Merging heritage and innovation, journey and rest, Abu Dhabi is the year-round sunshine vacation spot on your radar. All eyes are on the UAE capital now too, because it’s internet hosting the continuing Components 1 Grand Prix — the final race of the F1 season. Should you’re already there basking within the racing motion, or are contemplating it on your subsequent trip, learn on for our journey information to Abu Dhabi and its finest resorts, sights and eating spots.

A area that’s straightforward to achieve — its airport providers continuous passenger flights to 99 locations in 56 international locations — and has all of it, there may be a lot to find. This consists of its wealthy arts and tradition, because of the Louvre and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi that’s set to be positioned on Saadiyat Island, the cultural district in Abu Dhabi. Then there’s the pull of the gastronomic scene, particularly with the arrival of the Michelin Information final 12 months.

Not forgetting its high price hospitality, luxurious residences and thrilling future developments the likes of Saadiyat Grove, Nobu Lodge & Residences, The Louvre Residences, Sadiyaat Lagoons and The Supply Sadiyaat.

These mixed with the fast-growing financial system with a excessive GDP of USD 268 billion (it’s the wealthiest emirate of the UAE) and 0 taxation, it involves no shock then, that there was a big uptick in folks not solely holidaying however shopping for houses within the space inside the final three years. Actually, the primary 9 months of 2023 alone noticed greater than 25% of recorded gross sales registered by abroad consumers. Evidently, now’s the very best time to go to Abu Dhabi and purchase properties there.

From buzzing promenades to peaceable marinas, white sand seashores, thrilling sights, and Michelin-starred eating places, right here’s your final journey information to the bustling area of Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Journey Information: Finest Motels, Sights and Eating Venues

The very best time to go to

Abu Dhabi has year-round sunshine because of its desert local weather, and for comfy temperatures it’s advisable to go to from October to Could when it begins heating up. It’s value noting that August is often its hottest month, reaching round 36°C.

Find out how to attain Abu Dhabi

The flight time from Kuala Lumpur to Abu Dhabi is roughly 7 hours and 25 minutes for direct flights. Etihad Airways is the nationwide airline of the United Arab Emirates, and flies from Kuala Lumpur.

The place to remain

Anantara Japanese Mangroves in Abu Dhabi

The 5-star Anantara Japanese Mangroves Abu Dhabi Lodge is on the sting of town, simply 25km from Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport, and is a bit of slice of tranquillity. The lodge consists of 150 deluxe rooms, 66 Kasara Government rooms, and 6 suites, donning a up to date design. Look out to at least one aspect to view Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers, and the opposite out to the mangroves, full with a balcony.

As for the suites, they vary from tremendous deluxe to one-of-a-kind, with a non-public entrance, rooftop terrace and infinity pool. Full your stick with the lodge’s award-winning spa and Turkish hammam, together with a fitness center and outside swimming pool. For F&B choices, strive the lodge’s all-day restaurant Elements, which serves up a global menu to swimsuit all palates; and bask in cocktails on the Impressions Bar, a rooftop lounge with gorgeous views of Abu Dhabi.

Nurai Island Abu Dhabi

Only a 15-minute boat trip off the shores of Abu Dhabi is the ultra-luxurious Nurai Island. The boutique personal island resort affords an expensive oceanside spa, 5 meals and beverage retailers, together with a seashore membership that takes benefit of its paradise-like setting.

Lodging right here is pure luxurious, with varied room varieties together with the Seashore Villa, one-bedroom villas which were designed to merge with the panorama, mirroring the sweetness and tranquillity of the setting; and the Seashore Home that are elegant houses that don a terrace, swimming pools for every bed room, and direct seashore entry. For bigger teams, the Two Bedrooms Pool Home is good for households with its two bedrooms, a lounge, massive 18 sqm pool, and optimum privateness; whereas the Water Villa affords a ten,000 sqft area of consolation and luxurious with floor-to-ceiling home windows looking to sea, and 4 bedrooms. Should you’re planning an excellent greater gathering, the Property Villa boasts five-bedroom villas, with a beneficiant residing area, personal gardens and seashore, infinity swimming swimming pools and reflecting swimming pools.

Eating choices are aplenty. Frangipani serves up culinary influences of the Center East, Asia and the West; whereas Hooked specialises in recent seafood, and Nightfall restaurant focuses on Mexican-inspired fare. Tuck into connoisseur wooden fired pizza to the soundtrack of stay music at Smokin’ Pineapple, or head over to Ginger Mermaid for Asian-inflected delicacies.

For additional rest, the Nurai Spa is a must-visit, with an in depth remedy menu showcasing every little thing from purifying and glow facials, to yoga classes

W Abu Dhabi Yas Island

For many who need to be within the literal centre of the motion, the 5-star W Abu Dhabi offers thrills and spectacular structure. Set within the coronary heart of the buzzy Yas Island, count on unimaginable views of the racetrack and marina — you’ll be able to’t get any higher, because it spans throughout two buildings, set half on land and half on water.

In the case of the structure and design, the lodge attracts inspiration from the UAE and the vibrancy of Emeriti tradition with columns to suggest fossil dunes, and kinds that mirror the wetlands, salt flats and dunes.

Lodging-wise, there are 499 visitor rooms and suites outfitted with floor-to-ceiling home windows, and direct entry to the observe, or the marina vistas. For the very best of the very best, guide the Excessive WOW Suite that boasts 409 sqm of luxurious, over two flooring with its personal personal lap pool, sauna and 180-degree views of Yas Island.

There are many F&B choices too, with seven eating places and bars together with the Storage providing 5 cuisines, Amici serving up genuine Italian dishes, and the enjoyable WET Deck for cocktails and music.

Work off the indulgence at its fitness center that overlooks Yas Marina, loosen up on the hammam-inspired spa, or go for a swim at one of many two rooftop swimming pools. If you wish to hit the seashore, visitors can reap the benefits of complimentary entry by way of the direct Yas shuttle to the Yas Seashore membership with its seashore facility, pool, bar and eating space.

Sights and Issues to Do

Saadiyat Seashore Membership

For a basic seashore membership expertise replete with swimming, eating, and stress-free, Saadiyat Seashore Membership is a must-visit. There’s a temperature-controlled pool, full with luxurious pool-side cabanas and loungers.

For successful of wellness, head to the steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, or take a refreshing dip within the plunge pool. Saadiyat has been voted Abu Dhabi’s finest seashore membership on TripAdvisor, so that you will be assured of a very good time.

Marsa Al Bateen Marina

Marsa Al Bateen kinds a part of Abu Dhabi’s in depth western waterfront positioned proper subsequent to Bloom Marina and the high-end Marasy residential and retail growth. One of many oldest inhabited areas on the west aspect of Abu Dhabi island, fronting the Musaffah Channel, there are two moist berth marinas (the 324-berth West Marina and 48-berth East Marina), together with a dry-stack constructing occupying the east and west sides of Al Bateen Wharf.

Japanese Mangroves Marina

Overlooking the protected mangrove shoreline of japanese Abu Dhabi, is the picturesque and upscale Japanese Mangroves Marina. Impressed by souk-style avenues, the buzzy promenade sees the approaching collectively of high-end residential flats, outlets, a luxurious lodge, eating places and cafes.

The 50-berth marina sits adjoining to the five-star Anantara Japanese Mangroves Abu Dhabi Lodge, accessed by way of a pedestrian walkway linked to the Japanese Mangroves Promenade. Participate in some watersports right here resembling kayaking, paddleboarding, crusing and water-based explorations of Abu Dhabi’s lush mangroves.

Al Bandar Marina

Al Bandar Marina, a 15-minute drive from Abu Dhabi metropolis, sits amongst residential towers, outlets, well being golf equipment, F&B retailers, and a promenade inside the Al Raha Seashore growth. The marina has 130 berths as much as 24 metres for resident and visiting yachts of every type, and right here there are corporations providing watersports experiences and constitution journeys across the waterways.

Yas Island

As multifaceted vacation spot, Yas Island has a lot to supply with eating choices, luxurious resorts, a white sand seashore, marina, so whether or not you need to keep, play or dine, it’s a must-visit while within the area.

Discover Yas Bay, Yas Marina, Yas Seashore, Yas Mall and The Fountains. There are additionally sights and family-friendly theme parks within the type of Ferrari World Yas Island full with Components Rossa, the world’s quickest curler coaster, plus Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Warner Bros. World and Seaworld Yas Island.

For many who to take pleasure in thrilling actions, there may be Yas Marina Circuit — house of the Grand Prix — together with CLYMB and Yas Hyperlinks. There are leisure spots right here, resembling Eithad Enviornment, the Center East’s largest indoor multi-purpose leisure venue, plus Eithad Park for live shows, together with the F1 after-race gigs.

Mamsha Al Saadiyat

Take within the views of Soul Seashore at Mamsha Al Saadiyat, and go for a stroll alongside the promenade whereas indulging within the F&B choices alongside the best way. NIRI Restaurant & Bar is in style for sushi, whereas The Steak Room is famed for its succulent prime cuts, and Beirut Sur Mer for a style of the Center East.

Mamsha Al Saadiyat is simply a 20-minute drive from Abu Dhabi metropolis and is totally well worth the detour.

The place to Eat & Drink

Siddharta Lounge by Buddha-Bar

For a night to recollect, head over to the rooftop Siddharta Lounge on Yas Bay Waterfront. This vigorous hang-out combines music, Mediterranean and Asian delicacies, crafted cocktails and fabulous views of the Arabian Gulf.

siddhartalounge-abudhabi.com

LPM Restaurant & Bar

This award-winning French restaurant with Mediterranean influences is positioned at The Galleria Al Maryah Island. Strive its new French Riviera-inspired ‘La Vie en Rosé’ brunch each Sunday. Bien sur.

The Oak Room by Tom Aikens

You’ll discover famend British chef Tom Aikens and his debut Abu Dhabi outpost The Oak Room within the EDITION lodge. A contemporary steak restaurant, seasonal produce and juicy meats take centre stage right here.

Talea by Antonio Guida

The Michelin Information got here to the area final 12 months, and since then, there was a number of pleasure surrounding the F&B scene. Make a cease on the one-Michelin-starred Talea by Antonio Guida, which is recognised for its family-style delicacies and trendy interpretations of basic Italian dishes.

The place to Store

The Souk at The World Commerce Heart

Set within the historic district is The World Commerce Heart Mall, a mixed-use growth within the coronary heart of town with a mall, trendy souk, workplaces and residences. The Souk is positioned on the positioning of the unique industrial district and spans three ranges, with a design that attracts affect from Arabian structure and combines it with modernity and innovation.

Right here, there are public squares, two central atriums beneath a completely retractable roof, 3,000 sqm of terraces and landscaped rooftop gardens; linked to The Mall at World Commerce Heart by Khalifa Bridge. It’s a go-to for conventional artefacts, genuine henna, native spices, jewelry, Arabic perfumes, and trend.

Yas Mall Abu Dhabi

Yas Mall serves as a spot for purchasing, eating and leisure, attracting each residents of Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, and vacationers alike. Spanning 2.5m sqft, it homes some 360 globally famend manufacturers combined with smaller native labels, together with 68 F&B retailers, plus leisure within the type of 24 Display Vox Cinemas, family-entertainment venue Enjoyable Works, and a direct connection to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The mall is quarter-hour from Abu Dhabi Worldwide Airport, and half-hour from town centre.

Arts & Tradition Locations

Al Raha Mural

A celebration of creativity, this mural-meets-landmark is must-see. Unveiled by Aldar Properties in 2016, it’s designed to exude the spirit of Emirati tradition. The art work showcases a boy strolling his camel, and an Emirati lady heading to the desert. There may be loads of native symbolism with the depiction of an Arabic espresso pot and a conventional lantern.

Carsten Holler set up

Conceptual artist Carsten Höller is now at Manar Abu Dhabi, exhibiting in a public exhibition that’s all about mild and light-weight sculptures. The viewer is taken on an immersive mild journey with twenty spotlights in 4 totally different colors that observe the actions of the members, to kind an immersive recreation. Abu Dhabi Dots is the second version of his Dots collection. The present runs until 30 January 2024.

Cartier Exhibition on the Louvre

Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Trendy Design opened this month on the Louvre and is devoted to the influences of Islamic artwork on Cartier’s designs. Uncover over 400 works together with jewelry, masterpieces of Islamic artwork, textiles and images, together with immersive digital projections. The exhibition has been co-organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi, the musée des Arts décoratifs, the musée du Louvre, France Muséums, with the help of Cartier. It’s presently ongoing and ends 24 March 2024.

New Property Developments

It’s thrilling time for Abu Dhabi within the realm of actual property. Main developer Aldar has witnessed a big development in abroad curiosity in Abu Dhabi residential property over the previous three years.

In 2021, abroad consumers accounted for roughly 5% of Aldar’s general gross sales – this determine jumped to 14% in 2022, spurred on by a spread of optimistic authorities reforms, new long-term residency visas, and Abu Dhabi’s efficient response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For the primary 9 months of 2023, greater than 25% of gross sales recorded had been registered to abroad consumers, highlighting the rising attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as each an funding vacation spot and a second-home market of alternative.

Saadiyat Grove

An inclusive group complicated, Saadiyat Grove has the ambition to rework the best way folks stay, keep, store and play. The progressive growth includes residential houses, shops, enterprise premises and leisure amenities.

Nobu Lodge & Residences

Set on the cultural hub that’s Saadiyat Island, Nobu Lodge will boast 165 luxuriously spacious visitor rooms and suites, together with a surprising Nobu Villa. After all, it’ll be a spot for eating — cue the Nobu restaurant with its waterfront and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi views.

Alongside this, the Nobu branded residences will supply a mixture of multi-bedroom waterfront residences and penthouses with unobstructed views of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, complemented with the best degree of service — it’s set to be essentially the most sought-after deal with within the area.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences

The debut undertaking in collaboration with the eminent Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the most important developer in Abu Dhabi, these deluxe residences will supply studios to 3-bedroom flats, going through the Louvre artwork museum. For these searching for luxurious, that is the place because it comes with an elevated pool and sundown deck, fitness center and sauna, personal cinema, elevated gardens and residence lounge, and library.

Saadiyat Lagoons

Saadiyat Lagoons residences are an oasis of sustainable luxurious, the place eco acutely aware design meets upscale residing surrounded by over 900,000 sqm of protected wilderness. There will likely be 4- to-6-bedroom villas set within the vibrant cultural coronary heart of the island with quick entry to artwork, music, and gastronomy on one aspect, and a tranquil eco corniche on the opposite.

The Supply Saadiyat

For a residence that’s rooted in wellness and holistic wellbeing, The Supply Saadiyat is the place to be. It affords 1- to-3-bedroom flats, in addition to an array of amenities and facilities, resembling a wellness concierge, squash courts, yoga and meditation room, thermal suite with sauna and steam room, a panoramic pool, and a rooftop zen backyard.

(Predominant and featured pictures: Ammar el Attar/ Unsplash)