Every room at the Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach takes the form of a slated wood villa ensconced within a thicket-strewn backyard. It immediately puts me in mind of The Faraway Tree, only my favourite series by British author Enid Blyton.
In the books, three exceptionally lucky children get to go on numerous adventures thanks to a magical woodland escape just across from their countryside cottage. A two-night stay with my own five-year-old at the Ras Al Khaimah property proves just as enchanting – despite the whirring of construction cranes as the UAE’s northernmost emirate gets future-ready.
The welcome
Two wrong turns and four roundabouts are not ideal when your child needs the loo after a 90-minute drive from Dubai to RAK. As my husband finally pulls the car into the unassuming driveway of the boutique resort, the valet, bellhop and buggy chauffeur jump into action. The chauffeur doubles as a butler and leads us to the two-desk lobby within seconds, much to baby Myra’s relief.
Given the property is made up of only 32 nearly identical villas, the check-in process is over even before my beetroot-hibiscus juice is. The chauffeur-butler, with whom we are already on a first-name basis, drives us out to Villa 30 in a golf buggy, a mainstay mode of transport at this 80-hectare estate.
Alongside pointing out the all-day dining restaurant that precedes Villa 1 and the spa that backends Villa 33 (there is no Villa 13), Sandeep from Hyderabad engages in thoughtful small talk with our daughter. It’s a precursor to the warm, personalised service that elevates our stay.
The room
At about 190 square metres, each chalet-style villa is its own microcosm of rustic-chic luxury. From a quaint four-poster bed and thatched roof effect, to Diptyque products and three wardrobes worth of storage, the living space is convenient and considered – if only a bit too dimly lit for my myopic vision.
More impressive than the room, though, is the aforementioned backyard. Privacy is the big draw here, with lush shrubbery and blossoming trees secluding each beachfront villa on three sides. A winding path takes you directly from bedroom to seashore by way of a private pool, outdoor bathtub, six-person cabana and patio-style sundeck, complete with a waterspout to wash sandy feet before re-entering the room.
It's like living in the middle of your own mini jungle with mod-cons to boot.
Pro tip: Opt for the turndown service each evening, lest you fancy drawing the one dozen (no exaggeration) blinds that, blissfully, don’t allow in a whit of sunlight come morning.
The food
Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach has two restaurants: the all-day dining Shore House and the picturesque Beach Deck that is open for dinner.
Shore House is the main artery of the hotel, and the only place you’re likely to see fellow guests. Indoor and outdoor seating aside, it has an infinity pool, access to the beach, the Ritz Kids children’s club and a direct view of Wynn Al Marjan Island looming large across the coast. As its name suggests, Beach Deck serves meals, many live-grilled, on tables strewn across the sand, complete with fairy lights and bonfire pits.
Of the dishes we tried, highlights include: ceviche with coconut and heart of palm (Dh76) that transported me straight to Mauritius; crunchy tostada with generous chunks of tuna slathered in wasabi cream (Dh89); an indulgent Atlantic lobster with yuzu butter (from Dh387 for 500g); and a truffled Carnaroli rice risotto with mushroom and Parmesan (Dh95). The beef tatatki (Dh90) was a bit too tangy for my taste, but Myra gobbled up her trio of Wagyu sliders with the appetite that comes from spending five hours in the water.
If you’re thinking two restaurants are not nearly enough for longer-term stays, fret not. Guests cannot only take a free shuttle to dine at the resort’s sister property amid the dunes, Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert, 20 minutes away, but also eat at a dozen other restaurants in the area. These include Umi and Lexington Grill at Waldorf Astoria, and Waka and Reunion at Sofitel through the Al Hamra Dine Around Destination offer.
Breakfast scene
A mix of buffet spread and a la carte menu, breakfast is best enjoyed on Shore House’s outdoor deck facing the beach. Just watch out for the birds.
While the various classics – eggs Benedict, avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes, Bircher muesli and foul medames – are faultless, the Al Hamra sandwich is a revelation. It’s made up of two beautifully buttery mini croissants soaked through with creamy mushroom sauce and filled with a sunny side-up egg and slender slivers of tender steak. Poetry on a plate.
Hotel facilities
Ritz Kids is a compact but power-packed space led by the benevolent Sharda from Nepal. A floor-to-ceiling blackboard, tepee tents and colouring sheets aside, the club offers guided activities three times a day. These include crafts such as shell painting, origami, bracelet-threading and sandcastle-making, as well as games of Bingo, Eye Spy, Musical Chairs, Ludo and Snakes and Ladders. Sunday evenings are dedicated to movie time.
While we didn’t have the hours – or the inclination – to step out of the private pool long enough to try them, additional paid-for activities range from Zumba for children (Dh80 for 45 minutes) to catch-and-release fishing (Dh110 for 60 minutes). The hotel can also connect guests with third-part water sports operators.
I did, however, make time for a relaxing massage (Dh540 for 60 minutes) at the Ritz-Carlton Spa with Shanti from India. The therapist and the treatment room with its Maldives-style water views, both ensured the massage lived up to its name.
Off-site, Al Hamra Mall is less than a 15-minute walk away, as are the Sofitel, Waldorf Astoria and Al Hamra Village hotels.
Family-friendly factor
The temperature-controlled in-villa pool, activity club and menus tailored to children, plus the private beach (with a lifeguard doling out paper bags to collect seashells) means the young and the young at heart have plenty to look forward to here.
The details
Villas range from Dh3,000 to Dh4,500 per night depending on the season. Check-in is from 3pm, check-out is at noon.
Festive offers at the property include: four-course Christmas Eve dinner (Dh250); Christmas Day brunch (from Dh300); and seaside New Year's Eve gala dinner (from Dh1,100), all at Shore House.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in future
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
MATCH INFO
FA Cup fifth round
Chelsea v Manchester United, Monday, 11.30pm (UAE), BeIN Sports
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Lecce v SPAL (6pm)
Bologna v Genoa (9pm)
Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)
Juventus v Brescia (6pm)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)
Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
