St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Located on the island that gives the resort its name. Saadiyat is set to be home to the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, although these have yet to open. Seven minutes from the city centre, this Mediterranean-style hotel is more of a beach resort than a city pad, with contemporary décor and ocean views. There are three outdoor pools, a stretch of private beach dusted with fine, white sand, and golfing aficionados can tee off at the Gary Player-designed Championship Course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi
Another island option, the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is the only five-star accommodation choice on Yas Island, touted to be Abu Dhabi’s up-and-coming leisure and entertainment district, situated midway between Abu Dhabi and the airport.
There can’t be many hotels that boast a Formula One course wrapped around the façade and if that doesn’t provide enough thrills, Ferrari World theme park, Yas Waterworld and Yas Marina Circuit are all nearby, offering thrills aplenty.
The large-scale hotel has a striking LED canopy that cycles through a series of colours at night, while cooling the hotel during the day, which provides an uber-cool backdrop for the open-air Skylite rooftop lounge.
Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri
The Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri sits a stretch of the water away from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the prime rooms featuring views of the edifice with its impressive spires stretching into the sky.
Full of warm tones and organic textures, the hotel has a definite Arabian influence – think rich opulence on a grand scale. The complex includes an Arabian souk (market) selling traditional artefacts, paintings, jewellery and clothes.
The different areas are connected by a winding waterway complete with abras (traditional boats) to whisk you through the verdant gardens. The hotel’s French restaurant, Bord Eau, is superb.
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