Business Traveller (Middle East)
NEW HOTELS
A number of luxury properties have recently opened in the emirate, with several more on the horizon, each offering a variety of standout spaces for events, from intimate gatherings to gala dinners.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ABU DHABI AT MARYAH ISLAND
The luxury hotel group opened its first Abu Dhabi property in May last year. Located next door to the Galleria shopping mall on Al Maryah Island, it has 162 guestrooms and 38 suites, an outdoor terrace, a pool and a 300sqm garden overlooking Al Maryah’s waterfront promenade. The hotel has almost 2,000sqm of meeting facilities, including five function rooms and two ballrooms. Services include video conferencing, webcasting and creative set design. Read the tried & teseted review on page 19. fourseasons.com/abudhabi
BAB AL QASR
Opened in August, Bab Al Qasr is one of the emirate’s largest hotels, with 677 rooms. Set on a private beach on the Corniche, the hotel is 30 minutes from the airport and within easy reach of Marina Mall shopping centre and Heritage Village. Featuring Moroccanthemed interiors, the hotel’s event space spans 3,000 sqm, split into 15 meeting rooms, a ballroom and a number of outdoor venues. Leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, a gym, three restaurants and a spa spread over two floors. millenniumhotels.com
MARRIOTT HOTEL AL FORSAN
Ten minutes from Abu Dhabi International airport, this 400-room hotel opened last month in Khalifa City, adjacent to the Al Forsan International Sports Resort. Rooms feature flatscreen TVs, high-speed wifi and marble bathrooms. Facilities include a waterski and wakeboard lake, an equestrian centre, paddock and polo field, plus six dining venues and a spa with a hammam and 50-metre lap pool. It has nearly 500sqm of event space, including a ballroom that can hold 350 guests. marriott.co.uk
SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT AND VILLAS
Later this year, Rotana is set to open a five-storey resort with 327 rooms and suites, 13 villas and a private stretch of beach on Saadiyat Island. It will have eight dining outlets, conference facilities and a Bodylines gym and wellness centre. Another two Abu Dhabi openings are scheduled for the end of the year. The Beach Arjaan by Rotana will offer 326 guestrooms and apartments near the Corniche and central business district, as well as four restaurants, a pool, spa, gym and tennis courts. The 315-room Capital Centre Rotana will be situated near the National Exhibition Centre and have four dining venues, a pool and gym. rotana.com
FAIRMONT MARINA RESORT AND RESIDENCES
Due to open this year, this will be the city’s second Fairmont hotel, housed in a 39-storey tower next to the Marina Mall. It will have 563 guestrooms and suites and 249 apartments. Situated on the waterfront, it will offer panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, the Corniche and city skyline. Facilities include nine restaurants, tennis courts, a yoga lawn, an infinity pool and spa, a large ballroom and several outdoor spaces where events can be held. fairmontmarinaresidences.com