Movenpick Hotel and Resort, set to open in September, will have 418 rooms, and Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Resort will add 515 rooms and 400 rooms, respectively.
Movenpick Hotel and Resort, set to open in September, will have 418 rooms, and Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Resort will add 515 rooms and 400 rooms, respectively.
Three new hotels with 1,333 rooms will be available to guests by the end of 2021 on Al Marjan Island, the emirate's man-made archipelago. Antonie Robertson / The National
Three new hotels with 1,333 rooms will be available to guests by the end of 2021 on Al Marjan Island, the emirate's man-made archipelago. Antonie Robertson / The National
On Monday, engineers used a crane to fit a suspended bridge that connects the east and west wings of one of the hotels under construction on the island.
On Monday, engineers used a crane to fit a suspended bridge that connects the east and west wings of one of the hotels under construction on the island.
People fly the world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at Jebel Jasi, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People fly the world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at Jebel Jasi, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ras Al Khaimah is opening new hotels as the emirate wants to welcome three million annual visitors by 2025. Courtesy: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is opening new hotels as the emirate wants to welcome three million annual visitors by 2025. Courtesy: Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
A crane is being used to fit a suspended bridge that connects the east and west wings of one of the hotels under construction.
A crane is being used to fit a suspended bridge that connects the east and west wings of one of the hotels under construction.
The bridge is 44 metres above ground, 36 metres long and weighs more than 300 tonnes.
The bridge is 44 metres above ground, 36 metres long and weighs more than 300 tonnes.
Ras Al Khaimah Sailing Club. Reem Mohammed / The National
Ras Al Khaimah Sailing Club. Reem Mohammed / The National
People at a beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
People at a beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
An adventure enthusiast at the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
An adventure enthusiast at the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
The mosque area of Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village and archaeological site in Ras al Khamiah. The site is the only and best preserved traditional coastal town in the Gulf region. Christopher Pike / The National
The mosque area of Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village and archaeological site in Ras al Khamiah. The site is the only and best preserved traditional coastal town in the Gulf region. Christopher Pike / The National
The 19th century Dhayah Fort located North of the town of Al Rams, near the Hajjar Mountains. Ryan Carter
The 19th century Dhayah Fort located North of the town of Al Rams, near the Hajjar Mountains. Ryan Carter
Bin Majed Museum in Ras Al Khaimah. Satish Kumar / The National
Bin Majed Museum in Ras Al Khaimah. Satish Kumar / The National
A look inside Al Qasimi Haunted Palace, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A look inside Al Qasimi Haunted Palace, Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE

Ras Al Khaimah to add 1,300 new hotel rooms to cope with staycation boom

Movenpick Hotel and Resort, Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Resort will welcome guests by the end of 2021

Kelly Clarke
Kelly Clarke
UAE

January 19, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Ras Al Khaimah is set to add more than 1,300 new hotel rooms to its offerings this year during the UAE’s staycation boom.

Three new hotels with 1,333 rooms will be available to guests by the end of 2021 on Al Marjan Island, the emirate's man-made archipelago.

Movenpick Hotel and Resort, set to open in September, will have 418 rooms, and Hampton by Hilton and Radisson Resort will add 515 rooms and 400 rooms, respectively.

There are currently three hotels open on the island with 1,600 rooms, including suites, family rooms and penthouses.

We need to add at least 15,000 additional hotel rooms in the emirate, 50 per cent of which will be on Al Marjan Island

“We carried out a deep study on the performance of our hospitality market and Ras Al Khaimah has an aggressive plan to reach three million annual visitors by 2025,” said Abdullah Al Abdooli, chief executive of Marjan, master developer of Al Marjan Island.

“To achieve that we need to add at least 15,000 additional hotel keys to the emirate, 50 per cent of which will be on Al Marjan Island.

“In 2019, the annual visitor numbers to Ras Al Khaimah were about 1.1 million, but there is demand to widen that scope for both tourists and domestic guests.”

Mr Al Abdooli said the emirate's tourism sector performed well during the pandemic because "more people turned to staycations due to international travel restrictions".

On Monday, engineers used a crane to fit a suspended bridge that connects the east and west wings of one of the hotels under construction on the island.

The bridge is 44 metres above ground, 36 metres long and weighs more than 300 tonnes.

“Today, we are witnessing the installation of the longest bridge between two buildings in the northern emirates,” Mr Al Abdooli said.

“That bridge, part of the Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, will be one of the most iconic features of the property.

“There will be eight family rooms positioned within the bridge once complete.”

The bridge is supported by four main trusses, each weighing 55 tonnes and the structure was assembled in two pieces before being lifted into place using a 650-tonne crawler crane.

The bridge project – from design to installation – was completed in about 65 days by more than 55 workers.

The rooms will offer sea views on both sides of the hotel. It will also have private chalets and standalone villas with private pools and gardens – a first for the island.

Last year, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority started an online campaign called #FindRAKLater to encourage tourists to explore the emirate when travel restrictions eased.

The UAE travel and tourism sector accounts for about 12 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, according to government data.

Raki Philips, chief executive of the tourism authority, said the sector was the fastest contributor to the emirate's economic growth.

Of the 1.1 million visitors who visited Ras Al Khaimah last year, 60 per cent were international tourists.

Unesco sites from Ras Al Khaimah - in pictures

The preserved pearling town of Jazirat Al Hamra is one of four listed as tentative Unesco sites from Ras Al Khaimah. This two-storey building belonged to a pearl merchant named Ahmed Al Omran and it is only part of a larger compound. Sarah Dea / The National
The preserved pearling town of Jazirat Al Hamra is one of four listed as tentative Unesco sites from Ras Al Khaimah. This two-storey building belonged to a pearl merchant named Ahmed Al Omran and it is only part of a larger compound. Sarah Dea / The National
Jazirat Al Hamra has courtyard houses, mosques, a souq, a fort and schools built from traditional and modern materials. Jeff Topping / The National
Jazirat Al Hamra has courtyard houses, mosques, a souq, a fort and schools built from traditional and modern materials. Jeff Topping / The National
A worker at the Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village and archaeological site in Ras Al Khamiah. Christopher Pike / The National
A worker at the Jazirat Al Hamra heritage village and archaeological site in Ras Al Khamiah. Christopher Pike / The National
Detail of a wall built of coral stone in Jazirat Al Hamra. Pawan Singh / The National
Detail of a wall built of coral stone in Jazirat Al Hamra. Pawan Singh / The National
A part of the Hajar Mountains from the historic Dhayah Fort north of Ras Al Khaimah. Silvia Razgova / The National
A part of the Hajar Mountains from the historic Dhayah Fort north of Ras Al Khaimah. Silvia Razgova / The National
Dhayah has been added to the list for its mountain and coastal settlements and natural palm gardens. Silvia Razgova / The National
Dhayah has been added to the list for its mountain and coastal settlements and natural palm gardens. Silvia Razgova / The National
Dhayah's varied geography is representative of the northern emirates. Silvia Razgova / The National
Dhayah's varied geography is representative of the northern emirates. Silvia Razgova / The National
The 2010 excavations of the medieval city of Julfar in Ras Al Khaimah. Jaime Puebla / The National
The 2010 excavations of the medieval city of Julfar in Ras Al Khaimah. Jaime Puebla / The National
Conservator Daniela Boos cleans a ceramic vessel found during the excavations of the medieval city of Julfar in Ras Al Khaimah in 2010. Jaime Puebla / The National
Conservator Daniela Boos cleans a ceramic vessel found during the excavations of the medieval city of Julfar in Ras Al Khaimah in 2010. Jaime Puebla / The National
Ahmed Al Tenaiji holds a piece of Chinese porcelain unearthed at Al Nudud in Julfar. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Ahmed Al Tenaiji holds a piece of Chinese porcelain unearthed at Al Nudud in Julfar. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Archaeologists have unearthed 700 year old pieces of Chinese porcelain in Julfar through a collaboration with archaeologists from Beijing started in 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Archaeologists have unearthed 700 year old pieces of Chinese porcelain in Julfar through a collaboration with archaeologists from Beijing started in 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A tomb in Ras Al Khaimah’s Shimal area, a prominent archaeological site dating back to the Umm Al Nar period. Courtesy: Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office
A tomb in Ras Al Khaimah’s Shimal area, a prominent archaeological site dating back to the Umm Al Nar period. Courtesy: Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office
More than 100 megalithic tombs are scattered over three kilometres on the gravel plains and acacia forests at the foot of the Hajar mountains. Lee Hoagland / The National
More than 100 megalithic tombs are scattered over three kilometres on the gravel plains and acacia forests at the foot of the Hajar mountains. Lee Hoagland / The National
THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

ENGLAND TEAM

England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Remaining fixtures
  • August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
  • September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships

2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds

2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58

2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified

2012 London Olympics 9.63

2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77

2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79

2016 Rio Olympics 9.81

2017 London World Championships 9.95

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

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