Striking views, lavish interiors, and classic Arabian hospitality are hallmarks of the capital’s hotel scene.
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Courtesy Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island
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The best hotels in Abu Dhabi range from palatial desert retreats to sprawling beachside resorts that make full use of the city’s natural landscapes. The UAE capital has undergone a renaissance in the past decade or so, as Saadiyat Cultural District’s world-class museum quarter has taken shape, destination shopping malls like Galleria Al Maryah Island have opened, and Yas Island has become a funhouse of family attractions. Abu Dhabi’s hotel scene has grown up too, with the world’s best brands finding a home looking out over the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, within architectural wonders, or anchored in its desert sands. There are now more than 100 hotels to choose from in the city—a far cry from humble beginnings in 1973 when the first five-star hotel opened. Here are our picks of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi.
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Courtesy Minor Hotels
Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
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Gold List 2022 
Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025When a resort is commissioned by the royal family, you know service will be fit for a king (or queen). Constructed in just 650 days by order of the UAE’s rulers, the kingdom-like fortress emerged from the Rub Al Khali desert in 2007 as a grand smorgasbord of Bedouin heritage and Emirati opulence. With 207 rooms, suites, and pool villas, Qasr Al Sarab becomes increasingly beautiful as the sun begins to set. Movie fans may recognize the vistas from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the cast of Oscar-winning dystopian sci-fi hit Dune also stayed here while filming nearby. The drive from Abu Dhabi takes about two hours, although the scenery en route is beautiful, and a trip to the resort’s plush spa is the perfect way to unwind on arrival.
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Courtesy The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The Edition Abu Dhabi
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2023Located on the waterfront of Al Bateen Marina in a quiet residential corner of the capital, the Ian Schrager Company-conceptualized Abu Dhabi Edition stands out for its design-hotel aesthetic, against the standard opulence most local properties display. Tucked away off a quiet road, the hotel itself is anything but. The large lobby decked out in a midcentury interior design scheme buzzes with local travelers, tourists checking in and out, and coffee meetings, while kids entertain themselves playing on the chic gold-and-chocolate-brown billiards table. Clinical in their minimalism, the rooms are enclosed in white and wood-paneled walls that contrast with modern, white, clean-lined furniture. Sheer and white curtains surround the floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame a view of the Al Bateen Marina and overlook the hotel’s pool. The Michelin-rated Oak Room is the pièce de résistance of The Abu Dhabi Edition. The menu is focused on beautiful cuts of steak served alongside myriad sides of buttery asparagus, triple-cooked chunky fries, and delectable truffle mash. Just across the hallway sits the Library Bar, where blue, moss-green, and gray velvet seats invite late-night conversations and samplings of the extensive, experimental Tales of Cocktails menu, which champions unique drinks inspired by the region.
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Courtesy of ERTH Hotel
Erth Abu Dhabi Hotel
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2025A striking architectural landmark reimagined from the former Armed Forces Officers Club, Erth blends Emirati heritage with contemporary style and is one of the city’s most beautiful hotels. Rooms, suites, and villas sit amid landscaped gardens, while the vast recreation complex includes an Olympic-sized indoor pool, a beginners’ pool, and a shaded kids’ pool for year-round swimming. Dining spans casual cafés to refined restaurants, all championing locally sourced ingredients in a farm-to-table, sustainability-focused approach. Inspiration is taken from the Aegean at Ergon Deli & Café, which serves classic Greek dishes with a modern twist, and from Emirati traditions at all-day dining restaurant Al Rimal; or you can try Neapolitan fare at pizzeria Beetza. However, the culinary star is off-site at Erth Qasr Al Hosn in the grounds of the city center’s Cultural Foundation. The first Emirati restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star back in 2024, the menu promises to recast traditional Emirati dishes in delicious new ways. Back at the hotel, villa guests can borrow bicycles to explore the resort’s serene grounds, weaving through palm-lined pathways and courtyards that echo Abu Dhabi’s timeless architecture. The resort’s location near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque makes it ideal for sightseeing, and it’s only a short hop via taxi to see the museums on Saadiyat Island, then enjoy the cafés, restaurants, and beachfront down the road at Mamsha Al Saadiyat. —Hayley Skirka
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Courtesy Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island
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On the approach to Jumeirah Saadiyat Island’s grand driveway, the roads get smaller, traffic quietens, and the capital becomes altogether more peaceful. Once you enter the all-glass lobby, all eyes are immediately drawn to the back wall, where the piercing Arabian Gulf just beyond stretches out to meet the horizon. The lobby is decidedly muted, a neutral palette and natural materials let the surroundings take center stage. The resort’s 296 rooms are split across several categories, going up to suites and family villas. All are bright and crisp, thanks to blonde woods and sea blues. The standout restaurant here is Mare Mare, a beachside Italian that is a destination in the capital in itself, thanks to its fresh pasta, seafood selection, and breezy ocean views. Elsewhere, there’s Levantine grilled meats at Tean, casual pub grub at Offside, and an impressive selection at all-day dining restaurant White. The breakfast here is expansive, and best enjoyed from a poolside table with a side of coffee and sea air. Families are well-catered for here, with three pools, dedicated clubs for both kids and teens, tennis courts, on-hand babysitters, and of course, that all-important beach.
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Courtesy Rosewood Hotels
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2017, 2021, 2024On the edge of Al Maryah Island, Rosewood Abu Dhabi rises in a curve of glass that glints by day and glows softly after dark. Step inside and the city’s energy fades—replaced by cool stone, flickering light, and the hush of water. With nine bars and restaurants, an outdoor pool, and direct access to The Galleria shopping mall, this Rosewood property balances Abu Dhabi’s pace with a quieter, considered kind of luxury. The hotel has 189 rooms, including 40 suites, all angled for views of the Arabian Gulf and city skyline; floor-to-ceiling windows flood each room with natural light. Among the dining highlights are: Dai Pai Dong, the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, which is consistently busy, with a steady flow of diners and lively energy; and Spanish-inspired La Cava, an intimate candlelit space, with deep leather seating and walls lined with wine racks, serving fire-grilled fine cuts.
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The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Readers’ Choice Awards 2020, 2022The 283-room St Regis Abu Dhabi is a towering landmark that extends via an underground tunnel to the Nation Riviera Beach club on the capital’s five-mile Corniche. Two grand, sweeping staircases in the lobby pay homage to the luxury hotel brand’s founder, John Jacob Astor, who died aboard the Titanic. Whether offering city or sea views, rooms at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi are spacious and flooded with sunlight, with marble floors, gold accents, and chandeliers mixed with Arabian motifs. A room on one of the high floors is a thrill, but be prepared to wait several minutes for an elevator at peak times. Families will appreciate The Treasure Island Kids’ Club, shaped like a pirate’s ship, which offers indoor and outdoor spaces and a full day’s roster of activities, including sand art, card games, and bowling. Service here is white glove, with dedicated butlers included with suite stays. Take afternoon tea in the second-floor Crystal Lounge or have an expertly made Bloody Mary at the St. Regis Bar. Villa Toscana offers Italian, but the best here is the seafood restaurant Catch.
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Courtesy Viceroy Hotels and Resorts
W Abu Dhabi Yas Island
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2018W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is the world’s only hotel built directly above a Formula 1 circuit, with views that sweep from Yas Marina to the track itself; it’s also an instantly recognisable city landmark thanks to its futuristic grid-shell canopy, which glows in a rainbow of colors at night thanks to more than 5,000 LED lights. Roaring cars can be heard throughout due to year-round race-related activities at Yas Circuit, and for fans of all things flash, the super yachts docked at Yas Marina make a great backdrop. Its well-soundproofed rooms are decorated in black, white, or chrome, with sleek, curved, and modern furnishings. Foodwise, Garage is the main draw, a multi-kitchen dining space where five distinct concepts serve everything from Asian bites to mezze and grilled meats, all under one roof. For a classic cut, Brooklyn Chop House delivers steaks alongside bold Asian-inspired dishes, while Pappas Taverna leans Mediterranean with mezze, seafood, and a breezy, island-style interior. Yas Island is only 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s downtown, and harbors some of the emirate’s top family attractions, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld—all just steps or short taxi rides from the W.
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Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2025When it opened in 2019, the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island was the first all-inclusive five-star hotel in the capital. The Turkish brand is all about visible opulence, from massive archways to a mind-boggling array of increasingly fantastical chandeliers. The vibe here is lively from the breakfast buffet to the beach. In one walk, you might see a cycling or trampoline class, waiters serving trays of drinks while performing impossible manoeuvres on in-line skates, and Gucci-clad influencers clamoring for the perfect Instagram shot. This hotel manages to be both healthy and hedonistic, with a full day of fitness classes and Prosecco on free-flow. There are 12 villas and 278 rooms, with some ground-floor versions offering semi-private pools shared with a neighbor—a bit awkward if you both decide to take a dip. The Rixy Kids’ Club offers a water park, cinema, disco, painting, and baking classes. There are 10 restaurants to choose from, each requiring reservations, and offering every kind of food you can imagine. “More of everything” is the unspoken motto across this hotel, and nowhere is this more evident than at the breakfast buffet in Turquoise.
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Courtesy The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
The St Regis Saadiyat Island is one of the most beautiful resorts in the city, with stellar dining options, a glorious private beach, and unobstructed views of the open sea. There is a strong family scene here, with the Sandcastle Kids’ Club and two dedicated pools, as well as outdoor and indoor lap pools, and the next-level Athletic Club. Rooms are decorated in classic neutrals, accented with gold and turquoise to mirror the color of the sea, and with gorgeous deep bathtubs that are well worth 30 minutes of your time. Dine at Sontaya for faultless Thai food, go for an evening beach vibe with sushi and relaxing beats at Buddha Bar, and enjoy a sprawling breakfast or brunch at Olea, which offers morning service until 1 p.m. Iridium is one of the top spas in Abu Dhabi, with a signature four-hands massage that combines Balinese, Swedish, Lomi-Lomi, and Thai techniques with aromatherapy.
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Courtesy Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts/Photo by Paul Thuysbaert
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
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Hot List 2017The Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is perfect for a city stay. It has a strategic location on Al Maryah Island, an indoor connection to the luxury-meets-high street Galleria Mall, a waterfront walkway, and some of the liveliest dining options in the city. Situated in the heart of the city’s business district, this is a place for striking deals and being seen, so little wonder Al Meylas Afternoon Tea Lounge, just off the lobby, is known as the “living room of Abu Dhabi.” The 200 rooms in the 34-story hotel offer excellent water and city views, but are more compact than those further out of the city, and none have terraces. Butcher & Still is an upscale, classic American steakhouse with a prohibition-era vibe (if you ask, someone might show you the actual secret speakeasy), and 99 Sushi Bar Abu Dhabi was one of just three venues to secure a star when the Michelin Guide revealed its first selection in the capital in late 2022.
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Courtesy Park Hyatt Saadiyat Island
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
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Readers’ Choice Awards 2024The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi was the first hotel to open on Saadiyat Island in 2011, offering guests a pristine private beach and then-rare views of the open ocean. Today, it remains one of the capital’s most sought-after destinations, offering a contemporary, neutral design spiced up with tasteful, Arabian touches. This resort is best-known for its swimming pools—there are four in total, including the largest infinity pool in the capital, lined with towering palm trees. During the winter months, the wellness-themed rooftop Shala Lounge might just be the best spot in Abu Dhabi for sundowners, not to mention a great selection of flatbreads, dips, and expertly crafted cocktails. Make time for Argentinian-Lebanese fusion at Mate, and be sure to add a cup of the grassy national namesake beverage and some old-world empanadas to your order.
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Paul Thuysbaert
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Readers’ Choice Awards 2021, 2022The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal is a sprawling Renaissance-inspired retreat with a private beach and 57 acres of lush grounds set against the impressive backdrop of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Everything here is both understated and outsized. Decorated in pleasing neutral tones and natural wood, the 506 rooms (there are also 15 villas of varying sizes, four of which have private plunge pools) are housed in 10 Venetian-inspired buildings curving around the 17,000-square-foot pool, which, along with the Ritz Kids’ Club, serves as a huge draw for families. The hotel has some of the capital’s best food and beverage options, too, with eight options to try. The hand-pulled noodles at Li Jiang are a standout, best eaten outside in full view of the Grand Mosque, if weather permits. If you have the chance, duck into Sorso Bar for a well-crafted cocktail or take in one of the city’s liveliest and most lavish Saturday brunches at Giornotte.
How we choose the best hotels in Abu Dhabi
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
A version of this gallery was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller Middle East.
Ann Marie McQueen is a Canadian writer who has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2008. She moved to the capital to serve on the launch team for The National, later becoming features editor. She is now the editorial director and podcast host for the only health and wellness platform for men … Read More
