Where to stay · Ras Al Khaimah · United Arab Emirates
Where to stay in Ras Al Khaimah
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: wilhelmtittes, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Al Marjan Island. Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts. Best alternatives — budget: Ras Al Khaimah City.
Key facts
- First visit
- Al Marjan Island
- Families
- Al Marjan Island
- Budget
- Ras Al Khaimah City
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Al Marjan Island | Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts |
| Families | Al Marjan Island | Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts |
| Couples | Al Hamra Village | Golf, marina and beach hotels around a residential resort community |
| Budget | Ras Al Khaimah City | The creek, the corniche and everyday Emirati life in Al Nakheel and the old town |
| Luxury | Al Marjan Island | Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts |
| Food lovers | Ras Al Khaimah City | The creek, the corniche and everyday Emirati life in Al Nakheel and the old town |
| Solo travellers | Jebel Jais | Mountain-top cabins and camps at the UAE's highest point |
| Quiet stays | Mina Al Arab | Lagoons, mangroves and low-rise resorts between the city and Al Hamra |
| Beach | Al Marjan Island | Man-made islands lined with all-inclusive and family beach resorts |
Ras Al Khaimah neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for families, beach, luxury and first-timers
Al Marjan Island
Four connected man-made islands about 25 km south-west of the city hold many of the emirate's large beach resorts, with sandy beaches, pools and kids' clubs. The causeway promenade is used for running and cycling, and the islands host the New Year's Eve fireworks. Restaurants outside the hotels are limited.
- Good
- Wide sandy beaches; Resort facilities and kids' clubs; Calm sea for swimming
- Watch out
- Little to do outside the resorts; About 45 minutes from Jebel Jais
- Nearby
- Al Hamra Village, Al Jazirat Al Hamra
$$$ · Best for families, couples and beach
Al Hamra Village
Al Hamra combines beachfront resorts, an 18-hole golf course, a marina and Al Hamra Mall. It is close to Al Marjan Island and the heritage village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra, and has a few more independent restaurants and cafés than the islands.
- Good
- Beaches and golf together; Some restaurants outside hotels; Close to the heritage village
- Watch out
- Car or taxi needed for most sights; Quiet in the evenings
- Nearby
- Al Jazirat Al Hamra, Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Mall
$$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays, luxury and beach
Mina Al Arab
Mina Al Arab is a coastal development of lagoons and mangrove areas with beach resorts, including overwater-style villas. It is closer to the city and Jebel Jais than Al Marjan Island and has a calmer, nature-oriented feel.
- Good
- Peaceful lagoon setting; Closer to the city and mountains; Good for kayaking and birdwatching
- Watch out
- Few independent restaurants; Limited public transport
- Nearby
- Al Qawasim Corniche, Al Hamra Village
$$ · Best for budget, culture and food lovers
Ras Al Khaimah City
The city is split by a creek into the older Ras Al Khaimah side and Al Nakheel, with the Al Qawasim Corniche, malls, local restaurants and the most affordable business hotels. It is a practical base for Dhayah Fort, Jebel Jais and Shimal, and has more everyday restaurants than the resort areas.
- Good
- Lower prices; Local restaurants and cafés; Closest to the mountains and forts
- Watch out
- No resort-style beaches; Car-oriented streets
- Nearby
- Al Qawasim Corniche, Manar Mall, Dhayah Fort
$$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and quiet stays
Al Wadi Desert
South of the city, low red dunes and ghaf trees surround a luxury desert resort with private pool villas, falconry, horse riding and dune drives. It is the place to stay for a quiet desert experience within 30 minutes of the coast.
- Good
- Desert setting and wildlife; Total quiet; Activities on site
- Watch out
- Expensive; Isolated from restaurants and sights
- Nearby
- Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and solo travellers
Jebel Jais
A small number of mountain lodges and adventure camps on Jebel Jais let you stay at altitude, where temperatures are often around 10°C lower than on the coast. It is ideal for hikers and anyone doing the zipline early in the morning, though nights in winter can be close to freezing.
- Good
- Cool mountain air; Sunrise and stargazing; Next to the adventure attractions
- Watch out
- Limited accommodation; Long, winding drive to the coast; Cold winter nights
- Nearby
- Jais Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight, Jais Sledder
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Al Marjan Island | $$$ | Al Hamra Village, Al Jazirat Al Hamra |
| Al Hamra Village | $$$ | Al Jazirat Al Hamra, Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Mall |
| Mina Al Arab | $$$$ | Al Qawasim Corniche, Al Hamra Village |
| Ras Al Khaimah City | $$ | Al Qawasim Corniche, Manar Mall, Dhayah Fort |
| Al Wadi Desert | $$$$ | Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village |
| Jebel Jais | $$$ | Jais Viewing Deck Park, Jais Flight, Jais Sledder |
Getting to your hotel
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is about 20 minutes by car from the city and around 30 minutes from Al Marjan Island. Many visitors arrive through Dubai International, about 100 km away and roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by car, or Sharjah, about an hour away; resorts commonly arrange transfers.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Ras Al Khaimah for first-time visitors?
Al Marjan Island. Four connected man-made islands about 25 km south-west of the city hold many of the emirate's large beach resorts, with sandy beaches, pools and kids' clubs.
+Where should families stay in Ras Al Khaimah?
Al Marjan Island: Wide sandy beaches.
+Which area of Ras Al Khaimah is best for a budget stay?
Ras Al Khaimah City ($$): The creek, the corniche and everyday Emirati life in Al Nakheel and the old town.