Ula means sea jewel, so it’s no surprise that this beach club’s majestic energy derives from what Ras Al Khaimah is known for: peace and tranquility, the sea, desert, and mountains.
This oasis of calm is located on the grounds of the newly opened Movenpick Hotel & Resort, Al Marjan Island Ras Al Khaimah. Short of a 50-minute drive from the center of Dubai, ULA is the perfect spot for a self-care Saturday or Sunday; whether you’re having a lazy lunch or sipping on something refreshing poolside, a day out at ULA is good for the soul.
They say first impressions count and we are impressed by the rustic boho-chic interior design. That includes lots of neutral, soft furnishings, earthy tones, wooden hanging lamps and perfectly landscaped greenery. Set along a 300-meter peninsula looking out at the glistening Arabian Sea, it’s tempting to upload a story to Instagram letting everyone know you’re #grateful, but also the perfect time to switch off. We go with the latter.
When it’s time for lunch, the setting is also lush. No detail is overlooked, there are two dedicated bar areas, one for indoor dining and another for al fresco, with swings for seats outdoors nearby an infinity pool overlooking the beach, as well as comfy white loungers.
The temperature feels a few degrees cooler than Dubai with a welcome sea breeze. Inside, a large open-plan restaurant invites guests to enjoy lunch or dinner in a stunning Mediterranean-inspired setting. The menu is predominately Greek – mouthwatering salads, juicy meat platters, and sumptuous seafood. We started with a selection from the tapas section: grilled halloumi (Dh55) with lemon oil, lemon kebab (Dh80) with tomato sauce, garlic yogurt, Greek cheese & pickled cucumber, and grilled prawns (Dh95) covered in garlic and herbs. We paired our mains of salmon (Dh240) and baby chicken (Dh190) with oregano potato, burnt lemon, and Greek yogurt with a fresh and colorful greek salad (Dh70).
Ula is a dreamy adult-only escape with a relaxed feel, it was only right to check out the beverage list while admiring whimsical décor. We quench our thirst with two popular choices on the cocktail list: ULA La (Dh45) and a Heatwave (Dh45) – all mocktails and cocktails are carefully curated by the mixologist at the bar.
After our meal, we catch the final hour of rays on the lounger, poolside. We go for a dip in the controlled temperature infinity pool that overlooks the stunning beach; it’s busy but spacious to move around. The music is Ibiza-style, and while it’s loud enough to toe-tap, the level also lets you lose yourself in a book or simply drift away.
For more information: 07 246 0199 or ularasalkhaimah.com
• The day at Ula was provided for the purposes of a review. We try a lot of things here at Livehealthy, but we only publish Livehealthy Approved reviews for those that are truly worth it.
