Laura Sparrow is the Assistant Manager PR & Marketing at Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. She’s always loved travelling and knew from a young age that she wanted a career that allowed her to travel. Whenever she has time off she jets off in search of new and faraway places to discover. In fact, she rarely visits the same place twice, that is with one exception – her favourite destination, Ras Al Khaimah.

Destination: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, which is about 45 minutes’ drive north from Dubai.

Best place to eat: Banyan Tree Al Wadi – There are these beautiful reconstructed watch towers dotted around the resort with incredible views.  At the top of one of the towers; Saffron Tower, the staff set up an incredibly romantic candle-lit table for two with crisp white table cloths. We had our own personal butler and chef to create a stunning meal but mostly we were left to ourselves to enjoy the twinkling lights of the resort and the desert views.  It was one of my best culinary experiences ever!

Best place to drink: The Moon Bar at Banyan Tree Al Wadi, a beautiful terrace bar overlooking the sprawling desert.  It is the perfect place to sit and watch the sun set or gaze at the stars, shisha in hand – I saw my first ever shooting star here!

Best place to sleep: All of the villas at Banyan Tree Al Wadi are set within a nature reserve, some emulate the nomadic tent style of Bedouin tribes, and others depict the traditional mud brick architecture of Ras Al Khaimah.  My personal favourites are the Al Sahari Tented Pool Villas  – I spent all day relaxing on a day bed besides my own personal pool whilst watching oryx and gazelle grazing, it was amazing!

Best time of year to visit: Ras Al Khaimah is both a great Summer and Winter destination, but the best time to visit is from November to March when the average maximum temperature is 25°C.

Laura Sparrow at the Falconry Centre

Things to avoid: Nothing to avoid but lots to avoid missing out on!! The resort has so much to offer, including a hydrotherapy spa, spa treatment pavilions, activity centre, kids’ club, a world-class falconry mews, horse and camel stables, and a private beach club. So there is plenty to keep you occupied if you can tear yourself away from your private pool!

Off the beaten track finds: There’s Desert or Mountain safaris which I have heard are great, but I decided to take in the beauty of the desert with a hike through Al Wadi Nature Reserve, with a guide who was on hand to show me all the stunning birds and other wild-life of the desert.

Laura’s travel partner, Jon enjoys the wildlife on the resort

Best holiday fashion for destination: Havaianas, sunglasses and a sunhat are essential!

Flip flops by Havaianas, trilby by Ecua Andino and sunglasses by Ray Ban

Beauty tip: Visit the Spa at Banyan Tree Al Wadi as soon as you can!  Located within the spa, The Rainforest features various hydrothermal experiences – it’s a personal journey through 16 unique hydrothermal therapy experiences including a Rain Walk, Sensory Shower, Brine Cavern, Ice Igloo, Herbal Sauna, Tropical Rain Shower, Vitality Pool and my personal favourite, the Bucket Drench Shower – which is invigorating to say the least!

Holiday packing tip: Pack light, and pack plenty of bikinis – you will spend 90% of your time sitting around your own pool in complete privacy.

An Oryx wanders past Laura’s swimming pool

What I bought: The resort is very secluded so I ventured to The Banyan Tree Gallery where I found traditional Arabic crafts and souvenirs, created in partnership with the local communities, as well as some fantastic spa products. I can’t resist getting one of the fab Banyan Tree oil burners, and I always stock up on some Banyan Tree essential oils.

What I listened to/read/learnt: I read Brixton Beach by Roma Tearne, which is a remarkably moving story about a child’s struggle with the Civil War In Sri Lanka combined with a later struggle with War on terror in London. It sounds a bit heavy-going for a chill-out holiday, but I couldn’t put it down!

For more information on Banyan Tree’s gorgeous resorts click here.