrivalled hospitality and for the opportunity to explore this nearby paradise.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call +971 7204 2222,
e-mail rasalkhaimah@anantara.com or
visit www.anantara.com/en/mina-al-arab-ras-al-khaimah
@anantararasalkhaimah