Towering hotel offers family fun and endless relaxation
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi is the newest landmark hotel in Abu Dhabi. Having opened its doors in September, the luxury resort is housed in the towering sandy pink building that rises above the capital’s man-made marina breakwater.
While Rixos is known for its all-inclusive concept, that’s not yet come into effect at this property. However, a representative for the hotel said it is on the way.
For now, there is the option of booking room-only, bed and breakfast or half-board stays.
The National checked into the grand gateway arch to find out what it has to offer.
The welcome
As we drive up to the entrance of the hotel, we are welcomed by a grand fountain that is lit up in blue and features carved jumping dolphins. A valet swiftly takes our car and our luggage is promptly picked up.
A grand lobby with a huge chandelier as the centrepiece is the first thing we notice as we make our way to the reception desk. Check-in is quick; within five minutes we are on the way to our room, where our luggage arrives a few minutes later.
The neighbourhood
Located beyond Marina Mall at the end of Abu Dhabi Corniche, the building, which is reminiscent of Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm, is hard to miss. Breakwater Beach and Abu Dhabi Heritage Village are a short walk away.
The room
We stay in a spacious deluxe corniche view room. It houses a comfortable king-size bed that faces a large 65-inch television and the room features a muted and soothing palette of brown and white peppered with mashrabiya patterns. There are complimentary teas, coffees and water, plus a mini bar stocked with all manner of (chargeable) drinks.
The balcony has incredible views and is the ideal spot to unwind for a quiet evening, while the bathroom, separated from the main bedroom by frosted glass doors, has a stand-alone bathtub and his and hers sinks.
The service
The hotel was almost at capacity during our stay, so staff were understandably busy. We had to wait a little bit to get a server’s attention, but once we did, service was delivered with a smile.
The scene
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi has 563 rooms and several categories of suites – each offering either city or ocean views.
The property has four pools – two for families, one for children and one for adults only; the latter also features a swimup bar. If you’d rather top up your tan on the beach, it’s just beyond the adults’ pool and has shaded loungers.
Parents seeking a bit of quiet time can drop off the little ones at the Rixy Kids Club, where games, a ball pit and fun workshops are on offer, all under the supervision of trained staff. The hotel also offers a babysitting service.
There is a schedule of weekly sports activities on offer for guests, including CrossFit, Pilates and Tabata.
The Naturelife Spa has separate facilities for men and women, but also offers couples’ massages. I try the incredibly relaxing 60-minute signature mixed message, which is a combination of Swedish and Yatsu massage and stretches. The spa also has a Jacuzzi, sauna and hammam.
The food
The property has five dining outlets – Turquoise, the all-day dining restaurant; Antidote, the resident bar; People’s Restaurant, which has an a la carte menu for lunch and Mediterranean seafood for dinner; Bakery Club, which serves light bites between 3pm and 6pm; and a 24-hour Lobby Lounge, where guests can take their pick from sandwiches, coffees, teas, desserts and chocolates.
During our stay, we are invited to have all our meals at Turquoise restaurant, where breakfast includes staples such as an egg station, a selection of cereals, breads, cold cuts, sausages and cheeses, fresh juices, coffee and Turkish tea.
Both the lunch and dinner buffets offer similar dishes, such as salads, seafood, cold cuts, sushi, a pasta station, roasted veggies and dips. The dessert options are also plentiful, although nothing was particularly outstanding.
Highs and lows
The beach and the spa were the highlights of our stay. The signature massage is highly recommended; it helped get rid of some niggling pain in my neck and I slept like a baby.
At the beach, staff ensured our umbrellas were angled to keep the sun away and we had the option of ordering drinks right to our loungers.
The low was the food in the buffet. Dishes served during lunch and dinner were similar, with several repeated for all four of our meals – guests staying at the property for longer than a day or two would appreciate more variety.
The insider tip
When checking in, request a room with a balcony if they are available, to enjoy views of the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
The verdict
With several activities on offer for little ones, Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi is a great choice for families visiting or looking for a staycation in the capital.
The bottom line
Rates at Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi start from Dh900, plus taxes. Check-in is from 3pm and checkout is at noon. More information is available at www.rixos.com
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel. It reflects hotel standards during this time, services may change in the future