Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Abu Dhabi
Mar 24, 2024, 11:48 am
#166
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,197
If I am fine taking Ubers or driving, we will actually have a car, would that make a difference in your opinion. We arrive at 7:00 AM from CMN so we have all day plus the morning of the second day before heading to Al Maha to arrive around lunch.
As far as use of points to comfort, was what I was thinking. I saw your reviews and know you really enjoyed St Regis Corniche.
As far as use of points to comfort, was what I was thinking. I saw your reviews and know you really enjoyed St Regis Corniche.
Mar 24, 2024, 12:23 pm
#167
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LCY
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, QR Privilege Club, MB LT Plt (1K+ nights thx MB)
Posts: 1,038
The beach club which you access through a in-hotel underpass is quite nice, with a small beach.. It's not like the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort but for a city hotel it's very good.
Mar 25, 2024, 6:37 am
#169
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Leicestershire / Dubai
Programs: BA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite & Lifetime Gold, Heathrow Rewards Premium, Tesco Clubcard
Posts: 663
Both are the 'older' properties in the Emirate but they've been refurbished over the years and are generally good. The resorts at both properties are also good as is the service levels. I last stayed at Le Meridien in 2019 when it had just been refurbished
Mar 25, 2024, 12:15 pm
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
If I am fine taking Ubers or driving, we will actually have a car, would that make a difference in your opinion. We arrive at 7:00 AM from CMN so we have all day plus the morning of the second day before heading to Al Maha to arrive around lunch.
As far as use of points to comfort, was what I was thinking. I saw your reviews and know you really enjoyed St Regis Corniche.
As far as use of points to comfort, was what I was thinking. I saw your reviews and know you really enjoyed St Regis Corniche.
Mar 25, 2024, 12:49 pm
#171
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA LTG/GFL, Honors Diamond, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 718
Mar 25, 2024, 12:54 pm
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
The last thing I want to do is screw over one of those taxi drivers. When I lived there I always paid in cash. Perhaps paying with a credit card has improved, but I still would pay in cash if only because I’m pretty certain the taxi drivers would prefer it.
Mar 25, 2024, 1:10 pm
#173
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 73
Which St Regis
I’m planning our first ever trip to Abu Dhabi, despite having had numerous holidays in Dubai in the past.
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
Mar 25, 2024, 2:14 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
I’m planning our first ever trip to Abu Dhabi, despite having had numerous holidays in Dubai in the past.
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
Mar 25, 2024, 2:39 pm
#175
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: HH Gold
Posts: 214
I’m planning our first ever trip to Abu Dhabi, despite having had numerous holidays in Dubai in the past.
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
I’ve narrowed the hotel choice down to one of the two StR properties (or indeed, a 50/50 split at both is possible). I’d appreciate the views of the collective wisdom here.
Data points:
- 8 nights in late August / early September.
- Travelling as a couple, late 30s.
- In August we favour spending sunrise and late afternoon golden hour at the beach, but spend our days exploring air conditioned attractions. One mall day would be ok too.
- We’re keen swimmers - so a proper swimming pool would be an advantage.
- I have Bonvoy Titanium status so reliable provision of Bonvoy perks would also be advantageous. I have 5 SNA to use. This will be a cash trip because I don’t find the points rates enticing at either hotel.
- We’ll have a rental car for the whole trip.
- We rarely eat evening meals on property. We love to eat at local places. A selection of local restaurants within walking distance would be awesome, but not imperative.
- For context, our go-to property in Dubai is Grosvenor House.
- The price difference is not a deal breaker, but the StR Saadiyat is coming out about AED 2,700 (Ł600 GBP) more expensive for the full 8 nights.
I realise we can’t tick every box, but on balance, I’d be super grateful for any advice about which property might be best for us. Thanks!
Mar 26, 2024, 6:10 am
#177
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,197
Personally, I liked the Corniche property a bit more, but that's more because, all things considered, I prefer staying in a city tower over staying in a beach resort. I also didn't find taxis in Abu Dhabi to be that cheap or convenient, so it was nice to be able to walk around the Corniche area vs. being slightly stranded in Saadiyat.
Mar 26, 2024, 8:14 am
#178
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
If you have 5 NUAs but intending to spend 8 nights in Abu Dhabi, then I would spend 5 nights at the Saadiyat property, and the rest of it at the Corniche. I don't think either hotel (and their respective areas) are interesting or compelling enough for the full 8 night stay.
Saadiyat is unmistakably a resort, whereas Corniche is a hybrid of city/resort. Saadiyat is close to Mamsha Al Saadiyat district, which has a row of quite nice restaurants by the beach (although the August heat will make it less convenient). I wouldn't say that there's an amazing amount of stuff around the Corniche property, and the mall attached to it is particularly pointless - only a couple of restaurants and cafes are useful there.
Except that RTA is only for Dubai, not Abu Dhabi, so the RTA rules do not apply.
It's been ages since I took a normal cab but, until quite recently, Abu Dhabi taxis only accepted credit cards via an app that you needed to download, not directly through the physical card or Apple Pay etc. In Abu Dhabi, either use Uber/Careem apps (cars and drivers are much better), or better to carry cash for the normal cabs just in case.
Saadiyat is unmistakably a resort, whereas Corniche is a hybrid of city/resort. Saadiyat is close to Mamsha Al Saadiyat district, which has a row of quite nice restaurants by the beach (although the August heat will make it less convenient). I wouldn't say that there's an amazing amount of stuff around the Corniche property, and the mall attached to it is particularly pointless - only a couple of restaurants and cafes are useful there.
It's been ages since I took a normal cab but, until quite recently, Abu Dhabi taxis only accepted credit cards via an app that you needed to download, not directly through the physical card or Apple Pay etc. In Abu Dhabi, either use Uber/Careem apps (cars and drivers are much better), or better to carry cash for the normal cabs just in case.
Mar 26, 2024, 8:41 am
#179
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA LTG/GFL, Honors Diamond, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Silver
Posts: 718