Hotels in Abu Dhabi

Staying in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, is often described as more relaxed than Dubai: a city of islands and wide avenues, with a seafront corniche, the great Sheikh Zayed Mosque and recently built cultural and leisure districts. For Moroccan travellers it is often visited as an add-on to Dubai, reachable by road, or as a destination in its own right for families, between beaches, theme parks and museums. The city is very spread out and is mostly covered by taxi, which makes the choice of the hotel's area particularly important.

Three options stand out. The centre, on the main island, with the corniche and the business districts, has hotels of every kind, from seafront luxury to apartment hotels, practical for combining work and sightseeing. Yas Island, near the airport, is all about leisure: theme parks, a motor-racing circuit and large shopping malls, with hotels designed for families. Saadiyat Island combines beaches, resorts and museums in a calmer setting. In every case, the pool, the hotel's shuttles and the proximity of a shopping mall matter as much as the view, especially in summer.

Where to stay in Abu Dhabi

• The centre and the Corniche

  On the main island, business hotels, large seafront properties and apartment hotels, close to offices, modern souks and the corniche promenade. A versatile choice for a stay combining work, shopping and sightseeing.

• Yas Island

  The leisure area, near the airport: theme parks, circuit, shopping mall and family hotels, often with pools and shuttles to the parks. Ideal with children, less so for soaking up the city's atmosphere.

• Saadiyat Island

  White-sand beaches, seafront resorts and a cultural district with its museums. A calm, rather upmarket setting, best for a rest-and-beach stay.

Good to know before you book

• Summer is extremely hot and humid: favour a hotel with a shaded or indoor pool, and plan outdoor visits early in the morning or in the evening.
• Distances are long and taxis remain the usual way to get around: check whether the hotel runs shuttles to the beaches, shopping malls or theme parks.
• Modest dress is required to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque; during Ramadan and the Eid holidays, hotels fill up with visitors from across the region, so book ahead.

Questions about Abu Dhabi

Frequently asked questions