Dramatic mountain and desert scenery, 7,000 years of tradition and 64km of glorious coastline, all garnished with top-notch hotels and multiple all-age adventures: the little-known emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is generous with its charms.
Blessed with eight to ten hours of sunshine a day year round, this tranquil Arabian Gulf oasis is just a 45-minute shuttle ride north from Dubai airport – and within easy reach of that city’s many theme and water parks. Its rolling golden dunes and crinkled Hajar Mountains offer memorable activities, from flying the world’s longest zipline across 3km of peaks and ravines to watching Tanoura dancers swirling around a Bedouin campfire.
Choose from three superb, family-friendly Hilton Hotels with
British Airways Holidays and you’ll enjoy daily direct flights to Dubai from London, and holidays secured with a low deposit starting at £75pp*, plus flexible instalments to suit your budget. There’s a 23kg passenger baggage allowance per person and ATOL protection. British Airways Holidays also provides a 24/7 holiday helpline while you’re away.
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Barefoot fun
The impeccable coastline is great for paddling all year round
On a manmade archipelago of four coral-shaped islands, this is Hampton by Hilton’s only all-inclusive hotel – and one of the few in the whole region to offer an all-inclusive option. With a private sandy beach and a sleek infinity pool overlooking the turquoise sea, it also offers a fabulous array of family beach attractions, from a bouncy castle, giant darts and trampoline to volleyball and an inflatable wet football pitch. More junior fun awaits in the separate kids’ pool and club, while adults can escape to the sea-view gym and spa, which has a sauna, a steam room and eight treatment rooms – anyone for a hot stone massage?
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island keeps it fun and varied on the food front. Its seven bars and restaurants include the H2O Beverage truck and Surf’s Up food truck on the beach, and the H2O Pool Bar and Lobby Café – The View. Guests can enjoy CLAW BBQ – American Style Restaurant, where seafood and barbecue fare come with sea views and entertainment including a mechanical bull. Meanwhile the world-renowned Karma Kafe by Buddha-Bar has rich decor and high-end pan-Asian dishes, including sushi and sashimi, while Flavours all-day dining offers an international buffet which includes multiple live cooking stations.
Spread across ten floors, all 515 of the bright, airy rooms at the Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island have balconies, alongside clean, contemporary design with colourful rugs, stools and decorative paddles on the walls. Want more space? The Family Connect category sleeps eight in interconnecting rooms with en suite bathrooms.
‘Seafood and barbecue fare come with sea views and entertainment’
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your holiday now with a low deposit
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British Airways flies direct daily from London to Dubai and you can secure your holiday with a low deposit from just £75pp, before paying the balance in as many instalments as you wish.* You’ll enjoy a generous 23kg luggage allowance per person along with a dedicated 24/7 holiday helpline during your trip. All holidays are ATOL protected, for extra peace of mind.
Upgrade to British Airways Club World for an elevated experience from the moment you arrive at the airport. Enjoy an increased baggage allowance, as well as access to private airport lounges, dedicated check-in desks† and priority boarding. Once you’re on board, relax in a spacious seat that converts into a fully flat bed with luxury bedding and amenities kit, and enjoy a wide selection of gourmet in-flight food and drink options.
Unmissable UAE
Other emirates to explore
Pole position: Prepare for a white-knuckle ride – if you dare – on Formula Rossa
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island
Book the best
Decisions, decisions, decisions. It’s a tough choice at this resort, also located on a manmade island whose seven swimming pools include a photogenic floating sea pool, reached by walkway, with drinks served direct to your lounger. You also have 650m of private white beach and the Tarzan Jungle Float boat, with two high diving boards, trampolines and an over-water rope swing off the top deck.
Still feeling energetic? There’s a fitness centre, padel tennis, beach volleyball and adult fitness classes, while the ninth-floor Jouri Rose Spa calms it all down with a divine pool alongside wraps, facials and authentic Turkish bath ceremonies, combining a massage with exfoliation and essential oils.
Most of the Doubletree’s spacious rooms have balconies or beach access with mesmerising Gulf views. Standard rooms have natural cream and gold hues, while the higher-end Deluxe and Bay Club are more contemporary, with oversize headboards and bright pops of turquoise and yellow.
The hotel offers a diverse range of global cuisines. The Anchor gastropub has British classics; Meze specialises in Turkish fare; Vespa offers a family-style Italian trattoria menu; while seafront Sanchaya serves noodles and flaming wok dishes alongside sweeping ocean views. Upgrade to the Ultra All Inclusive meal plan and enjoy all 13 restaurants and bars, as well as in-room dining and minibar.**
secret
Wet ’n’ wild
Experience some high-octane H2O at Dubai’s famous Wild Wadi Waterpark, from Jumeirah Sceirah’s 50mph thrills and the Master Blasters’ dizzying aquatic rollercoaster to Breaker’s Bay – the Middle East’s largest wave pool – and Tantrum Alley’s slides and tornadoes.
More speed
Slip on your goggles, buckle up and prepare to hit 150mph in under five seconds on Formula Rossa: the planet’s fastest rollercoaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Adrenaline addicts can also experience zero gravity and two amazing bounce drops on Turbo Tower, before reaching 75mph on Flying Aces, the world’s highest rollercoaster loop.
High times
Expect jaw-dropping 360-degree views of city, sand and sea from Burj Khalifa SKY, the highest observation deck on Earth, 555m and 148 floors above Dubai in the world’s tallest skyscraper. Need more superlatives? The first 124th floor stop is reached in the world’s fastest elevator, hitting 10m per second.
Dhow roaming
Get a fresh perspective on an ultramodern destination, cruising in a traditional Arabic dhow. Sail along the Dubai Creek, taking in the Old Town and Heritage Village alongside contemporary icons like the Burj Khalifa. For added atmosphere, enjoy an onboard feast and swirling displays of Tanoura dancing.
just 45
minutes
from Dubai
The little known emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect family playground – even if you don’t brave the world’s longest zipline
A
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With epic views across the Arabian Sea, and Jebel Jais peak to the north, the Hilton resort sits behind a private 1.5km-long white beach – the region’s longest – with seven swimming pools including an Insta-worthy palm-lined infinity pool.
The contemporary Arabian hotel’s 471 sizeable rooms – all tasteful creams, neutrals and dark woods – have balconies or terraces, many overlooking the sea. Modern villas offer direct access to the beach or family-friendly pool.
Everyone’s catered for here. Daily activities include beach volleyball, table tennis and exercise classes in the fitness centre. Younger ones have their own two-storey treehouse kids’ club, while teenagers play it cool in their games hub, nail bar and karaoke box.
The multiple choices extend to dining and drinking, naturally. The ten – yes, ten – restaurants and bars include Piaceri da Gustare (Italian), Al Maeda (Lebanese, with kofta, tabbouleh and mellow sea views) and Vida (a Caribbean churrascaria [barbecue] with night-time Latin grooves). You can also enjoy a lantern-lit beach supper at a table dug into the soft white sand.
To keep things nicely chilled, the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort’s acclaimed spa offers diverse therapies from organic ESSE Skincare facials to Moroccan baths in a traditional hammam, and Himalayan salt massages, yoga and meditation in the wellness grotto.
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island
Edge of infinity: Whether by pool or sea, there’s no shortage of space
Lift off
There’s no better place to get out of your comfort zone
Rugged backdrop
The Hajar Mountains frame the resort to dramatic effect
*Based on two sharing. Full balance due seven weeks before departure. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply. †Where available **T&Cs apply
Paradise found
Guests will love the resort’s decor – and there’s plenty of entertainment for the whole family
Slow it down
Take life at your own pace and bookend activities like kayaking with supreme relaxation
Supreme scenes
This resort has the perfect placement of pools, bars and restaurants, plus the spa is a real treat
Made for pleasure
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island has everything you need in one place