The 12 best hotels in Abu Dhabi
It’s hard to believe that 60 years ago, there wasn’t a single hotel in Abu Dhabi. Now, there are well over a hundred to choose from, so trying to find the best hotel in the UAE capital can be tough. The rapid pace of growth in the city has brought with it the best brands in the world, each placing its distinct imprint on traditional Arabian hospitality. Whether you want expansive sea views or a massive pool complex, sprawling grounds or grandiose towers, white glove or simply friendly and attentive service, the city can deliver. Here are our favourite Abu Dhabi hotels.
Al Wathba Desert Resort & SpahotelAl Wathba Desert Resort & Spa
Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa is where you go to immerse yourself in the silence, magic and mystery of the Empty Quarter Desert. The Luxury Collection hotel is designed to resemble a remote Bedouin village, with wooden doors, bronze accents, large clay pots around the pool and various water features that give it an oasis-like feel. Decor in the superior rooms, suites and villas is delightfully Arabesque, with famous lanterns emitting delicate patterned light and thatched walls reminiscent of areesh, the traditional Emirati construction technique that uses palm leaves. Make sure to try the lobster bisque at Italian eatery Terra Secca and, for daytime meals, don’t miss the black bun burger with pickled onions and crispy French fries at the pool bar, Panache. Retreat to the Saray Spa and make time for a relaxing mix of ice cave, Himalayan salt room and hot and cold plunges before your massage. The resort is also replete with more energetic activities, including archery, falconry, a desert safari, camel rides and the Flow Rider machine, where you can surf on water in the desert.
Address: Al Wathba Desert Resort and Spa, Al Wathba South 56620,
Lutz VorderwuelbeckehotelThe St Regis
The 283-room St Regis Abu Dhabi is a towering landmark that extends via an underground tunnel to the Nation Riviera Beach club on the capital's 8km Corniche. Two grand sweeping staircases in the lobby pay homage to the luxury hotel brand's founder John Jacob Astor, who died aboard the Titanic. Whether offering city or sea views, rooms at the St Regis Abu Dhabi are spacious and flooded with sunlight, with marble floors, gold accents and chandeliers mixed with Arabian motifs. A room on one of the high floors is a thrill, but be prepared to wait several minutes for an elevator at peak times. Families will appreciate The Treasure Island Kid’s Club, shaped like a pirate’s ship, which offers indoor and outdoor spaces and a full day’s roster of activities, including sand art, card games and bowling. Service here is white glove, with dedicated butlers included with suite stays. Take afternoon tea in the second-floor Crystal Lounge or have an expertly made Bloody Mary at the St Regis Bar. Villa Toscana offers Italian, but the best here is seafood restaurant Catch.
Address: The St Regis, Corniche, Nation Towers, 1st St, Al Bateen
Emirates Palace Mandarin OrientalhotelEmirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Even the most seasoned luxury traveller will be awestruck by the sheer size and opulence of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. Amid 14,000 square metres of land, the two-kilometre stretch of private beach and lush gardens, trees and greenery make the desert seem very far away indeed. You will get your steps in, although an army of buggies ensures guests who don’t want to walk anywhere don’t have to. Almost everything in this over-the-top venue is gold or gold-accented, from the 114 domes and famous gold-leaf cappuccinos, right down to the parking cones. Families will love the spacious suites, with double balconies, two bathrooms and a full salon, but no room in this hotel is anything less than spacious and stellar, and all are clad in restful, neutral tones. A key feature is the easy-to-use, iPad-like operating system for everything from controlling lights and curtains to ordering room service. The service here is white, white glove, if there is such a thing, and having Mandarin Oriental newly on board means even more thoughtful touches, like a pot of lip balm placed on the night stand. Afternoon tea is a huge draw for guests and outside visitors alike, and requires a booking, and you won't want to miss an Italian dinner at Talea, where the pizza tastes as though it was sent straight from Rome. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Emirates Palace has also been given a gorgeous facelift – book in for a MarocMaroc hammam treatment to ease even the most stubborn cases of jet lag. If you can bear to drag yourself away for some exploring, Qasr Al Watan, which houses Abu Dhabi’s presidential palace, Emirates Marina, Marina Mall and the Corniche are all on your doorstep.
Address: West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al Akhdar
V7 PhotographyhotelAnantara Eastern Mangroves
This is the only hotel in the city that faces onto Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove National Park, a draw for nature lovers. The trees growing in the saline coastal waters attract an assortment of wildlife, including crabs, turtles and herons; they also frame a brilliant nightly sunset that you can catch from a number of vantage points: a sea view balcony, Impressions Bar balcony or the Pool Deck, also loved by locals for its shisha scene. Anantara Eastern Mangroves attracts families and business travellers alike, and fitness fans will appreciate the adjacent 3.5km Al Gurm Corniche for walking or cycling, as well as easy access to paddle board or kayak rentals. Inside, 222 rooms and suites, each with a sea or city view balcony, feature cream accents, natural wood furnishings and deep bathtubs. There are three main dining outlets, and breakfast at Ingredients is top-notch, offering a wide selection of global food choices: think omelette bar, foul medames station and Congi and fried rice. For dinner, the best bet is Paychalen, an upscale Thai eatery offering a solid selection of curries, and steamed and fried dishes.
Address: Al Salam Street, Al Kheeran, Eastern Mangroves
Victor RomerohotelConrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers has one of the most beautiful lobbies in the capital: pause to take in the five massive Swarovski-encrusted globes that form a one-of-a-kind lighting feature suspended from the ceiling, or better yet, take afternoon tea seated under them. The rooms are spacious but a bit fanciful, with neutral leaf-motive carpeting, pillows and wall coverings, offset with mirroring and splashes of green, pink or striped upholstery. The upper floors of this 69-storey hotel offer sweeping views of the city but to really take them in, pay a visit to Ray’s Bar on level 62. The elevators wow, too, each covered in swirling agate that makes for the perfect selfie backdrop. This is a city hotel, connected to the luxury boutiques at Avenue at Etihad Towers and steps from important landmarks like Qasr Al Watan, Emirates Palace and the Corniche. As it faces onto a canal with construction ongoing in the area, the beach currently leaves something to be desired. The dozens of dining options go some way in compensating, though, particularly the cosy new addition of Spanish tapas with José by Pizarro. Order the Tortilla de Patata, a Spanish omelette with potatoes and caramelised onion, followed by a Basque cheesecake tart with strawberries.
Address: Corniche Road, Al Bateen
Courtesy Viceroy Hotels and ResortshotelW Abu Dhabi Yas Island
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is all about the fun. It’s built over a Formula One track, for starters, and is instantly recognisable thanks to its futuristic grid-like covering, which lights up at night with 5,800 programmable LED luminaires. Note the historic motifs-as-decor, including fish nets, reception desks shaped like oil drops, and the repetitive spin on the pearl diver’s nose clip, called an al fitam. Roaring cars can be heard throughout due to year-round race-related activities at Yas Circuit, and for fans of all things flash, the super yachts docked at Yas Marina make a great backdrop. Rooms are decorated in black, white or chrome, with sleek, curved and modern furnishings, from the toilets to the desks. There are three dining options, but don’t let that fool you: the capacious Garage is actually multiple restaurants in one, offering a Mezzo bar, Meat Vault, Tart Van, Steam Table and Peruvian fusion with Nikkei House. Yas Island is located 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi's downtown, but has become a destination in itself, harbouring some of the emirate’s top attractions, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld – all just steps or short taxi rides from the W.
Address: Yas Island
SenolbobohotelRixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
When it opened in 2019, the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island was the first all-inclusive five-star hotel in the capital. The Turkish brand is all about visible opulence, from massive archways to a mind-boggling array of increasingly fantastical chandeliers. The vibe here is lively from breakfast buffet to beach. In one walk you might see a cycling or trampoline class, waiters serving trays of drinks while performing impossible manoeuvres on in-line skates, and Gucci-clad influencers clamouring for the perfect Instagram shot. This hotel manages to be both healthy and hedonistic, with a full day of fitness classes and Prosecco on free-flow. There are 12 villas and 278 rooms, with some ground-floor versions offering semi-private pools shared with a neighbour – a bit awkward if you both decide to take a dip. The Rixy Kids' Club offers a water park, cinema, disco, painting and baking classes. There are 10 restaurants to choose from, each requiring pre-booking, and offering every kind of food you can imagine. More of everything is the unspoken motto across this hotel, and nowhere is this more evident than at the breakfast buffet in Turquoise.
Address: Al Saadiyat Island East
Courtesy The St. Regis Saadiyat Island ResorthotelThe St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
The St Regis Saadiyat Island is one of the most beautiful resorts in the city, with stellar dining options, a glorious private beach and unobstructed views of the open sea. There is a strong family scene here, with the Sandcastle Kids' Club and two dedicated pools, as well as outdoor and indoor lap pools, and the next-level Athletic Club. Rooms are decorated in classic neutrals, accented with gold and turquoise to mirror the colour of the sea, and with gorgeous deep bathtubs that are well worth 30 minutes of your time. Dine at Mazi, one of the city’s only Greek restaurants, go for an evening beach vibe with sushi and relaxing beats at Buddha Bar, and enjoy breakfast or brunch at Olea. Iridium is one of the top spas in Abu Dhabi, with a signature four-hands massage that combines Balinese, Swedish, Lomi-Lomi, Thai and aromatherapy.
Address: Al Saadiyat Island East
Courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts/Photo by Paul ThuysbaerthotelFour Seasons at Al Maryah Island
The Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is perfect for a city stay. It has a strategic location on Al Maryah Island, indoor connection to the luxury-meets-high street Galleria Mall, a waterfront walkway, and some of the liveliest dining options in the city. Situated in the heart of the city’s business district, this is a place for striking deals and being seen, so little wonder Al Meylas Afternoon Tea Lounge, just off the lobby, is known as the “living room of Abu Dhabi”. The 200 rooms in the 34-storey hotel offer excellent water and city views, but are more compact than those further out of the city and none have terraces. Butcher & Still is an upscale, classic American steakhouse with a prohibition-era vibe (if you ask, someone might show you the actual, secret speakeasy) and 99 Sushi Bar Abu Dhabi was one of just three venues to secure a star when the Michelin Guide revealed its first selection in the capital in late 2022.
Address: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island
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Courtesy Park Hyatt Saadiyat IslandhotelPark Hyatt Saadiyat Island
The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi was the first hotel to open on Saadiyat Island in 2011, offering guests a pristine private beach and then-rare views of the open ocean. Today, it remains one of the capital's most sought-after destinations, offering a contemporary, neutral design spiced up with tasteful Arabian touches. This resort is best-known for its swimming pools – there are four in total, including the largest infinity pool in the capital, lined with towering palm trees. During the winter months, the wellness-themed rooftop Shala Lounge might just be the best spot in Abu Dhabi for sundowners, not to mention a great selection of flatbreads, dips and expertly crafted cocktails. Make time for Argentinian-Lebanese fusion at Mate, and be sure to add a cup of the grassy national namesake beverage and some old-world empanadas to your order.
Address: Al Saadiyat Island East
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Paul ThuysbaerthotelThe Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal is a sprawling Renaissance-inspired retreat with a private beach and 57 acres of lush grounds set against the impressive backdrop of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Everything here is both understated and outsized. Decorated in pleasing neutral tones and natural wood, the 447 rooms (there are also 85 villas of varying sizes) are housed in 10 Venetian-inspired buildings curving around the 1,580-square-metre pool, which, along with the Ritz Kids' Club, serves as a huge draw for families. The hotel has some of the capital’s best food and beverage options, too, with eight options to try. The hand-pulled noodles at Li Jiang are a standout, best eaten outside in full view of the Grand Mosque, if weather permits. If you have the chance, duck into Sorso Bar for a well-crafted cocktail or take in one of the city’s liveliest and most lavish Saturday brunches at Giornotte.
Address: Khor Al Maqta'a, Al Rawdah