club, the world’s highest suspended hotel suite and exclusive events such as monthly sunset soirées on its helipad – or Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, within walking distance of some of the city’s top sights. On Saadiyat Island, a second St Regis resort has cemented itself as the island’s top property, with three outdoor pools and a private beach. Out of the city, renowned Anantara property Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, set on the edge of the Empty Quarter with nothing but sand dunes surrounding it, is one of the most Instagrammed hotels in the world, offering dune bashing, desert walks and camel trekking.


WHAT TO DO


Yas Island is the city’s family-friendly entertainment hub, best known as the home of Yas Marina Circuit, which has hosted the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The island is also where the aforementioned Yas Waterworld and Warner Brothers Studios congregate, alongside Ferrari World – featuring the world’s fastest rollercoaster – and Seaworld Abu Dhabi. Access to all four parks is built into most hotel room rates here. Guests could stay on Yas Island and never leave.


There’s an 18-hole championship golf course, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, an adventure hub offering indoor skydiving and rock climbing, and a waterfront with more than 20 alfresco restaurants, cafes and bars. The island also houses Etihad Park Yas Island – which hosts the Yasalam After-Race Concerts during Formula One season – and Etihad Arena, the Middle East’s largest indoor multi-purpose entertainment venue.


Clients should carve out about three hours to visit 6JG|.QWXTG #DW &JCDK on Saadiyat Island, France’s largest cultural overseas project. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel to straddle both land and water, it boasts more than 600 works of art across 22 galleries. A slow-paced morning can also be spent on


6JG|%QTPKEJG q ÜhiVh Ãn>kià voÀ wÛi milià >lon} ª Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque


38 ASPIRE JANUARY 2025


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


Abu Dhabi


CREDIT: Unsplash/Azhar-J


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120