The best hotels in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah has 8,000+ places to stay, spread across desert resorts, beach islands, and a city centre that ranges from genuinely charming to deeply forgettable. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our 10 Top Picks in Ras Al Khaimah
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Ras Al Khaimah
$156/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah
$278/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel
Ras Al Khaimah
$149/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
The Cove Rotana Resort
Ras Al Khaimah
$75/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Nirvana - A Retreat
Ras Al Khaimah
$72/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
AL ZAHRA HOTEL APARTMENTS LLC
Ras Al Khaimah
$55/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
M14 Hotel Apartment
Ras Al Khaimah
$56/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah
$63/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Claridge Star Hotel
Ras Al Khaimah
$37/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah
$28/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Here's why each one made the cut.
Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
At $156 you're getting genuine 5-star Arabian Gulf beachfront for half what Dubai charges. Mina Al Arab is RAK's upscale coastal development, far quieter than anything near JBR. The water villas are worth the upgrade. Seriously underpriced for the service quality you'll actually find here.
Address:Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort, International Airport - Mina - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Riffa
Compare prices for Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
RAK's all-inclusive heavyweight. At $278 it's the priciest option but the buffet, water park, and kids' club justify it for families. You're 40 minutes from Dubai so expect weekend crowds. Book a full week, not just two nights, to actually get your money's worth.
Address:Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah, Al Maareedh St - New Al Maireed - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:New Al Maireed
Compare prices for Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel
Lagoon-facing on Mina Al Arab and noticeably calmer than the Rixos crowd next door. At $149 you're getting IHG points, a proper spa, and attentive service. The lagoon views beat Gulf-facing rooms at this price. Best for couples who want a quiet resort, not party-hotel energy.
Address:InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel, Hayat Island - Al Riffa - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Riffa
Compare prices for InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
The Cove Rotana Resort
Don't let $75 fool you. This 5-star Rotana in Al Hamra Village has a private beach and 14,000 verified reviews backing it up. The catch: you're in a gated development 30 minutes south of RAK city. Rent a car or you'll feel stranded after day two.
Address:The Cove Rotana Resort, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Salem Rd - Al Arqoub - الظيت الجنوبي - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Arqoub
Compare prices for The Cove Rotana Resort
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Nirvana - A Retreat
Boutique 4-star near RAK's old town that punches well above its $72 price. More personal than the big resorts, quieter crowd, and the 4.6 rating holds up. No private beach, but a taxi gets you there in 10 minutes. Pick this over a giant resort if character matters.
Address:Nirvana - A Retreat, Al Hadeethah Rd - Muwailha - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Muwailha
Compare prices for Nirvana - A Retreat
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
AL ZAHRA HOTEL APARTMENTS LLC
Makes sense for stays of four nights or more. At $55 you get a kitchen, which cuts costs fast once RAK's restaurants start adding up. No beach, minimal pool. The 138 reviews are consistent: nothing fancy, just clean and well-placed near the Corniche.
Address:AL ZAHRA HOTEL APARTMENTS LLC, QXVG+HXV - Al Uraibi St - Al Hudeeba - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Hudeeba
Compare prices for AL ZAHRA HOTEL APARTMENTS LLC
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
M14 Hotel Apartment
Same play as Al Zahra but slightly fresher at $56. Apartment layout means a real kitchen and more room than a standard hotel box. You're close to RAK's souks and the old town market. Purely a base, not a destination. Works well for longer working trips.
Address:M14 Hotel Apartment, 320 Sheikh Mohamed Bin Salem Rd - Dahan - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Dahan
Compare prices for M14 Hotel Apartment
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah
City-center Hilton, not beachfront. You get the Hilton name, consistent quality, and a pool for $63. The beach needs a taxi. Don't confuse this with the Hilton resort on Al Hamra's coast. Solid for one or two nights if you're here on business and want something predictable.
Address:Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah, Bin Daher St - Al Nakheel - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Nakheel
Compare prices for Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Claridge Star Hotel
Three-star with a 4.4 rating, which is genuinely impressive at this level. At $37 you're not vacationing, you're sleeping. Works well as a stopover between Dubai and Oman. The reviews suggest it's reliably clean and the price is almost impossible to argue with.
Address:Claridge Star Hotel, Al Qasimi Corniche Rd - Dahan - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Dahan
Compare prices for Claridge Star Hotel
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah
The cheapest credible option in RAK at $28, backed by 2,149 reviews. That's real volume, not a handful of friends. No beach, no meaningful pool, no extras whatsoever. But for budget travelers or solo workers who just need a clean bed near the city center, it delivers.
Address:Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah, Bin Daher St - Al Nakheel - Ras Al Khaimah - United Arab Emirates
Neighborhood:Al Nakheel
Compare prices for Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah
Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Didn't find your match above? Here's every hotel in Ras Al Khaimah.
Every scored hotel in the city. Filter by price, rating, or type to find yours.
| # | Hotel | Our Score | Guest Rating | Reviews | Type | Price/Night | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort | 4.8 | 4 236 | 5★ | $160/night | Book → | |
| 2 | Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah | 4.8 | 4 852 | 5★ | $70/night | Book → | |
| 3 | InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel | 4.6 | 4 635 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $150/night | Book → | |
| 4 | The Cove Rotana Resort | 4.5 | 14 318 | 5★ | $80/night | Book → | |
| 5 | Nirvana - A Retreat | 4.6 | 827 | 4★ | $70/night | Book → | |
| 6 | AL ZAHRA HOTEL APARTMENTS LLC | 4.6 | 138 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $60/night | Book → | |
| 7 | M14 Hotel Apartment | 4.6 | 178 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $60/night | Book → | |
| 8 | Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah | 4.3 | 4 644 | 4★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 9 | Claridge Star Hotel | 4.4 | 151 | 3★ | $40/night | Book → | |
| 10 | Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah | 4.2 | 2 149 | 3★ | $30/night | Book → | |
| 11 | Mughal Suites (Hotel) | 4.2 | 598 | 3★ | $70/night | Book → | |
| 12 | Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates | 4.4 | 34 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 13 | Nirvana Retreat | 4.4 | 28 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 14 | Star Room - One-Bedroom Apartment | 4.8 | 16 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $70/night | Book → | |
| 15 | BM Beach Hotel | 4.1 | 4 223 | 4★ | $40/night | Book → | |
| 16 | Al Zain Hotel | 4.1 | 49 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 17 | Ras Al Khaimah Hotel | 4.1 | 2 967 | 4★ | $60/night | Book → | |
| 18 | Banan beach | 5.0 | 1 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 19 | OYO 1204 Lulu guest house | 5.0 | 1 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → | |
| 20 | Gatsby Great Wall Hotel | Apartment / Guesthouse | $40/night | Book → |
Where to Stay in Ras Al Khaimah
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Marjan Island vs. City Centre: Which Should You Book?
Marjan Island is a no-brainer for beach holidays. Al Marjan Island Boulevard runs the length of the island with 4 of our top 10 hotels on or right next to it, beach access from every property, and a walkable promenade. The tradeoff: it's 15 minutes from any real local culture, and everything from coffee to sunscreen costs resort prices.
The RAK city centre around Al Nakheel and the Corniche is cheaper and more authentic, but the beach situation is genuinely worse. RAK Hotel in Al Nakheel at $100-160/night is the pick if you're here on business or want a base for day trips to Jebel Jais. For a pure leisure trip, put the extra money into Marjan Island.
The Honest Guide to RAK's Budget Hotels
Two hotels in RAK honestly deliver on the budget promise. Bin Majid Beach Hotel on Al Rams Road at $55-85/night gives you a real beach, which is rarer than you'd think at this price in the UAE. Al Hamra Hotel in the Old Town District at $70-99/night adds the bonus of one of the most atmospheric locations in the emirate: coral-stone ruins, pearl-diving heritage, and near-zero tourist crowds.
The trap to avoid: cheap hotels near the RAK Old Bridge and bus station area that advertise 'sea views' but face the creek, not the Gulf. Read the fine print. And if you're considering anything under $50/night in RAK, we haven't vetted it and we'd be cautious.
Desert vs. Beach: Choosing the Right RAK Experience
Most people come to RAK for the beach and that's completely legitimate. But the Al Wadi Desert in Al Mazraa is genuinely one of the best nature experiences in the entire UAE, and staying at Banyan Tree Al Wadi puts you inside the nature reserve with Arabian oryx outside your villa. It's a 25-minute drive to any beach, so either commit to the desert or split a 5-night trip between both.
A practical split: 2 nights at Banyan Tree Al Wadi for the desert, falconry, and stargazing, then 3 nights at Hilton RAK Beach Resort on Al Muntaser Street for the beach and watersports. It's about 30 minutes between the two by car and the contrast makes the whole trip.
Ras Al Khaimah for Couples: Where to Actually Stay
Skip the big family resorts on Marjan Island if romance is the goal. Cove Rotana on Khuzam Road is the most genuinely romantic property in RAK at $155-230/night: private creek setting, overwater villa option, and a quiet that the Marjan Island strip never quite achieves. The Waldorf Astoria in Al Hamra Village steps it up further at $320-600/night with butler service and a beach that feels curated.
Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Al Mazraa is the wildcard pick. Private desert pool villas, complete silence after dark, and dinner under stars in the nature reserve. We've seen couples go here expecting a compromise and leave saying it was the best part of their UAE trip.
How to Time Your RAK Trip (and Save 30%)
The best rates in RAK are September and October: still warm at 30-35°C, crowds are thin, and Marjan Island hotels drop to $90-140/night from the $150-220/night peak-season rates. The absolute peak is December through February when Europeans flood in to escape winter, plus UAE National Day weekend (December 2-3) and New Year's Eve which can push rates to $300+/night on Marjan Island.
Ramadan is worth understanding. Most beach resorts operate normally, but public eating during daylight hours is restricted outside hotel grounds. Alcohol service in licensed hotels continues. If you're here during Eid Al Adha or Eid Al Fitr, book at least 3 months ahead as UAE domestic tourism fills Marjan Island completely.
Getting Around Ras Al Khaimah Without Getting Stuck
Rent a car. That's the real answer. Public transport in RAK is limited to a few bus routes between the city centre and Al Nakheel district, running roughly every 30-45 minutes on Route 1 and Route 2. Taxis are metered and cheap by UAE standards: city centre to Marjan Island runs about $10-12, city centre to Jebel Jais base about $25-30.
Marjan Island itself is walkable between hotels along the promenade, which is about 2km end to end. Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Town is a 10-minute drive south of Marjan Island and there's no public transit link, so either drive or budget $8-10 for a taxi. The Jebel Jais zipline at the mountain summit requires a car since there's no shuttle service from the city.
Ras Al Khaimah's best hotel regions
Marjan Island is where most visitors end up, and honestly, it earns that. But if you want something quieter and more atmospheric, Al Jazeera Al Hamra's old coral-stone town is worth a serious look.
Marjan Island 3 vetted hotels RAK's purpose-built resort island with the best beaches and the most hotel choice.
RAK's purpose-built resort island with the best beaches and the most hotel choice.
Marjan Island is where you go when you want the full beach resort experience without Dubai's prices or crowds. Al Marjan Island Boulevard runs the length of this man-made island with three of our vetted picks sitting right on or next to the water. The promenade is genuinely walkable at about 2km end to end.
Hotel rates here run $110-240/night depending on the property and season. The DoubleTree and Hampton sit at the more accessible end; Marjan Island Resort and Spa at the northern tip commands a premium for its three-sided water views. All three have direct beach access, which isn't something you can take for granted in RAK.
The one honest downside: Marjan Island is a self-contained bubble. You're 15 minutes from the city centre, 10 minutes from the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Town, and everything inside the resort perimeter is priced accordingly. Great for a total switch-off. Less great if you want local texture.
Browse all Marjan Island hotels → Al Hamra Village & Al Jazeera Al Hamra 2 vetted hotels Heritage coastline with the emirate's most atmospheric old town and best golf.
Heritage coastline with the emirate's most atmospheric old town and best golf.
Al Jazeera Al Hamra is one of the most undervisited places in the entire Gulf. The abandoned coral-stone village here is the best-preserved pearl-diving settlement in the UAE, and most visitors staying on Marjan Island don't bother to drive the 15 minutes south to see it. Al Hamra Hotel sits right inside the Old Town District, making it a genuinely unique stay.
Al Hamra Village is a different animal: a gated residential and resort development anchored by the Waldorf Astoria and the Al Hamra Golf Club. At $320-600/night, the Waldorf is the pinnacle of RAK luxury, with a private beach that outclasses anything on Marjan Island for sheer quality.
The value gap between these two properties is the widest in RAK. Al Hamra Hotel at $70-99/night and Waldorf at $320-600/night are within 5 minutes of each other. Both are worth their respective price points for completely different reasons.
Browse all Al Hamra Village & Al Jazeera Al Hamra hotels → RAK City Centre & Al Nakheel 2 vetted hotels The working city, best for business stays and genuine local life.
The working city, best for business stays and genuine local life.
Al Nakheel and the RAK Corniche area is the real city: government buildings, local restaurants, the old fish market near the Corniche Road, and prices that are 40-50% lower than the resort areas. RAK Hotel here at $100-160/night is the obvious business pick, 15 minutes from RAK International Airport and walking distance from the main commercial district.
Bin Majid Beach Hotel on Al Rams Road is technically north of the city centre, but close enough that you get the benefits of both: actual beach access and local pricing. It's about 20 minutes drive from Al Nakheel along the coast road, and the Al Rams fishing village nearby is worth a morning visit.
One thing to know: the city centre isn't walkable to any beach. The RAK Creek waterfront is attractive for an evening stroll, but swimming means a taxi to Al Rams Road or the resort areas. If beach time is a daily priority, don't base yourself here.
Browse all RAK City Centre & Al Nakheel hotels → Al Mazraa Desert & Khuzam Road 2 vetted hotels Where the emirate's top luxury stays hide, far from the beach crowds.
Where the emirate's top luxury stays hide, far from the beach crowds.
This is RAK's most distinct hotel zone. Banyan Tree Al Wadi in the Al Wadi Desert Nature Reserve in Al Mazraa offers private desert pool villas inside an actual wildlife reserve, with Arabian oryx, sand gazelles, and near-total silence after dark. It's 25 minutes from Marjan Island by car but feels like a different country.
Cove Rotana on Khuzam Road is the other story here: a secluded creek-side resort with overwater villas and a private beach a 3-minute buggy ride away. The creek setting gives it a quietness that beachfront resorts on Al Marjan Island Boulevard can't replicate. Rates run $155-230/night, which is genuinely good value for this level of seclusion.
The only practical note: you need a car for both properties. There's no realistic public transport link, and taxi costs from the city centre add up quickly. Rent a car, put Jebel Jais and the Al Wadi Desert on the same trip, and treat this zone as the nature-and-luxury end of your RAK itinerary.
Browse all Al Mazraa Desert & Khuzam Road hotels →Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel.
Romantic Escape
Khuzam Road is the call. Cove Rotana's overwater villas on the creek and Banyan Tree Al Wadi's private desert pool villas both deliver genuine seclusion, and neither is overwhelmed by families or group tours.
Culture & History
Al Jazeera Al Hamra's Old Town District is 15 minutes from Marjan Island and one of the most atmospheric spots in the UAE, with coral-stone buildings and a pearl-diving history that predates modern RAK by centuries.
Family Holiday
Al Marjan Island Boulevard is your answer: the DoubleTree by Hilton has the best kids' pool setup in the $110-180/night bracket, shallow swimmable beach, and enough on-site activity that you don't need a car for days.
Budget Travel
Al Rams Road and the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Town District offer genuine value from $55/night with real beach access, something Dubai simply can't match at the same price.
Beach & Water
Marjan Island wins outright: calm Arabian Gulf water, a walkable promenade, and four solid beach hotels from $110-240/night in a concentrated strip that makes beach access effortless.
Foodie Exploration
The RAK Corniche area and Al Nakheel district have the best local eating in the emirate: seafood restaurants near the Old Corniche Road where a full grilled fish dinner runs $8-15 per person, well away from resort pricing.
We reviewed 8,000+ options across the main regions of Ras Al Khaimah. We cut anything with misleading beachfront photos that turned out to be 15 minutes from the water. We dropped overpriced city-centre hotels that charge Marjan Island rates for Al Nakheel views. We eliminated resorts with outdated amenities that haven't seen a renovation since 2012, plus budget picks with persistent noise problems on Al Rams Road. What's left are 10 hotels we'd actually book ourselves.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
Every hotel on this page earned its spot through this process.
When to Visit Ras Al Khaimah
Hotel prices, crowds, and weather vary by season.
Winter (November-March)
This is when RAK is genuinely excellent: warm enough for beach days at 18-26°C, cool enough to hike Jebel Jais without suffering. Hotel rates on Marjan Island climb to $130-220/night and peak around UAE National Day (December 2-3) and New Year, when $300+/night is common for the top resorts. Book Al Hamra and Marjan Island properties at least 8 weeks ahead for December and January travel.
Spring (April-May)
April is genuinely the best month few people consider. Temperatures hit 26-35°C, the sea is warm and calm, crowds thin out after the European winter rush, and Marjan Island hotels drop back to $100-160/night. Eid Al Fitr (date varies each year) can spike rates for 4-5 days, so check the Islamic calendar before booking May travel.
Summer (June-September)
Summer in RAK is brutal: 35-44°C with high humidity June through August, and most outdoor activities including Jebel Jais hiking are either closed or deeply unpleasant. You'll find Marjan Island hotels at $70-120/night, the lowest rates of the year, but the value equation only works if you're fine living between air-conditioned rooms and an overheated pool. The beach is genuinely too hot to enjoy before 5pm.
Autumn (October)
October is the sleeper pick. Temperatures ease to 28-36°C, the sea stays warm from summer, and hotel rates haven't yet climbed to winter peak levels. Marjan Island runs $90-150/night for most of the month. There are no major public holidays pushing prices up, and the beaches and pools are noticeably quieter than December through February.
Booking Tips for Ras Al Khaimah
Smart booking strategies for Ras Al Khaimah.
Book Marjan Island hotels 8+ weeks out for December
UAE National Day falls December 2-3 every year and triggers a 2-3 night minimum stay at most Marjan Island properties. Rates jump from the standard $120-180/night to $250-350/night or higher at the Hilton RAK Beach Resort and DoubleTree. If your dates are flexible, December 8-20 is the sweet spot: peak winter weather without peak-week pricing.
Rent a car. Non-negotiable for anything outside Marjan Island.
RAK's bus network covers Al Nakheel and the city centre on Route 1 and Route 2, but Marjan Island, Al Hamra Village, Banyan Tree Al Wadi, and Jebel Jais all require a car. Rental rates run $25-45/day from RAK International Airport on Oman Street, which is far cheaper than paying $10-30 per taxi trip multiple times a day. Every hotel on our list has free parking.
Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Town is free and almost always empty
The abandoned coral-stone village in Al Jazeera Al Hamra is one of the most genuinely remarkable historical sites in the UAE and roughly 90% of Marjan Island tourists never visit it. It's 15 minutes south on the coastal road, admission is free, and the old mosque and pearl merchants' houses are best seen in the hour before sunset. Combine it with dinner at Al Hamra Golf Club's restaurant 5 minutes away.
The Jebel Jais zipline books out 2-3 weeks ahead in peak season
The Jebel Jais Flight zipline, starting near the summit on Jebel Jais Road, is the world's longest at 2.83km and costs around $95-115 per person. In November through February it books out 2-3 weeks in advance online. The drive up is also spectacular and free if you'd rather skip the adrenaline. Go on a weekday morning for the shortest queues.
Dress modestly between the resort and anywhere else
Marjan Island resort grounds and hotel pools operate to international standards. But the moment you're on Al Nakheel district streets, the RAK Corniche, or anywhere in the city centre, cover up. Swimwear or beach cover-ups on public streets are technically illegal in RAK and you'll genuinely stand out in the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Old Town in shorts. Pack a light linen layer.
Request upper-floor sea-view rooms 48 hours before check-in
Most Marjan Island hotels allocate rooms at check-in unless you request specifically. Call or email 48 hours before arrival and ask for a high-floor sea-facing room. At the Marjan Island Resort and Spa, floors 6+ on the northern side see water on three sides. At DoubleTree, the newer east wing on floors 4-7 beats the older block by a clear margin. This costs nothing and works more often than not.
Hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, FAQ
Straight answers from our team.
What's the best area to stay in Ras Al Khaimah?
Marjan Island is the top pick for most visitors. It's a purpose-built resort island on Al Marjan Island Boulevard with direct beach access, multiple hotel options from $110-240/night, and a walkable waterfront strip. If you want something more local and atmospheric, Al Jazeera Al Hamra's Old Town District is 15 minutes south and half the price.
How do I get from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah?
It's about 1 hour by car from Dubai Marina to Marjan Island via the E311 highway. Taxis from Dubai International Airport run around $50-70 depending on destination in RAK. There's no direct metro or train link, so renting a car is genuinely worth it here. parking is free at virtually every hotel on Al Marjan Island.
When is the best time to visit Ras Al Khaimah?
November through March is the sweet spot: temperatures run 18-26°C, the sea is swimmable, and Jebel Jais is accessible for hiking. Hotel rates on Marjan Island sit around $120-200/night during this window. Avoid July and August unless you enjoy 42°C heat and half-empty resort pools.
Is Ras Al Khaimah good for families?
Really good, actually. The DoubleTree by Hilton on Al Marjan Island Boulevard has the best kids' facilities in the $110-180/night range, with a lagoon pool and supervised activities. The beach at Marjan Island is calm and shallow for about 50 metres out, which makes it safer than many Gulf beaches for young kids.
What's the cheapest decent hotel in Ras Al Khaimah?
Bin Majid Beach Hotel on Al Rams Road runs $55-85/night and gives you actual beach access, which is rare at that price in the UAE. Al Hamra Hotel in the Old Town District is $70-99/night and arguably better value given the unique setting. Both beat anything comparable in Dubai by a wide margin.
Is Ras Al Khaimah worth visiting over Dubai?
For beach and nature holidays, yes. You get proper mountain scenery at Jebel Jais (1,934 metres, the UAE's highest peak), quieter beaches, and hotel rates that are 30-40% lower than equivalent Dubai properties. The Waldorf Astoria in Al Hamra Village runs $320-600/night versus $450-800+ for comparable Dubai options.
Do hotels in Ras Al Khaimah serve alcohol?
Most 4-star and 5-star hotels do, including all 10 of our picks. Budget hotels and city-centre properties like RAK Hotel in Al Nakheel may have limited options, but the beach resorts on Marjan Island and Khuzam Road all have fully licensed bars and restaurants.
How far is Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai Airport?
About 1 hour 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Marjan Island via the E311. RAK International Airport (RKT) is 15 minutes from Al Nakheel and offers some European charter flights, especially in winter. A taxi from DXB costs roughly $55-70.
Can you hike in Ras Al Khaimah?
Jebel Jais is the main event: the UAE's highest mountain at 1,934 metres, about 35 minutes drive from the city centre on the Jebel Jais Road. The via ferrata routes are well-maintained and graded for different fitness levels. Stay at Banyan Tree Al Wadi in Al Mazraa if you want the desert hiking experience instead.
Are there good restaurants outside of hotels in Ras Al Khaimah?
Yes, mostly concentrated in Al Nakheel and near the RAK Corniche. The local fish market area near the Old Corniche Road has seafood restaurants where a full meal runs $8-15 per person. The resort strip on Marjan Island has decent dining but prices jump to $25-60 per person once you're inside the hotel compounds.
What's the best luxury hotel in Ras Al Khaimah?
The Waldorf Astoria in Al Hamra Village edges it on service and finish with a 9.3 rating. Banyan Tree Al Wadi in the Al Mazraa desert comes close at 9.1 and wins on pure experience if you want something genuinely unlike anything in the Gulf. Both run $280-600/night and neither needs an apology at that price.
Is Ras Al Khaimah safe for tourists?
Very safe. Crime rates are among the lowest in the region, and the tourist areas around Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village are well-policed and lit. The usual UAE rules apply: dress modestly outside resort areas, and be aware that public displays of affection are frowned upon in the Al Nakheel city centre.
Useful links for Ras Al Khaimah
Government & official sources only. No booking sites, no ads.
Ready to book Ras Al Khaimah?
We vetted the best. You just have to pick.
Browse all Ras Al Khaimah hotels