Dubai

After an awesome start to my vacation in Ras Al Khaimah, it was back to Dubai to stay with my best buddy for a couple of days at the Park Hyatt, a five star luxury resort in Dubai Creek. We have stayed there before and it's a great location if you want to be near the airport but also within a metro ride to the Dubai Mall and beyond. It is right beside the 18 hole championship Dubai Creek Golf Course and Dubai Yacht Club.

There is also an exclusive spa, considered among the finest in the UAE, which I would love to try if I was to stay there again.

I love the layout and design of the hotel complex. With Moorish 

and Mediterranean influences and the sandy beach and adult infinity pool, it's a place you wouldn't have to leave if you don't want to. It feels spacious and despite it's proximity to the airport, is peacefully quiet. There are a number of good restaurants to choose from of varying cuisines from Spanish Tapas, Thai, New England and Nikkei, and a new beach club, Twiggy by La Cantine. 'Internationally inspired with South of France soul', there's something for everyone.

The breakfast choice at The Brasserie du Park is one of the best I have had with a buffet of fresh fruits, pastries, Middle Eastern dishes, eggs done in any style imaginable and much more. If you choose to sit outside, you also get an amazing view of the marina, the Creek and the Burj Khalifa in the distance.

We were nearby the Textile Souk in the historic Bur Dubai on the Creek so went searching for good fabrics to buy. There is a myriad choice and we found some lovely bargains. If you have the luxury of time, you can even get one of the tailors to make you something while you are there. I'm not sure yet what I will make from my fabric finds, but something will come to mind I am sure! 

On our first evening we went to The Pointe on the Palm. All the restaurants are located on the waterfront but being a very hot and humid night we wanted somewhere to eat inside with air con. We chose Saya with it's signature pink decor and creative cocktails. It's a fun place and of course a good location for any Instagram shots if you're that way inclined. 

Moving on from there we walked along the waterfront and watched the new Palm fountain show - set to the song 'I Will Survive' with the illuminated Atlantis Hotel as the backdrop.

On our last night there, we opted to eat at the hotel's Thai Kitchen restaurant. It was the perfect choice - fresh authentically prepared food at the end of a long day of shopping and walking. 

After dinner we walked outside into the warm night air as it was much milder and less hot and humid. On a whim we decided not to go straight back to our room and have a night cap instead.

We sat by the fire pits in the courtyard enjoying a couple of glasses of our favourite Provence rosé, listening to some great tunes played by the resident DJ and hatching plans for next year's travel.

The next day was our last at the Hyatt as we prepared to move on to an apartment in a more residential part of the city.

The rest of our stay was taken up meeting up with friends, pool days, beach visits and EXPO 2020.  

  

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

I recently made it back to Dubai in the UAE after an absence of more than 2 years thanks to the pandemic. October is a good time to go as the extreme heat of summer has passed although it can still be very hot during the day, and it certainly was! 

I went for the specific reason to meet up with family and friends and it was so good to be reunited again after so long. What better way to spend quality time together than by doing a staycation in a beautiful setting away from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Dubai. 

The day after my arrival, we set off from Dubai on a road trip  about an hour north of the city through the desert to a beach resort of the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah. What an amazing sight it was in the drive up to the entrance of this iconic hotel architecturally inspired by the grand palaces of Arabia. We had suites on the ninth floor with sea views and the most beautiful sunset and golden silence to match to begin our stay. 

It was about 3 degrees cooler there and daytime temperatures were around 33C with low humidity so not too hot to be by the pool or on the beach. I rarely sunbathe so am usually to be found under an umbrella unless of course I'm in the water. 

This location was the perfect spot for some real rest and relaxation. The adult pool was a haven with a DJ pumping out some great chill out tunes and efficient pool service with food and cocktails at the ready. The white sandy beach was vast with sun beds spaced well apart and the crystal clear sea was like entering a warm bath. It was just so blissful to float about endlessly without getting cold, until the skin on your fingers wrinkled from the water.

Of course, I had to have a Piña Colada or two. It's a must have refreshing cocktail for any beach holiday!

The food we chose was excellent. After early evening drinks on the outdoor terrace, we had dinner at Umi on our first night with Teppanyaki cooked at our table. We underestimated the amount of food we had to consume. 6 courses of delicious fresh Japanese food. By the time we got to the dessert course we were struggling to finish! It was though, an absolute treat.

The second evening we ate at the Lexington Grill and Bar, sampling their newly created plant based menu with food sourced from local farmers. Although it's essentially a steak house, they offer some very good alternatives to meat and I thoroughly enjoyed my roasted cauliflower dish.

We departed for Dubai wonderfully relaxed after our 2 night mini beach holiday ready for staycation number 2. Look out for the next post for more on my Dubai vacation.

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If you're looking for a break away from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah is a good option and only 45 mins drive from Dubai International Airport. 

Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history dating back some 7,000 years. In the 13th and 14th centuries, a prosperous port arose in the area we now know as Ras Al Khaimah. Then named Julfar, it became one of the most prominent trading posts in the Arabian Gulf and was widely known for its exquisite pearls. The discovery of rare Chinese pottery in 2019 in this area points to the extent of trade that occurred in the erstwhile Julfar. 

Ras Al Khaimah has about 1,000 archaeological sites, four of which have been added to the ‘UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage’. The emirate is also home to one of the best-preserved traditional fishing villages in the Arabian Gulf, Al Jazirah Al Hamra, and the only hilltop fort still in existence in the UAE, the 18th century Dhayah Fort. 

 

The emirate is noted for its varied topography, from the Hajar mountains, to rolling sand dunes to 64 kms of beaches, as well as its adventure tourism attractions.

Info from the Official Portal of the UAE Government.