It’s a milestone yr for the Formulation 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which marks its fifteenth anniversary on 26 November 2023. With racing galore, fabulous post-race festivities, and now fewer than 15 culinary pop-ups to have a good time, this Grand Prix is revving as much as be a very good one.
Set on the colourful Yas Island – a vacation spot in itself with its bay, marina, and seaside – the racing will happen on the Yas Marina Circuit. Right here, the principle occasion is joined by family-friendly points of interest together with Ferrari World (full with the world’s quicker rollercoaster), five-star lodges, luxurious residences, and the most important shopping center in Abu Dhabi overlaying 2.5 million sq. ft. However that’s solely simply scratching the floor of what the capital of the United Arab Emirates has to supply.
Abu Dhabi is having its second and it’s solely set to get higher as, after years of improvement, curation and onerous work, the town has carved itself a status as a multifaceted vacation spot for artwork, tradition and leisure, with large hitters such because the Louvre Abu Dhabi promising world-class vacationer points of interest. The Michelin Information additionally arrived in Abu Dhabi final November, prompting restaurateurs and foodies to pour into the area. Elsewhere, historic landmarks, probably the most well-known being Qasr Al Hosn and the Al Jahili Fort, which had been constructed within the Eighteen Nineties, and the Jebel Hafit Tombs, merge with the Etihad Towers and the skyline’s trendy skyscrapers for a mix of custom, design, and innovation.
Then there’s the year-round sunshine, huge desert dunes, white sand seashores, and clear waters of the Arabian Gulf – an archipelago that calls to marine, diving (wreck, deep-water and reef), and water sports activities fanatics because of its heat seas and abundance of native marine life, together with barracuda, noticed eagle rays, and stingrays.
It’s no surprise then, that the area is attracting vacationers and second homers of their droves. Whether or not you’re heading out for the Grand Prix, planning a winter getaway, or an excellent longer keep, listed here are some occurring haunts that showcase the very best of the area.
THE HOTEL: W ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND & ANANTARA EASTERN MANGROVES ABU DHABI
W ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
A showstopper of a resort, the five-star W Abu Dhabi boasts a totally distinctive design unfold over two buildings, set half on land and half on water. The structure and design of the W Abu Dhabi, impressed by its locale and tradition, proceed inside with welcome desks within the form of oil drops, columns that symbolize fossil dunes, and optical illusions that type silhouettes and shades, an ode to the wetlands, salt flats, fossilised sands, and dunes of the UAE.
What’s extra, it is completely situated for racing followers, because it’s on high of the Yas Marina Circuit racetrack – there merely aren’t higher views. Every of the 499 visitor rooms and suites provide floor-to-ceiling home windows with observe or marina vistas however the room to guide is the Excessive WOW Suite. The clue is within the identify: boasting 409 sq. metres of luxurious throughout two flooring, it guarantees its personal non-public lap pool, sauna and 180-degree views of Yas Island.
There are many on-site eating, consuming and lounging choices, with seven eating places and bars, together with the Storage (providing worldwide cuisines), Italian fare at Amici, and the Moist Deck for cocktails and DJ units. Alongside it is a state-of-the-art gymnasium overlooking Yas Marina and a standard hammam-inspired spa that boasts two rooftop swimming swimming pools. Friends also can take pleasure in complimentary entry to the Yas Seashore Membership with its beachfront location, pool, bar and eating space.
From £177 per night time, go to marriott.com
ANANTARA EASTERN MANGROVES ABU DHABI
For those who’re in search of someplace to retreat from the excitement of the F1, the luxurious Anantara Japanese Mangroves Abu Dhabi resort is on the sting of the town, however solely 20 minutes from the Yas Marina Circuit. Benefit from the tranquility and the views, with one facet searching to Abu Dhabi’s skyscrapers and the opposite throughout the mangroves. Right here, there are 150 deluxe rooms, 66 Kasara Government rooms, and 6 suites, designed to be up to date, spacious and light-filled.
For wellness, head to the award-winning spa with Turkish hammam and gymnasium, whereas exterior is a swimming pool full with solar terrace and views over the mangroves. When night hits, take a stroll alongside the colourful Japanese Mangroves Promenade the place you may discover a mixture of high-end residential residences, outlets, and cafes, earlier than having fun with dinner at Anantara’s worldwide restaurant, Components. For a nightcap head to Impressions Bar: a rooftop lounge that guarantees views of the Abu Dhabi skyline.
From £200 per night time, go to anantara.com
THE RESTAURANT: TALEA BY ANTONIO GUIDA
Set throughout the Mandarin Oriental is one Michelin-star restaurant, Talea by Antonio Guida, with its laid-back, elegant environment. Celebrating cucina di famiglia, aka family-style delicacies, the menu is a recent interpretation of basic Italian dishes, with highlights together with vitello tonnato, linguine astice and cotoletta alla Milanese. The kitchen is headed up by Luigi Stinga, who was the recipient of the inaugural Michelin Information Abu Dhabi’s Younger Chef Award.
Go to mandarinoriental.com
THE BAR: PENELOPE’S BRASSERIE & AMERICAN JAZZ BAR
A brasserie and jazz bar in a single, Penelope’s channels the glamour and vibrancy of the French Riviera. Sip on basic cocktails in an Artwork Deco setting and luxuriate in reside jazz, whereas taking within the views of Yas Marina and the Arabian Gulf. Penelope’s can also be providing F1 packages with specifically curated menus by govt chef Omer Jahangir.
Go to penelopes.ae
THE CAFÉ: THE LIGHTHOUSE
A multi-faceted eatery-meets-concept retailer, The Lighthouse was established by Hashem Montasser and Hany Bassiouny and is an ode to the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of many Seven Wonders of the Historical World. Additionally taking inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s seminal novel To the Lighthouse, and the Bloomsbury Group’s custom of assembly for exciting dialog over lengthy breakfasts and ‘portray lunches’, head right here to choose up a espresso, store, eat, and benefit from the environment and creativity of the Yas Bay Waterfront.
Go to thelighthouse.ae
THE HIDDEN GEM: HIDDEN BAR on the Rosewood
Tucked away throughout the Rosewood Abu Dhabi is the Hidden Bar, which attracts inspiration from the prohibition period and the spirit of the day: gin. Right here, you may discover an array of gins, over 250 of them in truth, together with handcrafted infusions and cocktails, such because the Birra Americano and Barrel-Aged Negroni. The bar is ready in a comfortable lounge with cocoon-style seating together with a wonderful terrace with panoramic views. To accompany the gin there’s a number of cigars and bar snacks — select from oysters, truffle fries, and a cheese board amongst others.
Go to rosewoodhotels.com
THE ENTERTAINMENT: SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB, YASALAM AFTER-RACE CONCERT and MANAR
SAADIYAT BEACH CLUB
Frequently voted Abu Dhabi’s greatest seaside membership, Saadiyat Seashore Membership is the place to loosen up, swim and dine. Set on the white sands of Saadiyat Island, swim within the sea or take a dip within the temperature-controlled pool earlier than drying off in a cabana. There’s additionally a steam room, sauna, scorching tub, refreshing plunge pool, and a massively standard Saturday brunch.
Go to saadiyatbeachclub.ae
YASALAM AFTER-RACE CONCERT
Included within the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket value are the after-race live shows, and in true F1 fashion, they promise to be large and daring with large headliners. This yr will see performances by Ava Max, Tiësto, Chris Brown, Shania Twain, and the Foo Fighters. Rev up the posh and improve to the Golden Circle to get quicker entry and exit, and a place nearer to the stage.
Go to yasmarinacircuit.com
MANAR ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi is at the moment internet hosting the celebrated conceptual artist Carsten Höller as a part of Manar Abu Dhabi – a city-wide public artwork exhibition that showcases gentle sculptures and immersive items by native and worldwide artists. Abu Dhabi Dots is the second chapter of the artist’s Dots collection and sees Höller illuminate Corniche Seashore with 20 spotlights in 4 completely different colors to create an immersive sport. The spotlights observe the actions of the members and permit them to play a ‘reward and punishment’ sport with each other. Catch this, and lots of different installations throughout the town, till 30 January 2024.
THE SHOPPING: YAS MALL
In relation to procuring, it does not get a lot larger than Yas Mall. Not solely are there an entire host of shops and boutiques (together with over 370 worldwide manufacturers), however there are additionally 68 eating places and bars, and leisure within the type of a 24-screen cinema, indoor skydiving flight chamber, and the family-entertainment venue Enjoyable Works. There’s additionally a direct connection to Ferrari World Yas Island, the primary Ferrari-branded theme park located underneath a domed roof within the iconic Ferrari purple.
Go to yasisland.com
HOW TO GET THERE: QATAR AIRWAYS
Flights from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi with Qatar Airways begin from £507pp return however we extremely suggest you improve to benefit from the airline’s distinctive QSuite. Recognised as the very best enterprise class on the planet by Skytrax in 2023, friends can anticipate spacious suite-style seats which might be booked in single, twin, double or quad configurations, in addition to The White Firm sleepwear, Diptyque facilities, positive wines and connoisseur eating.
Go to qatarairways.com
Learn extra: The place to vacation within the Center East this winter
