The best of both worlds
THE Banyan Tree’s two resorts in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE are popular destination for local and international tourists.
Located in the Wadi Khadeja, Banyan Tree Al Wadi offers an all-pool villa concept, complete with Asian-inspired hydrotherapy spa facilities, a dedicated nature reserve, and beach access to the company’s second property, the Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach.
Spread over 100 hectares, the Banyan Tree Al Wadi features Arabic architecture with 70 Al Rimal deluxe pool villas and 31 tented pool villas.
The property offers a range of activities including falconry at The Mewsor, horse riding at The Stables, desert safaris, sand boarding, archery, nature and bird-watching walks, snorkelling and diving in the company of rays, whale sharks, turtles and the occasional dolphin, and tours to the traditional Omani town of Dabbaor. There is also a Kids Club for young explorers.
Anders Dimblad, area general manager for both properties, says: “We offer a wide range of activities where guests can enjoy and experience wildlife.”
BY THE BEACH
The Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach meanwhile features 32 beachfront pool villas reflecting Bedouin architecture. The resort currently offers a special Arabian Pearl Retreat package in which guests are flown to the resort by seaplane from Dubai, landing on the resort’s lagoon where they spend a night and enjoy a barbecue. The next day, they are taken to a pearl farm and for a ride on a traditional Arabic dhow to be educated on the history of the pearling trade. Guests can also take home a handpicked pearl and create a piece of jewellery under the guidance of a local designer.
Dimbald says: “We have attracted phenomenal feedback from the pearling trips. At Banyan Tree, we are committed to work with the local community and the environment where we are based, be it at any of our global locations and we look forward to introducing something new and unique next year.”
The pearl package is on offer until February 28, 2014.
The desert property also offers a range of Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities. Dimbald says: “During weekdays, our main focus is on Mice guests. We offer tailor-made packages for corporates which include team-building activities. We receive a lot of interest from across the GCC as well as from Europe. Banyan Tree properties are traditionally associated with romance, but with our Mice facilities, we can cater to all markets.”
He says that the property is proving popular among Indians for weddings while China is also an emerging market. “Our biggest market is the UAE, and the rest of the GCC followed by the UK and Germany.”
“2012 was a really good year in growth and we saw a 20 per cent growth in revenues compared to 2011. This year we are close to 100 per cent already while RevPar at the beach resort has grown by 20 per cent,” he adds.
“We offer a bit of both worlds – the beach and the desert experiences. This is why we have created a package – Best of Both Worlds – where guests can enjoy two nights at one property and enjoy a complimentary third night at the second resort.”
The offer includes a Rainforest spa experience and is valid for stays until December 23.