1 week Ago By Carrie Hutchinson
The school holidays have started in Dubai and, in the foyer of the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort, a throng of guests is checking in. Children are being tamed by nannies, a group of Russian men give off bachelor-party vibes, and different accents intermingle incoherently. The InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort.
Finally, I get to step out onto my room’s balcony. Before me is the lagoon pool and deep blue ocean, one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most significant lures. Despite the temperature being 38 degrees in the UAE autumn, the jet lag begins to melt away A text from friends who live in Dubai and are staying next door at the Anantara beckons me downstairs.
They’ve arrived for a swim. Slathered in SPF50+, we float in the cool depths, avoiding the kids with blow-up toys and couples barnacled to one another in awkward (for those around them) PDAs. Beaches at the ready at the resort.
At the infinity edge, cocktails acquired at the pool bar in hand, we look out over the lapping ocean and at the construction – a new hotel – happening next door, where the workers also appear to be extending the beach. “You really have to give it to them,” I say to my friend as we sip margaritas. Anantara’s overwater bungalows.
“Give them what,” she asks. “They don’t take no for an answer. Not enough beach? They build one.
No islands off the coast? No problem. Just put them there yourself.”.
