Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

★★★★★Al Hamra Village, Ras Al KhaimahSpecialist pick

Overview

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is the gold-domed grand hotel at Al Hamra Village, built around 203 rooms and suites facing either the Arabian Gulf or the Al Hamra golf course. It suits families and couples after a proper five-star weekend rather than a quick beach stop, and it works equally well as a one-night escape or a longer stay.

The private beach runs 350 metres of real sand, and there are three pools split between families, adults-only and a kids' splash zone, so a Friday morning here genuinely divides into someone floating with a coffee and someone chasing a toddler down a water slide. Children have their own club and a teens' Drift Club, service throughout is the polished, unhurried Waldorf standard, and by evening the resort quietens down for dinner rather than turning into a party scene.

Book this one for the resort itself rather than for RAK's town centre, which is a taxi ride away and not really the point of staying here. Summer heat pushes most of the action to the pools and indoor spaces, so the beach and golf side of the property comes into its own from autumn through spring. Families wanting an adults-only edge should know the Sunset Beach Lounge is reserved for grown-ups only.

350m private beach
three swimming pools
kids water adventure area
kids club and teens club
18-hole golf course access
award-winning spa
seven restaurants and bars
floodlit tennis courts
adults-only beach lounge
free parking and valet

Rooms

Good to know

Meal plans: Room only · Bed & breakfast · Half board
Paid at the hotel: The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
Cancelling: Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow

Eating and drinking

Qasr Al Bahar — The main all-day restaurant with a globally inspired buffet, floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace. Handles breakfast and family dinners easily, with dedicated areas that make it comfortable with children in tow.
Lexington Grill & Bar — A New York steakhouse-style dinner venue with dry-aged meats, seafood and a serious wine cellar. Evenings-only and set up more for a grown-up night out than a family meal, though older children are welcome.
Umi — Japanese restaurant with teppanyaki and a sushi counter, open evenings only. A good change of pace for a second or third night, with enough theatre at the teppanyaki grill to keep older children entertained.
Azure — A casual all-day Mediterranean restaurant by the main pool, serving relaxed dishes like grilled pizzas alongside cocktails. Easy-going and family-friendly, useful for a poolside lunch that doesn't require getting dressed up.
Palm Shore Pool Bar — Poolside bar and grill doing Mediterranean snacks, sliders and cocktails from a swim-up-style setting. Open through the day, good for a light lunch without leaving the pool for long.
Camelia Lounge — The lobby lounge known for its afternoon tea and a large tea list, open all day for coffee, light bites and evening drinks. A calmer option if you want a break from the pool or beach crowd.
Sunset Beach Lounge — An adults-only beachfront lounge with an infinity pool, contemporary menu and craft cocktails, open through the day into the evening. Book a childcare slot if you want a couple of hours here without the children.

Getting there

It's a drive of around 45 to 50 minutes from Dubai depending on where you start and traffic on the E11 or E311, making it realistic for a Friday-night check-in after work. Most UAE residents drive themselves and use the hotel's valet or free self-parking rather than booking a transfer, though a transfer is worth arranging if you're flying in rather than driving from Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Ask about Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

Another room type, more than one room, or a date that is not showing — send it over and a specialist replies with what is available and what it costs, usually the same working day.