UAE: Ras Al Khaimah hotels 'nearly fully booked' on weekends ahead of summer 2025
As summer approaches, Ras Al Khaimah is emerging as one of UAE's most sought-after staycation destinations due to its unique blend of beaches, mountains, and adventure activities. Hotels say they are already seeing strong interest from travelers eager to make the most of the season.
Rove Al Marjan Island, one of the newest additions to the emirate, has received a strong response since its opening.
'April has been a strong month, and even though we just opened, we're nearly fully booked on weekends,' Paul Bridger, COO of Rove Hotels, told Khaleej Times. He added that most guests so far are visitors from CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries and UAE residents.
Rove Al Marjan Island had reached full occupancy on weekends during its first month of operations. In addition, midweek occupancy has exceeded 50 per cent.
"What Ras Al Khaimah offers is unique," Bridger said. "It has a nice mix of offerings for travelers, including natural beauty, adventure, and culture. Plus, it's only an hour from Dubai and close to several international airports. Whether hiking in the mountains, exploring historic sites, or relaxing on the beach, there's something for everyone."
David and Alina, a couple from Russia staying at Rove Hotel Al Marjan for five nights, said they chose to return to the emirate after a previous visit. "We came back because we love Ras Al Khaimah. It's a quiet place with clean beaches," they said.
"We believe every city has its style, and what Ras Al Khaimah offers is exactly what we need to enjoy our time and relax. Although we stayed close to the hotel this time, if we visit again, we'd love to explore the cultural sites and experience the city life."
Special offers for staycation
Miguel Melo, acting general manager of Rixos Bab Al Bahr Ras Al Khaimah, highlighted the resort's ongoing staycation offers to enhance guest experiences in Ras Al Khaimah. He noted, 'During weekends, we anticipate that occupancy won't drop below 60 per cent.'
'Our current staycation packages are designed to give guests more value and memorable moments,' said Melo. 'Those booking a minimum two-night stay can enjoy 20 per cent off in-room dining, complimentary dining at one of our five à la carte restaurants, and a free upgrade from a deluxe room to a premium room category, subject to availability.'
He also shared details about the Suite Escape promotion. 'Guests who book a minimum three-night stay in any suite category will receive a 20 per cent discount on treatments at Avitane Spa, along with one-time access to a private beach cabana with refreshments and snacks. Additional perks include early check-in, late check-out, and signature welcome amenities upon arrival,' he added.
Cameron McNeillie, general manager of InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, highlighted the resort's range of accommodation options tailored for guests seeking a blend of elegance, space, and scenic views. 'Our resort provides guests with various room categories, ranging from Classic Sea View Rooms to our villas and pool villas. All our 351 rooms and villas overlook the sea with spectacular views,' he said.
Occupancy rates at the resort typically rise to between 80 and 90 per cent on weekends, particularly from the end of October to the end of May. Designed to accommodate both solo travelers and families, InterContinental offers various room categories, including classic and panoramic rooms, balcony terrace suites, and seafront villas. Each unit features private balconies and spacious interiors, with sizes ranging from 45sqm to 150sqm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Rove Al Marjan Island review: The budget-friendly brand drawing crowds in booming Ras Al Khaimah
The Rove Hotels format arrived on our shores in 2019 as a price-conscious but fun alternative for travellers seeking to enjoy Dubai without blowing their budget. Ten properties have since opened around the city and the homegrown brand recently extended its laid-back appeal to Ras Al Khaimah. Rove Al Marjan Island is a 441-room beachfront hotel that readily caters to couples, families and digital nomads who crave vibrancy and price over frills and formality. The welcome The vehicle entrance arrives suddenly on the main island road and opens on to a short drive and a spacious car park. Rovers – as guests are playfully referred to – can drop their luggage and passengers in front of the lobby or go straight to self-parking and wheel their bags across. We chose the latter on spotting a coach arrive. However, it's an immediate glimpse of Rove's refreshing less-fuss format, something echoed when we venture unaccompanied to the lifts after a swift and friendly check-in. The room Not really fans of an unnecessary curated room introduction, my wife and I find our way along a colourful corridor to our fifth floor, sea-facing accommodation. Breezy but formulaic designs prevail in Rove hotels, from licence-plate-style room numbers to the digs themselves. An open wardrobe and storage area flanks a comfy bed, opposite a widescreen TV that features seemingly every news channel except the BBC or CNN. There's no robe, but additional amenities such as extra pillows, shaving kits and an ironing board can be requested. There is, however, a fridge and an invigorating rain shower. Rove loves an inspirational message as well as seaside-inspired artwork. 'The beach is not just a place, it's a feeling,' the wall above our bed reveals. The food Rove regulars will be familiar with the brand's main dining option, The Daily. The venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner is spacious, but eclectic decor and furniture and smart layout lends it an almost intimate feel. Primarily buffet-orientated, guests can choose a la carte – although it was suggested on our arrival that only the former was available, only for ordered dishes to land on nearby tables. The organic sea bass (Dh99) and acacia chicken club sandwich (Dh71) looked promising, however, and serendipity meant buffet access to the finest paneer jalfrezi I've sampled in a while, with salads of pumpkin and squash, plus quinoa with molasses also shining. Grilled fish with beurre blanc and beef shashlik also proved a hit on our table, as did refreshing soft drinks named Floral Fall and Sunrise Surprise. Day-time snacks and refreshments can also be had from the Rove Beachside Truck and the Pool Bar, which offers a great selection of food including a tomato flatbread (Dh57) substantial enough for sharing. If you crave further evening options, you're a short walk from food trucks on the island promenade and F&B at neighbouring hotels. The breakfast scene Open only since in April, Rove Al Marjan Island staff seemingly have had to hit the ground running. Not least at the busiest breakfast session we've witnessed in a while. Everyone seems to find a table, however, before heading to a buffet that includes a decent fruit and salad selection, baked goodies and hot options such as ful medames, scrambled eggs and sausages. Guests can also order one item each from a menu that includes basil and rhubarb bircher muesli and mango lavender waffles. We can vouch for the semi-dried tomato-powered Mediterranean omelette and a decadent acai super jar that includes agave, basil seeds, almond butter, passion fruit and mint concasse. No shakshuka here (as previously swooned over at Rove La Mer), but the buffet does yield croissant and blueberry bake, a revelation washed down with TWG tea. Accessibility and sustainability Plenty of ramps in to and out of the hotel, across to the pool and through to the beach make this Rove very friendly towards wheelchair users. And the property's sustainability credentials are evident with its 'hang your towel to reuse' messaging in the bathroom and leave-behind shampoo and shower gels – plus its use of refillable glass water bottles with a label announcing 'plastic ain't fantastic'. The Rove's adherence to Ras Al Khaimah's Green Building Regulations includes composting all food waste. Hotel facilities The main pool immediately stands out. A sensible rectangle, generous in relation to the hotel, it is lined with plenty of loungers and shallow enough for supervised children to enjoy. The beach is a few steps away with a buoy rope boundary to keep jet-skiers and other water sporting folk a safe distance from swimmers. There's a quieter area with double loungers and cabanas to one side of the main pool zone. On the other side, a big screen shows movies and sports on a grassy area soundtracked by a DJ operating evenings out of a VW camper van, occasionally joined by a fire poi performer. Another nice – and practical touch – is a significant luggage storage area, each unit bearing the name of an area in RAK, and beyond. Beside this is one of two fitness areas. Inside features plenty of new Life Fitness equipment while outside there's a Woodsman Fitness 'Jungle Gym', a Flintstones-style workout area with wooden weights and more. The co-working space – typical of Rove hotels – is blessed with natural light and busy with digital nomads, some possibly making use of Rove's monthly stay deals. Family-friendly factor Younger Rovers were evidently part of the brief when designers pondered RAK Rove, from surfboard-adapted pool showers to the strong use of colour throughout. There's a dedicated indoor play area with TV and soft toys, and a soft-play zone outside beside a small, family-only pool. Value for money Rove Al Marjan Island combines good value with a fun vibe. A sea view room for Dh474 ($132), including taxes, for up to three people is hard to beat for a fresh property with direct beach access and a generous pool in one of the hottest real estate locations in the UAE – all close to the emerging Wynn resort. Check-in is from 4pm (earlier if pre-booked) and check-out is at 2pm.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Flydubai to resume daily Damascus flights as airspace reopens
The Dubai-based airline continues to monitor the regional situation closely and adjust flight schedule accordingly "This move comes as more airspace in the region reopens, and restrictions are lifted,' a spokesperson for flydubai confirmed to Khaleej Times on Wednesday, adding: '(We) plan to resume full schedule across the network from July, following the completion of all necessary assessments. 'This remains a developing situation, and both flight and network planning are continuously reviewed, with flydubai operating within approved international air corridors and adjusting frequencies as required,' the spokesperson added. Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO, said, 'We continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our flight schedule accordingly. Our agility and preparedness have enabled us to act quickly during challenging times, while adhering to the highest operational standards and always prioritising the safety of our crew and passengers. We are pleased to see our operations resuming and look forward to the return of services to the remaining affected markets soon.' Flights to Damascus will operate daily from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB).
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Actor Viineet Singh's Dubai-India flight delayed in conflict, says 'staff handled it well'
[Editor's Note: Follow the KT live blog for live updates on the Israel-Iran conflict.] For Indian actor Viineet Kumar Singh, his first visit to Dubai could have ended in a kerfuffle, thanks to the temporary UAE airspace closure after Iran attacked a US military base in Qatar. The actor was at the Dubai Airport on Monday night, ready to board an Emirates flight to Mumbai, when the suspension of flights cause an hour of delay. While many passengers were worried, Singh did not panic, he told Khaleej Times after safely reaching India. Recounting the experience, he said, "My flight was supposed to take off at 9:40, and I was waiting close to the gate. However, boarding did not start even as we approached takeoff time, which led to passengers wondering whether our departure would be affected." Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. "My wife was worried" The Mukkabaaz actor had posted a story on Instagram at 9:23pm that he was waiting at the gate for departure. "I usually try to stay calm during any crisis, as panicking doesn't help. But I started getting calls from friends and family who were worried about me. We heard that flights from the UAE were affected because of Iran's attack on US military base in Qatar," Singh said. "My wife is pregnant, she was waiting for me in Mumbai and checking in constantly. I told her not to worry," he shared. Singh said that there was no cause for worry as the airline and airport staff handled the situation efficiently. "The staff at the Dubai airport ensured everyone stayed calm and assured passengers that they would have some information soon. They handled the situation very well," Singh added. The flight then took off around 10:45, an hour after scheduled departure. "Extended my stay to explore" This was Singh's first trip to Dubai. Here to attend a media summit, Singh extended his stay to spend 5-6 days in the UAE. Despite the heat, he went around meeting friends and visiting places to see in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. "I was quite fascinated by how this spectacular city has been built on a desert, so I wanted to explore as much as possible. I went to Old Dubai, explored the Souk, went to the Marina. I also took a walk on the beach in the evening. I did not let the heat deter me," Singh shared, adding that he hoped to be back soon. Singh also visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. "It was a special experience to offer prayers at the temple," he said.
