Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has established itself as one of the best luxury hotels in the Emirates. Situated on the white sandy beaches of Saadiyat Island, the 306-room resort is ideal for families and leisure travelers looking for a holiday by the sea. Aside from being right on the beach, the resort is a handy 25-minute cab ride from the international airport and 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the Corniche and CBD. There’s an 18-hole Saadiyat Beach Golf Club across the road, and for the cultured, it is just minutes from the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim museums.
Stylish, modern and welcoming best describe the hotel. The color scheme is fresh, thanks to its extensive use of whites, creams and brown tones, which all provide a refreshing, coastal, open-air feel. Statement design elements and soft lighting offers a sense of warmth in the lobby and lounge. With five food outlets, a beach and two pools there is always someone around to lend a helping hand. Room service is available 24 hours and service is prompt.
Wellness-wise, the Atarmia Spa has nine treatment rooms, separate spa areas for men and women and an outdoor 25-metre lap pool. There’s a separate children’s pool, a business centre, a limousine service and airport transfers can be organised at a cost. Let’s talk about the rooms. With 306 rooms, even Park King standard rooms are spacious, featuring a small sofa and coffee table. Functional open-plan bathrooms feature dual sinks, large tubs and rain showers. Rooms offer generous wardrobe space but mine seemed to lack a dust bin and hooks for towels. All villas, beach view suites and garden suites have private plunge pools, while standard ocean-view rooms have private balconies with a day-bed and small coffee table. The beach club, pool, spa, and leisure facilities, including the gym, tennis courts, and direct access to the island’s 18-hole golf course, are a big part of Park Hyatt’s appeal.
Another big attraction here: the Hawksbill turtles that nest on Saadiyat Island. The resort does its part to educate travelers about the creature, its habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts; an in-house marine biologist offers tours at specific times during the year. There’s also a separate children’s’ pool and Camp Hyatt, where kids ages five and above can play in supervised surrounds for free from 9:30am to 6:30pm daily).
Feeling hungry? There are three main dining outlets and two lounges. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, The Café, serves Middle Eastern cuisine. Breakfast is a hearty offering that includes eggs, fresh fruits, cheeses, cereals, homemade pancakes, cold meats and hot dishes including bacon, chicken sausage and sautéed mushrooms. The Beach House is the pick of the eateries, and the service is impeccable. The salt-crusted sea bass is a must! You can thank me later.
Positioned within a cluster of big-name properties on Saadiyat Island, this is the “it” destination for beach goers.
Only the best,
Lucas Raven