Have you ever tried to find a boutique hotel in Dubai? I wouldn’t bother, because they don’t exist. Instead you get polished international chains, albeit with a nod – subtle or otherwise – to the UAE’s Bedouin heritage. There is a lot of marble, intricately carved dark wood furniture and plush tented canopies. Desert “retreats” come with private pools, spas and service so attentive that after a while there’s a danger that you may forget how to pour a drink or open your own curtains. Wellness retreats? They’re just not very Dubai.
Which is where Ras al-Khaimah comes in. The northernmost emirate is building a reputation for itself as an adventure travel destination, and the new Alma Retreat is trying to fill the gap for those looking to get closer to nature. Guests stay in small but comfortable cabins in RAK’s dunes and can opt in to a diverse programme of activities including yoga, fitness classes, meditation, desert walks, art and music sessions, and time in the camp’s ice bath and “sweat lodge”.
