Views of Abu Dhabi’s Grand Canal and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque don’t get any better than at this hotel. But it’s when you check in that the experience really comes into its own. Step right this way...
The UAE doesn’t do anything by halves, wielding a long list of accolades that leave many in awe – the emirates boasting everything from the world’s tallest building and the world’s longest zip-line to the first and only Louvre museum outside of Paris. There’s much to shout about and luckily the UAE isn’t short of a rooftop or two to shout it all from.
A treasure trove of ambidextrous experiences, one can find, do and enjoy almost anything and everything in the UAE. Its rich cultural heritage serves up tales of bedouins, pearl divers and falconry; its avant-garde architectural approach presenting wildly dynamic skyline designs; and its long list of leisure pursuits taking you from the dizzying heights of Sky Dive Dubai to the bottom of the world’s deepest indoor pool, and Michelin-star meals to some of the region’s best bazaars.
Every incredible travel experience deserves an equally memorable place to unpack, because where you stay dictates how you start your day. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is well positioned to help begin every day the best way, namely with sparkling sunrise views over the capital’s Al Maqta Creek.
Marrying legendary opulent Arabic luxury with Italian-inspired style, the grandiose hotel plays out over 57 acres and across 10 Venetian-inspired buildings that create a crescent around one of Abu Dhabi’s largest outdoor pools. The property is fringed with white sandy beach, artfully designed water features, elegant manicured gardens that breathe a sigh of relief and peace over the resort, and the iridescent waters of the 1,600-square-metre pool.
When choosing where to lay your head, it’s rich pickings at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, with 447 luxurious rooms and suites, five plunge pool villas, 28 garden houses and 53 garden suites. With the design inspired by the 15th- to early 17th-century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of Venice, the hotel brings a little Italian dolce vita to the shores of Abu Dhabi, with interiors the perfect blend of traditional-meets-contemporary, elegant and inviting.
One of the most elegant spaces to call home is the Rabdan Villa, whose name emanates from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s first horse, Rabdan, and represents the city’s constant connection with the past, present and future. The beautiful, three-bedroom villa fuses classic designs of the Emirate with more contemporary elements, and draws on stunning features of the Grand Mosque, where soft evening lights with remarkable dome-style floor and table lamps illuminate the spacious interiors. The villa is partly furnished with sustainable products, with the timber sourced from local suppliers, with every intricate detail of the design inspired by the culture of the capital, while incorporating modern equestrian motifs, helping bring Abu Dhabi’s desert and equine magic to life.
Step inside the architectural masterpiece and let its three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms play out over 302 square metres, with a separate living room, two additional bathrooms, roomy terrace designed with themes of the desert oasis – perfect for alfresco breakfasts, afternoon tea or sunset soirées – and a private temperature-controlled plunge pool all your own. The little details of course count, and so the villa’s featherbeds, 400-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, Dyptique bath products, plush terry bathrobes, lighted make-up mirror, and deep-soak bath will tick all the right boxes. Naturally, a villa as unmatched as this comes with equally unrivalled service, so your every wish and whim will be catered to by your dedicated Rabdan Villa Ambassador.
You may wish to hole up in your new home and never leave, choosing to eat, sleep and relax in refinement, however there’s plenty to coax you out of your Rabdan revelry across the hotel. Restaurant-wise, you’re in incredibly good hands, with a culinary adventure taking you to eight different eateries and letting you dine on Asian, Lebanese, Italian, steak, seafood, salads and sandwiches, with handcrafted cocktails and mocktails to wash it all down.
Giornotte is inspired by an Italian villa, and is for the pasta and pizza lovers, with light Mediterranean dishes served within a rustic setting, or on the pretty wood-and-brick patio with garden views. Named for the intricate process of forging a steak-knife blade, The Forge is a steakhouse with a difference, serving speciality cuisine, and the very best steaks from around the world all paired with the finest wines, in a stylish setting.
At Li Jiang, you can savour the spicy and authentic colours, aromas and energy of an Asian market, with the restaurant’s chromatic spiced walls and décor creating a vibrant backdrop. Eat sushi, seafood, wok-fried meats and handmade noodles in full view of the restaurant’s open kitchen, or slink outside and slip into one of the comfy banquettes with mesmerising views of the Grand Mosque.
If you’re staying in a Club Level room or suite, take yourself off to The Ritz-Carlton Club® Level, for the ultimate treat. Redefining the luxury hotel experience, here you’ll find all the hallmarks of The Ritz-Carlton’s personalised service amidst intimate, comfortable and exclusive surrounds. You can indulge throughout the day on breakfast, light snacks hors d’oeuvres, drinks and desserts, and sink into one of its lounge chairs to read a local or international newspaper or magazine. It also offers a personalised check-in and check-out service, as well as a dedicated concierge and high-speed internet for all your working Wi-Fi needs.
With a holistic approach to hospitality, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has plenty of opportunities to balance mind, body and soul. The major scene-stealer is of course the 1,600sqm outdoor swimming pool, which helps accentuate the stunning landscape of the hotel. There’s also an adult-only swimming pool for guests seeking more privacy.
The hotel has wisely jumped on board the Padel trend – one of the world’s fastest-growing sports – launching five world-class courts in partnership with Emirates Padel Center. Pick up a padel and play with your friends, or take advantage of a private coaching session as the state-of-the-art facility provides a certified professional academy by BELA-Fernando Belasteguin. After an energetic match, you can pull up a chair at Dolce, the hotel’s sports café that serves healthy beverages and bites, with plenty of keto and vegan options, or gelato for the slightly more guilt-inducing reward.
The hotel mirrors the Arabic culture’s love of family and children, and any little travellers in tow will have a ball at the Ritz Kids Club. Available for 4-12 year olds, the club offers a compelling repertoire of activities, each in line with the global programming created by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society exclusively for The Ritz-Carlton. From henna design classes to recycling arts and crafts and treasure hunts, the aim is to engage the imaginations of the resort’s youngest VIP guests, and help share the beauty and wonder of the natural world and cultural traditions of Abu Dhabi through projects and playtime.
For those looking to pursue both business and pleasure, the hotel offers an unparalleled setting for meetings, conferences, weddings and events. Roma Ballroom is as exquisite as they come –fitting 1,400 people, it features its own driveway and entrance and can be configured to suit almost any event style. The hotel also has 14 conference and function rooms spread over three floors, each equipped with the latest technology, as well as some beautiful outdoor spaces, such as the Grand Lawn, Pool Garden and Olive Garden, for the perfect alfresco celebration.
When it’s time to explore the city, you’ll be grateful for the hotel’s location, as it’s right at the heart of the action. Start with a trip to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal art museum in the Arab world, with loaned works including Van Gogh’s self-portrait and masterpieces from Degas and Picasso. Then visit the Grand Mosque – the largest mosque in the Middle East, featuring 80 domes, 1,000 columns, 24 gold-plated chandeliers and the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. To see more sights, you can embark on a half-day Abu Dhabi Tour through the city, a Desert Safari that will take you into the emirate’s surrounding dunes, or visit Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Hospital to try your hand at the aristocratic desert sport.
Bank some serious brownie points by whisking the kids off to Yas Waterworld or Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, or for something more wholesome, explore the capital’s mangroves with a sunrise kayak to show them the more natural side to emirate life. And when it’s time to find a little memento to take home, head to The Galleria Mall on Maryah Island to delve into one of its 130 boutiques, or visit The Souk at WTC Mall for a more traditional shopping experience, where you can handpick traditional and regional products, from jewellery and carpets to spices and antiques – all worthy keepsakes of your time in Abu Dhabi. When you’re all explored out, head ‘home’ to enjoy alfresco shisha at Mijana or retire to Li Jiang’s terrace to make memories as you witness the scintillating sunsets that illuminate Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque each night.