elenanik

I think I got the minibar because I asked for the lounge, which I had an impression they did have. So maybe that's why the gave it to us we didn't get charged for any drinks or snacks. It is a little out of town indeed, but in this heat we worked inside most of the time. I didn't use many of the regular taxis as I had an Uber discount, but I always seemed to find one taxi outside waiting for guests.

If you want to check out the 2301 suite and their standard room you can check my review: http://www.muslimtravelgirl.com/blog/hyatt-capital-gate

LPR

Quick question for anyone who has stayed at the GH Capital Gate... I am debating whether or not to stay here for a paid rate (Hyatt Diamond), or to use points to redeem for the Aloft Abu Dhabi (low # of points needed). I would only sleep at the hotel, flight lands at 730pm and eat breakfast in the morning.

gum

I think this is annoying. I really don't know what a private company should do with all the info on my passport and even produce a copy. Would be unthinkable of in Germany.

Furthermore you are once checked at the airport and then some minutes later in the hotel. This is pure bureaucracy.


Have got the same info from a Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai and therefore deleted the country from my wish list of holiday destinations.

m0hamed

You obviously don't travel very much. From the Middle East to Japan to Europe, many hotels require your passport for verification of ID and sometimes to help identify you to staff.

To not visit a country on this basis is extreme and melodramatic.

price123

Rubbish. If you stay at a hotel in Germany, they should take a copy of your passport in order to do the Anmeldung required. If you live in Germany, this doesn't apply but otherwise, they have to make a copy.

price123

Well. If you need the stay, it's a cheap one to get. The pool and gym are nice and usually quiet if that interests you. The rooms are reasonable size and breakfast is good. I haven't stayed in the Aloft but believe that is a more budget brand.

banzani

I've stayed at both and find the Aloft to be a fine alternative. Pool and gym are actually better there IMO.

stargold

For that sort of in-and-out stay, I would have thought the aLoft will do just fine, unless you need the stay credit to maintain Diamond.

This is not intended to be a criticism on the Capital Gate at all - I thought it was a fantastic property, especially with the Capital Suite upgraded with a DSU. The only annoyances are the location (further up the island would be nice), and the small number of deck chairs around the pool during peak times. Otherwise I found very little to fault overall.

Richey66

Is there a mall and/or food court in the same building or is taxi needed for any shopping and dining?

price123

Can you advise when peak time was? I have only ever seen one other couple at the pool and would like to keep it that way!

Having said that, I am a bigger fan of the Park Hyatt and looking forward to trying the Grand later this year.

beachfan

How would this place be for a 12 hour overnight en route from LAX-AUH-MLE on Etihad?

Is it relatively quick to the airport on a Monday morning?

stargold

It's one of the closer properties to the airport. It should take around 20min. I think it's a good choice for a short stop, if you're not willing to go further down the quality and stay at the Premier Inn connected to the airport (I wouldn't).

There are of course properties situated closer to the airport, such as the Westin (really close) and some hotels on Yas Island. But Capital Gate is also closer to the airport by around 15-20min compared to those in the city.

E1A

Location:

Primary convention hotel. Secondary airport hotel

This property is in the center of Abu Dhabi when you average it out. Sadly everything of importance in Abu Dhabi is on the periphery (its the inverse of a regular city). This is the main convention hotel of Abu Dhabi (right on top of ADNEC, along with Aloft, a Starwood property which is behind ADNEC). As an airport hotel, it is not the cheapest, closest or most luxurious. Only reason you would use it as an airport hotel is that you needed a Hyatt for redemption or night/stay credit. It is 15-20m of no traffic (there is never traffic) from airport. Sort of mid way between airport and downtown (that are at opposite ends)

Product Quality:

Good - The building is an architectural landmark and holds the Guiness record for furthest leaning tower in the world. Best hotel in the world when there is fog (the pool and restaurant are on cantilevered overhangs and you eat and swim amongst the clouds with no view of anything else except few buildings piercing the "clouds"). The maintenance and furnishings are top notch and will remain so due to nature of ownership (a rich local who does not balk at capital investment as opposed to a company that is audited)

Bad - Sinks and washbasins are ridiculously shallow (your hand will touch the bottom). Lights panels are unmarked and impossible to operate.

Service standards:

The usual UAE/ABU DHABI/DUBAI inconsistency and mediocrity at base levels due to disparate cultures, very high churn, most low level employees (housekeeping, room service, doorman, concierge) are new no matter how many times you go back.

Mid level (front desk staff) and high level (management) are great! The hotel always "seems" empty even when its 100% occupied and has a very high end boutique but vacuous feel to it. There is no "buzz" because of lack of people but this is a personal thing. I enjoy resort factories, this is a very boutiquey feeling place and the front desk staff is good enough to execute that image. Yes this is a convention hotel, the most counter-intuitive one in the world (189 rooms only, always feels empty and boutique-y). Some of the mid and high level staff are so great it puts the local Park Hyatt to shame which on the other hand often feels like a resort factory with crowds and long wait times (that's also a counter intuitive Park Hyatt at 306 rooms, largest in the world as of writing)

Cost:
LOL, this hotel defines value. Actually the next door Aloft defines value too.....5 star chain hotels with great hard product and average service (that gets the job done without fanfare) are dime a dozen in Abu Dhabi but this one is better than most

Distance from tourist spots:
Ironically, great (considering everyone will tell you its far away from downtown). Its a stone's throw from Grand Mosque (arguably the most important tourist spot, its the largest mosque in the world), very close to Yas Island and its Ferrari World and water theme park. 15-20 mins to both downtown city and airport (taxis are cheap here, 7 USD/25 AED either way). Saadiyat is the place to be once Louvre and Guggenheim opens though (and there is a Park Hyatt there, one of the most gorgeous hotels with one of the world's best/cleanest beach and amazing pool complex)

elenanik

This is my go to hotel in Abu Dhabi. I have been there two /three times and I have two more booked. Airport is very close and there is no traffic so you can reach in about 15min. Cheap taxi and great for Grand mosque visit. So if you have a layover you must visit the Mosque as it's stunning and you can have the hotel as a base.

Also if you find some cheap rate and price match it is a great value. Usually the hotel rate is more expensive then third websites.

ckone501

Am thinking of a stay after Christmas and spend New Year there. First of all is it ok to stay there for about a week or is it getting boring after 2 days?

I can not find any information about a Regency Club. Does this hotel have a Club? What can I expect as a Diamond at this property?

What is the situation regarding restaurants around this property? Donīt want to be forced to have dinner in the hotel everyday for high prices.

Thanks
Chris