Surrounded by the Greens - A staycation at Bin Majd Mangrove

When the working week comes to an end most of us like to just kick back and unwind. An ideal location to do this is just under two hours away. At Bin Majid Mangrove Hotel you can find comfort and relaxation in no short supply.  

Who knew that an urban escape was so easy to find? After a short drive to Ras Al Khaimah, my family and I were pleasantly surprised to be surrounded by thick green mangroves. The hotel staff welcomed us with a chilled welcome drink and we soon made it to our room. A cozy Queen Suite, it had a separate living area, bathroom and two large TV screens. I was only interested in the view outdoors. A long line of mangroves stretched as far as the eye could see. Mangroves are shrub and tree species that live along shores and rivers and on muddy soil. In fact they live in water that is up to a 100 times saltier than other plants can tolerate.

The mangroves in Ras Al Khaimah were truly unique We explored the area which has a nice jogging track, a promenade and many eating outlets along the way.

A few steps across the road, Mangrove hotel offers a variety of eating venues. We went straight to The Noodle Corner for dinner. It offers authentic Chinese meals with a hi-tech menu that is featured on a tablet screen. After making our choice of steamed chicken dumplings, fried rice and noodles, we began to plan the next day’s events. The hotel offers a shuttle to the beach which is under 10 minutes drive. There is also a lot of aqua adventure to try out. Clearly this place needs more time for exploration.

After a restful sleep we were all set for breakfast. The Rainbow Restaurant offers all day dining. Everything from eggs Benedict, to freshly made Indian paratha, to baked beans and salads were at the buffet. Freshly made omelets, a variety of fruits and baked bread and pastries were also laid out. Breakfast is served from 6.30 to 10.30 a.m. 

After a hearty breakfast we spent an hour resting and then headed to the pool. The swimming pool is rather modest in size. There is also a Blue Bar and a Polo bar at the hotel for guests who would like to unwind at the pool. We pottered about in the small jacuzzi for a bit, made a splash at the pool and headed back to the room.  

Before you knew it, it was time for lunch. Thankfully the set menu made it easier to choose what we would have. I got myself some fish and chips with a green salad. My husband tried the beef steak and the kids had chicken Manchurian and pasta. Now that’s quite a variety in my opinion. For dessert most of us opted for strawberry cheesecake. My daughter chose a fruit platter.

Like any good vacation, this one was quickly coming to a close. The staff requested us to check out Sidewalk Café before we departed. A cozy outhouse of sorts, it offers guests a chance to try freshly baked pastries, coffee, tea and shisha. We were quite content to try some black tea and chocolate cake.

As we made our way back I felt compelled to thank the staff, especially Angelo at the front desk, who served us with a smile. We created so many memories and I would certainly go back to create some more.