Pairing romance with relaxation, camps with cocktails and sky tours with stargazing, Ras Al Khaimah is a paradise for couples seeking a trip to remember.
Whether you’re spending one night or a whole week in the nature emirate, choose from private pool villas, post tents, island retreats, desert sanctuaries and a raft of activities that are made for two.
Here are three itineraries that make for the ultimate couples getaway:
For one-night only
With two days and one night in Ras Al Khaimah, you want to make the most of your time together, so before you check into The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, spend a morning on the UAE’s tallest peak, Jebel Jais, where the world’s longest zipline, the 2,830km-long Jais Flight, awaits. Ideal for thrill-seeking couples, this three-minute once-in-a-lifetime ride takes you through mountain peaks and deep ravines at speeds of up to 160kph.
Recall tales of your exhilarating flight over lunch at 1484 by Puro, the highest restaurant in the UAE at 1,484 metres. Dine on the terrace with the mountain-scape as your backdrop, sharing small plates or going all out with a hearty main and delicious desserts.
After lunch, your desert sanctuary awaits, with The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert set amid a 1,235-acre protected reserve and featuring luxury Bedouin-style tent villas with private pools and uninterrupted views of the dunes.
After check-in, treat yourselves to a relaxing couples massage at The Rainforest spa, and don’t miss the rainforest wellness experience – a hydrothermal journey involving affusion showers, an aroma steam, the brine cavern, a hammam, an ice igloo, a rain walk, and sole therapy, finishing with a vitality pool plunge.
At sunset, signature cocktails at resort’s Moon Bar are must, followed by an evening of stargazing or a four-course bespoke dining experience in private locations such as the Al Wadi Tower or the desert. For an unforgettable break for two, the resort’s Experience Concierge can arrange a desert trek on camel or horseback, a private archery lesson, a sunset safari drive, and more.
Make it a three-day weekend
During a three-night stay in Ras Al Khaimah, couples can retreat from the world in one of the 32 secluded luxury villas at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach, each with its own swimming pool, large deck and direct beach access, creating an elevated feeling of total seclusion.
Bespoke in-villa and beach dining experiences provide couples with total privacy, as do the waterside pavilions at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, where the soothing sounds of the Arabian Gulf create a sense of peace and locally inspired treatments are prepared with native flowers, spices and other natural ingredients.
Plan your stay, with the Experience Concierge on hand to organise archery, catch and release fishing, kayaking tours, and paddleboarding too, not to mention 18 holes of beachfront play at the Al Hamra Golf Club next door.
But before you get too cosy, plan some time exploring Ras Al Khaimah’s diverse attractions, encompassing history, culture and adventure. Here are three activities not to be missed:
The UAE’s tallest peak, Jebel Jais, is a must visit and promises fun activities galore. Adventurous couples can get stuck into the two-hour Jais Sky Tour, a series of six ziplines that range from just 337 metres to more than 1km, situated a staggering 1,600 metres above sea level. Take in the extraordinary bird’s-eye view as you fly 5km through the Hajar Mountain range, navigating seven platforms along the way.
Step down from the mountain and back in time at Al Rams fishing village. Here you can jump on board a traditional pearl-fishing boat and sail out to the Middle East’s only floating pearl farm. The Suwaidi Pearls experience, located on a pontoon, provides insight the UAE’s fascinating and centuries-old pearl-fishing history and when you return to shore, there’s a chance to purchase these precious pearls too.
A desert sunset and dining experience at the Sonara Camp Al Wadi, set in the grounds of the protected nature reserve at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, will round-off your three-night getaway nicely. This hideaway, surrounded by the beauty of the Arabian wilderness where Oryx, Gazelles and the elusive Arabian Red Fox roam, an epicurean adventure unfolds – Arabic fusion dishes made from seasonal ingredients by the resident chef. There are activities to entertain too, from camel rides to sandboarding, volleyball to falcon shows, live music to archery, and don’t forget the shisha, if it takes your fancy.
Go all-out on a one-week bonanza
A week in Ras Al Khaimah makes for the ultimate couples getaway and factors in plenty of time to experience several hotels, attractions and experiences.
Make it memorable by splitting your stay as follows:
Kick-start your trip on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah’s premium lifestyle destination, where the five-star Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island offers couples plenty of fun in the sun.
With sea views from every balcony, a 300-metre sandy beach, six bars and restaurants, three outdoor pools, and a wellness hub with a gym and four treatment rooms, you can live your best life. There’s even a floating waterpark – the largest in the UAE – as well as water sports year-round, so jump on a jet ski or kayak for two and explore the Arabian Gulf during your stay at this five-star resort. We recommend three nights before you move onto something new.
No trip to Ras Al Khaimah is complete without an adventure in the Hajar Mountains and couples seeking a challenge in the great outdoors should not miss the chance to spend a night at the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. Here, each instructor is highly skilled and trained in survival techniques practiced by the world-renowned UK explorer Bear Grylls, and you and your other half will learn the skills and mindset required to survive the mountains and desert – and perhaps your relationship!
Opt for a half-day fast-paced survival course on Jebal Jais, the UAE’s tallest peak where in four hours you’ll learn the skills Bear uses to survive the wild. You’ll need hiking boots, long-sleeved hiking tops, long trousers, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and of course, a positive attitude! After, retreat to your cabin, tired, but exhilarated, enjoying the camp atmosphere and mountain views as you dine al fresco.
After all that adventure, head to your final destination, the twin-island Mina Al Arab, for a two-night stay at the luxurious InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa. Here, sea-view accommodation options include beachside villas and the exclusive Club InterContinental, a resort within a resort, which is ideal for couples who enjoy the finer things in life.
Experience extra privileges and thoughtful touches, with Club InterContinental Rooms including access to the Club InterContinental Lounge with a private pool, deep soaking jacuzzi, as well as deluxe culinary offers throughout the day, including favourites such as evening canapes, cocktails, and afternoon tea.
Choose from rooms and suites, all with romantic sea views, and for special occasions, go all out and book the Grand Balcony Club InterContinental Suite, a private haven where you can stargaze in all directions from your wrap-around balcony.
End your trip on a high note, with an early morning hot-air balloon ride, offering aerial views of Ras Al Khaimah that are breath-taking and certainly Insta-worthy.
Actionflight operates daily sunrise flights from various locations in the emirate and depending on the wind conditions of the day, you may fly past dense mangroves, the vast desert and its winding wadis, over the stunning Hajar Mountains, or even out towards the Arabian Gulf coastline. Look out for the famous shipping passage, the Strait of Hormuz, and its eight islands as you sail gracefully, enjoying the tranquillity of being sky high.
No matter where the wind takes you, a hot air balloon ride with ActionFlight promises memories to last a lifetime. It’s also the perfect activity to celebrate a special occasion with the one you love and a fitting way to round-off your one-week getaway for two.
