BEACH CLUB BLISS

WHERE TO SOAK UP THE SUN IN STYLE

Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi

The Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi only opened on June 1, so it’s been a little hot to enjoy its beach club’s best feature: a 30-metre infinity pool. Not now, though, so dive in. In addition to a small private beach there also a plunge pool and a children’s pool, surrounded by 70 sunbeds and ten private cabanas and pods as well as something else you don’t find at local hotels very often: outdoor functional training equipment, part of an offshoot of the 330 square metre gym. The pool is adjacent to the Italian trattoria Verso, where if you come for the Saturday family brunch, you get pool access too.

Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 8pm, Dh100 Sun to Thur, Dh150 Fri and Sat. Tel: (02) 5101234. Taxi: New Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Corniche opposite Emirates Palace

Nation Riviera Beach Club

You couldn’t help but feel a twinge for the Corniche stalwart beach club, The Hiltonia, when the Nation Riviera behemoth rolled into the capital a few years ago. Connected to the St Regis Abu Dhabi via a cool marbled underground tunnel, the club offers 200 meters of prime private beachfront, with views of the Marina Mall breakwater and Lulu Island across the water. There you can lounge, swim or join in circuit-training classes led by the club’s personal trainers. There’s also a massive pool and swim up bar with a lively Friday scene, as well as an outdoor jacuzzi and private cabanas for rent. The Cabana Bar & Grill offers a range of items from tasty burgers to superfood bowls. It’s also fully equipped for kids: Treasure Island Children’s Club is housed in a mock pirate ship, with fully supervised activities inside and out.

Nation Riviera Beach Club, St Regis Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to sunset, Dh160 for Sun to Thur, Dh210 Fri and Sat.. Tel: (02) 6944780. Taxi: St Regis beach club Corniche. Nationriviearabeachclub.com