Enjoy holidaying like a celebrity with a city and beach break in the United Arab Emirates says ELLA BUCHAN

A CROWD had gathered to witness our arrival, cameras at the ready.

Flashes flared as our seaplanegently skimmed the surf and landed near the sandy beach, where hotel staff waded out to greet us.

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We aren’t actually members of the latest girlband – but my friends and I felt like The Saturdays when we landed at the Hilton resort in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates.

Close to the glitz and glamour of Dubai but hidden away from the long lens of the paparazzi, it’s the perfect place to feel like a star.

As part of our Seawings package we were met at Dubai airport, whizzed through security and transferred to Dubai Creek to board our “flying boat”. We circled the Burj Khalifa, at 828 metres, the world’s tallest building, before passing over the Palm Jumeirah – home to seven-star hotel The  Atlantis – and seeing The World.

That is the series of man-made islands grouped to resemble a globe.

It’s a good idea to incorporate a beach holiday at either end of a visit to Dubai, if only to give your mind abreak from boggling.

The Ras Al Khaimah Hilton is made for  relaxation, with 2km of sandy beach, three pools with comfy loungers and rooms with big balconies over the sea.

There is even an all-inclusive option.

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The food is well above usual resort fare, from melt-in-the-mouth steak at beach barbeque Al Bahar to delicately-presented dishes at Italian restaurant Piacere Del Gusto.

The next day we went to Oman – half an hour away – for a cruise down the Musandam Fjords in a traditional dhow boat.

We lounged on embroidered cushions, sipping glasses of hot, sweet tea and taking in the backdrop of chalky mountains punctuated by
tiny fishing villages.

Big chunks of the journey were spent chasing dolphins around, with frantic clapping and pointing alerting us to their presence.

We dropped anchor for snorkelling – at one point feeding leftover  chicken curry to hungry parrotfish.

Then the captain flipped over the edge, disappeared underwater and resurfaced with a spiky sea anemone(which we were encouraged to hold for pictures), a sand dollar (a piece of coral with a flower motif) and someone’s Ray-Bans.

Back in Ras Al Khaimah we headed to Pura Vida, the resort’s South American restaurant. Opting for the rodizio – basically, “loads of meat” – we were given counters that were green on one side and red on the other. Leave the green side up and the waiters keep coming.

I got through all nine cuts, from sirloin steak to pork ribs, before finally turning my counter to red. Our taxi back to Dubai next morning gave us a new perspective on the city.

Driving past sand dunes with little to spot except cars and camels, the jagged skyline looked strange – the Burj Khalifa makes the other sky-scrapers look like bungalows. We stayed at the Hilton Dubai Creek, which seems to attract mostly business clientele. But that just means more space around the lovely rooftop pool and bar – which faces that striking skyline.

The hotel also boasts Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Verre, where guests can book in for cooking demonstrations.

If you find yourself in Dubai with very little time, shop! Everything is tax free, so if you’re thinking of splashing out on a pair of Alexander McQueen heels this is the place to do it.

After a wasted trip to Dragon Mart, a huge, horrible shopping centre, we had an encounter with fake designer handbags in Karama Souk.

We should have gone straight to flashy Dubai Mall.

With more than 1,000 shops, it also boasts an ice rink, a huge aquarium and the world’s biggest sweet shop – Candylicious.

One of the nicest things to do in the evening is head to Souk al Bahar, designed like an ornate version of traditional souks, to watch the
 fountains in front of the Burj, before sipping cocktails in one of the open-air bars.

Because Souk al Bahar is technically attached to The Palace hotel, this area is one of the few places in Dubai you can have a drink
outside.

The fountains shimmied seductively to a Bollywood tune.

Compared to these, the Bellagiofountains seem small and a bit rubbish.

But then, this is Dubai – where everything is always bigger and better.

FactFile
■FOUR nights in the United Arab Emirates, including scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow direct to Dubai, three nights all-inclusive accommodation at the five-V Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and one night bed and breakfast at the five-V Hilton Dubai Creek on an all-inclusive basis, with transfers included, start from £959.

■Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing a standard room, including all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges,
which are subject to change. Based on departures January 19-31. Call 0844 557 3859, see virginholidays.co.uk or visit a Virgin outlet in Debenhams and House of Fraser stores.

■A cruise along the Musandam Fjords costs £89 per person, including all transport and visas plus soft drinks and a barbecue lunch. Book before you set off or at the Virgin Holidays lounge at the Ras Al Khaimah.

■A tour with Seawings costs £195, with pick-up and drop-off from the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah. The tour takes you to Dubai and around the sites, with a three-hour shopping trip. Arriving at the Ras Al Khaimah via seaplane, below, with a tour of the Dubai skyline, including luggage transfer and fast track through airport security, costs around £260. See seawings.ae to book.