Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Abu Dhabi
#95
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Qatar Airways, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 2,716
Looked at Abu Dhabi options for this month and have found the hotels to be hilariously priced - something along the lines of 319 AED/night [just under 87 USD] for the Le Royal Méridien on a December weekend. Unusual to see such high-quality products marketed as so low a price when a Four Points in Dubai will set you back for more [granted, not much more] for the same time period. The only one with consistently high rates seems to be The St Regis Saadiyat Island; the city branch was always more reasonable although I've yet to try either.
khabah
khabah
#97
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OnBusiness, SPG Lifetime Plat 100, AmEx Centurion & BAPP, Superking Westin Heavenly Bed :)
Posts: 1,142
Safe travels,
JK
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
St. Regis Abu Dhabi vs St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort vs Ritz Carlton?
My wife and I will be passing through Abu Dhabi in late October next year, arriving at 11:30 am on a Wednesday from the USA and departing the next day at 8:45 am for Nairobi. (FWIW, traveling premium cabins with just carry-on luggage, so any airport delays/hassles should not be too bad.) Despite the great advice I received a couple of years ago re the LM, we ended up staying at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which we loved. (I can't recall why we opted for the St. R, beyond deciding to splurge).
For this return visit, having seen the Grand Mosque and wanting a pretty restful time, we're thinking of returning to the St. R AD, but the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort also sounds very appealing, though I understand there is construction going on nearby. (True?) Any recommendations of one over the other? We'd likely be hanging out at the hotel/beach. (We didn't get to check out the St. R beach last time through.) It would be a C+P stay, with the Saadiyat Island Resort more expensive, but that's just a marginal consideration.
So...any recommendations re one versus the other, including Platinum treatment? I assume that our flight is too early for comparisons of breakfasts to be relevant, but if I assume incorrectly please let me know.
And if anyone has other hotels we should consider, be they other Starwoods or Marriott properties, I'd welcome the advice.
Thanks for any help with this.
For this return visit, having seen the Grand Mosque and wanting a pretty restful time, we're thinking of returning to the St. R AD, but the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort also sounds very appealing, though I understand there is construction going on nearby. (True?) Any recommendations of one over the other? We'd likely be hanging out at the hotel/beach. (We didn't get to check out the St. R beach last time through.) It would be a C+P stay, with the Saadiyat Island Resort more expensive, but that's just a marginal consideration.
So...any recommendations re one versus the other, including Platinum treatment? I assume that our flight is too early for comparisons of breakfasts to be relevant, but if I assume incorrectly please let me know.
And if anyone has other hotels we should consider, be they other Starwoods or Marriott properties, I'd welcome the advice.
Thanks for any help with this.
#99
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,755
I encourage you to add the Abu Dhabi Louvre to your schedule. It opened within the last month. We bought tickets in advance which proved unnecessary. I thought that the collection was superbly curated and it was a real treat to visit. Also, if you haven't already visited, I highly recommend a trip to the Falcon Hospital. Fascinating. This must be booked in advance.
One feature that I liked very much at the St Regis Saadiyat is easy access to The Collection, the restaurants and shops immediately out the front door and across the interior road. I'm a fan of Avasa, an Indian restaurant there.
We were upgraded to an Astor suite as a platinum member. I had a rate that included breakfast. It was extensive. However, I agree with you that your flight schedule will not permit you to eat it.
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Thanks very much, SD1K! Unless we're really bushed, we'll check out the Louvre. And the Falcon Hospital sounds fascinating. Any recollection of how far it is from either of these St. Regis's?
#101
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,755
The Louvre is on Saadiyat Island and was the primary reason I chose the St Regis. There is no Uber; we needed cash for the taxi. The taxi ride was roughly $5. I'll leave you to look up the Falcon Hospital as that was a different trip.
#103
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
That's good to hear, because LM was a disaster and it would have to be Bates Motel in order to be worse.
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
They're bulldozing around the LM at the moment to build the next bridge to Al Maryah, and frankly they should just bulldoze the LM while they're at it and start fresh...
#104
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: lounge next door
Programs: *A Gold / ST Elite+ / OWS / EK G / HH Diam. / MR Tit / Hyatt GLOB / IHG Diam. / SL Jade / GHA Tit.
Posts: 1,527
Uber does not work anymore since last year in Abu Dhabi but the taxi app is ok (need a local number). Careem is not really an option in Abu Dhabi because of the high prices they charge (3 times more than dubai prices). Abu Dhabi taxi and official app are the way to go (in case of problem they are very responsive, they even call you when taxi is late, etc).
#105
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 540
I didn't see this mentioned anywhere else, but what was the Yas Viceroy is now within the Marriott Group. It seems to be currently unbranded as, simply, The Yas Hotel, but I was told it was going to become a W. Who knows, its Abu Dhabi, pinch of salt etc.