Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort

Character and identity

Set on a peninsula in Ras Al Khaimah between the Hajar Mountains and the Arabian Sea, this 174-key resort makes its case through landscape: a private sandy beach on one side, a protected mangrove lagoon on the other. The architecture leans contemporary with Arabesque detailing, and the headline accommodations are thatched, Maldivian-style overwater villas (a first for the emirate) with deck plunge pools over the mangroves. Mekong handles Southeast Asian cooking with a waterfront terrace, The Beach House does Mediterranean and shisha by the sea, and Anantara Spa anchors a strong wellness programme. Service in the villas runs personal, with dedicated hosts.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets this resort apart is the geography: overwater villas above a working mangrove reserve, with turtles, migratory birds and the occasional dugong as neighbours, plus a genuine commitment to protecting that ecosystem. Book an overwater villa to make the trip worthwhile; the complimentary massage, set menu, in-villa barbecue and villa-only beach cabana materially raise the value. Garden rooms are pleasant but miss the point.