When it’s your 10th Wedding Anniversary and someone (very kindly) lends you a Bentley Flying Spur for the weekend, what better place to go than the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah!
While the drive up to the hotel is impressive, walking into the lobby is even more so. One of the first things to catch our eye was the grand clock, a feature of all the 20-plus Waldorf Astoria hotels, this one a tribute to Ras Al Khaimah’s rich pearl diving heritage and worth USD 500,000. Off the side of the lobby is Peacock Alley - a signature lounge found in all Waldorf Astoria hotels - which could have been cut straight out of a scene from The Great Gatsby. With so much history to take in be sure to make use of your personal concierge, they know all the stories and are available to all guests throughout their stay to cater to their every need.
Our junior suite with a sea view and private balcony was exquisite - but I do love a good bathroom and this one was amazing! Decked in black marble and gold, it had a huge tub, separate rain shower and came complete with big fluffy robes and Salvatore Ferragamo products. Worried I’d never leave, my husband suggested lunch at Azure, the poolside restaurant. After deliciously fresh Mediterranean style food and smashing cocktails we were fit for nothing else except sitting by the stunning pool.
Without a doubt, dinner at the refined Lexington Grill was the highlight of our stay. With its theme taken from extravagant US steak houses and the famed street in New York, the restaurant is famous for its steak. So after tasting their signature cocktail, The Monroe, we sat down to enjoy some of the best cuts we’ve ever had. Chef Lij’s unique air-dried beef cuts cannot be found anywhere else in the Middle East and are simply delicious. After dinner if you fancy a bit of a boogie head up to 17Squared!
The next morning, breakfast at Qasr al-Bahar was an international affair. The buffet included hearty cooked breakfasts, with various live cooking stations, freshly baked pastries, fresh juices and smoothies, and was served until 12 noon. After some more chill out time at the pool and a spa treat we unfortunately had to head for home.
With eight restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, children’s club, fitness centre, tennis courts, ballroom, sightseeing tours, water sports activities, scuba diving, fishing and infants’ nursery; not forgetting the 18-hole championship golf course and the impressive Al Hajjar Mountains on the horizon - whatever your tastes are there’s something for everyone!
Room rates start from Dhs 950 and you can save 30% with The Hilton Summer Sale.
Visit www.waldorfastoria3.hilton.com or call 07-2035555 for reservations -L.C.