Yas Island has emerged as the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi. Just look at the evidence. It is home to the world’s largest indoor theme park, there is an incredible water park with the latest ride design, it plays host to the best concerts in the UAE every year and has a world class shopping mall and 18-hole golf course.
What’s more traffic never seems to be a problem and there are cool restaurants to explore.
So it is no surprise that both business and leisure travellers are looking to Yas Island as the neighbourhood to make their base while in Abu Dhabi. Time Out Abu Dhabi looks at the hotel options in this area of Abu Dhabi.
Luxury
For luxury five star accommodation look no further than the iconic Yas Viceroy Hotel. Variously described as looking like an alien spaceship or the futuristic cousin of the Beijing Olympic Stadium the pod-like design is one of Abu Dhabi’s must-see sights. The sweeping curves and swooping roof line are home to more than 5,000 diamond-shaped LED panes. At night, these change colour from a svelte silver to bright purples, yellows, reds and blues making the hotel a memorable picture. For most hotels the design alone would be enough to capture the imagination, but as the flagship property of Yas Island the Viceroy offers much more. It was the first hotel in the world to be built above a formula one racetrack and cars pass underneath sections of the hotel and alongside many of the rooms. Not that you’d hear a thing through the well soundproofed walls. Rooms have modern design with track views, sleek fittings and plenty of facilities. You will almost certainly not be staying in the 4,300 square foot presidential suite – complete with private lap pool, kitchen and outdoor terrace – but don’t feel too disappointed by that. An ESPA spa, fitness club, art gallery and private beach are all offered and a golf course and mall are within walking distance.
Mid-range
A trio of hotels compete for the mid-range traveller in the Yas Island area. All offer the benefit of proximity to the district’s many attractions, rooms with good views and decent dine-in options.
The Radisson Blu Yas Island has 397 rooms looking out across the Yas Links golf course and the Arabian Gulf beyond and an excellent swimming pool for leisure travellers. Signature restaurant Filini serves Italian food.
Nearby Crowne PlazaYas Island is larger with 428 hotel rooms. The Crown Plaza hotel, like many from the chain, proves popular with business travellers. A club floor has extended facilities for business travellers and almost 8,000 square feet of meeting and conference space is offered. Having said that we’ve been impressed by the excellent kids club before and the simple leisure pool is good for both fitness swimming and long afternoon sunning sessions. Signature dining spot, Stills, is home to the best bar food in Abu Dhabi.
The third of Yas Island’s mid-range hotels, all are within a couple of minutes’ drive of on another, is the Yas Island Rotana. It has good, yet understated facilities and a simple blocky design. There are 308 rooms or many different types from a 35sqm classic all the way up to large 147sqm two bedroom suites. All offer the uniform comfort and understated design of a modern hotel. Selected rooms have Marina and Yas Circuit views and there is a tennis court and spa at the property. The swimming pool is small but has a swim up bar making it suitable for afternoon splash whether you are visiting the hotel for business or leisure.The Yas Island Rotana has many dining options including steakhouse Blue Grill.
Budget
Abu Dhabi doesn’t do budget accommodation in the same manner you may have seen in other Asian countries. Don’t expect to find the $5 a night hostel with direct beach access and as much soft drinks and fruit as you can consume. Instead the budget accommodation, certainly on Yas Island, means professional, clean and well-presented business hotels with basic facilities. To the wise traveller that can mean a budget jackpot as you are close enough to he major attractions but not paying premium prices.
Park Inn Abu Dhabi guests should not expect the plushest hotel experience in the UAE, but for no-frills accommodation in an excellent location this three star property ticks a lot of boxes. The 204 guest rooms overlook the Arabian Sea, Yas Circuit or the attractive 18-hole golf club and are compact and cheerily decorated. Simple meeting and conference facilities are provided at the hotel and there is a small swimming pool, tennis court and gym for leisure visitors. The all-day international dining restaurant, Mint, serves decent enough food if you’re just passing through.
Of a similar standard, but slightly larger with 259 rooms, is the Centro Yas Island. The Centro chain is all about friendly service and functional facilities and that is what this three star hotel achieves. The rooms are possibly the smallest in the Yas Island neighbourhood but are modern and well presented. For business travellers without any specific needs they are a simple base from which to look further.
The swimming pool and gym are well maintained but basic while there are also shuttle buses to neighbouring attractions such as Yas Beach, Yas Marina, Yas Mall and Ferrari World. Centro Yas Island has dining options including all day dining at C.Taste.
