STAY
Everything about this secluded, five-star spot – which was designed to be as sustainable as possible – blends seamlessly with its surroundings. There’s a choice of Bedouin-inspired tented suites or villas – all of which come with gargantuan bathtubs, cosy living areas, spacious outdoor terraces and private, temperature-controlled infinity pools. The views from the latter look onto the dunes and hundreds of ghaf trees which house a chorus of birds. At dusk, as their melodies begin to fade and curious sand gazelles scamper past, lanterns flicker – just like a scene from Arabian Nights.
An Al Rimal villa
A range of activities awaits guests
DINE
Dining highlights include everything from a private desert picnic to eating on the roof of a traditional watchtower. Executive chef Anees Ansari helms the Ritz-Carlton’s culinary brigade. He’s passionate about working with local and regional ingredients and flavours. His pride and joy is an organic garden (all-day dining outlet Kaheela sits adjacent to this) – it’s abundant with seasonal herbs and veggies, all of which are used on a daily basis.
Smoked chocolate and mango with rosemary ice cream
Chef Anees in his organic garden
“Sustainability is key at the Ritz-Carlton” says chef Anees. “You need to know what you’re doing when trying to grow in the desert. So, I visit farms in RAK – everywhere from Jebel Jais to those near the old airport road – learning from Emirati farmers and gathering tips.”
He’s also a master of cooking meat – much of which is done in a smokehouse at Farmhouse, the hotel’s rustic eatery which overlooks a watering hole. Here it’s advisable to try the salmon with cucumber, soft quail’s egg and dill labneh, truffle fitters, beef tartare, a choice of prime cuts such as rib-eye and tenderloin (with all the sauces!) and a decadent chocolate dessert with smoked ice cream with rosemary plucked straight from the garden.
EXPLORE
From horseback rides at dawn to sunset camel treks through the dunes, torchlit nature walks to stargazing – the roster of available activities allows one to make the most of the hotel’s exquisite setting. An early morning wildlife feeding session is something fun for the whole family; get up-close to majestic oryx and friendly gazelles with a guide. Book children into The Ritz Kids club and they’ll be kept busy with fishing, falcon and owl interactions, archery and much more. And if pure escapism sounds enticing, hide away in the sprawling on-site spa – a highlight here is the Rainforest Experience with a circuit of 16 different hydrothermal therapies.
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/uae/al-wadi-desert