Abu Dhabi is a popular destination right next to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and travelers are excited about it. While Dubai is known for shopping and dining, Abu Dhabi is gaining a reputation as the “cultural Emirate” because of its amazing art and architecture. People love visiting the impressive Louvre Abu Dhabi and the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Even though Abu Dhabi is relatively new, there are so many things to do and see there. The hotels in Abu Dhabi are incredibly stylish and luxurious, and many of them are located right on the beautiful beaches of the Arabian Gulf. In this post, you can discover the best luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi.
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1. Emirates Palace Hotel
Address: West Corniche, F869C3J Abu Dhabi
If you love luxury and enjoy staying in grand castles or chateaus, then the Emirates Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi is perfect for you. This top-notch five-star hotel, managed by Kempinski, a renowned luxury hotelier from Germany, offers all the upscale features and amenities that luxury travelers love.
Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace Hotel is conveniently close to popular attractions like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. It’s also near the Marina Mall and other fantastic shopping destinations.
The hotel makes guests feel like they’re in a real Arabian palace! With 394 beautifully furnished and spacious accommodations, starting from 600 square feet in size, you’ll feel like royalty. The suites are especially grand and impressive.
Emirates Palace Hotel is a haven for food lovers, with its wide selection of restaurants, cafes, and lounges catering to every taste. You can enjoy Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Lebanese cuisine. The hotel’s afternoon tea is renowned as the best in Abu Dhabi.
If relaxation is what you seek, Emirates Palace offers a breathtaking 16,000-square-foot spa where you can indulge in various global treatments. They even have a marble hammam steam room and an ice cave for a unique experience. The hotel also has a sandy beach, two swimming pools, two Technogym fitness centers, a range of water sports activities, a kids’ club, and even a thrilling camelback Bedouin adventure.
2. St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Address: Nation Towers, Corniche, PO Box 60476 Abu Dhabi
As you enter the building, a palatial lobby full of glamor awaits you. This remarkable building offers one of the best views of the Arabian Sea in the city.
All rooms offer a luxurious experience for the guests. The accommodations are light, airy, and spacious. The home has numerous amenities that put the visitor in relaxation mode. The Remede Spa offers massages, a hammam, a sauna, and a jacuzzi. When guests need more time to relax, they can take advantage of the private beach, outdoor pool, fitness center, and nine restaurants and bars.
Highlights at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi are the outstanding service, the relaxing spa, and the tasty buffet.
3. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Address: Between The Bridges, Khor Maqta, Abu Dhabi
If one of the reasons you’re visiting Abu Dhabi is to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque up close, this luxury hotel is a great choice. Many rooms offer breathtaking views of the mosque. The hotel is very modern and has advanced technology, but it also reflects the rich Arabian culture and heritage. Plus, it’s located just steps away from the beautiful Arabian Gulf.
The hotel’s design is impressive and will leave you amazed. The grand lobby is filled with stunning lights, and there’s a lovely pool oasis with palm trees that create a relaxing atmosphere. Some guests are so captivated by the pool that they don’t even take advantage of the hotel’s free shuttle to explore Abu Dhabi’s attractions. Fitness enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the hotel has an Olympic-size pool for swimming.
The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr offers 369 stylish and luxurious rooms and suites. The bathrooms are like a spa, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provide incredible views of the city, sea, and sky. When it comes to dining, the hotel has two restaurants managed by the famous British celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. There’s also CuiScene, Café Sushi, and a tea lounge where you can enjoy a variety of delicious meals and drinks.
4. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Address: Khor Al Maqta’a, Abu Dhabi
Luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi often resemble grand Arabian palaces or magnificent high-rise buildings. One notable example is The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, which stands out with its unique concept. This beautiful urban resort is designed to resemble the city of Venice. It features a Venetian Village complete with charming footbridges over canals and even gondolas.
However, amidst its Venetian-inspired ambiance, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal never lets you forget that you’re in one of the world’s most modern and forward-thinking cities. The resort offers a variety of experiences for guests to enjoy, including a stunning powder-sand beach along the Arabian Gulf, a spacious 17,000-square-foot pool, a Bedouin-themed ESPA for relaxation, and an array of restaurants serving Chinese, steak, Italian, and Arabian cuisine.
With a total of 532 spacious accommodations, ranging from sunny rooms and suites to luxurious two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools, the resort caters to various preferences. Guests even have the option to stay in the Venetian Village complex, where they can glide along the canals on a gondola. It’s no wonder visitors find it hard to leave this resort, as it offers everything one could desire. However, when they do venture out, they’ll find themselves just moments away from Abu Dhabi’s must-see attractions, including the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The Ritz-Carlton brand is renowned for its exceptional service, with staff members making an effort to know and cater to each guest. The resort also features lavish club-floor lounges, which uphold the brand’s reputation. The service provided here is truly exceptional, and the penthouse Club Lounge offers club-level guests the chance to indulge in artful culinary creations while enjoying the glittering skyline of Abu Dhabi.
5. InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Address: King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street, Abu Dhabi
The InterContinental Abu Dhabi may not have the extravagant design of other five-star hotels in the city, but it offers top-notch amenities and stunning views. It’s a great value for what you get. What sets this hotel apart is that it is located on a private marina and boasts a real sand beach, unlike many other hotels in Abu Dhabi that only have pool terraces.
The hotel’s location is splendid, just off the Corniche, which is a popular boulevard for strolling and shopping in Abu Dhabi. The rooms at the InterContinental are stylish and comfortable, although they may not be overly luxurious. Each room offers a view of either the city or the Arabian Gulf. The suites are spacious and feature spa-like bathrooms with whirlpool tubs.
When it comes to dining, the InterContinental offers a variety of cuisines that are not commonly found in Abu Dhabi. You can enjoy Brazilian rodizio with roasted meats on skewers, indulge in Belgian specialties like waffles and beef stew at the Belgian café, or savor Pan-Asian flavors with Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes at the Pan-Asian kitchen. The Byblos restaurant, overlooking the marina, serves delicious Beirut-style specialties such as roast lamb, refreshing mint-strewn salad, and silky hummus.
6. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Address: Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a peaceful and beautiful resort located on the pristine Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi. It is surrounded by the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for beach and golf enthusiasts.
At this resort, you can embrace a laid-back lifestyle and enjoy activities like swimming, kayaking, and basking in the sun. The hotel also features a tranquil spa, a large landscaped pool, and an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player for those looking to improve their golfing skills. Every room and villa at the resort offers a balcony or terrace with stunning views of the beach, pools, or tropical gardens. You’ll feel truly connected to nature, even when dining at the resort’s elegant steakhouse, Mediterranean restaurant, or Middle Eastern cafe. Guests often describe the experience as being in harmony with the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf and the warm sun of Abu Dhabi.
Despite the peaceful surroundings, Abu Dhabi’s extravagant cultural attractions are just a short distance away. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, as well as the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, are located on the island and can be reached within minutes.
7. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Address: Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island stands out in several unique ways. This futuristic hotel has an eye-catching LED spiderweb canopy that illuminates different colors and creates a cool ambiance, especially at night. It almost feels like there’s a hidden nightclub inside the canopy. What makes this hotel even more special is its location directly above a Formula 1 track, making it just as famous as the track itself.
With 499 rooms, this is a large hotel offering stunning views of the track or the marina filled with yachts. The W Abu Dhabi is popular among millennials and young families who appreciate its modern and tech-focused design, along with its lively atmosphere and background music. Active visitors will also love the hotel’s prime location on Yas Island, which is known for its sporting attractions such as Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World (with its thrilling roller coasters), championship golf courses, and amazing scuba-diving spots with crystal-clear waters.
Inside the hotel, you’ll find a cool and trendy vibe, with over a dozen dining and drinking options to choose from. There’s also a spa for relaxation, two rooftop pools for taking a dip, and various social areas including an electronic library and cozy nooks in the lobby. And of course, the hotel has a fantastic beach for guests to enjoy.
8. Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Address: Al Maryah Island – 41184, Al Maryah Island, 41184 Abu Dhabi
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has gained recognition in the luxury travel world for its sophisticated style. The Rosewood Abu Dhabi is particularly appealing to discerning visitors who appreciate top-notch service and a five-star experience. Located in a modern 34-story tower in the Al Maryah district, the hotel offers stunning views of the city and the sparkling Arabian Gulf.
The 189 guest rooms and suites at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi exude an atmosphere of luxury, featuring tasteful touches of natural wood and indulgent bathrooms with both a soaking tub and a walk-in rainfall shower. The hotel’s dining options have garnered a reputation of their own, attracting both locals and non-guests. Highlights include a lavish Chinese restaurant, an elegant lounge offering delightful afternoon tea, and a restaurant specializing in authentic Lebanese cuisine. The Rosewood also boasts bars dedicated to wine, cigars, and craft cocktails, ensuring guests can indulge in their preferred drinks. Shopaholics will be pleased to find that the Abu Dhabi Mall and The Galleria are just moments away.
As expected from a hotel of this caliber, the spa is exquisitely designed, the gym is open 24 hours, and the private sandy beach offers a tranquil retreat. The thoughtful touch of heating the outdoor pool in winter and cooling it in summer ensures guests can enjoy a refreshing swim year-round.
9. Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi
If you’re looking to combine a city vacation with a beach getaway, the Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi is the perfect choice. This remarkable hotel is made of dazzling white stone that shines like gold in the sunlight and is situated in a seafront neighborhood reminiscent of Venice, complete with charming canals.
At the Shangri-La, you’ll be surrounded by a peaceful aquatic paradise, always within reach of the sparkling waters. Every one of the hotel’s 213 guest rooms and suites, along with 161 residential apartments, offers a breathtaking view of the water. On the Arabian Gulf side of the hotel, you’ll find one of Abu Dhabi’s largest beaches, stretching over half a mile and furnished with comfortable sunbeds and loungers. There are also two pools nestled among palm trees that provide a picturesque view of downtown, and guests can enjoy a lap pool at the well-equipped fitness center. Children have their pool and playground to keep them entertained. For a rejuvenating experience, the hotel’s Chi Spa features an Arabian-inspired spa with a marble hammam steam lounge and invigorating hydrotherapy treatments.
Exploring the property is made even more enjoyable with Emirati gondolas called abras, which swiftly transport guests to the hotel’s renowned restaurants offering delicious French, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine.
10. Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
Address: 128555 Sheikh Zayed Street Abu Dhabi, 128555 Abu Dhabi
The Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel is located in the serene Eastern Mangroves District, a protected aquatic forest in Abu Dhabi. Guests will feel as if they have escaped to a remote tropical island, surrounded by vibrant marine life and the enchanting songs of exotic birds. Despite its natural setting, the hotel is conveniently situated just 10 minutes away from the city center and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s airport.
With 222 spacious rooms and suites, starting at over 600 square feet, the hotel offers ample space for relaxation. The rooms feature a contemporary and comfortable design, with subtle elements of classic Arabian style. Each room includes a balcony that provides breathtaking views of the mangrove lagoon or the city skyline. Some accommodations even have private plunge pools. While the hotel doesn’t have a beach due to the protection of the mangrove forest, guests can enjoy wildlife spotting while kayaking through the forest—an unforgettable experience.
The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, Ingredients, is a popular dining destination in Abu Dhabi. It serves a variety of culinary specialties from around the world. Guests rave about the fresh and light Arabian mezze appetizers, Indonesian satays, and the sushi bar. As the parent brand of the hotel, Anantara, is based in Bangkok, guests can also enjoy an authentic Thai restaurant on the property. The Anantara Spa features a luxurious marble hammam and a Turkish steam room. Visitors to the spa can indulge in fragrant desert-inspired treatments as well as invigorating Thai massages. Spa packages are available, offering multiple treatments for hours of blissful relaxation.
