The alternative to glitzy Dubai is just the spot for understated winter sun
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is often overshadowed by flashier Dubai. But this gleaming metropolis holds its own in the swanky stakes, proving glamorous and gorgeous in its own slightly more sophisticated way.
The best hotels in Abu Dhabi span sky-piercing glass towers, quiet island retreats, desert playgrounds, and family-loving beachfront resorts. It’s one of those incredible coastal cities that seems to have it all, yet is completely different from the likes of Miami and Los Angeles. And with Abu Dhabi, it's all within a seven-hour flight from the UK and only a three-hour time difference to contend with.
It’s a relatively compact city spread across 200 islands, but a handful of islands claim the lion’s share of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi. Think of Yas Island as the city’s playground. Here, you’ll find Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Brothers Studios, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, with W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island standing out as our favourite hotel in the vicinity.
Those looking for a proper beach break should look no further than the beachfront neighbourhood of Saadiyat Island and weigh up two of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi for beach access – St Regis Saadiyat Island and Jumeirah Saadiyat Island. For something that has a feeling of less urban and more far-flung, Nurai Island has an almost Maldives-like setting in the Arabian Gulf.
High-end Al Maryah Island is home to the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi and Rosewood Abu Dhabi, both connected to The Galleria, a luxury mall. Both options make for a sophisticated adults-only break, with shopping, spas, and world-class dining taking centre stage in this pocket of the city.
The best hotels in Abu Dhabi are plentiful, where you’ll deliberate over whether the traditional architecture of the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental or the avant-garde design of Andaz Capital Gate is more your vibe. If you’re bewildered by the choice, help is at hand — read on while we bring the top contenders to you.
Whether you're in search of a winter sun spot for the whole family or a super-luxe, unforgettable hotel for a couples' escape, we've got you covered with our pick of top Abu Dhabi hotels.
Best for exquisite luxury: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Those searching for somewhere opulent and ultra-luxe in Abu Dhabi can call off the search — Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental claims this crown. This sumptuous hotel resides in an Arabian-style palace, unlike others ensconced in gleaming skyscrapers. It’s on a pristine stretch of private beach where you can relax and be waited upon at the beach club or try kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and wakeboarding. If the Abu Dhabi sun gets too much, slip away to the spa, perhaps for the 90-minute Digital Wellness Escape that addresses the stresses and strains our online lives leave us with.
While there are 14 restaurant choices that take you around the world and include a twinkling of Michelin stars in their midst, don’t miss Episodes, an elegant patisserie beneath blush-pink cherry blossoms for an exquisite afternoon tea. After sun-drenched days, immaculate rooms await, finished in peacock blue and muted gold with pinchable Diptyque amenities and access to round-the-clock butler service.
Best for thrill seekers: W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
If the thrills of Abu Dhabi appeal, then the fabulous W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island should be on your radar. The dazzling exterior has an absolute wow factor and looks over the Formula 1 racetrack, but it offers so much more than impressive design alone. It's a top choice for families as you’re within easy reach of the world’s largest indoor theme park, Warner Brothers’ Studio, plus Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World. After exciting days out on Yas Island, the kids will love a refreshing dip back at the W – head to the SUN Deck, bag a daybed and order light bites, cocktails, and mocktails. For dinner, a handful of restaurants will vie for your attention, including a family-friendly Italian and an eclectic mix of dining options at Garage, from a fun street food van offering irresistible sweet treats to the Nikkei House serving Peruvian flavours.
While almost everything about W Abu Dhabi is eye-popping and vibrant, the 499 rooms are muted, elegant spaces that feel calm, fresh, and airy. Each has a balcony, and rooms with a water view are ideal if you fancy watching the super yachts coming and going.
Best for high-end shopping trips: Rosewood Abu Dhabi
The glossy Rosewood Abu Dhabi towers over upmarket Al Maryah Island, which is home to the huge Galleria mall (to which the hotel has direct access) and is perfect if you’ve got your sights set on indulging in Abu Dhabi’s fabulous shopping. The Galleria has over 400 shops, including Dior, Chanel, and Hermés.
Back at the hotel, there’s a serene pool to relax beside with a view of the Abu Dhabi skyline. Or soothe your weary limbs at Sense Spa, spending an hour or two in the purifying Moroccan herbal Hammam in a treatment that includes eucalyptus black soap, a detoxifying full body wrap, and a body mask. You’ll be prepped and ready to enjoy an evening exploring the sophisticated bars and restaurants – perhaps the chic BB Social Dining from Michelin-starred chef Victoria Blamey or the exceptional Cantonese Dai Pai Dong beneath glowing scarlet lanterns. Afterwards, search out The Dragon’s Tooth Bar, a moody speakeasy, or peruse the gin library in the Hidden Bar before retreating to an elegant and contemporary guestroom.
Best for a luxury beach break: St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Saadiyat Island is the place to know when you’re eyeing Abu Dhabi for a beach-meets-city holiday. Of the handful of luxury hotels in Dubai on Saadiyat Island, the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort has to be our favourite. The hotel overlooks a wide stretch of immaculate white sand and has everything you would expect from a fancy beach resort: swimming pools, excellent restaurants, a spa, and a children’s club.
The service is top-notch here, and every guestroom benefits from the St Regis butler service, who, if you wish, will unpack your clothes and press anything that got wrinkled on the journey. In the morning, your butler will bring you coffee, and if you can't bear to lift a finger when you're on holiday, they'll even open your blinds to another bright sunny day in Abu Dhabi.
As much as there is to do at the hotel, you’ve got the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the cultural centre of Manarat Al Saadiyat nearby. You can ask the hotel to arrange a 90-minute guided kayaking adventure through the mangroves, spotting pink flamingos and sandpipers as you paddle.
Best for adventurers: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
Drive 90 minutes out of the city to the Empty Quarter, a vast desert with golden sands stretching for hundreds of miles. Arriving at the Arabian fortress of Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort is almost like stepping back in time if it weren’t for the super modern amenities in your guestroom. Days can be spent in a shady spot around the freeform swimming pool and luxuriating in the hotel’s Moroccan Hammam, but don’t miss dune bashing or fat biking over the sands — it’s the experiences waiting in the desert that make a stay here extra special. When night falls, the stars create a dazzling display and a sight that will stay with you long after you return home.
Best for private island feels: Nurai Island
Hop on a 15-minute boat ride from the city and find yourself a world away on Nurai Island. This private island resort is a pocket of paradise and perfect for pairing with another city-based Abu Dhabi hotel. The villas are enormous and feature private pools, but there’s plenty to tempt you out of your bubble, whether the watersports lure you onto the Arabian Gulf or the spa beckons. There’s a choice of restaurants, each different but sharing a beachy look and feel, which is a noticeable departure from the MO of most of the slick city hotels, and Nurai Island certainly makes the most of its location with al fresco terraces and waterside settings.
Best for young families: Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort
Abu Dhabi is an excellent choice for families with small children. There’s plenty to do, it’s safe and clean, and most hotels warmly welcome children. For those travelling with tots, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort is a great choice. One of the three outside pools has a gradual entry, heaven-sent for toddlers. All are serviced by poolside and swim-up bars, making Jumeirah Saadiyat Island a real contender if you’re eyeing days of pampered relaxation when the little ones over four are having fun in the Kids and Teen Club by an enthusiastic team of qualified staff. Babysitting is available for younger children.
Regroup for family dinners with options that range from a relaxed gastropub to a beachfront Italian. All the rooms have a fresh and beachy aesthetic, and the best rooms for families are the Two Bedroom Ocean Family Suites with ample space, a twin bedroom for the kids, and a balcony overlooking the beach to enjoy during naptime.
Best for understated luxe: Abu Dhabi EDITION
If you want full-on bling, neighbouring Dubai delivers this in spades. But if you love the exceedingly high standards and quality of the Emirates but want a quieter version of luxury, Abu Dhabi EDITION could be just the ticket. Sitting on the waterfront of Al Bateen Marina, this hotel has statement good looks from the outside, with fabulously sophisticated rooms within that have something of a plush residential feel that wouldn’t be out of place in New York’s Upper East Side thanks to luxurious oak panelling, herringbone floors, and Le Labo amenities.
The elegant aesthetic continues to the bars and restaurants, where the atmospheric surroundings of The Oak Room are enticing. But we especially love the Annex, a rooftop garden bar that makes the most of the views across the city.
Best for family holidays: The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
If themed hotels make you wince, relax. The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, the first Warner Bros-themed hotel in the world, is done tastefully in a way that ticks boxes for your kids with framed character prints in the rooms but is otherwise sleek and modern.
It's on Yas Island, and you can walk to two excellent attractions from the hotel — Warner Bros. World theme park and Yas Waterworld waterpark. Ferrari World, home to the world's fastest rollercoaster, is just a short drive away. While it’s not on the beach, it’s super simple to get to the sandy shores of Yas Beach, ticking a lot of must-haves off a family holiday checklist. There's a dive-in theatre for days off between explorations, so kids can watch movies while you make the most of the swim-up bar. And in true Abu Dhabi style, everything is absolutely immaculate and thoroughly impressive.
Best for a wellness break: Four Seasons Al Maryah Island
The Four Seasons Al Maryah Island is a 34-storey tower that glistens on the Abu Dhabi skyline. There’s an air of hushed sophistication here, perfect for an indulgent city break. You can access a high-end mall, The Galleria, directly from the hotel, and you’re totally spoiled with world-class restaurants, including a fabulous Italian option, Café Milano, and a 1920s-style Chicago steakhouse, Butcher & Still.
We love this hotel for the chance for some proper me-time. The spa is exceptional at Four Seasons Al Maryah Island. Alongside all the traditional treatments, you can try Ballabaci cupping therapies and treatments that draw on local ingredients, such as Arabian Oud. Post-treatment, there is a large hydro pool, sauna, hammam, and gently warmed lounge chairs facing out over the water. Finish a day of pampering by perusing a healthy menu of sashimi and sushi with a view over Abu Dhabi in the Eclipse Terrace Lounge.
Best for city views: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Rising 74 floors above Abu Dhabi, you’ll get some impressive panoramas from the observation deck at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. It’s not the only thing to spoil you, though – there are 12 restaurants here, including a SUSHISAMBA. If you can’t get enough of the views, make reservations at Ray’s Grill on the hotel’s 63rd floor, where you can order chateaubriand to share or order a Wagyu all your own.
While the tower gives off distinctly urban vibes, don't be fooled into thinking this is a pure city break option - this glossy masterpiece has three swimming pools and its own private beach to boot.
Best for a peaceful break: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
The size of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi belies its serenity. While there are over 300 rooms and four restaurants, the hotel has a peaceful feeling that makes it perfect for a relaxing beach break. Spend your days around the pools (there are five, including one of the largest in Abu Dhabi), or if you can bear to retreat from the glorious sunshine, there’s a pampering spa.
The rooms are sleek and elegant, providing a cooling retreat from the sunshine. If you plump for a water-facing room, you can slide back vast glass doors to reveal a sea view. Don't overlook the villas, though - they all have private pools, making them an ideal option for the ultimate peace-and-quiet escape.
If and when you’re ready to stretch your legs, you’re only a few miles from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, where, just like its Parisian counterpart, is ensconced in remarkable architecture.
Best for a sophisticated all-inclusive: Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
In a striking pink arch with turquoise accents, Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi embodies the Emirates’ penchant for glitz and glam. The soaring lobby, with shimmering peacock and violet hues, will take your breath away before you even catch sight of the pools and beaches, and the colourful kids' club makes this another solid option for family holidays.
You don’t have to go all-inclusive, particularly if you want to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s fabulous restaurant scene, but as all-inclusive hotels go, this is among the best. The hotel's Italian restaurant and steakhouse are the standout options to keep you lingering.
Best for escapism: Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Abu Dhabi isn’t just about the city and beach; there’s also an incredible desert to discover. And while most of the hotels in the capital can arrange day trips, there’s nothing quite like staying amid the stillness and starry skies of the Arabian desert. Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa reveals a different side to Abu Dhabi – although you can still expect a large swimming pool, a beautiful spa, and a choice of delectable dining like its urban counterparts.
Go horse or camel riding over the dunes or see the wetlands where 4,000 flamingos call home – days here are best spent beneath wide-open skies. Then, a haven of splendour waits to welcome you back, where guestrooms feel distinctly modern despite the fabulous traditional design, art, and Arabesque accents.
Best for art and design lovers: Andaz Capital Gate
The startling architecture alone is enough to make you want to stay at Andaz Capital Gate. The hotel is within the phenomenal Capital Gate building, often called the Leaning Tower of Abu Dhabi, tilting 18 degrees. Dazzling looks continue inside, with a striking glass installation in the Andaz Lounge, a tsunami of peacock and teal tones in the Cyan Brasserie (where French cuisine and Arab flavours collide), and an overall aversion to anything considered neutral or monochrome. The same va va voom is found on the 19th-floor pool deck, with views that will take your breath away. The hotel’s commitment to art and design isn’t surface-deep – a gallery, 165 Below, displays the work of emerging Emirati artists.
Looking for more winter sun ideas?
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