Hotel Hotspot: Luxe living at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

The five-star city hotel is home to world-class restaurants.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is like a glossy magazine come to life. The page-turner of a property is filled with fine dining restaurants, rooms with a view and glamorous guests. FACT checked into the five-star hotel, and found that it can go from corporate to cool and loosen its tie, especially on the weekend.

The lobby is bright and beautiful with fresh flowers and lots of light. The design pays homage to the UAE, from the pearl features to the local art collection. While the hotel can feel business-centric, the team are terrific at attending to all guests. They interact with children at ease, and remember our first name. And, no request seems too grand – they even accommodate an early and late check out.

The luxury location on Al Maryah Island is outstanding. Whether you want to visit Galleria Mall or the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi, it’s easy, even in heels. Choose from the air-conditioned walkway or waterfront promenade. But, when a restaurant selection is this superb in the hotel, we won’t judge you if you don’t leave.

Rooms and suites

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is home to 200 rooms and suites. The Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suite One King Bed is a spectacular setting. Spanning up to 1,000 square feet, the room is stupendously spacious and feels like a one-bedroom apartment. While the design plays it safe with gold accents and creamy colours, from beiges to browns, it lets the waterfront view shine. Best of all, it makes the most of its location and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, so you can marvel at the magic from the bed to the bathtub.

The dining and living room includes a desk, a long sofa and a table big enough for three. The bedroom features a king-size bed and walk-in wardrobe. The room is hitting #bathroomgoals, thanks to the marble design, two sinks, shower and free-standing bathtub overlooking the waterway. The products come courtesy of Frederic Malle, and there is even an aroma diffuser. Plus, the little luxuries include fresh flowers on the dinner table and bathroom counters.

Restaurants and bars 

The dining destinations at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island are worth visiting in their own right. The restaurants range from Al Meylas for coffee and cake, to Zsa Zsa for bites and beverages. 

Breakfast is served in the all-day dining restaurant, Crust, and includes a brimming buffet with pretty pastries, fresh fruit and live cooking stations. The à la carte menu includes Eggs Benedict, Omelette and Vanilla French Toast.

The FACT Dining Award Abu Dhabi winner Butcher & Still takes you back to the Prohibition Era. The restaurant is a masterclass in how to create a special steakhouse. The staff have an infectious passion about the plates, which is easy when the meat is this marvellous. Café Milano feels like it has flown straight on Air Italia to Abu Dhabi, and oozes a sprezzatura style. The vespa, black and white photos, and views add to the when-in-an-Italian-restaurant vibe. Bravo to the staff: they remembered my guest (and what she ordered) from a previous visit.

Facilities 

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island’s The Pearl Spa is a serene space. The services ranges from facials to massages, which are influenced from ancient Greece to traditional Thai techniques. The friendly therapist, Ketut, works wonders in a full body massage, and gets me from stressed to relaxed. 

The facilities include a fitness centre, steam room and outdoor pool. Eclipse Terrace Lounge serves poolside drinks and dinner, and attracts a classy crowd. What the pool lacks in size – it is on a corner of the rooftop, after all – it makes up for with those waterfront views. 

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island: chic in the city. 

GO: Visit www.fourseasons.com for more information.