A spectacular resort that blends traditional Arabic hospitality with decadent luxury offering a perfect weekend escape in Abu Dhabi.
Set along the pristine white sandy beach of Saadiyat Island the stunning Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is the epitome of luxury offering spectacular sea views combined with luxurious rooms and exceptional dining facilities.
This 5 star resort featuring 327 rooms and suites along with 13 beachfront villas is the flagship hotel of the Rotana Group set on a spectacular 9 km stretch of finest beachfront on Saadiyat Island and is a destination in itself just 15 minutes form downtown Abu Dhabi and 30 minutes form the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Located on the breathtaking Saadiyat Island the resort is in the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District in close proximity to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the rest of the museums that will becoming up shortly and a mere 20 minute drive form the theme parks and other attractions on Yas Island.
The Resort
Driving up the sprawling building in traditional Arabic style is a sight to be seen with its lighting giving it the look of a whimsical palace from the Arabian Nights.
You drive up the ramp and enter the spectacular lobby and are floored by the stunning views of the turquoise blue and white waves crashing on the white sands of the beach.
The tastefully understated look of the lobby is pleasing to the eye, we just can’t get over how huge it is, by far one of the biggest hotel lobbies we have ever seen.
An interesting feature is the seven sands display set in the floor featuring seven individual panels with sand form the seven Emirates adding a very unique touch.
The hotel has taken guest safety to the next level with contactless check-in which is a breeze and we are off to our rooms in just under ten minutes.
The Rooms
The hotel offers a variety of rooms, suites and villas to suit your needs, our rooms were on the third floor facing the beach. The rooms are conveniently set in pairs with common door that can be closed to turn the two rooms into a family suite.
The rooms are in classic Arabic style featuring wooden beams in the roof with a huge painting dominating the wall over the bed. The colors are soothing and the open style bathroom framed with sliding lattice panels is very cool. The huge bed is soft and comfy and each room has a lovely balcony area that offers spectacular sea and pool views.
We were touched and pleasantly surprised by the personalized greeting message form the hotel. A huge glass pane was artfully arranged with a stunning array of chocolates in different shapes and sizes, there was a globe with social media signs across it and a chocolate treasure chest filled with chocolate dipped dates, it was a real impressive display and we were torn between leaving it intact and eating it.
The second room was a double with two large beds for the kids which they loved, the highs ceilings of the room and the soft colors of the furnishing come together to give a rich and luxurious feel.
Other room categories are similar in style but differ by floor space and views, and the villas have a private pool with direct beach access. Each room is fully cleaned and sanitized and comes with a seal on the door that has to be broken to enter.
The Dining
The hotel boasts of a range of spectacular dining venues offering an unmatched experience ranging for the Sama Lobby Lounge know for its decadent High Tea in the afternoon to the spectacular Si Ristorante Italiano. The Market Brunch every Friday at SIM Sim is one of the best Friday brunch in town.
Si Ristorante Italiano & Bar
We start our culinary journey at the Saadiyat Rotana with the fabulous La Tavolata Evening Brunch at the stunning Si Ristorante Italiano, a very elegant and stylish venue serving Italian delicacies made form the freshest ingredients cooked to perfection in the open kitchen.
The La Tavolata Evening Brunch is an award winning Thursday evening brunch that features exceptional Italian cuisine paired with huge carvery, live cooking stations and exceptional drinks.
Read full review here.
Sim Sim
This is the huge all day dining spot serving excellent international fare with stunning outdoor seating that overlooks the turquoise blue pool and the beach beyond.
The Market Brunch every Friday at Sim Sim is the talk of the town and is always sold out, the variety of food is mind boggling and the service and quality is impeccable.
Read full review here.
Turtle Bay Bar and Grill
This is a gorgeous poolside spot that serves breakfast on Fridays and some exquisite fresh seafood and grilled meat for lunch and dinner.
The casual outdoor seating offers exceptional views of the pool and the beach beyond and is prefect for a lazy afternoon lunch or a formal evening dinner.
Read full review here.
Hamilton’s Gastropub
The only gastropub on Saadiyat Island featuring a sleek industrial look with polished brass fittings on the central bar island and walls covered with big screens featuring all your favourit games.
The classic pub fare has been elevated to fine dining standards with drinks to match and the ambiance is just perfect. Very popular for its theme nights and packed when there is a big game going on. The outdoor patio is a lovely option for whiling away an evening when the weather permits.
Read full review here.
The Roof Bar
Featuring a huge open terrace with stunning views of the beach and the pool the Roof Bar is a popular evening hangout, the food is exceptional, the drinks fantastic and the ambiance is decidedly classy with chilled out music.
Nasma Beachfront Bar
A casual open style beach bar between the pool and the beach surrounded by shaded cabanas with loungers offering the perfect place to laze around all day or to spend a relaxing evening with friends and family over some drinks and nibbles in the evening.
Sama Lobby Lounge
As the name suggests the Sama Lobby Lounge occupies a corner of the huge lobby and is an all day dining spot that serves excellent finger food and light bites.
The place is famous for its extravagant afternoon high tea and its expansive sea views making it the perfect place to spend a late afternoon.
The Beach
The highlight of the resort is its stunning 300 meter beach, the white sand is soft and inviting and the waters are a mix of emerald green and turquoise blue. This is an open beach with no breakwaters to restrict the waves which is so refreshing compared to other beaches around Abu Dhabi where there are absolutely no waves.
The beach is neatly segregated into sections for singles, couples and families with beach loungers and umbrellas for shade. There is a lifeguard on duty at all times and there are various watersports activities to indulge in as well like kite surfing, kayaking and snorkeling.
The Zen Spa
The resort is home to the magnificent Zen Spa that offers superlative spa treatments in a stunning ambiance. The Signature Himalayan Stone Healing treatment that uses pure Himalayan pink salt stones is definitely worth trying.
The Couples Massages are very popular and are the Moroccan Hammam treatments, they have a very relaxing area to lounge in after the massage which we loved.
Read full review here.
Those who like to keep fit and work out will love the fully equipped Bodyline Fitness Club that is open 24 hours and offers separate ladies and gents areas with saunas and a stunning outdoor pool.
The Sports Facilities
The resort has a massive outdoor pool for guests to enjoy that features a nice pool bar and is surrounded by shaded cabanas and huge turtles sprouting water into the pool.
There are facilities for tennis and mini golf available along with a variety of activates to keep the young ones occupied as well.
The Verdict
The Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas is definitely one of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi, the facilities are amazing, the setting is simply awesome and all this combined with the exceptional Rotana hospitality made this one of the best stays we have had in ages.
If you are looking for a brash and bold place with gold bling then this is not the for you but if you are the type who enjoys understated elegance with faultless service and award winning dining then this is definitely the place for you.
The food is exceptional and the resort oozes charm that immediately puts a smile on your face and lets you forget your worries and just unwind enjoying the superb pool or the beach.
The team at the hotel that keeps this mammoth operation going like clockwork needs to be appreciated, there was not a moment in our two night stay we felt neglected or in need of anything which is something not many hotels can boast of. We will definitely be coming back again soon. Treasured times were indeed delivered as promised.
The Contact
For reservations or more details please call +971 2 697 0000
