Skinny dipping and luxurious tents: Tamzin Outhwaite explores the little-known emirate oasis a world away from Dubai

By TAMZIN OUTHWAITE

Family adventure: Tamzin, Tom and Florence enjoy exploring the peaceful Ras Al Kaimah emirate


It's not often at a hotel that you get the sort of privacy that lets you enjoy a skinny dip in your very own pool.

But here my husband Tom and I were able to run around naked if we wanted - it was such a luxury. We'd have a skinny dip every evening - our daughter Florence as well.

You can also eat and sleep in your room the whole time if you want to - you don't have to see another person.

Privacy, however, wasn't uppermost in our minds when we planned our trip. When you have a toddler, choosing a holiday suddenly becomes much more complicated.

With Florence being two, we'd decided we didn't want too long a journey - our last trip to Barbados had proved a little too far.

The journey to Ras Al Khaimah - one of the seven states that make up the UAE - was perfect. We travelled there via Dubai, about six-and-a-half hours' flying time from London.

Ras Al Khaimah is in the far north of the country on its border with Oman and about an hour's drive from Dubai.

Ras Al Khaimah isn't as well-known as some of the other Emirates but it is growing in popularity: it now boasts several luxury hotel complexes and has many miles of unspoilt beaches.


Exotic: The Banyan Tree, Al Wadi, is made up of luxurious tented accommodation


It's a world away from the hustle and bustle of Dubai with its huge shopping malls and towering forests of developers' cranes at work on even more skyscrapers.

It's not tower blocks that catch the eye here but the Hajar Mountains, desert dunes, wadis (dried-up riverbeds) and hot springs, which are all easily reached from the hotel complexes. And I was told there are several interesting archaeological sites nearby.

Our base was the Banyan tree Al Wadi resort, which offers each group of guests their own villa around a huge pool, a spa, an 18hole golf course, a dedicated nature reserve and a private beach.

In a nutshell, it provides an oasis of luxury in the desert. Its tented villas are massive and wonderfully decorated - the official description is 'Arabic with a modern twist'.

I also enjoyed the huge bathrooms. Another fabulous feature is that the whole villa has ceiling-to-floor windows with stunning views of the dunes beyond. one whole side of your villa is the bathroom area and the other is the bedroom - step outside and there's your own private pool with the desert just beyond it.


Sleep tight: Tamzin has always been fond of Banyan Tree hotels


I must admit that I'm a total Banyan tree fan. From a single boutique resort in Phuket in 1994, Banyan tree has rapidly grown into a thriving chain of 94 hotels, resorts and spas in 26 countries.

It says that its philosophy is based on providing 'a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul' - a sanctuary for the senses.

I've previously stayed in Banyan Tree hotels in Phuket and the Seychelles and I really love their amazing spas. They are so relaxing and chilled-out; they don't feel like hotels.

In the UAE, we were picked up in the Banyan Tree 4WD for the journey through the dunes to the resort. The moment that you arrive at the hotel, you're handed cold towels scented with lemon grass and immediately you relax.

There were five people waiting to meet us and they were all so courteous. It's the staff that help to make a stay at a Banyan tree so amazing.


Tucking in: Tamzin enjoying a private, al-fresco meal


When you travel with a small child, you are faced with the basic conundrum of whether you try to suit your child - or stay somewhere that you will enjoy as a couple.

The Banyan Tree was instantly appealing because of the sense of calm there.
And we suddenly realised that Florence was happy hanging out with us just swimming and doing things - if we're happy, she's happy.

She was enraptured to see camels everywhere, and when we went on a safari and watched an amazing falconry display, Florence loved it.

While she and Tom were busy doing things I would go and enjoy a Balinese massage in the afternoon. I think I had one every other day.

There's no better place for a massage, and I'm talking as a true spa connoisseur. This one has an ultra-friendly, efficient service with luxurious treatment rooms.


Utter luxury: The bathroom was one of Tamzin's favourite spots


The centrepiece is the amazing Rainforest hydrotherapy suite, which boasts scented aromatherapy steam rooms and tropical rain showers, and there's even an ice igloo cave - where you can rub shaved ice on your skin. This is the ultimate reviving and rejuvenating experience, and it was just what I needed before I began an exhausting run in Sweet Charity in the West End.

We were also lucky enough to have a chance to try out the new beach club. Tom played golf while Florence and I swam from the man-made beach.

One of the highlights was having a barbecue cooked for us one night right outside the villa.

We had endless courses with Arabic dips, soup, lobster, prawns and fish - all freshly grilled. Then came a mixed platter of meats finished off by dessert.
I'm already thinking about another break. Maybe I'll head out to Oman - just a six-hour flight from London and offering guaranteed hot sunshine.

Travel Facts
Tamzin Outhwaite travelled with Cox & Kings (020 7873 5000, www.coxandkings.co.uk), which offers five nights at Banyan Tree Al Wadi from £1,895pp including flights with Emirates, private transfers and B&B accommodation.


source: dailymail