10 Best Boutique Hotels in Abu Dhabi
What are Abu Dhabi’s Most Luxurious and Stylish Hotels?
Abu Dhabi’s best boutique hotels offer the city’s characteristic blend of modernity and tradition in luxury accommodations each with unique design and offerings. Some are conveniently located just minutes from the Corniche or other major attractions, while others are set in gorgeous remote locations like Sir Bani Yas Island and the vast Liwa Desert.
Choose from light-filled modern rooms with private balconies to opulent villas that celebrate the grandeur of traditional Emirati culture. The city’s most sophisticated hotels offer unparalleled service and extensive amenities that promise visitors an unforgettable stay. Here are the best boutique hotels Abu Dhabi has to offer.
1. Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort
Nature runs wild around these intimate villas
Good for: Luxury, Adventure
Al Yamm Villa Resort on Sir Bani Yas Island is an exclusive luxury hotel nestled within a nature reserve. The island is located two hours’ drive west of Abu Dhabi, followed by a short ferry ride. Its remote location and limited accommodations offer guests a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city.
Inspired by traditional Emirati fishing and pearl diving villages, the hotel features earth-toned decor and natural accents like wooden furniture and thatched roofs. 30 spacious villas are furnished with private terraces and maintained by exceptional housekeeping. The resort offers engaging guided experiences on the island, from wildlife safaris where you’ll encounter gazelles and giraffes to horseback riding on the beach.
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort
2. Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat - Adults Only
A taste of Greece in the UAE
Good for: Luxury, Couples, Food
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi is a 5-star hotel designed especially for couples, honeymooners, and anyone seeking a quiet refuge. It’s a notable departure in a city that prides itself on family-friendliness, providing a serene and sophisticated environment for adults only to relax in. The hotel is located along the coast about an hour north of the city center.
The design evokes Greece’s Cycladic islands, with whitewashed walls and views of the sparkling blue of the Arabian Gulf from every room. The wide pool is a focal point of the resort, surrounded by plush sun loungers and shaded cabanas. When it comes to dining, choose from menus of classic Arabic dishes or stay on theme at the hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant.
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat - Adults Only
3. Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort
Wildlife outside your window
Good for: Adventure, Families, Unusual
Of the three resorts on Sir Bani Yas Island, Al Sahel Villa Resort gets its guests the closest to the island’s wildlife. The lodge-style hotel is situated inland on the grassy savannah where deer and peacocks roam freely, often wandering right up to guest terraces. We recommend upgrading to a villa with a private plunge pool so you can soak while spotting the animals.
Al Sahel provides memorable wildlife excursions that kids will love too, including a guided biking tour of the island. For flavorful African cuisine with outdoor seating, head to the hotel’s all-day restaurant Savannah Grill & Lounge.
Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort
4. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara
Island thrills for the whole family
Good for: Families, Group, Photo
Desert Islands Resort on Sir Bani Yas Island is the largest and liveliest of the island’s three resorts. Well-suited to groups and families, it has a classic beach resort feel and is highly child-friendly, with its Kid’s Club and shallow children’s pool. The resort also makes special arrangements for children to participate in sports activities, including kayaking, banana boat rides, and archery.
Enjoy a fantastic breakfast buffet at the resort’s two-story restaurant The Palm, which includes international and Middle Eastern morning favorites and aromatic Arabic coffee.
Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara
5. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
The vast desert sets the stage for this grand oasis
Good for: Adventure, Luxury, Unusual
One of the most spectacular desert resorts in the world, Qasr Al Sarab is an enchanting oasis surrounded by the rolling dunes of the Liwa Desert. The journey consists of a 2-hour drive from Abu Dhabi through Rub’ Al Khali, the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert.
Inspired by traditional Arabian forts and palaces, the resort’s properties are spread across the dunes and peppered with palm trees. Rooms are richly furnished and have either a private garden or terrace. The resort’s Al Liwan Lounge, a serene place to sip Arabic tea, is reminiscent of a palace with its soaring ceilings and shining floors. Be sure to take advantage of the resort’s desert adventures, such as falconry demonstrations, camel trekking, and stargazing.
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
6. Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Service fit for a king
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Food
Al Wathba Desert Resort is a high-end hotel 45 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi that offers a tranquil desert escape at a modest price. The resort’s design of low-lying buildings was inspired by classic mud-brick architecture, and the interiors are adorned with hand-crafted details.
Expect to be pampered at the Al Wathba, as superb service is a hallmark of the experience. Amenities like the chilled outdoor pool, tranquil spa and on-site yoga classes make this an excellent place to slow down and loosen up a tired body and mind. For a sumptuous dining experience, enjoy authentic Italian dishes al fresco at the resort restaurant Terra Secca.
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
7. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Soak up some sun on a palm-fringed private beach
Good for: Families, Couples
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is a sophisticated seaside getaway only 15 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi. The island is known to have some of the city’s most exquisite beaches, with powdery pale sands bordering shimmering waters. The hotel offers guests a 5-mile private beach plus outdoor pools with views of the Arabian Gulf.
Ideal for families, the St. Regis’s Sandcastle Club provides activities and childcare services for children aged 5 to 12. Parents can relax with a massage at the Iridium Spa or play a round of golf on the resort’s 18-hole course. Expect high-quality international dining options and attentive service from the 24-hour butler service and concierge.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
8. ERTH Abu Dhabi Hotel
Unmatched recreational facilities
Good for: Business, Couples, Families
ERTH Abu Dhabi Hotel is an ideal base for business and leisure travelers, located just 15 minutes from downtown near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Originally built as a club for the UAE’s armed forces, the atmosphere is professional, and spaces are immaculately clean.
A major draw of ERTH is its extensive sports facilities, which include a state-of-the-art fitness center and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. There are dedicated amenities for gymnastics, tennis, and Jiu Jitsu, to name a few. After your workout, loosen up your muscles in the steam sauna or catch some sun at the hotel’s private beach.
ERTH Abu Dhabi Hotel
9. VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
World-class golf with skyline views
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Group
VOGO Golf Resort is a spacious, modern resort overlooking the lush fairways of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. It’s located a 20-minute drive from downtown Abu Dhabi, conveniently near major attractions like Yas Island.
The spacious rooms are decorated in neutral tones and feature large windows that look out over the rolling green. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club boasts an 18-hole championship course set against the backdrop of the city skyline. It offers challenges like water hazards and strategic bunkers, and the back 9 is fully floodlit for those who wish to play on into the early evening.
VOGO Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
10. The Abu Dhabi Edition
Elevated design and easy access to the beach
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Food
The Edition is the Abu Dhabi iteration of Marriott’s infamously chic international brand, featuring the best of contemporary design and luxury. It’s conveniently located downtown in the Al Bateen Marina, just a 5-minute drive from Corniche Beach, the Presidential Palace, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The hotel’s design echoes the warm hues and bright light of the UAE’s desert landscapes, with oak furnishings, cream-colored textiles, and lots of natural light. Three swimming pools plus a poolside bar offer plenty of space to relax in the sun, and the Edition’s signature restaurant, The Oak Room, serves exquisite wine pairings alongside premium steaks.
The Abu Dhabi Edition
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