SD › Abu Dhabi Best Hotels
Updated: February 15, 2021
By Santorini Dave
The 12 Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi
1. Royal M Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi
Hotel phone: +971-277-71000
This huge and regal yet agreeably compact resort juts out into the bay, so most rooms offer terrific views of the sea (but no beach). Cabanas seem to hover over the massive infinity pool, while the other world-class amenities include a particularly impressive ‘wellness and fitness center’ and a private island with another pool. The pleasingly spacious rooms and suites (all large enough for families of four) feature stand-alone bathtubs and floor-to-ceiling windows – some with sizable balconies, too. Yet all this serenity and spaciousness doesn’t mean isolation: it’s within a few minutes’ walk of a marina lined with café/bars, and a short taxi trip to downtown and inner-city attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
2. The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Hotel phone: 971-220-80000
Finished in 2019, one massive building of rooms connects by an extraordinary walkway across an upper floor to another even larger annex of self-contained apartments (with up to three bedrooms). The undeniable flair of this Marriott-operated hotel extends to the themed restaurant/bars, triple-level nightclub, lobby with pool table, and shady pools. All categories of accommodations are generously sized and many can easily accommodate families of four. Facing a marina lined with cafés, bars, and other useful facilities, it’s only a short taxi trip from downtown and inner-city attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
3. Bab Al Qasr Hotel
Hotel phone: +971-220-53000
The glistening golden exterior and lobby with paintings, rugs, and fountains are immediately striking. The extensive grounds include a substantial infinity pool, and even more sunbeds are scattered along the beach with rows of palms resembling a desert oasis. The wide range of accommodations includes spacious apartments (with full-sized kitchens, washing machines, and separate living areas) that are ideal for families and long-stayers. Just a short taxi trip from downtown and inner-city attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
4. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Hotel phone: +971-281-15555
Part of an international chain of extremely opulent hotels, this occupies one in a cluster of five glistening skyscrapers. With so much glass, everything is particularly bright and airy, and views are outstanding – although sometimes unobstructed by the other towers with residences and boutiques. The rooms and suites provide a lot of color and personality, some comfortably accommodate families of four, and every balcony is substantial. What’s more, the pool provides plenty of shade (partly courtesy of the hotel design), the beach offers calm blue water and glistening white sand, and all the other amenities are first-class. Only a short taxi trip from downtown and inner-city attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
5. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
Hotel phone: +971-281-37777
Stretching one block from (virtually) the esplanade to a suburban street of shops and restaurants, the Sofitel is truly colossal, yet somehow maintains genuine charm, and is fashionable without being overly chic. The outdoor pool is massive and additional surprises are the abundance of art in the lobby areas, friendly staff which greets guests with a hearty bonjour, and free shuttle buses to the beaches and malls. Because the buildings are so high and clustered together, views vary considerably, so choose carefully if that matters. All accommodations are superb and some suites have access to personal butlers.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
6. Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
Hotel phone: +971-251-01234
Squeezed between two equally opulent competitors – the atmospheric Bab Al Qasr and the imposing Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers – the ultra-chic style across the Grand Hyatt is immediately evident from the chrome seating and curved wall in the lobby. The rooms, suites, and fully-equipped apartments aren’t as fashionable, but are certainly functional, spacious, and comfortable. They also feature colors and a panache rarely seen elsewhere, and most offer inspiring views from the balconies and full-length windows. The infinity pool is substantial enough to feature ‘islands’ with palms. The hotel is next to the super-swish boutiques at Etihad Towers and a short taxi trip from downtown and inner-city attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
7. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Hotel phone: +971-267-73333
Infinitely more appealing than the usual high-rise hotels, the Sheraton’s ‘mud-brick’ desert-style design and Arabian décor and vibe throughout are magnificent – and very uncommon. Amenities include eleven places to eat/drink, a state-of-the-art gym, pool encircled by palms, and ‘lagoon’ with calm water and powdery sand. There are thirty-five types of rooms and suites, and the location is terrific: a couple of minutes from the corniche (esplanade) and flanked by rare parks, while free shuttle buses take guests to the malls.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
8. Jannah Burj Al Sarab
Hotel phone: +971-569-967770
Easily identifiable by its gleaming glass exterior, the Jannah is within a bustling residential area close to the corniche (esplanade) in the city center. It offers the sort of amenities expected at a four-star hotel – rooftop pool (although small), decent-sized fitness center with superb views, and separate men’s and women’s jacuzzis. Most rooms, which feature rain showers, bathtubs, and wood paneling, are as good as those offered at five-star hotels. Even more impressive are the rates: as low as those at a three-star.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
9. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi
Hotel phone: +971-267-42020
Pleasingly compact, the world-class amenities at Le Royal Meridien include five eateries (and another that revolves on the rooftop), a health club with an indoor pool, and a massive outdoor pool with gardens. With a lobby full of statues and an angular-designed café, the hotel is unashamedly chic throughout, while the rooms and suites (with up to three bedrooms) also feature dazzling colors – as well as unobstructed views of the esplanade and beyond. It’s in a pleasant downtown area one block from the sea (but no beach) and surrounded by places to spend more money.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
10. InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Hotel phone: +971-266-66888
While Abu Dhabi is very flat and extremely arid, the InterContinental actually stands on a (slight) hill and is surprisingly surrounded by vast lawns; it also backs onto a modest beach and attractive marina flanked with cafés and bars. The rooms and suites are sizable and more fashionable than the bland exterior might suggest, and with its elevated position in an area not overbuilt, all views are expansive. The sparkling pool features a swim-up bar – and with a splash area for children and decent kids club offering several activities, the InterContinental is ideal for families. Downtown and the inner-city attractions are only a short taxi trip.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
11. Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
Hotel phone: +971-265-70000
This epitomizes modern-day Abu Dhabi: very stylish and ideal for business people, yet also a vast resort facing the sea and staggeringly popular with families. Within several massive wings are a range of very comfortable rooms and fully-equipped suites with one or two bedrooms – and most accommodations are angled towards the water. The pool is enormous and the beach offers powdery sand and soothing water. And it’s so well designed for families – from the kids club and special children’s pool to the playground and fun activities for all. Yet it’s only a short taxi trip from downtown and various attractions.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
12. Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche
Hotel phone: +971-240-19000
On a corner with few other high-rises nearby, the Ramada is in a pleasant residential area close to the corniche (esplanade), surrounded by places to eat, and opposite the sizable Heritage Park (a rare bit of greenery). Rooms are cheery, comfortable, spacious enough for at least three, and, above all, well-priced. What’s more, guests rave about the helpful staff. With amenities that include a fitness center, jacuzzi, and pool on the rooftop terrace, the Ramada is a great midrange option at low-end prices.
• Hotel website • Check prices on Booking.com
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