This is a luxury five star hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It has been operated by Mandarin Oriental as of Jan. 1, 2020. After the present renovation the hotel will be rebranded as a Mandarin Oriental property. Two popular landmarks nearby are Heritage Village (1.3 mi) and The Corniche (1.4 mi). There are 14 food and beverage outlets to choose from in this hotel. A variety of national as well as international cuisines are served in these restaurants.
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
2. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
The hotel is based on The hotel’s Mediterranean architecture. This 376-room beachfront property offers some of the best views of the Arabian Gulf. Louvre Abu Dhabi and the nearby golf club is only a 10-minute drive from here , and the city centre is 12 miles away. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Corniche are 20 to 30 minutes away. There are seven food and beverage venues in the hotel. The Iridium Spa is by the side of five swimming pools. The Athletic Club is one of the best in the city and it has a 25-metre lap pool, squash courts, and dedicated studios for yoga and spinning. There is a children’s club suitable for children between the ages of 1–12. Children at the age of 4 years and below must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
3. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is situated on a 9 km stretch of private beach on Saadiyat Island. Each spacious air-conditioned room is equipped with a 42-inch flat-screen TV and an iPod docking station. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and are decorated in soft colors. An open-plan bathroom with an oversized bathtub and a separate rain-shower is included. The Atarmia Spa provides various beauty treatments in private treatment rooms for men and women. It includes a gym. There are 3 in-house restaurants which offer a wide selection of international cuisine. The Beach House Restaurant features panoramic views of Saadiyat Beach and the landscaped hotel gardens. The hotel is 35 minutes’ drive away from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Nearby attractions include the Louvre and Saadiyat Golf Club.
This resort hotel is located in Abu Dhabi’s breathtaking Saadiyat Island with a spectacular 9 km stretch of white beach. Built on modern Arabic architecture, this five-star property has striking and uninterrupted Arabian Gulf views. The resort has elegantly-designed 327 rooms and suites and 13 beach villas which displays casual elegance and contemporary style to reflect the resort’s premier beach-side setting. Club Rotana executive rooms have added privileges and personalized service.
Saadiyat Rotana
There are eight modern dining areas that promise authentic flavours and new culinary experiences.Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar, Hamilton’s Gastropub, a lively nightspot, and Turtle Bay Bar & Grill are only some of the dining options to suit guests’ taste and mood.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas offers three fully-equipped banquet and event rooms, an elegant ballroom and The Lawn, a spectacular outdoor event venue for memorable events like weddings..
Bodylines Fitness, a modern gym, Zen spa offering Turkish Hammam and 10 treatment rooms, an outdoor pool, two tennis courts, mini golf and a beach club are some of the facilities offered by the resort. Aladdin’s Cave, the kids club offers a lazy river, splash pool, cinema zone, water slide and much more that will keep the younger guests active and engaged. This upscale beachfront resort is 4 km from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, 2 km from Manarat Al Saadiyat, and 32 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas
The polished rooms provide safes, minibars and tea and coffee making equipment, in addition to flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi. The elegant 1- to 3-bedroom suites have living rooms and dining areas. The 1- and 2-bedroom villas are set on the beach and have plunge pools. Room service is available 24/7.
5. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi offers direct access to the private Nation Riviera Beach Club, inclusive of a health and fitness center, kids club and a wonderful renovated swimming pool in addition to its sandy beach. It is adjacent to Nation Galleria Mall, district of Al Bateen, Qasr Al Watan and Emirates Palace.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The Terrace on the Corniche is a vibrant dining destination located on the ground level of the hotel. Guests can dine in the main dining room, or at the garden terrace and bar with private access from the Abu Dhabi Corniche. For those desiring privacy, a separate dining room can comfortably seat 40.
Middle Eastern and international dishes to suit every palate are offered with freshly brewed specialty coffees and handcrafted breads and pastries. In the evening, modern-Arabic music is played.
Villa Toscana is inspired by an Italian summer residence. Its elegant cuisine consists of handcrafted specialties from Tuscany, Umbria, and Emilia-Romagna.
Azura Panoramic Lounge wraps around the pool terrace and presents a view of the Corniche. It offers a menu of shisha and Arabic mezze. Live music is also provided.
The St. Regis Bar comprises three integrated spaces—the library, the main bar, and the Cigar Lounge—The St. Regis Bar presents a lively, atmospheric space for socializing or celebrating in the tradition of New York’s Gilded Age.
The bar displays a relief carving depicting heroic Arabic sporting scenes of camel racing, horse racing, and falconry. In the book-lined library is also there in the bar.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The cocktail menu includes the signature St. Regis Bloody Mary which was introduced to the original St. Regis in New York by Fernand Petiot in 1934. He perfected this cocktail by adding salt, pepper, lemon, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. Formal dress is required at the bar.
6. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
Etihad Towers is a complex of hotel buildings with five towers located opposite the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The towers feature offices, apartments and a hotel.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
The hotel building is a part of the iconic Etihad Towers high-rise complex, this upscale, contemporary hotel is a minute’s walk from the Corniche waterfront promenade and 20 km from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Accommodations range from trendy rooms with free-standing tubs and panoramic city or gulf views, to opulent suites with living rooms and butler service. All rooms come with flat-screens, Nespresso machines and free Wi-Fi. Suites and club rooms have direct access to a lounge offering complimentary breakfast, drinks and snacks. Room service is offered.
Amenities include 12 restaurants and bars, 3 outdoor pools, a gym and private beach, as well as a refined spa with a hammam (a type of steam bath). Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers has a full-service spa with 13 treatment rooms, and a large fitness centre with modern equipment. Located on level 74, the Observation Deck is the highest vantage point of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Marina Mall is a 5-minute drive away.
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
7. The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The hotel features 198 spacious rooms, upscale suites and 57 residences filled with luxury amenities, including a spa with 7 treatment rooms, two pools, two state-of-the-art fitness centres, a three-story nightclub, a rooftop tapas bar, and three signature restaurants. Market at Edition is the health-focused all-day dining establishment. Alba Terrace is a Mediterranean-style eatery. The Oak Room rounds out the menu and is most notable for its meat case and crafted cocktails. The hotel also offers sophisticated venues for weddings, exhibitions and seminars. Event space includes a ballroom.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
The design is superlative. The lobby is more like a comfortable lounge room than a hotel entrance and the soft peach tones and warm lighting make a real impact. The curved atrium is elevated by a kinetic art installation that moves majestically five times a day. Dark wood-paneled walls, marble floors and luxe furnishings give the space that stay-a-while feel. This sleek modern approach is continued into the rooms. In the rooms there is a coffee machine and Bang & Olufsen speaker system. Sand dune photographs on the walls give the space a local touch and the timber floors, beige color palette and sand-colored daybed combine well to provide a more minimalist boutique feel.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Attractions nearby include adjacent marina and inspiring views of the Gulf, Corniche Beach, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, Sheikh Zayed Heritage Centre is across the road and Louvre Abu Dhabi. Al Bateen Executive Airport 15 km away while Abu Dhabi International Airport can be reached in 35 minutes by car.
8. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Shangri-La Hotel, Qarat Al Beri has luxurious rooms decorated in a modern Arabic style with warm, rich colours and elegant furnishings. There are 213 rooms and suites, 6 private villas and 160 serviced apartments. There are also 7 restaurants and bars including the renowned Shang Palace. Each room has a balcony or terrace with an admirable view of the garden or Arabian Gulf. The hotel has a private beach and an infinity pool.
In the Shang Palace Chinese cuisine is served, and in Bord Eau, French delicacies can be savoured. Before and after dinner, Al Hanah Bar provides drinks in a relaxing atmosphere. Buffet breakfasts are available for a fee.
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La draws inspiration from the legendary Shangri-La style spas. Massages and treatments are based on authentic natural healing methods found in traditional well-being practices shared by many Asian cultures. In addition to sa there are a gym, yoga studio, and sauna.
Other amenities include a business center, limo and car service, and express check-in etc. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference and meeting rooms, and space for weddings and exhibitions. Free valet parking is available onsite.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi International Airport is a 20-minute drive away. Attractions nearby include Sheikh Zayed Mosque, a 15-minute drive away, Al Maqtaa Fort, 2 km from the property and Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The hotel is connected by a winding waterway featuring Arabic traditional boats, known as abras. You lie back, utterly relaxed, while the abra slowly meanders throughout the verdant garden scenery.
The boat drops you at the hotel’s souk, a traditional Arabian market. There you browse through the enticing variety of shops selling traditional artifacts, paintings, jewellery and clothes.
9.Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
A palatial resort in Mediterranean design, the resort connects with the centuries-old traditional Arab culture with its oriental court gardens and extensive water features. It boasts luxurious 378 rooms or villas, an onsite spa, fitness centre, tennis and volleyball courts, pristine private beach, and water park or wave pool. There are 7 meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 680 persons. The conveniently located hotel offers easy access to the city’s most of the must-see destinations, including the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Yas Waterworld and the Louvre Abu Dhabi (4.8 km), Manarat Al Saadiyat (27 min walk), UAE Pavilion (30 min walk), Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (32 min walk) and Abu Dhabi Corniche (8.8 km).
Services offered at Anjana Spa include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages, Swedish massages, and Thai massages. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna, a spa tub, a steam room, and Turkish bath/hammam. The spa is open daily.
For kids, there are Kids & Teens Club, separate kids pool and babysitting facilities. There is also Warner Bros theme park on Yas Island, a 20-minute drive away. Aqua Park is available for children only.
Club House is an exclusive venue reserved only for guests residing in the hotel serving a variety of International cuisine as well as refreshments. The Orient restaurant offers Oriental Turkish cuisine and Oriental A La Carte cuisine. It serves dinner only. Reservations are required.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
L’olivo (Ã la carte) is a fine-dining restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine serving dinner only. Reservations are required.
Mermaid (Ã la carte) is a beach fine-dining restaurant specializing in seafood and serves dinner only. A children’s menu is available. Reservations are required.
Turquoise restaurant offering poolside buffet specializes in international cuisine and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. A children’s menu is available.
Aja (Ã la carte) specializes in Japanese cuisine and serves dinner only. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Reservations are required.
The rooms have garden or sea views and are equipped with King bed (twin beds available in garden view rooms), stocked minibar replenished daily, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, bathtub and standalone shower, air conditioning, flat screen TV, international direct dialling telephone, electronic safe, hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers, iron, ironing board, blackout drapes and curtains. Rooms and parking are wheelchair accessible.
10. W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
W is set at Yas Marina and the F1 Yas Marina Circuit. The 499 room hotel features a unique design, set half on land and half on water.This modern hotel is 4 km from Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and 8 km from Abu Dhabi International Airport. The rooms come with Air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, safes, iPod docking station and floor-to-ceiling windows.
A rooftop terrace features 2 pools and a bar. Other amenities include a casual lobby lounge, a nightclub and a polished restaurant, as well as Italian, Indian and Japanese eateries. There are also spa treatments, a gym and a sauna, plus meeting and event space for up to 2,000 people.
The hotel offers a total of 3,520 square meters of event space, including the Great Room, seven studios, and four strategy and outdoor terraces for meetings and social gatherings.
W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island
Guests can also enjoy Yas Beach club, offering an incredible beach facility, a pool, a bar and dining area. Complimentary access is included and the Yas shuttle will whisk you from the hotel to the Beach Club. The hotel is only a 10 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 15 minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi city centre. An 18-hole golf course and Yas Mall are within walking distance from the hotel.
Dhayah Fort was built in the 18th-century in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a protection against British invasion and was the site of a battle during the Persian Gulf campaign of 1819, when British troops captured the fort after a brief siege. After the fall of Dhayah, a treaty known as General Maritime Treaty of 1820, was signed between the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Great Britain in January 1820, with the nearby island state of Bahrain acceding to the treaty in the following February. This treaty endured until the independence of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971.
The round defensive boundary wall of Al Dhayah Fort
The Dhayah fort offers a stunning 360-degree view of its scenic surroundings as it is on top of a hill. It is accessed only by a zigzag staircase of more than 100 steps. Climbing the staircase is a bit of a challenge but the scenic view from the fort is well worth the effort. You also get the views of the beautiful sea, majestic Hajar Mountains, a splendid oasis and the city around it.
In the summer it can get very hot so make sure to cover up against direct sunlight and apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a cap to protect your face and eyes.
The watchtower
The watchtower
There is a watchtower located just outside Al Jazirah Al Hamra. This tower was constructed about 100 years ago to protect the water wells in the village of Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
The Sur
The ‘Sur” fortification was constructed using mud bricks at the foot of the hill. This ‘Sur’ was used as a retreat for local people. The fort, the watchtower and the “sur’ formed the fortification of Al Jazirah Al Hamra.
Visit to Dhayah Fort
If you are a first time visitor it would be better to go with a guide for navigation, as the fort is located away from the main road of Al Rams. The area is hot, so carry plenty of water to stay hydrated. If you are visiting in summer you will be exposed to lot of direct sunlight. Apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a cap to protect your face and eyes. The visiting hours are 09:00 am to 05:00 (Sunday to Thursday).
While you are in Ras Al Khaimah, you may also want to visit Wadi Bih in Ras Al Khaimah. Some other prominent historic places in the emirate include the haunted Al Qasimi Palace and the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.
The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah
The National Museum is located in one of the oldest forts in the country. The fort also served as the residence of a ruling family before it was converted into the National Museum in the 1980s. In fact, amongst the countless artifacts and historical exhibits are original treatises signed by former ruling families. The excavated artifacts show that the Ras Al Khaimah has been home to several trading civilisations since 5000 BC and has a rich history and continuous settlements for 7,000 years. From traditional weapons to fishing instruments, and ancient pottery, the museum is a great spot for anyone looking to glimpse into the emirate’s past.
Masdar is a planned city project in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Literally it means ‘Source City’. Its core is being built by Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, a state-owned construction company, with the majority of seed capital provided by the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Masdar City is a hub for innovation, research and development, advancing real-world solutions in energy and water efficiency, mobility, and artificial intelligence. Its first tenant was the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which has been operating in the city since it moved into its campus in September 2010. Masdar City is a highly planned, specialised, research and technology-intensive municipality.
Masdar City a ghost town or a green lab?
Cars are not allowed inside the city. You have to park the car in the car park provided. In the city you can take autonomous pods and self drive buses for movement within the city.
Masdar City is a living, working community where residents, academics and business professionals live, learn, work and play in an environment that pushes the boundaries of sustainable design, construction, and operation. The city contains one of the largest clusters of low-carbon buildings in the world.
Masdar City Free Zone is a powerful business enabler and incubator. More than 800 companies from six continents operate from Masdar City ranging from multinationals such as Siemens, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, to regional corporations, SMEs and startups.
Masdar City
Masdar Park features a children’s playground, music wall, and art installations themed on sustainability.
The companies in the city will concentrate on energy saving and energy substituting projects as well as reuse of water.
Due to the impact of the global financial crisis, the initial 1,000,000 square metres of buildings which was estimated for completion in 2015, was pushed back to between 2020 and 2025 and final completion was estimated to be 2030.
Qaryat Al Torath Heritage Village is located in the Ain Al Fayda district of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. The Village features 32 market stalls offering a variety of traditional Emirati handicrafts and foods. You can watch Bedouin (nomadic Arab people) women making beautiful craft pieces.
Qaryat Al Torath Heritage Village
The shops also sell traditional clothing, spices, perfumes, date palm products and accessories.
Qaryat Al Torath Heritage Village
Dining options include authentic Emirati fare from several kitchens selling traditional tea, Arabic dishes and moreish sweets.
Featured Image : Photo By Noor Ali – [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3727996
The Dubai way of life did not always center on oil and its profits. Dubai was originally a fishing settlement. Inhabitants lived by fishing, pearling, herding sheep and goats, and by the turn of the century was an important trading port. Trade expanded even as Dubai was under the British colony, and Dubai began to grow in merchant appeal. By the early 1900s, almost a quarter of the population was foreign.
The population in the 1930s was 20,000, and of that, 2,000 were Persians, 1,000 Baluchis, many Indians and substantial communities from Bahrain, Kuwait and the Hasa province in eastern South Arabia. In 1954, the British established a political agency there as well.
In 1971, the British withdrew and Dubai joined with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Aiman, Umm Al Quwain, Fajairah and later Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates. Oil was discovered in 1966 and by 1969 Dubai exported its first shipment of oil. The success of this venture fueled the rapid development of the area and through the insight of the late ruler provided for the general welfare of the inhabitants. Dubai worked to build up its infrastructure of transport facilities, schools, hospitals, tourism developments and other amenities of an advanced society.
The journey continues today. The story of Dubai reads like a rags-to-riches tale, and indeed, it is hard to imagine anywhere else in the world that has developed at such a pace, in such a short time. Dubai is a magnificent expression of the Emirate’s incredible vision and a tribute to its sea-faring heritage, an uncompromising statement of success in a land that century after century has provided immense opportunity.
