The New Anantara Brings Maldives-Style Over-Water Villas To UAE

The United Arab Emirates boasts an abundance of luxury accommodations where opulence and grandeur take center stage, offering guests an unparalleled level of hospitality. But for a select few like me who want something different, a trip to Ras Al Khaimah Emirati, an hour’s drive north from Dubai, comes highly recommended. Here the majestic Hajar Mountains (yes, UAE has mountains) rise almost 1973 meters, and lush mangroves hug the coastline. The new Anantara Mina Al Arab is the first of its kind that brings traditional Maldives-style over-water accommodations to the Middle East. The resort is set on a private peninsula that overlooks protected mangroves and the open Arabian ocean.

In January, just weeks after the resort’s grand opening, I found myself soaking in all that UAE hospitality in a place that is still fairly off the beaten path for the typical Dubai visitor.

Design and Accommodations

Anantara Mina Al Arab features 174 rooms, which are a mix of suites and villas that have been designed with nature in mind. The pool villas and overwater villas are inspired by the world’s most luxurious destination, the Maldives. They have dhoni (fishing boat) shaped roofs, vaulted ceilings, and an overwater deck with a private pool that overlooks the mangroves. The rooms are spacious and full of classic luxury for which Anantara is known, as well as indigenous elements that add a sense of place. In true Maldivian style, the bathroom seamlessly flows from the inside out, with dual rain showers and stunning ocean views from the freestanding tub. My favorite ritual during my stay was enjoying my morning coffee and evening cocktail on my private deck, watching the tide roll in and out of the mangroves outside my villa.

The main building, Arabesque in design, houses many of the resort’s rooms and suites. Others are hidden away in the gardens, with groups of 6-8 clustered around riads (courtyards), the ideal set-up for extended families.

Dining Around the World

With six restaurants and bars, as well as in-room dining and Anantara’s signature private dining concept, there were many options to choose from during my stay here. First up was Sea Breeze, a restaurant with a cosy modern setting, bright interiors, and a stunning terrace overlooking mangroves, this was my go-to spot for breakfast and all-day dining. The breakfast setup was elaborate, with both made-to-order options as well as traditional buffet-style dishes that were a mix of continental and Asian. And when it came time for lunch and dinner, I found a feast waiting for me, with delights from the wok, wood-fired grill, and tandoor oven.

Beach House, on the other hand, served fresh Mediterranean cuisine in a laidback yet stylish atmosphere. Dinner service is where the restaurant shines with custom cocktails, DJ beats, and some post-dinner shisha. But my favorite by far was Mekong, which leans into Anantara’s Thai and South Asian origins. Executive Chef Prabhash Prabhakaran, whom I met at Anantara Kihavah a few years back, has elevated the dining experience with a beautiful fusion of dishes. Traditional Thai welcome signs line a long corridor that opens with tables, as well as enclosed floating dining pods that offer secluded dining, should you choose that. If you just want a quick bite to eat or a coffee-to-go, Waves Café is a must. A delicious menu of smoothies, cold-brew coffees, sandwiches, healthy bowls, and irresistible pastries and gelato are served all day.

Other options include Jalabar, the lively poolside bar for comfort foods, snacks, and refreshing cocktails, and Lobby Lounge & Bar for award-winning artisanal coffees, pastries, evening cocktails, and light bites. Of course, Anantara’s Dining by Design for your own exclusive private dining experience is always an option – one that I made use of on my first day there after a long 15-hour flight.

Healing Experiences

Like many Anantara properties worldwide, the Spa at Anantara Mina Al Arab combines ancient healing traditions with relaxation and wellness. There are seven treatment rooms at the spa, including two couple suites. The menu is extensive, with signature treatments including the four-hand massage, chakra balancing ritual, and Tibetan singing bowl healing. I had a chance to experience the brand’s unique Thai healing, which focuses on the body’s ‘sen’, or meridian lines, to bring harmony to both physical and mental states. This was followed by Ras Al Khaimah Ritual with its deeply enriching body scrub made from dates, salt, and honey from the resort’s hives – an indigenous-designed experience that uses ingredients local to the region.

A World of Adventure

Ras Al Khaimah is considered the adventure capital of UAE, with hundreds of hiking trails, a toboggan ride at Jais Sledder, and the world’s longest zipline Jais Flight, which is a short drive from the resort. But if you don’t want to leave the premises, there is plenty to do within the property grounds. The resort is a birder’s paradise with hundreds of shore birds like flamingos, ibis, and herons that make their way to the inset during low tide. You can see them throughout the day, but the best time to set off on your birdwatching expedition is at dawn, just before the tide rolls in. And the in-house water sports center has paddle boards, jet skis, and kayaks for rent.

The property is also surrounded by dense mangroves, which play a vital role in protecting the surrounding environment. They reduce coastline erosion, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, act as a breeding ground for marine life, and consequently a source of income for fishing communities.

Anantara Mina Al Arab is launching a discovery center (May 2024) to encourage a love for nature through interactive experiences, including mangrove planting, kayaking, and educational programming that ensures collective commitment to conservation efforts.