Sometimes, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy a relaxing getaway.
Living in the UAE, we’re lucky to have plenty of beautiful places where we can take a short break from our usual routine. One of our memorable staycations was at Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, where we spent time by the beach, enjoyed the swimming pool, watched the sunset, and simply took a break from our everyday responsibilities.
What made the trip even more special was that we visited twice within a short period, first during Eid Al-Adha in July 2021, and then again during the Islamic New Year in August 2021, which also happened to be my husband’s birthday.
In this article, I’ll share our experience, what we liked, what we didn’t, how much we paid at the time, and whether I think a staycation at Al Marjan Island was worth it.
Important: This is a personal review based on our stays in 2021. Room facilities, rental prices, management, services, and availability may have changed since then. Always check current information before booking.
Al Marjan Island
Al Marjan Island is a man-made island development in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, extending into the Arabian Gulf.
The development consists of four interconnected coral-shaped islands:
- Breeze Island
- Treasure Island
- Dream Island
- View Island
The island has become one of Ras Al Khaimah’s well-known leisure and residential destinations, with hotels, resorts, beaches, restaurants, residential developments, and other tourism facilities.
Its seaside location makes it particularly attractive for people looking for a relaxing escape from the busy city.
And for someone who loves the beach, that’s already a good reason to visit!
The Pacific Building
During our stays, we booked accommodation at The Pacific, a residential development on Al Marjan Island.
The property offered apartment-style accommodations with modern finishes and ocean views. Facilities included swimming pools, sports courts, gym facilities, Jacuzzis, sauna and steam rooms, and access to the beach.
Our accommodation was a studio apartment, which gave us more space and facilities than a typical hotel room.
Location: Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Our First Stay
It was July 22, 2021, during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, when we booked our first stay at The Pacific through Booking.com.
Holiday Rate
Because it was Eid Al-Adha, the rates were higher than normal.
We paid approximately AED 600 (around USD 163 at the time) for one night in a studio apartment, including taxes and other charges.
Please remember that this was the price we paid in 2021 and should not be used as a current rate.
The Room
Our room was B905, located on the ninth floor of Building B.
The room offered a pleasant ocean view, although another building was directly in front of the balcony, so the view wasn’t exactly the unobstructed front-sea view we were expecting.
The bed was neither too soft nor too firm and was comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.
The apartment was also well equipped with:
- Television
- Washing machine
- Medium-sized refrigerator
- Oven
- Stove
- Dining utensils
- Cooking essentials such as salt, pepper, and cooking oil
- Towels
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body wash
Having these facilities made the stay feel more like a home away from home.
Our Second Stay
After enjoying our first visit, we decided to book another one-night stay during the Islamic New Year holiday on August 12, 2021.
This visit was even more special because it was also my husband’s birthday! 🎂❤️
This time, instead of booking through Booking.com, we arranged the stay directly with a lady named Ms. Jailyn, whom I understood to be assisting with the apartment rentals.
Mr. Noman, the same caretaker we met during our first stay, was also there to help us with our luggage.
Our Second Stay: The Price
Interestingly, the rate was much lower than our Eid stay.
We paid around AED 300 (approximately USD 82 at the time) for one night.
We paid 50% as an advance and the remaining 50% upon check-in.
Again, this was our personal rate in August 2021, so current prices will likely be different.
The Second Room
This time, we stayed in Room A138 in Building A, located on the first floor.
The room had a full view of the ocean, which I actually preferred compared with our first room.
However, there was one major difference:
There was no TV and no Wi-Fi.
Yes, you heard that right. 😂
Have you ever stayed in a holiday apartment without a TV or Wi-Fi?
According to the caretaker, the apartment had only recently been placed on the rental market and the owner had not yet completed furnishing and equipping it.
We were already settled in, so instead of making a big issue out of it, we decided to look at it positively.
Perhaps this was exactly what we needed, a chance to disconnect from our gadgets and simply enjoy our surroundings.
The Rooftop Pool and Jacuzzi
The rooftop swimming pool was definitely one of the highlights of our stay.
It was spacious, and the depth was comfortable for me. I’m around 5’4″, and the water came to just above my shoulders.
The pool wasn’t crowded either.
During the three hours we spent there, there were fewer than ten people in the pool area, including children.
Because it was on the rooftop, we had a beautiful view of the ocean while swimming.
And, of course, there was also a Jacuzzi where we could sit, relax, and enjoy the water.
For me, this was one of the biggest reasons why the staycation was worth it.
The Public Beach
We also spent time at the beach.
During our visit, the beach was open from around 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The water was salty, as expected from the Gulf, and we enjoyed simply walking around and spending time by the sea.
There were also benches near the shore where you could sit, relax, or simply enjoy the view.
And yes, you can also work on your tan!
Personally, I didn’t need much more tanning because I already have naturally dark skin. 😂
The Gym
For fitness enthusiasts, the property also had gym facilities.
The gym was located near the swimming facilities, making it convenient to exercise and then head straight to the pool or Jacuzzi afterward.
You could spend some time on the treadmill, work with weights, or simply do your own workout routine.
For a staycation, having access to these facilities was definitely a bonus.
A Walk by the Bay
After spending enough time in the pool and at the beach, we simply walked along the waterfront.
This was actually one of my favorite things to do.
Walking by the bay gave us an opportunity to slow down, enjoy the breeze, and watch the boats, jet skis, and other vessels moving along the coastline.
And of course, the sunset made everything even more beautiful.
Sometimes, you don’t need an organized activity.
A simple walk by the sea is already enough.
Our Staycation Ratings
Because this post is based on our personal experience, here is how I rated the different parts of our stays.
1. Room B905, Building B — ★★★★
I’m giving this room 4 out of 5 stars.
The room itself was comfortable and well equipped. My main concern was the balcony view.
The listing had suggested a front-sea view, but from our balcony, we could also see another building directly ahead.
Still, the room was comfortable and practical.
Rating: ★★★★☆
2. Room A138, Building A — ★★★
I’m giving this room 3 out of 5 stars.
The ocean view was better than our first room, but the lack of TV and Wi-Fi was a disappointment.
The kitchen and bathroom supplies were also not as complete as those provided during our first stay.
The owner mentioned that the apartment was still being prepared for rental, so perhaps these facilities were added later.
Because of our experience, I personally felt more comfortable booking through a recognized platform such as Booking.com rather than arranging directly.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
3. Swimming Facilities — ★★★★½
This was almost perfect!
The rooftop pool, Jacuzzi, and beach were the highlights of our stay.
We loved the views, the setup, and the friendly staff who were around to assist guests.
Rating: ★★★★½
4. Value for Money — ★★★★
At the AED 300 rate we paid during our second visit, I thought the stay was reasonably priced.
The AED 600 Eid holiday rate felt considerably more expensive, but holiday pricing is understandable, especially during peak periods.
In the end, a staycation isn’t only about how much money you spend. It’s also about the experience and memories you create.
Rating: ★★★★☆
5. Overall Rating — ★★★★
Overall, I’m giving our staycation 4 out of 5 stars.
Even though we were still dealing with the pandemic at the time, we felt comfortable and were able to relax away from our usual routine.
Would we stay again?
Absolutely!
And at the time, I had even heard that Al Marjan Island had spectacular fireworks during New Year’s celebrations.
So who knows?
Maybe we’d be back sooner than expected! 😊
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
So, Is an Al Marjan Island Staycation Worth It?
For me, yes, especially if you choose the right accommodation and know what to expect.
The beach, pool, Jacuzzi, ocean views, and peaceful atmosphere made it a relaxing escape from our normal routine.
However, I would recommend checking several things before booking:
- Read the most recent reviews.
- Check exactly what facilities are included.
- Confirm whether Wi-Fi and TV are available.
- Check the room’s actual view.
- Compare prices across booking platforms.
- Confirm beach and pool operating hours.
- Check the cancellation and payment policies.
Because our stay was in 2021, I wouldn’t assume that today’s rooms or facilities are exactly the same.
Final Thoughts
Our two stays at Al Marjan Island taught me something simple: a good staycation doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable.
Our first room had a better set of facilities but not quite the view we expected.
Our second room had a beautiful ocean view but no TV or Wi-Fi.
And yet, we still enjoyed ourselves.
Maybe that’s because a staycation isn’t really about having everything.
It’s about giving yourself permission to pause.
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
— Mark 6:31
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, we become so focused on work, responsibilities, bills, and everyday routines that we forget how important it is to simply stop and breathe.
You don’t always need an expensive international vacation to recharge.
A short drive, a comfortable room, a beautiful sunset, and someone you love beside you can be enough.
Our Al Marjan Island staycation was not perfect, but it gave us something more valuable than a perfect hotel room:
time to relax, time to reconnect, and time to make memories.
And honestly, that’s what a staycation should be about. ❤️
Sources:
- Al Marjan Island Official Website — almarjanisland.com
- Pacific Al Marjan Island — pacific-almarjan.com
- Booking.com
- Bayut.com
- Wikipedia – Al Marjan Island
Note: Room prices, facilities, rental arrangements, beach access, pool access, and other services described in this article reflect our personal experiences in July and August 2021. Readers should verify current prices and facilities directly with the property or booking platform before making a reservation.
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Originally Published: September 15, 2021
Updated: August 2026
This place looks really good to me. I wouldn’t mind having a room with no TV since I don’t watch TV when travelling. I’d be far too distracted by this amazing sea view.
This looks fabulous! And the price was amazing….but no TV or WiFi?? That may be a game changer for us! LOL
I have always wanted to go to the UAE and stay at one of their resorts. This one looks so awesome I will have to check it out sometime. Great thorough review, and less than $90 per night sounds like a very good price. Much cheaper than resort hotels here in the States.
Despite some unwanted expriences you had… I think everything will be covered up quickly by the stunning view of the sea. That swimming pool area is truly the best spot for me. Never been to UAE but i have some relatives working there… Hopefully i’ll get a chance to visit this place someday
This looks awesome, the rooms looks comfy and have pretty view. Definitely would love to give it a visit.
Oh wow what a cool staycation! Such a great experience!
This is the first time I heard about Al Marjan Island. It looks like a paradise to me. Wow!
Wow, I have never heard about the emirate Ras al-Khaimah or those Islands before! Would love to have the no TV/no WiFi experience one day, this will definitely enhance the experience on site!
I haven’t been to Al Marjan island before. I did it see a number of times in the magazines before construction of it ended and loved it instantly. I’d love to visit it in person!