As the capital and second-most populated city of the United Arab Emirates after Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a vibrant, highly-cosmopolitan destination that offers travelers a wealth of memorable experiences. Spend a day at Masdar City, the world’s most sustainable urban hub; take in the awe-inspiring Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Arab World’s first universal museum, in Abu Dhabi’s cultural district; or step into Arabian grandeur at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Discover Al Ain, a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the world’s earliest, most historic inhabited communities, with seven oases and several magnificent forts. Journey inland to the Al Dhafra Region and explore the dunes of Rub’ al Khali, the world’s biggest continuous sand mass, in the midst of Abu Dhabi’s most spectacular and breathtaking natural landscapes. Visit the Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island, and marvel at the sanctuary’s array of free-roaming animals, whether from the convenience of the viewing platform or on board a rugged 4X4 vehicle. From its natural islands and shifting sand dunes to its many luxury lifestyle centers and awe-inspiring architecture, the emirate has something for everyone. And, as one would expect of such a chic city, luxury hotels abound in Abu Dhabi.
#1. Emirates Palace
As far as luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi go, the Emirates Palace is arguably the most iconic of them all. With 114 domes, 300 fountains, more than 1,000 Swarovski chandeliers, and thousands of meters worth of gold leaf and marble comprising its overall design aesthetic, this palatial beachside resort is luxury at its most grandest and most opulent.
Guests can expect no less than the utmost in pampering and the finest Arabian hospitality throughout their stay at the Emirates Palace. The resort houses 394 residences, inclusive of 92 suites and 22 residential suites, all of which are expansive in size and lavishly-appointed to the highest level of comfort and luxurious Arabian design. Guestrooms feature stunning garden, city, or sea views.
The resort showcases beautiful gardens, an ultra-luxe spa, two temperature-controlled swimming pools, a kids’ club, a pristine private beach and a private marina, as well as eight onsite dining outlets offering an array of exquisite international cuisine from world-renowned chefs.
Owing to its ideal location in the center of the city, many of Abu Dhabi’s key attractions—like cultural and heritage sites—are minutes from the Emirates Palace. The Marina Mall and other major shopping destinations are within walking distance.
#2. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
Located 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, in the Empty Quarter, Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara is a luxurious oasis rising from the stunning sand dune showcase of Rub’ al Khali. This secluded, ultra-luxurious resort houses 140 rooms, 14 suites and 51 pool villas; posh sanctuaries with stunning sand dunes views.
Each room is lavishly appointed in exotic and captivating Arabian design and features indoor and outdoor space of 45–50 sqm, exquisite desert panoramas, and a sun terrace, garden terrace, or balcony with wraparound sun seats.
Dining at the Qasr Al Sarab is an upscale affair, with an array of options for the most discerning gourmand. Al Waha serves international breakfast buffet; Suhail offers a rooftop lounge and high-end grill; Ghadeer features a poolside bar and Mediterranean menu; Al Liwan all-day lobby lounge offers light fare and snacks; and Naseem Pool Bar serves signature beverages and casual dining.
Bespoke desert dining and Bedouin-style dining are also available, by special arrangement. Guests looking for an adventure–packed holiday will thrill to the resort’s roster of exciting desert adventures, led by expert guides. Meanwhile, those looking for a more laidback pace can indulge in super-luxe pampering at the resort’s premier Anantara Spa.
#3. Royal Pavilion Villas by Qasr Al Sarab
The exquisite Royal Pavilion Villas are located just half a kilometer from the main resort, the Qasr Al Sarab, amidst the rolling sand dunes of the Empty Quarter.
With only ten stand-alone villas in an adults-only environment, Royal Pavilion Villas by Qasr Al Sarab affords an ultra-exclusive private getaway in a super luxurious desert sanctuary. Villas feature the finest in luxury and elegance, Arabian style.
Ochre tones, handcrafted timber furniture, and indigenous patterns transform each abode into a chic desert oasis, blending with the natural environment. At Royal Pavilion Villas, every experience is unique and personalized.
This Abu Dhabi resort for adults crafts enthralling adventures for its guests. Arrive via camel procession or by helicopter over the golden dunes. Enjoy breakfast on the patio, as dawn breaks over the dunes. Spend sunny days by the pool, with beverages delivered by your Villa Host.
Chill with shisha, poolside, under the stars after a sumptuous barbeque dinner with a personal chef. Head out into the desert on a customized adventure in the dunes. Bespoke dining is available, as well as culinary offerings at the onsite restaurants and bars. Guests may also enjoy all the facilities of the Qasr Al Sarab main hotel.
#4. Tilal Liwa H/headotel
Tilal Liwa Hotel celebrates the finest of Arabic culture and heritage, in a desert oasis of sumptuous living, warm and intuitive service, delicious authentic cuisine, and thrilling recreational activities. With its picturesque location and majestic views of Liwa Oasis and the Empty Quarter, the elegant hotel offers lavish rooms and suites, decorated in traditional Arabian style.
Located 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, Tilal Liwa Hotel is a unique gateway and posh sanctuary to both the tranquility and adventure of the world’s largest continuous stretch of sand dunes at the edge of Rub’ al Khali. Desert activities are available for the whole family; including camel rides, quad-bike rides, sand boarding, dune bashing, and evening bonfires under the desert sky.
All 111 luxuriously-appointed guest rooms and suites come with stunning views of the hotel’s beautiful Arabian gardens and pool, or of the Rub’ al Khali’s golden sands. The interior design is inspired by the desert’s hues and natural colors, with textiles and furniture complimenting the natural landscape’s textures. Pet-friendly and green eco-rooms are available.
With three restaurants and bars, plus 24-hour in-room dining, Tilal Liwa Hotel melds distinctive and inventive cuisine and beverage offerings with Bedouin customs, for an incomparable gastronomic experience.
#5. Four Seasons Hotel at Al Marya Island
The 34-story Four Seasons at Al Marya delivers an exceptional guest experience. This luxury hotel on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island is an upscale portal to the city’s art, business, shopping, and entertainment scenes.
Located in Abu Dhabi Global Market, the capital’s financial centre, and with direct access to The Galleria, Abu Dhabi’s finest luxury retail mall, Four Seasons at Al Marya offers the best of both the leisure and business worlds.
The hotel is a popular dining, wellness, and events destination in the city. It is within minutes from the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum, and its own art-inspired ethos is the perfect complement to the beautiful district. Its unique facade of vertical lines inspired by the vibrant fabrics of the souks is a breathtaking addition to the Abu Dhabi skyline. 200 elegantly-appointed, spacious, light-filled guestrooms and suites provide the ultimate in luxury and leisure, creating a tranquil setting to unwind.
With six restaurants and bars offering award-winning cuisine, from sophisticated international favorites to exquisite local specialties, dining at the hotel is a gastronomic indulgence. Facilities and amenities are equally topnotch, including The Pearl Spa & Wellness Abu Dhabi, a stunning roof deck pool area, and state-of-the art fitness center.
#6. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
This 5-star destination resort offers tranquility, minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District. Overlooking a beautiful private beach, the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, and renowned Saadiyat Beach Golf Club,The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is a showcase of luxurious leisure.
The hotel’s sophisticated hotel rooms and suites include Mediterranean-inspired architecture, modern decor, and natural materials, as well as a private balcony and complimentary St. Regis Butler service, a hallmark of the brand, available round-the-clock.
Each of the hotel’s 283 rooms and premium suites boasts spectacular views; meanwhile, the St. Regis Suite, which occupies the upper two levels of the hotel, provides guests with incredible 360° panoramas of the city.
The finest dining is available at six onsite bars and restaurants, including MAZI, the Greek restaurant’s first branch in Abu Dhabi; world-famous Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi; and the Mediterranean-inspired Olea. Sontaya showcases creative, exotic cuisine in a unique setting that includes floating pavilions and touches of mystique.
The Drawing Room serves handcrafted pastries, while Sucre offers a variety of savory snacks and Abu Dhabi Afternoon Tea. The lavish Iridium Spa, a luxury indoor lap pool, and three outdoor pools are among the hotel’s excellent facilities.
#7. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Located along the sun-kissed, immaculate shores of the island of Saadiyat, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi offers the best of both worlds.
This luxury property is in proximity to the best beaches, as well as popular nightclubs, entrainment and shopping hubs, and the capital city’s vibrant cultural areas. From relaxing on the most pristine Saadiyat coastlines, exploring the capital city and all its attractions, to adventure-filled excursions on the golden dunes of the Arabian Desert, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a luxurious launching pad to it all.
Combining old-world Arabian elegance with sleek contemporary design, the hotel is comprised of 306 spacious rooms, suites, and villas that offer the best in comfort and luxury with an upscale residential feel. Each room offers a large, open-plan bathroom with an expansive stand-alone bath tub and separate rain-shower are.
The resort’s exquisite Beach View, Garden View Suites and Villas provide visitors with a luxuriant, homey atmosphere, and have a wide patio or balcony with a private plunge pool, rain shower, and loungers overlooking the Arabian Sea, Saadiyat Beach, the Golf Club, or the resort gardens.
With a number of excellent bars, lounges, and restaurants, onsite, the hotel provides guests with an amazing dining experience.
#8. Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas
Located on a picturesque 9km stretch of immaculate white beach on Abu Dhabi’s captivating Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is a luxurious oasis in the capital city.
The five-resort exudes a royal ambiance in its remarkable modern Arabic architecture and unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf. Saadiyat is home to wonders of nature like the indigenous Hawksbill turtles, as well as to cultural attractions, like The Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum.
The resort’s 327 individually-designed rooms and suites, as well as its 13 beach villas, are a showcase of laidback luxury. Modern flair melds with easy elegance to complement the resort’s excellent beachfront location.
There are a variety of accommodations available, including Club Rotana’s Executive Rooms that feature additional amenities and personalized care. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is a dining destination like few others, with seven appetizing modern dining options that offer fresh ingredients, unique flavors, and innovative culinary experiences.
There is something to suit every guest’s taste, from Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar for Italian classics to Hamilton’s Gastropub, a lively sports bar serving brews alongside British and American classics, to Turtle Bay Bar & Grill, a stunning rooftop bar with casual dining options.
#9. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
This contemporary luxury hotel is only a 10-minute walk from the Presidential Palace and boasts a 74th-floor observation deck, three outdoor pools, a private beach, 12 award-winning restaurants and bars, and a full-service spa with 13 treatment rooms.
The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is also a popular events destination; with over 10,000 sq. ft. of event space available, onsite. The hotel soars above the capital city, affording views of the stunning cityscape, the Abu Dhabi Corniche, and the Arabian Gulf. With a total of 377 elegantly-appointed guestrooms and suites, across a variety of room types, there’s something to suit the needs of ever traveler.
All guestrooms exude a sleek contemporary aesthetic, and feature roomy bathrooms with separate bath and shower areas, as well as fully-integrated lifestyle technology. Large luxury apartments, the Residences, are also available for travelers looking for home-style accommodation.
Apartments come with a full-sized kitchen, separate living areas, one or two bathrooms, superior amenities, and breathtaking views. The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is home to an array of the finest in international gastronomy.
With 12 bars and restaurants that take diners on a food journey across the globe, dining at the hotel is an epicurean adventure.
#10. The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The Abu Dhabi EDITION is a boutique hotel in the heart of the capital city’s downtown area. With the best in bespoke service, luxurious facilities, and an inspired location adjacent to the gorgeous marina, the hotel is a favorite of business and leisure travelers, alike.
The hotel has 198 spacious rooms, premium suites, and 57 apartment-style residences with luxurious facilities such as luxuriant bedding, marble bathrooms with deep tubs, mini-bars, wide workstations, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms and suites feature balconies that afford breathtaking views of the Abu Dhabi skyline and marina.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION is home to three signature restaurants designed by celebrity chef Tom Aikens. Each restaurant is a showcase of the finest in innovative cuisine for a truly delightful culinary experience. Apart from excellent dining, the hotel boasts a number of trendy bars with signature drinks and artisanal cocktails, and a unique three-story social space.
Among the hotel’s facilities are an outdoor pool; two fully-equipped modern gyms and a fitness facility, with fitness classes and activities like rooftop yoga; and the luxurious EDITION Spa, which features traditional hammam facilities and a roster of bespoke treatments infused with customary techniques, revitalizing massages, beauty services, and various fitness activities.
#11. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi is a luxurious sanctuary in the heart of the Emirates, situated along an immaculate 1-kilometer-long private beach and surrounded by lush gardens.
Each apartment is attractively outfitted with contemporary amenities and Arabian architectural flair, and many have spectacular views of the Khor Al Maqta waterway and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
With 213 lavishly-appointed rooms and suites, 6 private villas and 160 serviced apartments, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi offers guests the utmost in comfort and luxury, throughout their stay at the hotel.
From traditional arched entrances to huge marble mosaic baths, all rooms and suites are an exquisite celebration of customary Arabian architecture, with the conveniences of modern amenities. Guestrooms include expansive private balconies or terraces from which to enjoy the gorgeous views of the waterway or the property’s verdant gardens. Authentic dining experiences await guests at the resort’s seven restaurants and bars, including the acclaimed Shang Palace.
The hotel is also home to its signature wellness facility, Chi. Intertwined with the very origins of the Shangri-La legend, Chi offers customary wellness rituals founded on the natural healing methods of Asia. A private beach and infinity pool are among the hotel’s facilities.
#12. Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Rosewood Abu Dhabi is a grandiose luxury hotel that takes its inspiration from the glittering waters of the Arabian Gulf. This 34-story palatial property is committed to providing unparalleled opulence and unmatched service to guests from all over.
As one of the capital city’s best luxury hotels, Rosewood Abu Dhabi embodies a standard of effortless elegance and excellence.
All 148 spacious bedrooms and 41 exquisite suites are appointed with the finest of furnishing and fittings, in unique interpretation of Middle Eastern architecture. Warm color palettes are a nod to the region’s rich and deep heritage. Guestrooms feature breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and the Abu Dhabi cityscape. Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s eight dynamic and diverse restaurants and lounges provide modern interpretations of traditional fare.
Dining at the hotel is a journey across palate-pleasing culinary creations and gustatory experiences, from modern Cantonese cuisine and international favorites at is upscale restaurants, to drinks and dates at the speakeasy bar or at the wine cellar with a walk-in cigar room.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi is also home to Sense, A Rosewood Spa® which offers a roster of signature treatments that incorporate local healing traditions. The hotel also has a fitness center and a pool.
#13. Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi is an exclusive refuge deep in the desert terrain. Infused with natural beauty and quiet tranquility, with a luxurious Spa as the trademark of the hotel experience, the hotel provides the perfect setting for guests to realign their equilibrium and start on a personalized wellness journey.
The boutique resort’s 99exquisitely-appointedguestrooms and villas are inspired by customary Arabian homes and incorporate elegant and timeless local elements, traditional artwork, and Arabésque furnishings and décor.
The hotel has five bars and restaurants, onsite, with cuisine inspired by the finest in international fare as well as the picture-perfect panoramas of the local setting. Meanwhile, the hotel’s renowned Saray Spa has 11 treatment rooms with indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces, saunas, steam rooms, plunge pools, salt rooms, snow caves, an ice cold bucket room, a traditional Turkish hammam, and a whirlpool.
Other facilities and amenities include a stunning outdoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a game room, a meeting space, and resort activities like horseback riding.
#14. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Next-level luxury and exclusivity are the hallmarks of a stay at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. This unique and luxurious family getaway is beautifully located on the immaculate white sands overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
Apart from the natural, pristine beauty this Arabian paradise destination offers, Saadiyat Island boasts wonderful cultural highlights, including the newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi. For those wishing to explore the rich culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi more deeply, Downtown Abu Dhabi is merely a short ride away for those who want to learn more about the city’s rich history and legacy.
With its oriental court gardens and vast water elements, this royal resort in Mediterranean architecture interacts with centuries-old traditional Arab culture.
Hotel guests receive only the best, from magnificent accommodations to excellent gourmet delights, fantastic entertainment, and a relaxing spa. Mealtimes at Rixos’ reflect the resort’s Turkish roots and celebrate a love of delicious food.
Award-winning master chefs make certain that every meal is a gourmet standout. With a selection of globally-focused restaurants, the resort provides sophisticated, upmarket cuisine, from informal beachside dining to the laid-back ambience of the pool bar to the drama of teppanyaki and the show-stopping culinary stations at the buffet.
#15. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
Situated in a laidback beachfront neighborhood, within minutes of the coast from the striking Louvre Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort offers island living, at its most refined. Sleek contemporary design meets opulent Middle Eastern charm throughout this luxury property.
Each of the hotel’s 293 rooms and suites is a showcase of subdued yet lavish elegance, and features a balcony or patio with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. The top floor’s two Presidential Suites and four Saadiyat Suites boast breathtaking ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Five onsite bars and restaurants make dining at the resort a truly delightful and tasteful treat. Beachfront restaurant Tean showcases an array of Levantine and Emirati cuisine, where grilled meats and seafood dishes take center stage. Poolside restaurant Mare Mare serves hearty Italian cuisine, overlooking the beach.
Breakfast is served at White, a light-filled contemporary restaurant. Live guitar music, bespoke cocktails, and Asian bites, as well as light fare are available at The Lounge’s, rooftop.
Offside Sports Lounge offers drinks and pub food. The amenities include a gym, outdoor pool, lavish spa, tennis courts, a beach, among others.