Suggestions for overnighting in Abu Dhabi
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Durham, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP and 1MM, UA 1K, HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 424
Suggestions for overnighting in Abu Dhabi
I have searched the forum and found some information but am looking for specific recommendations for our overnight layover in Abu Dhabi.
Our flight is scheduled to arrive AUH at 7:45 PM after a 13 hour flight from IAD and our onward flight is at 9:20 AM. Given the recommendations from the EY website we need to be at the airport for check in by 6:20 AM.
Someone recommended the "sleeping pods" or hanging out at the premium lounges but we would prefer to get a few hours of real sleep. We have a choice between booking at the Airport Hotel in Terminal 1 or of getting a hotel outside the airport. Is it worth the extra effort to leave the airport and book a nicer hotel? We are not sure how much time immigration and transportation to an outside hotel would take.
Thank you in advance for any guidance.
Our flight is scheduled to arrive AUH at 7:45 PM after a 13 hour flight from IAD and our onward flight is at 9:20 AM. Given the recommendations from the EY website we need to be at the airport for check in by 6:20 AM.
Someone recommended the "sleeping pods" or hanging out at the premium lounges but we would prefer to get a few hours of real sleep. We have a choice between booking at the Airport Hotel in Terminal 1 or of getting a hotel outside the airport. Is it worth the extra effort to leave the airport and book a nicer hotel? We are not sure how much time immigration and transportation to an outside hotel would take.
Thank you in advance for any guidance.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago & AUH
Programs: AA PLT Pro, EY Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 172
Personally I would stay outside of the airport as there are many hotels within a ten minute cab ride. I've flown to AUH more times than I can count and have never had a long wait to go thru customs/immigration, usually ten minutes or so.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Durham, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP and 1MM, UA 1K, HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 424
Considered going into town to take advantage of my Diamond status with Hilton. I can get a room for $122 at the Hilton Abu Dhabi Corniche Rd W, Al Khubeirah, or a room for $108 at the Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Since it is a short layover, it probably makes sense to get something closer. I looked at reviews for hotels near the airport on Trip Advisor and nothing jumped out at me.
Thanks again for your help.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago & AUH
Programs: AA PLT Pro, EY Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 172
I don't think going all the way to the Hilton on the Corniche makes sense due to you literally just being there for the night. The hotel does have nice beach access and in a great part of town, but these things won't be of use to you anyways. I'd suggest the Hilton Capital Grand if you'd like to take advantage of your status. You could also check out the Yas Viceroy hotel or any of the other hotels on Yas island. There are quite a few hotels pretty close to the airport so any of the chain hotels will be just fine. I think you'll find you'll have a better nights sleep (especially coming off of such a long flight) at an outside hotel versus the in terminal one.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Dubai
Posts: 125
I can recommend the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa. It is approximately 10 - 15 min taxi ride away from the airport, but still outside the city. Also as Chho2AD mentioned, the hotels on Yas Island is also close to the airport and a taxi can take you there in around 10 min.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Durham, NC USA
Programs: AA EXP and 1MM, UA 1K, HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 424
Chgo2AD and milesinthemiddleeast - thank you for your help. I am looking at the hotels on Yas Island which seem to be the closest and the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa. Leaning towards the Yas Viceroy which seems to be the nicest.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
Anyone have thought/experience on the Premier Inn at the airport?
I have an 11:05p-10:55a layover. If I could do something interesting, I'd leave the airport vicinity, but suspect I won't have time. (Flying to U.S. so presumably need to be there early for preclearance). If I can't do anything, doesn't seem worth the hassle of changing money/dealing with taxis.
Any suggestions/advice?
I have an 11:05p-10:55a layover. If I could do something interesting, I'd leave the airport vicinity, but suspect I won't have time. (Flying to U.S. so presumably need to be there early for preclearance). If I can't do anything, doesn't seem worth the hassle of changing money/dealing with taxis.
Any suggestions/advice?
#9
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,301
Any comments on choosing between the Westin, Aloft or Raddison Blu?
I am there only 13 hours, have Plat status in SPG, gold in Carlson. Would probably use points at Raddisson Blu, not sure about SPG as cash might be a better redemption
I am there only 13 hours, have Plat status in SPG, gold in Carlson. Would probably use points at Raddisson Blu, not sure about SPG as cash might be a better redemption
#10
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago & AUH
Programs: AA PLT Pro, EY Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 172
Westin is a solid choice and would be my pick of the three. Cash plus points there is usually a pretty good deal too!
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Marriott Titanium, HH Diamond, A3-Gold
Posts: 204
I like the Westin, but the Aloft also has good Platinum recognition and is only 4K points for a free night and 2K + $35 for C/P.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
Just an update in case folks later search this thread -- I stayed at the airport Premier Inn, which was great -- extremely convenient to the airport, nice and clean and new, and friendly staff.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,301
I heard that the cab drivers don't accept credit card. Anyone know roughly the fare to Yas Island (the Raddisson) from AUH?
Given the likelihood of extra dirhams from my 12 hour overnight at YAS island, I'm wondering whether just taking the airport limo would be much more. I'll get a quote from the hotel on the limo.
Given the likelihood of extra dirhams from my 12 hour overnight at YAS island, I'm wondering whether just taking the airport limo would be much more. I'll get a quote from the hotel on the limo.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi
Programs: BA Gold/OWE
Posts: 531
Yas is only 5 miles from the airport, so around 40 dhs (25 +1.6/km) . I would never bother to book a limo from the airport because it's so easy to get a taxi from the line. They are modern, clean and metered.
Some taxis have a card machine. Whether it's in service is another matter ...
Uber, etc are 'discouraged' from making airport pickups ...
Some taxis have a card machine. Whether it's in service is another matter ...
Uber, etc are 'discouraged' from making airport pickups ...