Ras al Khaimah 🇦🇪 a genuine surprise!
Quick holiday facts
Duration: 7 nights
Package booked through Love Holidays
Package total cost: £2,200
Flights: Emirates return from London Heathrow to Dubai
Accommodation: The Cove by Rotana, Bed & Breakfast
Excursions: Suwaidi Pearls (£100 for two)
Spending Money: Approx. £650 covering car hire, additional activities, lunches, room snacks, evening meals, drinks.
APPROX TOTAL SPEND = £2,750
Ras al Khaimah or RAK for short… We didn’t know what to expect and came away with a fabulous holiday which was great value for money.
Read on for more…
The quiet emirate that completely won us over
Sometimes the best trips begin with a simple recommendation. A friend who spends time between the UK and Dubai suggested we look at Ras Al Khaimah for a winter escape — somewhere calmer, less polished, and far quieter than its famous neighbour. We took a chance, did far too much hotel research, and eventually settled on The Cove Rotana Resort.
We arrived hopeful.
We left wondering why more people aren’t talking about RAK. Like, for real!
First impressions: calm, space and mountain views
Ras Al Khaimah feels different from the moment you arrive. The skyline gives way to mountains, the roads are wide and quiet, if a little dusty… the drive up from Dubai literally crossed desert! There’s a sense of calm that immediately slows your pace.
The Cove Rotana exceeded our expectations. Built into the hillside in a Nubian-inspired style, the resort feels spacious and relaxed rather than glossy and overdesigned. Our villa overlooked the water, the adults-only pool became a daily ritual, and the private beach offered exactly what we came for: stillness, sunshine, and time to switch off.
The staff were excellent throughout our stay, and breakfast (we booked B&B, though all-inclusive options are available) was varied, fresh, and unhurried - the perfect start to slow days.
Day 2: exploring Marjan Island
Curiosity got the better of us on Day 2, so we drove out to Marjan Island to see what the newer resort developments looked like.
We stopped for cocktails at the Sky Bar at Mövenpick Resort, followed by a steak dinner at BOONS. It was polished, glossy, and exactly the kind of resort experience many travellers love.
But if we’re honest? It didn’t feel very us.
Nearby Mina Al Arab and Marjan Island itself are still developing. Loooooads of construction everywhere you look.
They (all the new glossy islands and resorts) will undoubtedly be stunning once complete: think Dubai-level sheen and luxury - but staying at Cove Rotana felt like the right choice for now: authentic, peaceful, and grounded in the natural landscape. Away from it all enough but also connected and close enough to civilisation!
Top tip: hire a car
If you visit RAK, hire a car.
It’s inexpensive, the roads are excellent, and driving is straightforward. Everything is designed for ease and comfort - beaches, shops, viewpoints and restaurants are all accessible by car. Like, literally everything drive-up! Maybe they’re inspired by America?! 🤔
The Emiratis clearly prioritise infrastructure and convenience. You can drive right up to almost everything, which makes exploring effortless. It’s a no brainer if you don’t want to rely on local taxis or costly excursions/tours.
Matt in the hire ready to chauffeur Amy around!
Day 3: Suwaidi Pearls - an unforgettable experience
One of the standout experiences of the trip was the Suwaidi Pearls tour. We found this via Get Your Guide.
It was truly five-star.
We learned about the region’s pearl-diving heritage, Emirati maritime traditions, and the evolution of cultured pearls in the UAE. The experience was educational, beautifully delivered, and deeply rooted in local history.
And yes - Amy left with a pearl to add to her jewellery collection! 🙌🏼
An unforgettable afternoon and absolutely worth booking. Tip: book the afternoon tour as it finishes just as the sun is setting - simply beautiful over the mangroves 😍
At the House of Pearls, lifting the oysters out of the sea.
The view looking around the resort - The Cove Rotana, simply lovely!
Day 4: mangroves, corniche walks & Flamingo Beach
To experience more of the local coastline, we visited Flamingo Beach - relaxed public beach with cafés and a gentle, family-friendly atmosphere.
Later, we took a stroll along the corniche, where the mangrove views offer a peaceful contrast to the dramatic mountains inland. It’s a lovely way to spend a slower afternoon and see everyday life in RAK.
Day 5: Jebel Jais 🏔️ mountains above the desert
No trip to Ras Al Khaimah is complete without a drive up Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain.
The journey itself is spectacular: winding roads, dramatic rock formations, and vast open views.
We stopped at 1484 by Puro (the highest restaurant in the UAE) for a delicious burger dinner and Red Rock BBQ for post-hike mocktails. If you go in the evening, take layers - temperatures drop quickly at altitude and it gets surprisingly chilly.
The sunset alone is worth the trip.
Jebel Jais
For the adventurous out there (and also the not-so adventurous!)
Food highlight: Al Madfoon Restaurant
One meal turned into two visits.
Al Madfoon Restaurant quickly became our favourite local spot. The Lamb Madsi was so good we went back for it again: rich, fragrant and deeply comforting.
If you want authentic local flavour rather than resort dining, this is the place. Also, a 2 course dinner for two set is back £30. Win!!
Image: Matt looking ready to tuck in!
We had Lamb Madsi here with Fatoush Salad, incredible!
Slow days done right
In between exploring, we embraced doing very little - long mornings by the adults-only pool, beach walks, mocktails at Breakers Beach Bar and unhurried afternoons with a book.
The pace of RAK invites rest in a way few destinations do. We enjoyed our ‘deluxe pool view’ room, making friends with the hotels resident cats and watching the world go by.
A return to Dubai
Spending our final morning in Dubai before flying home felt strangely familiar. This was our second visit: the first being a three-night stay in 2017 as part of our honeymoon - and returning almost a decade later was both nostalgic and surprising.
So much has changed, yet it somehow looks exactly the same.
The skyline stretches further, the malls feel even grander, and the city’s ambition continues to expand outward. But the essence of Dubai remains: polished, fast-paced, and unapologetically larger-than-life.
After days of mountain air, quiet beaches and the slower rhythm of Ras Al Khaimah, the contrast felt sharper than ever. Dubai dazzles; RAK exhales. It’s a totally different vibe and we so enjoyed it.
And maybe that’s why the pairing works so well.
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