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Unassuming Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, is one of the Middle East's hidden gems. While it's starting to steal some of the spotlight from sister city-emirate Dubai, Abu Dhabi has long been popular with expats who love the metropolis for its sense of tradition, clear blue skies, year-round sunshine, and laidback lifestyle.
Glittering skyscrapers, out-of-this-world hotels, and swanky shopping malls – all mingling in a laid-back corner of the Middle East against a backdrop of endless sunshine.
Abu Dhabi specializes in sumptuous resorts, and the city’s current offerings don’t disappoint. Unfortunately, that also means that there are very few budget and mid-range options (rooms average in the $400s per night). New offerings include the Shangri-La
Al Maha Rotana Suites
The city’s best value accommodation is smack in downtown Hamdan Street, within walking distance of cinemas, shops,...
Hilton International Abu Dhabi
While expats have long been devoted to the Hilton’s restaurants and bars, visitors (especially families) love the...
Beach Rotana Hotel
Although the flower-filled lobby is one of the city’s busiest, the restaurants some of Abu Dhabi’s best, and the...
Emirates Palace
The opulent Kempinski Emirates Palace hotel has dazzling rooms – quite literally gilded in gold – with welcome...
Le Royal Meridien
As if the spectacular Corniche vistas weren’t enough, the plush rooms here are super-spacious and well-appointed with...
Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi
From the opulent lobby to the enormous rooms, the Millennium pampers guests. There are excellent restaurants and one of Abu...
Al Maha Rotana Suites
The city’s best value accommodation is smack in downtown Hamdan Street, within walking distance of cinemas, shops,...
Hilton International Abu Dhabi
While expats have long been devoted to the Hilton’s restaurants and bars, visitors (especially families) love the...
Beach Rotana Hotel
Although the flower-filled lobby is one of the city’s busiest, the restaurants some of Abu Dhabi’s best, and the...
Emirates Palace
The opulent Kempinski Emirates Palace hotel has dazzling rooms – quite literally gilded in gold – with welcome...
Hilton International Abu Dhabi
While expats have long been devoted to the Hilton’s restaurants and bars, visitors (especially families) love the...
Le Royal Meridien
As if the spectacular Corniche vistas weren’t enough, the plush rooms here are super-spacious and well-appointed with...
Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi
From the opulent lobby to the enormous rooms, the Millennium pampers guests. There are excellent restaurants and one of Abu...
Le Royal Meridien
As if the spectacular Corniche vistas weren’t enough, the plush rooms here are super-spacious and well-appointed with...
Abu Dhabi’s dining scene encompasses all budgets, cuisines, and tastes, from elegant restaurants in sumptuous surroundings serving luxurious ingredients, to dirt-cheap, street-side eateries where succulent spicy chicken turns on a rotisserie and lamb shwarmas (doner kebabs) are made in minutes.
Finz
In winter, reserve a table outside to enjoy the balmy breezes and azure sea views as you dine on succulent seafood; in summer,...
Sayad
Expect to be impressed by Sayad’s creative presentation, fresh and luxurious ingredients (lobsters, oysters, foie gras),...
Marakesh
The palatial Marakesh interior (complete with mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden furniture and palm trees), exquisite Moroccan...
Prego's
When the weather drops below sweltering, locals love to soak up the sun from Prego’s al fresco, sea-view terrace as they...
Pars Palace
The welcome is warm and the Persian cuisine superb at this local eatery. Don’t miss the succulent kebabs with spicy...
Shamyat
This kitschy recreation of a typical Levantine garden restaurant has a vine-covered roof, birdcages, fountains . . . even an...
Finz
In winter, reserve a table outside to enjoy the balmy breezes and azure sea views as you dine on succulent seafood; in summer,...
Sayad
Expect to be impressed by Sayad’s creative presentation, fresh and luxurious ingredients (lobsters, oysters, foie gras),...
Marakesh
The palatial Marakesh interior (complete with mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden furniture and palm trees), exquisite Moroccan...
Prego's
When the weather drops below sweltering, locals love to soak up the sun from Prego’s al fresco, sea-view terrace as they...
Pars Palace
The welcome is warm and the Persian cuisine superb at this local eatery. Don’t miss the succulent kebabs with spicy...
Shamyat
This kitschy recreation of a typical Levantine garden restaurant has a vine-covered roof, birdcages, fountains . . . even an...