Abu Dhabi Hotels

Of course, Abu Dhabi’s slow and steady tortoise to Dubai’s hare is the equivalent of a cheetah anywhere else. Mega-projects are being planned and built at breakneck speed, in spite of the inevitable hiccups that occurred during the worldwide financial meltdown. One need look no further than Saadiyat Island, the highly anticipated mixed-use project set for a grand 2020 unveiling. With highlights like Louvre Abu Dhabi, a Guggenheim franchise with requisite Pritzker Prize architect, championship golf course and satellite campus of New York University, Saadiyat Island is the perfect poster child for the U.A.E.’s collective aspirations.

That ambitious zeal is evident even in Abu Dhabi’s more laid-back haunts, from Corniche coffeeshops to the numerous beaches that line the emirate’s coast. See the Emirates Palace over here, a city-like luxury hotel complex built for over AED 11 billion. See the Sheikh Zayed Mosque over there, a magnificent leviathan testament to modern Islamic pride. Confident and ever-secure in its place in the Arabian Peninsula and, indeed, the world, Abu Dhabi is an enchanting city to discover.

Abu Dhabi’s Top 10

Abu Dhabi Local

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates but is also the name of an emirate as well, an important distinction for visitors to keep in mind.

The Western Region, or Al Gharbia spans the Empty Quarter and borders both Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Sand dunes and vast desertscapes typify the region but a few friendly destinations proliferate, from the agricultural area of Liwa to the coastal town of Ruwais. The town of Madinat Zayed and Sir Baniyas Island both contain some hotels and resorts of note.

Al Ain is the second-largest city in Abu Dhabi Emirate and a historic one at that. A true oasis, the city of 375,000 people is poised to inherent the mantle of new tourism dynamo in the U.A.E. All in all, Al Ain is well worth the 130 km trip from Abu Dhabi proper.

The shiny new, deliberate leisure, entertainment, and cultural pulse points of the U.A.E., Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, both link up with the Abu Dhabi mainland. A bevy of calculated distractions abound here, from Yas Marina Circuit to Yas Links golf course, the future Louvre Abu Dhabi to the future Frank Gehry-built Guggenheim Museum. Though relatively quiet now, both areas are prime targets for enormous residential and commercial expansion.

Al Raha is a beachfront area slated for major development in the years to come.

Bayn Al Jassrayn, literally “between two bridges”, is the area of the mainland close to the city of Abu Dhabi. Hotels, shops, malls and restaurants dot the quarter, which resides a mere 15 minutes from both the airport and the heart of the city.

The island that confines the city of Abu Dhabi is the destination of choice for the vast majority of visitors. Downtown, the main central business district, borders the Corniche and is easy to spot, as a haven of high rise developments. As a hive of activity with big malls and modern hotels and access to important points of interest, the core of Abu Dhabi is attractive to tourists and locals alike. On a good day, it takes half an hour to reach the airport from downtown Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Eat & Drink

Abu Dhabi Events

Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, as officials and civic leaders look to attract a more cosmopolitan brand of expat and tourist. The city now flaunts one of the most eclectic calendar of events in the entire Arabian Peninsula and Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit is one of the most popular stops in Formula 1, not just with drivers but with fans as well. The race is the sole event of the Grand Prix season to take place at night, under flood lights.

Abu Dhabi Film Festival is one of the newcomers in the U.A.E. and has been held since 2007 under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage. The festival promotes the growth of the regional film industry and features big international names as well.

Abu Dhabi is a rare international city to host Creamfields, the gigantic DJ and dance music festival. The event takes place at Yas Arena on Yas Island.

Al Gharbia Festivals encompass a wide range of regional events and interests, from watersports and falconry, to date cultivation and camel races.

Liwa Date Festival is held every July, with explicit aims to put Liwa and the Western Region of Abu Dhabi on the international tourism map.

Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition is a multifarious national festival in September with art competitions, traditional hunting and equestrian events, camel auctions and saluki beauty contests. Visitors who love the great outdoors can peruse the latest camping, hunting, equestrian and weaponry gear from hundreds of international brands.

WOMAD, the most venerable world music festival, comes to the Abu Dhabi Corniche and Al Ain Fort every April, with a reliable lineup of superb global talent.

Abu Dhabi Classics features a first rate ensemble of concerts at Emirates Palace, open-air stages, theatres and desert milieus from October to May.

Abu Dhabi Festival is the most comprehensive classical arts festival in the U.A.E. and one of the best in the Middle East. The linchpin festival cements Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a pre-eminent platform for and nurturer of creative expression in the Arab world.

Gourmet Abu Dhabi is a supreme gastro-fest that pairs international celeb and Michelin-star chefs with local restaurants for two weeks every February.

When To Go

The weather in Abu Dhabi is consistent with a hot arid climate, with high average temperatures and little to no rainfall from one month to the next (indeed, the city receives just over 100 mm of precipitation for the entire year). The most comfortable time to visit is from December to February, when temperatures run from 54°F (12°C) to 79°F (26°C).

Humidity rises considerably from June to September, with torrid temperatures in the 77°F (25°C) to 102°F (39°C) range. Highs of 118°F (48°C) are not uncommon in the Persian Gulf summer. When the mercury spikes to such levels, visitors would do well to stay indoors.

Out in the desert, as you stray further from the coast, conditions change significantly, with wider swings between daytime highs and nighttime lows.

What To Miss

Abu Dhabi is a relatively immaculate, safe city and, happily, devoid of flagrant tourist traps. Hyper growth in recent years, however, has led to a considerable rise in typical urban ills, namely traffic and sprawl. The government has made road safety education and the apprehension and punishment of reckless drivers a priority.

The United Arab Emirates is a devout Islamic state and, as such, visitors need to be aware of social customs and rules and regulations with regard to alcohol sales and consumption, dress and the like. To obtain alcohol outside of 4 and 5 star hotel bars and restaurants, for example, visitors can apply for a special permit. The temporary licence places a quota on monthly purchases in correlation with the holder’s annual salary.

Respectful dress is a necessary part of life in Abu Dhabi as well. As such, avoid sleeveless tops, shorts and short skirts altogether. Throughout the month-long observance of Ramadan, residents, in general, restrain from conduct incompatible with Islamic mores. Visitors are strongly recommended from doing the same and should not smoke, drink or eat in public until after dusk.

Getting Around

Abu Dhabi International Airport is on the mainland and a 30 km drive from the city. The airport is in the final phase of a colossal overhaul and improvement scheme, as the emirate plays catch up to cope with a fourfold jump in total passengers over the past decade or so. When the terminal expansion work comes to a close, total capacity at Abu Dhabi International will top out at 20 million passengers per year. For now, the hub serves such far-flung destinations as Astana, London-Heathrow, Toronto and Sydney. Another alternative, of course, is to fly in to Dubai International and hire a taxi or bus to Abu Dhabi upon arrival.

Abu Dhabi, like the United Arab Emirates as a whole, is not made for pedestrians. Climate and the basic urban layout of the city both play a part in the blatant car culture. To get from point A to point B, rent a car from a reputable international company or flag down a white-and-gold or silver cab.

For day trips to Dubai and other emirates, check out the long-distance taxi stand and main bus terminal on the corner of East Road and Haza’a bin Zayed Street.

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AbuDhabi: CosmopolitanOasis