15 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi
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During the past 40 years Abu Dhabi has gone from a fishing village in the desert with one hotel to more than 170. From locally-grown brands like Jumeirah and Rotana to some of the most lavish of lodgings and recognizable names in the world, they all call Abu Dhabi home, and one thing is for sure, they’re all out to impress. Even the less expensive hotels have some flash to them. Of the incredibly elaborate offerings, Emirates Palace provides the ritziest of stays and a taste of palatial opulence, while Ian Schrager’s Abu Dhabi EDITION hotel, the first for the brand in the Middle East, is boutique luxury at its best. If the beach is more your speed, there’s a cluster of beachfront resorts on Saadiyat Island that provide views of the Arabian Gulf and private access to the sand. With so many different places to stay, there's a bit of something for everyone. Read on for our list of the best lodging options in the emirate.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Paul ThuysbaerthotelThe Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2022The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is a grandiose, glistening example of Middle Eastern opulence. Case in point: the Ritz-Carlton Suite, which clocks in at 1,356 square feet, has a stylish four-poster bed, spacious powder room, full marble bathroom with a soaking tub, a color therapy shower, separate living and dining areas, a kitchen, and two terraces overlooking the Grand Canal. The 21,500-square-foot Bedouin spa, a short ride from the hotel, is a standalone oasis with a private beach, 16 treatment rooms, plunge pools, saunas, and a plethora of luxurious treatments. Families can make use of Ritz Kids, available daily for children ages four to 12. Those keen on visiting the mosque and learning more about the cultural landmark can catch the hotel shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes.
Courtesy The St. Regis Saadiyat Island ResorthotelThe St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
This St. Regis Resort, a palatial beachfront property, looks like it belongs in Florida or the Caribbean. Yet it's on the pristine white-sand beaches of Saadiyat Island, skirting the Persian Gulf. Everything about the property feels thought-through, from the expanses of terraced manicured grass, to the palm trees lining the walkways. Guest rooms are a blend of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. If you're lucky enough to get one with a balcony, you'll find it's an idyllic perch from which to watch the waves roll in.
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Courtesy JumeirahhotelJumeirah at Etihad Towers
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2019Jumeirah At Etihad Towers is a glistening example of the best Abu Dhabi has to offer. Located on the western end of the Corniche, opposite Emirates Palace, the luxurious hotel provides a jaw-dropping welcome thanks to sparkling Swarovski chandeliers and amethyst-encrusted elevators. Generous Grand Deluxe rooms have a comfortable king bed, a daybed, a good-sized desk, and a beautiful bathroom with a mosaic tiled soaking tub. The hotel also happens to be home to some of the best restaurants in the city.
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Courtesy Park Hyatt Saadiyat IslandhotelPark Hyatt Saadiyat Island
$$$Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is a glorious beachside oasis just minutes from the city's culture precinct. The resort is one of the city's most popular, and it's immediately obvious why. Positioned within an elite cluster of big-name properties on the shores of Saadiyat Beach, Park Hyatt is just as stately outside as it is refined inside. You'll see plenty of European couples and families looking to make the most of the five miles of pristine beach. But the property also has access to the island's 18-hole golf course and offers up some eco-tourism as well: The hawksbill turtles that nest on Saadiyat are another big draw.
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Courtesy Viceroy Hotels and ResortshotelW Abu Dhabi Yas Island
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018The curvaceous exterior of W Abu Dhabi Yas Island, an architectural masterpiece, is the first thing that catches your eye as you approach the hotel. Then, as you drive over the Yas Marina track (where they hold Formula One races) to the entrance, a certain level of excitement kicks in. It's easy to see why this 499-room over-track property attracts thousands of motor sports enthusiasts to the Yas Island precinct every year.
Abdulrahman AljabrihotelAndaz Capital Gate
$$Andaz Capital Gate feels more like a gallery than a hotel, with plenty of intrigue thrown in. The impressive "Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi," as the building is affectionately known (it holds the Guinness World Record for farthest leaning tower), is adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the Embassies District, just off one of the city's busiest thoroughfares. Even the most compact of the rooms don't lack for space, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a super-comfy king bed, sizable workspace, and a decent sitting area. The ground floor—called 165 Below—acts a permanent gallery space, complete with works by local artists.
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GettyhotelBeach Rotana
$Arriving at Beach Rotana always feels hectic; after all, the hotel is next door to Abu Dhabi Mall. But once the keys are handed over, or the taxi fare is paid, it's smooth sailing. The lobby atrium makes quite a statement, one that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle outside. Rooms are a bit on the small side for Abu Dhabi. But even though they feel compact, small terraces can offer views of an estuary leading into the Gulf, as well as the sparkling Louvre Abu Dhabi beyond.
Courtesy Southern Sun Abu DhabihotelSouthern Sun Abu Dhabi
$Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a bit round-about to get to, but it's still close enough to the city's Corniche promenade to remain appealing. The 27-story hotel sits proudly in the Tourist Club (Al Zayih) district, and although it's not as flashy as some its city neighbors, it certainly offers guests centrality and comfort. Rooms are spacious, some with gorgeous views of the Corniche, itself a 10-minute walk away.
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Courtesy Zaya Nurai IslandhotelZaya Nurai Island
$$$Zaya Nurai Island is an oasis that feels farther from the capital than it actually is; in fact, it's only 15 minutes away. The beachfront villas, even the entry-level category, are bright and spacious, with a private plunge pool, an outdoor shower, a private dining area, and a cabana with direct beach access. The resort's seasonal outdoor movie space, wave pool, and teepee-style beach tents are all standout features, as is the over-water swing and giant sunglass installations. Getting to the resort requires a 15-minute speed-boat ride, a fun, Bond-style experience.
Courtesy The Abu Dhabi EDITIONhotelThe Abu Dhabi EDITION
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2023The first EDITION in the Middle East is all about modern, stylish design. The rooms have a minimalism about them and the kinetic Annex, the hotel's three story entertainment space, exudes the sort of cool we've come to expect from the brand. Its position on the waterfront in the city's sparkling Al Bateen Marina area adds to its appeal, as does its unique lattice-like exterior. Sophistication with a healthy dose of playfulness and pizzazz is the EDITION's calling card.
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Courtesy Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Abu DhabihotelJumeirah at Saadiyat Island
$$$Driving up the welcome ramp to Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort almost feels though you're about to board a luxury spaceship. This Jetsons-esque hotel nods to the future, both with its sleek and imposing glass design and its eco-conscious philosophy; examples include automatic curtains that reduce the use of air conditioning, and marine life conservation efforts. Sitting on one of the more remote stretches of Saadiyat Island, this resort has a rare environment of quiet and leisure. The wildlife thinks so too—sea turtles and other marine and coastal wildlife inhabit this protected land.
Courtesy Rosewood HotelshotelRosewood Abu Dhabi
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2021Sleek and extravagant, Rosewood Abu Dhabi provides a dramatic welcome, with architecture that calls to mind an undulating desert. The reflective glass exterior on the 34-story high-rise sparkles day and night; a glass-encrusted wall and water features in the lobby further the wow factor. The luxury hotel, which rose from a sandy site in 2013, continues to hold its position as the best place to stay on Al Maryah Island. As Rosewood's first foray into the UAE, this property, much like all 26 Rosewoods worldwide, epitomizes style and sophistication.
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Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al BerihotelShangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri
$$$Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri is reminiscent of an Arabic royal residence. The entrance sits at the top of an ascending driveway—an enchanting introduction to a landmark property on Al Maqta Creek, directly opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Our Premier Room had its own terrace with views over the canal toward the Grand Mosque. The sizeable rooms are well appointed, and the bathrooms in particular provide an elegant regional sensibility with archways and wooden lattice work.
Courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts/Photo by Paul ThuysbaerthotelFour Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
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Hot List 2017The posh Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is well-situated on Al Maryah Island. Thanks to its strategic location, with a link to the upscale Galleria Mall and a waterfront walkway, it's a rare pedestrian-friendly property with close proximity to some of Abu Dhabi’s best restaurants and bars. The area might feel a bit buttoned-up and corporate for vacationers, but those in Abu Dhabi for work will appreciate what's around The hotel's Emirati art collection makes it worth stopping in, even if you aren't staying overnight.
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Courtesy Emirates PalacehotelEmirates Palace
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2022Emirates Palace is grandiose and all about the bling. From its position on the western end of the Corniche, the eight-story, one-kilometer-long hotel is hard to miss; after all, it's larger than Buckingham Palace. Dripping in gold and boasting the largest dome in world, the five-star property screams luxury. There's so much gold here—more than 6,000 square meters of 22-karat gold leaf, in fact—that even the room keys are shaped like gold coins.
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