Staycation Spotlight: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

Away from chaotic city life, there’s a pristine beachfront location waiting for you in Abu Dhabi. With turquoise waters, a sandy beach, and stunning grounds, FACT’s David Tapley stayed at the breathtaking Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island for an all-inclusive island staycation.

While the Northern Emirates are full of all-inclusive hotel options for tourists and residents to flop at the beach with an unlimited selection of food and free-flowing beverages, the UAE capital features only one such destination. 

 Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is a beachfront resort situated on a picturesque stretch of natural shoreline where swathes of golden sands and waters filled with frolicking dolphins set the scene for idyllic relaxation.

Turkish brand Rixos’ first opening in Abu Dhabi has been met with much excitement. Not only due to the beautiful setting and luxurious surroundings but because it is currently the only hotel in the capital where unlimited food and drinks are included as part of your stay.

Rooms designed for relaxation

Our One Bedroom Family Suite with pool access is situated on the ground floor of the expansive property close to the spectacular spa. Decked out in deep blues and subtle sandy tones to match the Saadiyat locale, we were impressed not only by the generous size of the suite but its multitude of features geared towards relaxation. The collection of poolside suites and rooms are quite a treat, especially for those with young children, allowing guests to jump straight out of bed and directly into the pool. 

Divided into separate living and sleeping areas, both boast private terraces that lead directly into the water and are replete with sun loungers and pretty parasols. While there are plenty of resorts in the UAE offering private swimming pools, there is nothing quite on the scale of Rixos Premium Saadiyat, which puts family-front front and centre of any stay.

Our suite was cosy with a king bed, plush sofa, dining space, a large desk, modern amenities like a LED TV, and, of course, a well-stocked mini-bar refilled daily as part of the resorts all-inclusive package. The bathroom was drop-dead gorgeous, featuring an open-plan marble space including dual vanity sinks, a walk-in rain shower and a deep soaking stand-alone bathtub.

Fun in the sun

The dramatic panorama of the nine-kilometre beach and the beauty of the sand dunes felt like we were living a fairytale for the weekend. Yes, it’s the GCC, and yes, it’s a piece of paradise. The beach is the most striking area of the hotel. Dotted with comfy sun loungers and complimentary towels and beverages, you’ll easily fall in love with this place. The crystal-clear water glides towards the shoreline as you have a quick nap or sunbathing session under a beautiful blue sky – cloud nine or what? It doesn’t get more picturesque than this. 

The kid’s area is where this resort excels. The kids club is a colourful space full of activities such as painting and crafting, while next door lies a small aqua park with a trio of slides that will have the little ones entertained for hours on end! Yet that’s not all. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is also home to a wave pool where cannons shoot large water jets into the surf. It’s an exhilarating experience flanked by an artificial beach, providing the feeling of a hidden cove.

Delightful dining 

Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island offers a decadent property anchored around several destination dining options. So whether you’re looking to indulge in a buffet at Turquoise, tuck into a lavish Turkish spread at Orient, enjoy teppanyaki and sushi at Aja Asian or feast on fresh seafood as the waves caress the shoreline at Mermaid, you’re in for a real treat. The all-inclusive nature of the property means you can eat and drink until your heart’s content. 

The beach and all-inclusive offering will likely draw guests into booking a stay at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. With golden sand and the turquoise waters that easily rival the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean Sea, it’s a place for total relaxation and a true toes-in-the-sand escape.

GO: Visit https://www.rixos.com/en/hotel-resort/rixos-premium-saadiyat-island for reservations and more information.