19 of the best · Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Where to Stay in Abu Dhabi: the Palace, the Islands and the Creek
Emirates Palace on its private beach, the Saadiyat resorts beside the turtles’ shore, the Four Seasons and the Rosewood on Al Maryah, the Ritz-Carlton facing the Grand Mosque, and Qasr Al Sarab in the dunes.
Our 19 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated November 2026
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Three Abu Dhabi moments we keep going back to: the Grand Mosque in the late afternoon, the light under the Louvre’s dome, and a kayak into the mangroves at high tide.
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The palace on the Corniche
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
The palace hotel on the Corniche: a private beach and two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
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Behind the dunes of Saadiyat
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
A low resort on Saadiyat beach, with Maté, The Library tea lounge and Atarmia Spa.
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In the Empty Quarter
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
A fortress-like resort in the dunes of the Rub’ al Khali, about 200 km from the city.
The full list: Hotels, A–Z
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Hotels
The palace and the Corniche 3
Emirates Palace, the Etihad Towers and the St. Regis.
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Ray’s Bar on 62
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
In the Etihad Towers: Ray’s Bar on level 62 and the Observation Deck at 300 above it.
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The palace on the Corniche
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
The palace hotel on the Corniche: a private beach and two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
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Nation Towers and the beach club
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The St. Regis in Nation Towers on the Corniche, with its beach club across the road.
Hotels
Saadiyat Island 4
Beach resorts.
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The turtles’ shore
Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort
A resort on the protected stretch of Saadiyat beach, with Tean in the MICHELIN selection.
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Behind the dunes of Saadiyat
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
A low resort on Saadiyat beach, with Maté, The Library tea lounge and Atarmia Spa.
Hotels
Al Maryah Island 2
The towers.
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Beside The Galleria
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island
A tower beside The Galleria, with Butcher & Still, Coya and Café Milano.
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On the water’s edge
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
A palatial hotel on Al Maryah, with Dai Pai Dong, Em Sherif Sea Café and Majlis by Pierre Hermé.
Hotels
By the creek and the mangroves 4
Facing the Grand Mosque.
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Over the mangroves
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi
Over Mangrove National Park, with the Impressions rooftop lounge and a hammam.
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On Abu Dhabi Creek
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
A beach resort on Abu Dhabi Creek, across from the Grand Mosque.
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Bord Eau and the souk
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
On the creek beside the Souk Qaryat Al Beri, with Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard and CHI, The Spa.
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Facing the Grand Mosque
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
A waterfront resort facing the Grand Mosque, with Li Jiang, Mijana and the ESPA spa.
Hotels
Design hotels 2
Al Bateen and Capital Gate.
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In the leaning tower
Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi
A hotel inside Capital Gate, the tower that leans by design, beside ADNEC.
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On Al Bateen Marina
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The EDITION on Al Bateen Marina, with Oak Room and 3Fils, a Bib Gourmand.
Hotels
Yas Island 1
Over the circuit.
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Over the circuit
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
The hotel that straddles the Yas Marina Circuit, under its lattice of lights.
Hotels
Desert and islands 3
The Empty Quarter and Sir Bani Yas.
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In the wildlife park
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island resorts
Desert Islands Resort & Spa, Al Sahel and Al Yamm: three Anantara resorts on Sir Bani Yas.
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In the Empty Quarter
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
A fortress-like resort in the dunes of the Rub’ al Khali, about 200 km from the city.
