Michael Edwards heads to Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah for a January detox
Poached pears, from the extensive breakfast buffet at the Seven Heights restaurant, took me to 20 plant foods in less than 24 hours.
“Dragon fruit,” waiter Bryan answered, when I asked him to identify the mysterious, pink-rimmed fruit I’d also chosen. “Good for the heart,” he added encouragingly as I tucked into number 21.
Having dipped into a friend’s Christmas-present of a book on the value of consuming 30 plant-based foods a week for gut health, I’d decided to see how many I could tick off at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr’s seven restaurants.
“You’re paying to go to an all-inclusive restaurant to do Dry January?” an incredulous friend asked
There’s more to all-inclusive at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr than free-flowing alcoholic drinks at the 5* hotel’s seven bars. Those bars also serve a tempting range of soft drinks and mocktails. Besides, I felt safer ordering a Shirley Temple in Rixos’ Mojito Bar than I would have in my Queen-Vic-rough local boozer.
In fact, the allure came from the ultra-inclusive package. Free use of the hamman, sauna, steam room and pools at the Avitane Spa: Technogym equipment at the Exclusive Sports Club plus basketball and tennis courts. In addition, there were eight swimming pools, including the adults only Infinity pool, all heated to 30 centigrade: whilst the Persian Gulf was a chilly 19.
Then there’s the entertainment. Musicians playing the accordion, piano, saxophone and violin through late afternoon and evening. Spectacular shows on the resort’s two stages: and for families, the kids club, teen club and dedicated evening entertainment.
Back to the food with avocado, watercress, walnut and a pomegranate sauce featuring in a Manchego cheese salad starter at the steak-inspired a la carte Meatpoint Restaurant. I was flying through the thirties.
Stopping to watch a very competitive water polo match I wondered if I’d be sufficiently lean and mean to take part by the end of the week? The Exclusive Sports Club should have me muscled and toned with their programme of aqua cycle, aqua jump, aqua zumba, beach boxing, bike tours, cross-fit, functional training and yoga.
Though beach volleyball on the white sands of a beach bordering a shimmering Persian Gulf lagoon might be more my style. Then again should I start the day rampaging Rambo-like through the Jungle Gym?
Inevitably, there were some lengthy rainfall showers, in my exceptionally large bathroom, to recuperate. Plus, the occasional hour of sun lounger rest on the balcony of my premium room.
Calling in at the Avitane Spa, I decided that an hour’s anti-stress body massage, selected from an extensive menu of massages, would help relax the muscles ready for my fitness programme.
Dinner at the Turkish restaurant, open every day, zoomed me into the forties of my plant food census, when the chicken shashlik ticked off grilled green pepper, onion, bulgar wheat and greens.
The next night, fava beans, as part of the meze at the Fishbone restaurant, brought up my fifty. A celebratory WhatsApp message to my book-owning friend back home prompted a reply that they were not finding foraging as easy in bleak mid-winter Carshalton.
Suddenly, surprisingly, towards the end of the week, I noticed in the gym that my times on the exercise bike and rowing were improving. On a roll, I booked an appointment at the Avitane barbers for a haircut and a shave. More challenging was the nose treatment of warm-wax-dipped cotton buds inserted in my nostrils. I looked like a warthog on a bad nasal hair day. Threading, a sharp string pulled across my ear hair, also challenged the pain threshold.
Looking good, feeling good, I decided on a reward and rest day, to top up the tan: booking a (chargeable) cabana at the far end of the beach for a treat. Although there was a refrigerated mini-bar, including champagne and wines, I showed restraint, focusing instead on the orange juice, a mid-morning fruit platter and a salad from the lunch menu.
Feeling fitter, if only I could have had more time to explore Ras al Khaimah, the UAE’s Emirate of adventure. I was ready for hiking in the Hajar Mountains and even ready for the world’s longest zipline.
Tell Me More About Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Ras Al Khaimah
The Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Street #11 Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
T: +971 7 202 0000 E: reservation.rak@rixos.com
Rooms begin from around £295 per night, per double room for ultra-all-inclusive.
Rixos Bab Al Bahr is around a 50-minutes taxi ride from Dubai airport.
