In a nutshell
- In Abu Dhabi you’ll find some of the best luxury hotels in the world. A large portion of the accommodation in Abu Dhabi is 4- or 5-star hotels — and you can often get rooms at a great value even in these top-tier properties.
- Our top pick for a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi is the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers — part of the iconic five-tower complex, with breathtaking views over the city and the Gulf.
- The best beach hotel pick is the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi — a 9-kilometer private beach, multiple pools, and a rooftop bar that’s seriously hard to leave.
- For a budget-friendly stay, we personally recommend the Pearl Rotana Capital Centre — a stylish city hotel with a rooftop pool that punches well above its price point.
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Where to stay in Abu Dhabi? Finding the right location for your hotel
Normally, our hotel recommendations are organized by neighborhood or region, since location is the most important factor for most travelers.
Abu Dhabi is a bit different, though, because location here truly doesn’t matter. There is no classic city center in Abu Dhabi, and the main attractions are all spread quite far apart from one another.
No matter where your hotel is in Abu Dhabi, you’ll almost always need to drive to reach the main sights. That’s why, in this article, we’ve sorted the hotels by category (luxury hotels, beach hotels, budget hotels) rather than by location.
Luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi
Luxurious 5-star hotels are the most common type of accommodation in Abu Dhabi — and they truly leave nothing to be desired: amenities include limousine service, award-winning restaurants, your own personal butler, and private beach access.
Emirates Palace Hotel
“Living like royalty” is more than just a marketing slogan at this resort on the shores of the Arabian Gulf: the Emirates Palace is owned by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family and is considered one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
The hotel is pure pomp and opulence, both inside and out. Gold, silver, and intricately crafted glass mosaics are found throughout the lobby and accommodations.
The rooms are spacious and lavishly appointed with marble bathrooms, an iPad mini for room controls, and 24-hour butler service.
The hotel has 14 gourmet restaurants, where among other things you can be served a cappuccino dusted with gold leaf. Whether that’s something you actually need is, of course, another question entirely.
There’s also a 1.3-kilometer private beach, a private yacht harbor, and two enormous outdoor pools.
Unlike the famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai, room rates at the Emirates Palace aren’t quite as out of reach. In some cases, you can find rooms starting at around 250 to 300 euros.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is part of Abu Dhabi’s famous five-tower complex and is one of the most popular hotels in the city.
From the approximately 400 elegant, modern rooms and suites, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city and the Persian Gulf. The hotel also features several restaurants, including a steakhouse and an award-winning Japanese restaurant.
The hotel’s amenities include a large wellness area with 13 treatment rooms, a private beach, three outdoor pools with a bar, and a beauty salon.
Our tip: One of the top attractions in Abu Dhabi is the observation deck at Etihad Towers. As a guest of the Conrad hotel, you get free access.
To the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi is a modern luxury hotel with 34 floors on Al Maryah Island, designed by the same architectural group responsible for the World Trade Center Memorial in New York.
The hotel is ideally located on the waterfront, right in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s financial district, with direct access to the luxury shopping mall “The Galleria.”
The rooms are bright and modern, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the Abu Dhabi skyline.
You can relax at the year-round outdoor pool, which is also heated in winter.
The hotel also features a large wellness area, a fitness center, and eight restaurants and bars — from an international all-day buffet to the Shanghai Jazz Revolution Bar done up in 1920s style, there’s genuinely something for every mood.
To wind down the day in style, stop by the “Manor Club” for its exceptional cocktails.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
At the St. Regis, you’ll find Arabian hospitality combined with American hotel tradition.
The 5-star hotel is situated on the Corniche waterfront road, at the southwestern end of Corniche Beach. The sea on one side, the city on the other — and in between, the hotel’s own beach club on its private beach and the impressive rooftop pool.
The hotel features seven award-winning restaurants, including “The Terrace,” which offers a different themed evening every day. There’s also a fitness center, a spa, a nearby golf and beach club, and a large outdoor pool.
Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort
This resort is a fantastic alternative to Abu Dhabi’s urban luxury hotels. The Anantara Qasr al Sarab luxury resort is located in the Empty Quarter, the largest sand desert in the world. Surrounded by the red and yellow dunes of the desert, you’ll find a true oasis here.
The resort looks like a desert castle and has all the amenities of a luxury resort, including air-conditioned suites with a terrace, bathtub, and rain shower.
You can sample your way through several restaurants. There’s also an outdoor pool where you can treat yourself to beauty services on request.
Activities are well covered too: the resort offers experiences such as a camel caravan tour or a jeep ride for dune bashing. For more ideas, check out our guide to activities in Abu Dhabi.
To the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort
Beach hotels in Abu Dhabi
If you love the classic sun, sand, and sea combination, a beach hotel in Abu Dhabi is absolutely worth it. All hotels near the beach also have a fully equipped private beach with umbrellas, lounge chairs, a beach bar, and usually water sports activities as well.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Can’t decide between a beach vacation and a cultural itinerary? No problem — the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr just might be the perfect place to stay in Abu Dhabi for you.
From here, you get to enjoy both the view of the white private beach and, at the same time, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of Abu Dhabi’s top attractions.
Still not convinced? You’ll also find a large outdoor pool, a fitness center, several restaurants, and a shisha bar right on the beach for warm evenings.
You’ll sleep in spacious rooms or luxurious suites of up to 265 square meters.
To the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is ideal for beach lovers and sun worshippers. Located on Saadiyat Island, it boasts a 9-kilometer-long private beach, along with its own beachside restaurant with a rooftop bar.
At the Park Hyatt, you can book standard hotel rooms, suites, or entire beach villas. All accommodations are luxurious and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of the sea.
The hotel also includes several pools, a fitness center, a two-story spa, and a championship golf course at the nearby Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.
The dining scene is internationally inspired: across the three restaurants, you’ll find a wide selection of BBQ dishes, as well as Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine.
Our tip: Don’t miss the rooftop bar above the beach restaurant. It serves great cocktails paired with a spectacular view of the sea.
Traders Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Stylish hotels in Abu Dhabi don’t have to break the bank. This property in the heart of the city, on the Khor Al Maqta waterway, is proof of that. It’s a city hotel with a private beach, a rooftop pool, and a pretty solid value for the money.
The Traders Hotel is the only 4-star hotel in Abu Dhabi with its own private beach. The rooms are spacious and decorated in warm tones.
Thanks to its central location, you can easily head out on sightseeing tours right from the hotel. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, is just a short distance away.
There are also some fun recreational activities on offer, such as jet skiing.
To the Traders Hotel Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas
An oasis with easy access to the city — that’s the best way to describe this 5-star resort on Saadiyat Island. What makes it truly special is its location on a white sandy beach, its impressive oriental architecture, and its landscaped gardens with palm trees and water features.
In addition to standard rooms and suites, you can opt for one of the 13 beach villas or an executive room with VIP service — sometimes even available as an upgrade. Whichever you choose, elegance and luxury await.
The resort’s pool areas lead directly to the beach. The dining scene is international, with a total of eight restaurants and bars.
To the Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
This 5-star hotel is located near the Presidential Palace and is one of the best vacation hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Right on the water and not too far from the city, it appeals to both beach vacationers and city tourists alike. It’s also very family-friendly, offering a supervised kids’ club, a children’s pool, and playrooms.
You can unwind at the large pool, enjoy massage and wellness treatments, take yoga classes, or head to the fitness area.
The hotel also features several restaurants, such as “Kamoon” with its oriental cuisine and the charming café “The Lounge.”
To the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana
Budget hotels in Abu Dhabi
Even many of the more affordable hotels in Abu Dhabi still carry four stars and are well-equipped accordingly: elegantly furnished rooms, pool facilities, wellness offerings, and multiple restaurants.
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
We stayed at the Southern Sun ourselves and can absolutely recommend it. An affordable 4-star hotel for city travelers who want a great value for their money.
And you won’t have to sacrifice any comforts: the hotel is modern, the rooms are generously sized, the rooftop pool is lovely, and the staff is genuinely friendly.
The breakfast buffet was enormous and varied — the perfect way to start the day.
The hotel rooms are modern and elegantly furnished, with thick double-glazed windows that do an excellent job of blocking out city noise.
From the hotel, it’s a short distance to the Mina Fish Market and the Carpet Souk with its handwoven rugs. The Louvre Abu Dhabi art museum is also just a ten-minute taxi ride away.
If you prefer the beach over the city and pool, you can be at the Corniche and its namesake beach in just a few minutes. The Southern Sun offers a complimentary shuttle service to the Corniche and other beaches, as well as to malls around Abu Dhabi.
Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
The Pearl Rotana is a modern and stylish city hotel in Abu Dhabi’s lively business district. From the bright, elegantly furnished rooms, you’ll have views of either the city or the sea.
The hotel also features a Fitness & Wellness Club with a wide range of relaxation options, including a sauna, steam room, and massage services, as well as a rooftop pool.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is approximately ten minutes away by car. The nearest mall is the Mushrif Mall, also reachable in about ten minutes by taxi.
To the Pearl Rotana Capital Centre
Vacation rentals and apartments in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi also has a selection of vacation rentals and apartments, for example on booking.com:
All accommodations on booking.com
Package deals for Abu Dhabi
We typically book our flights and hotels separately. In most cases, that’s the more affordable option, and for a short stopover in Abu Dhabi we’d definitely recommend it.
That said, if you’re planning a full vacation in Abu Dhabi, a package deal might actually be the better choice. Sometimes you can find very attractively priced all-inclusive packages that are genuinely worth it.
We definitely recommend using a price comparison site to compare offers from different tour operators before booking.
