'Ras Al Khaimah is packed with adventure including the world's longest zipline'

09 February 2023 , 10:07

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The stunning five-star Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah hotel, where I stayed for three nights (Image: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah)

Ras Al Khaimah has been emerging as a new holiday destination in recent years, but often remains under the radar compared to other UAE hotspots such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

That's not down to the destination one bit, but simply due to the city being on a path not trodden by many tourists.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer a huge influx of wealth, luxury shopping, stunning architecture, lively nightlife and never-ending beaches, while the rest of the UAE, for now, remains relatively unknown.

However, that could be about to change as heavy investment in the UAE is seeing it become a must-visit for sports fans, hosting events such as the Dubai Desert Classic, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A room inside the five-star hotel with a sea view (Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah)

But the Middle East as a whole is becoming more and more sport-centred with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf making waves, and the Qatar Football World Cup putting on a show just a couple of months ago.

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And now Ras Al Khaimah, the sixth-largest city in the UAE, is looking to become a tourist hotbed in years to come. And I was fortunate enough to enjoy the experience of travelling out and witnessing the untapped beauties it has to offer.

For three nights, I was put up in the incredible Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah - a five-star hotel with everything (and more) that you could possibly need.

The resort has eight stylish dining options, including a buffet and seafood, steak and Japanese restaurants, as well as a pool and beach bar! On that note there are two big outdoor swimming pools and you're less than a minute's walk away from the beach, with guests able to appreciate the beautiful views of the Arabian shoreline.

One of the main reasons I was there was for the golf, with the DP World Tour hosting the Ras Al Khaimah Championship. And I (as well as the European Tour players staying at the Waldorf Astoria) didn't have far to walk to Al Hamra Golf Club. In fact, it was approximately a five-minute stroll down to the clubhouse where the fun began.

While the main attraction of the golf was from Thursday through to Sunday, I was invited to play in the Pro-Am where I would be rubbing shoulders with future Ryder Cup stars like the Hojgaard twins, Victor Perez and Adrian Meronk.

Al Hamra Golf Club, where the Ras Al Khaimah Championship was held, was on the doorstep of the hotel

Myself and two others were partnered with German professional Yannik Paul and it's fair to say we toiled in the heat despite showing glimpses of life as the star attraction continued to wow us with his pure striking ability and power.

However, while our golf was up for debate, the course and complex certainly wasn't with its stunning views, overlooking the huge backdrop of the glitzy Waldorf Astoria hotel, and four inter-connected open water lagoons that merge with the water of the Arabian Gulf.

The course itself was built for this very purpose, to challenge the very best with tight fairways and rapid greens, which made it almost impossible for pros to get any backspin on the ball. If you ever get the chance to fly out to the UAE, I definitely recommend playing a round at the course - it's a championship venue which lends itself perfectly to all levels of players, providing those relatively new to the game with an enjoyable experience while offering a challenging one to those who want it.

And this was just day one for me. On day two we had the chance to watch the opening day of the Championship, which saw Ryder Cup vice captain Edoardo Molinari roll back the years by bursting into an early share of the lead. Away from the golf, I had some downtime at the hotel and took a stroll along the white beach before enjoying a dip in the pool.

Dinner at Sonara Camp was a real highlight of the trip

There were plenty of activities to keep you going until dinner, including a short camel ride

What followed was the highlight of the holiday; a trip to the nearby desert for dinner at the beautiful Sonara Camp. Honestly, you won't get many more unique dining experiences. In the heart of the sand dunes, it had everything you could ask for - including some fun activities to keep you entertained before dinner.

Whether that be a short camel ride, feeding a falcon, sandboarding or live music - it had it all as you watched the sun go down.

When the camp lit up it was time for a decadent three-course dinner, accompanied by plenty of live entertainment including a captivating fire show.

While it was an extremely peaceful end to the night, the same couldn't be said for the adrenaline-fuelled activities we enjoyed the next day.

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The camp is lit up after sunset - when dinner took place

About an hour's drive away from the Waldorf Astoria sits the spectacular Jebel Jais, a massive mountain range which provides breathtaking views right from the very top.

It's also home to the world's longest zipline - and in the bus on the way over, my heart was racing.

The zipline, Jais Flight, stands at 2.83km, soaring across the jagged mountain peaks and swooping through the deep ravines and roads below. When you look at it from the start point, it is certainly daunting but when you get going after being briefed about the ride by the safety instructors, it is simply an unmissable experience. It takes you at ultra-fast speeds of between 120 and 160 kmph for almost three minutes, and once you get over that initial fear you are able to soak in the incredible views.

For those whose stomachs didn't do somersaults during the ride, a lunch followed at 1484 By Puro - named after its height above sea level and host to more spectacular views.

The end of the zipline in Jebel Jais, a must-do adventure-fuelled ride on your visit

As if the zipline wasn't enough adrenaline for the day, it was time for the final activity, the Jais Sledder.
It's effectively a bobsled that reaches up to 40 kmph (it feels more than that as you're sat so close to the ground!) and hurtles you down the Hajar mountain range, providing those who are brave enough to have a go with glorious views below.

While it may not be as hair-raising as the zipline, it's still a definite must-visit if you want to seek unforgettable experiences.

And just like the zipline, it takes a couple of minutes overall. Back to the hotel we went, and that wrapped up a very memorable holiday.

Book the holiday

Stay there: Rooms at the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah can be booked from £217 per night - find out more at hilton.com.

Get there: Emirates offers flights from the UK to Dubai International Airport (emirates.com). From there it's approximately an hour's drive/taxi ride to the resort.

You can also get more information at visitrasalkhaimah.com.

Jonathan Spencer