The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Virgin rating

The hotel

Tranquil and committed to the environment, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert resort has a natural yet sanctuary feel in beautiful surroundings with gazelles and oryx roaming around. Choose from a wide selection of recreational activities and experiences, or simply bask in the surreal aura of the desert's romance. All villas come complete with their own swimming pool, ensuring utter privacy as you bask in the sun’s rays. There’s also traditional tented villas for those who want the full-on Bedouin experience. There’s a dedicated nature reserve on-site, home to Arabian gazelles, camels and oryxes. Children and adults alike will enjoy the opportunity of getting up close to these gentle and fascinating creatures as they wander the dunes at leisure — magical! Also magical is the resort’s spa, offering lavish treatment pavilions, state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and signature treatments including the rainforest experience which comes highly recommended.

Amenities

  • Horse Riding
  • Babysitting service
  • Kids Club
  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Located in the UAE’s northern emirate Ras Al Khaimah, the closest desert resort from Dubai International Airport. Transfer time from Dubai International Airport: 50 minutes.

Hotel information

108 private villas. All with air-conditioning, private swimming pool, furnished sun deck, cosy seating area, 41” interactive LCD TV, Bose music system, telephone, complimentary WiFi access, mini-bar*, tea/coffee maker, safe, silk bathrobe, hairdryer, robes, slippers, separate soaking tub and rain shower, bathroom amenities, iron and ironing board. 

Al Rimal Pool Villa with 1 king-size bed or twin beds, and lounge area with sofa bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children (subject to extra bed, sofa bed).

Half Board option: includes breakfast and choice of lunch or dinner in the participating restaurants: Kaheela, Farmhouse, Oasis Pool Bar and Paddock. Excludes mini-bar and in-villa dining.

Full Board option: includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at participating restaurants: Kaheela, Farmhouse, Oasis Pool Bar and Paddock. Excludes mini-bar and in-villa dining.

All Inclusive option: includes three meals and selected alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at the time of dining and does not include any activities. Participating restaurants: Kaheela, Farmhouse, Oasis Pool Bar, and Paddock. Excludes mini-bar and in-villa dining.

Al Rimal Enclosed Pool Villa are the same as Al Rimal Pool Villas, with an enclosed private pool, offering maximum privacy.

Al Khaimah Tented Pool Villa with king-size bed, lounge area with sofa bed, terrace, sun-loungers, dining table and chairs with barbecue area. Oversized bathroom with free-standing tub and separate rain shower, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Al Sahari Secluded Tented Pool Villa with king-size bed, lounge area with sofa bed, terrace, sun-loungers, dining table and chairs with barbecue area. Oversized bathroom with free-standing tub and separate rain shower, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Sunrise Signature Pool Villas and Sunset Signature Pool Villas are 2 bedroom villas sleeping maximum 4 adults, 1 child and 1 infant.

Signature Villas are luxurious new villas that feature a living room with 75-inch TV, grand 10-seater dining table, personal chef, private pool, outdoor dining area, private butler, pantry, fitness studio, and master bedroom with king-size bed, second bedroom with 2 single beds, bathroom with walk-in shower and separate tub, and outdoor shower, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Please note: Al Khaimah and Al Sahari tented villas are available on the Full Board package only.

Specific Villa Benefits:

Al Sarab Desert View Pool Villa:

- Welcome bottle of Champagne plus food and beverage amenity (per stay for 2 guests)

- Sunset cocktails (per day for 2 guests)

- Welcome gift per stay

- Complimentary mini-bar (refill per day)

- 30 minutes complimentary spa massage when 60 minutes massage is booked

- Butler service.

Signature Pool Villas:

- Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne and amenities, day of arrival ONLY

- Complimentary mini-bar (refilled daily)

- One daily sunset cocktail per guest

- Butler service

- Complimentary packing and unpacking service

- Complementary pressing of 4 items per villa per stay

- The Ritz-Carlton daily Bedouin Ritual including the daily Falcon and Owl Interaction.

Tented Villa (Al Khaimah, Al Sahari and Al Sarab Tented Pool Villa) One ‘Al Wadi Experience’ per person per day, bookable in advance via the Experience Concierge):

- Archery

- Horse Lead Ride

- Night Archery

- Fat Biking – Guided Desert Trail

- Birdwatching

- Nature walk

- Night walk

- Camel ride Tree Planting

- Pony Adventures with Spot & Fluff

- Wildlife feed

*Experiences are subject to change and seasonality. The above are given as example.

Kaheela (International and regional cuisine, open for breakfast and lunch, with buffet and a la carte options). Farmhouse (farm-to-table inspired menu, open for dinner). Paddock Cafe. Arabian BBQ nights at Kan Zanam on Saturday's. Oasis Pool Bar. Destination Dining* options include in the desert dunes including picnics and private barbecues under the stars.

Oasis Pool & Bar featuring a large swimming pool, jacuzzi, kids' pool and Ritz-Kidz splash pool area. The Ritz-Carlton Spa* with indoor hydrothermal pool and the Rainforest Spa experience. 24-hour fitness centre. Yoga*. Complimentary bikes to use in the resort for the whole family. Nature and bird-watching walks*. Nature drives*. Stargazing*. Archery*. Fishing*. Desert biking*. Horse riding*. Owl Experience. Complimentary access to the Ritz Kids® club (aged 4 years and above). Feathered Friend experience for kids. Trail Tales experience for kids. Complimentary beach access at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach (only 15 minutes away).

Complimentary WiFi access. 24-hour room service*. Concierge. Laundry service*. Complimentary parking.

Minimum stay of 3 nights for arrivals between 29 - 31 December 2025.

* Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1082)
  • Very good (125)
  • Average (74)
  • Poor (38)
  • Terrible (59)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating F&B excellent service

Jan 9, 2025 Sara A

Kartik waiter from room service serve us with a warm smile and was very friendly. He made sure we had everything we needed and took great care of us. His friendly attitude made our experience even better. Thank you, Kartik, for your amazing service. Friendly Service by Kartik Thank you Sara
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Staycation in Al Wadi

Jan 8, 2025 635waqass

Truly an amazing experience! Though it was only for a night but it was the best. Shout out to Ahmed from Reception, Niraj the buggy guy, Vimal, Amrita, Chandra and Josy the team at Kaheela! They all contributed to give us an enchanting experience.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Our visit to the resort was exceptional—luxurious amenities, outstanding service, and serene surroundings

Jan 8, 2025 Saif A

This experience was perfect the facilities the restaurants the place even the villa service and transportation service —flawless service, breathtaking views, and luxurious amenities. Special thanks to Pablo, the golf cart driver, whose kindness and attention made our stay even more memorable!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Reconnecting

Jan 7, 2025 cssb85 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

…. and we had to return to Ritz Carlton Al Wadi, in Ras Al Khaimah. Undoubtedly, returning customer is the best review ever. What makes this Ritz Carlton Al Wadi so special is the encounter with wild life at large, dispersed in a huge property. We always choose the tended pool villa, to sit on the deck, and enjoy the gazelles passing by, and… Read more
…. and we had to return to Ritz Carlton Al Wadi, in Ras Al Khaimah. Undoubtedly, returning customer is the best review ever. What makes this Ritz Carlton Al Wadi so special is the encounter with wild life at large, dispersed in a huge property. We always choose the tended pool villa, to sit on the deck, and enjoy the gazelles passing by, and eventually an oryx at the top of the dune. Birds are another chapter, we can spot green bee eater, Indian roller, Eurasian hoopoe, Indian roller, among others. The tented villas embrace the heated swimming pool and offer desert view, and seats you can appreciate the ghaf trees outside, and bird’s sonata. Completely private. Inside the hotel facilities, there are no cars transit. Upon arrival, cars are taken care of, and electric golf carts available all around, efficiently just at call, to move around. In addition, there are bikes available for the guests, at each villa. As a countryside property, you have lots of entertainment. A very interesting one is the falcon exhibition with expert staff to answer all questions about the falcons. The hotel offers 3 restaurants. The Kaheela, with exceptional breakfast, and later International cuisine, which is convenient for families. The Farmhouse, a carnivorous paradise. And lately, the Zuma pop-up. Well, this one, gastronomically not to the standards of Zuma at Galleria in Abu Dhabi. In fact, a deception, although it counts with a very friendly staff. A must do: allow yourself to be pampered at the spa and rainforest. There you find Archie, who suggests the best options and treatments for you. Those were memorable days! Am certainly looking forward for the next staying at the Ritz Al Wadi! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Don't Miss this Property

Jan 6, 2025 PacmanSanDiego Columbus, Ohio

We have stayed at several Ritz properties but this is one the best. Was super relaxing and luxurious. Don't think twice about booking this for your desert escape. We stayed at a villa with a private pool and our favorite activity was the star gazing.