Staying in Abu Dhabi is not expensive. The capital of the United Arab Emirates offers accommodation for all tastes and budgets. Abu Dhabi is the center of the country’s political and commercial activity, generating more than 15% of the national GDP. Although sometimes it is overshadowed by Dubai, has nothing to envy. Not so little the hotels of him! In Abu Dhabi you can sleep in incredible hotels like the W Abu Dhabi or in the majestic Emirates Palace. En is fasting We tell you the best areas and hotels to stay in Abu Dhabi. We also leave you 25 things to do in Abu Dhabi for you to enjoy.
Our hotel
During our visit to Abu Dhabi we stayed in two hotels. One in the Downtown, the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi. Comfortable, spacious and relatively close to everything. One of the best value for money in the city. It cost us €50 per night.
Then we also spent several nights on the island of Yas, a must. In this case we stayed in the Centro Yas Island by Rotana. The night cost us €70 and we had luxury.
Contents of this article
WHERE TO STAY IN ABU DHABI: BEST AREAS AND HOTELS
1. Downtown, the cheapest option to stay in Abu Dhabi
If what you are looking for is the best price, in Downtown Abu Dhabi you will find the best deals. Although it may not seem like it, the city is huge. On the map it seems that the attractions are relatively close, but the distances are considerable. Besides, It is not a city that invites you to discover it on foot. Like most Asian capitals, they are cities designed for cars and little for pedestrians.
Downtown Abu Dhabi is one of the areas with the most facilities. You’ll find plenty of shops, malls, restaurants, and activities. That’s why, sleeping in the center will bring you a lot of comfort. Although the famous Mezquita Sheikh Zayed falls farther, you’ll be close to the Corniche and other tourist spots.
If you want to tour the country or get to know the most attractive points of the emirate, we advise you to rent a car. Gasoline is cheap and so is car rental. However, if you want to travel to Abu Dhabi without a car, the Downtown is the best option since it is the best connected area of the city by public transport.
Regarding the price, as we have said staying in Abu Dhabi is not expensive. In the city center you will find good hotels from €55 per night. The cheapest are in the area near the Abu Dhabi Mall. Most are very similar: great customer service, large rooms, and relatively new. For sure, The most comfortable area to stay in Abu Dhabi.
Best hotels in downtown Abu Dhabi:
Downtown is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for…
✅ Find good and cheap accommodation
✅ Being close to everything: facilities and tourist attractions
❌ Can be a bit noisy
2. Yas Island, the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for families
If you are traveling with your family, we believe that there is no better area to stay in Abu Dhabi than Yas Island.. This artificial island has everything to make your vacation full of fun!
Famous for the world famous Yas Marina Circuitis home to many of Abu Dhabi’s attractions: the Ferrari Worldthe fun Yas Waterworld or the interesting Yas Mall. In addition, you cannot miss strolling through the glamorous Yas Marina and hallucinating with one of its yachts. You will not get bored with your family!
It is definitely a very convenient option to stay in Abu Dhabi if you want to visit several of its theme parks. Besides, there is also a beach on Yas Island. It has everything!
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Although it has some of the most exclusive hotels in the city, there are also cheap ones. In addition there is a free shuttle service (Yas Express) that connects the most interesting points of the island. To give you an idea of the price, Although most of them are over €100, if you look in advance you can find good offers for €60.
It is an essential area to stay in Abu Dhabi, at least one night. Hotels usually have free parking and it is quite complicated to go and return the same day by public transport. So Sleeping on Yas Island is a great idea.
Top Yas Island hotels:
Yas Island is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi if…
✅ Travel as a family
✅ You want to know its incredible theme parks and be close to the beach
❌ A bit far from the center and accommodation is more expensive
3. Corniche, one of the most exclusive areas
For a beach holiday in Abu Dhabi, there are few better areas than the area around Corniche Beach. This beach, with territory partially reclaimed from the sea, is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. In part, because it is located two steps from Downtown! So you can bathe in its blue paradise with the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi as a backdrop.
The Corniche is Abu Dhabi’s waterfront. It is super quiet and will offer you incredible views. Walking at sunset is a unique experience. In addition, you will find a lot of places such as shisha cafes where you can enjoy the local culture of the city.
It is also one of the best areas to stay in Abu Dhabi for families. It is much less crowded than Downtown and the beach has plenty of play areas for small children. They won’t get bored!
Regarding the attractions, who has never heard of the majestic Emirates Palace? Well, it is in this area! We advise you to stay here if you are interested in beach tourism. All the hotels are a stone’s throw from the Corniche Beach, the most famous in the city. In addition, most of these luxury hotels have Beach clubs with very interesting private beaches where you can have a drink and relax in a fantastic atmosphere.
Of course, everything has a price. To stay in one of these hotels you will have to pay more than €200 per night. Anyway, If you are looking for a special stay, it is one of the most recommended areas to stay in Abu Dhabi.
Our recommendations in the area:
Corniche and surroundings is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for…
✅ Travelers who are interested in beach tourism
✅ Those who travel with children and seek to be central and quiet
❌ Hotels are usually exclusive and expensive
4. Saadiyat Island, an interesting option
And finally, to finish this post about the best areas and hotels to stay in Abu Dhabiwe could not forget to mention Saadiyat Island. This island has grown a lot in recent years and has become an interesting destination in Abu Dhabi. There are several museums, clubs, beaches and other interesting places to explore such as the Zayed National Museum or the Louvre, among others.
The government’s goal was to make Saadiyat an interesting tourist product and promote it as the cultural center of Abu Dhabi. In fact, the emirate seeks to make the island a world-renowned cultural center, which is why you can visit its incredible museums.
It is a magnificent destination for lovers of golf and the beach. Saadiyat has a huge golf course, both for professionals and amateurs. Also, the Saadiyat beach is not bad at all. And all this just 20 minutes by taxi from the center of Abu Dhabi!
The only drawback is that if you want to sleep there, it is not a destination for all budgets. In Saadiyat you will mainly find luxury resorts. Of course, if you are looking to spend your vacation in a paradisiacal resort, it will be difficult for you to find a better option.
Good hotels in Saadiyat:
Saadiyat is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi if…
✅ You want to sleep in an incredible resort, close to the beach and in a quiet area
✅ You are interested in cultural visits
❌ Only suitable for very high budgets
✅ We travel with Iati and we offer you a 5% discount on all your travel insurance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BEST AREAS TO STAY IN ABU DHABI
Below we will briefly answer a few questions as a summary to try to resolve any questions quickly.
What is the cheapest area to stay in Abu Dhabi?
Downtown is the cheapest area to sleep in Abu Dhabi. And the hotels are very good! So if you want to save, sleeping in the Downtown is the best option. You can find hotels for less than €50 per night!
What is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for families?
If you travel to Abu Dhabi with your family, we believe that Yas Island is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi. First, because it is super quiet. Second, because the hotels are usually huge and with facilities for the little ones. And finally, because you will be super close to the main theme parks and the beach. However, Saadiyat and Corniche are two good areas too, although more exclusive.
Where to sleep in Abu Dhabi to go shopping?
If you want to go shopping, Yas Island is the best area to stay in Abu Dhabi, as it is home to the best shopping centers in the city such as the Yas Mall.
Best area to stay in Abu Dhabi for special stays or honeymoons?
If you are looking for the best option to stay in Abu Dhabi for your honeymoon, we recommend you book a hotel with a private beach. Two of our favorite options are the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri or the Emirates Palace.
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Where to sleep in Abu Dhabi to enjoy the beach?
Corniche and Saadiyat Island are the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi to enjoy the beach. You will have plenty of variety and access to many water activities. Yas Island is also a good alternative, although it stands out for other things.
Sleeping in Abu Dhabi as a couple without being married: is it possible?
If you travel as a couple without being married, theoretically you will not be able to sleep in the same room. The Tawajed clause of Islamic law prohibits sharing closed spaces without being married or family. Nor can you live together or share a car, for example. So it is important to know when choosing the hotel Where to stay in Abu Dhabi.
In practice, no hotel will ask you for proof of marriage. They are totally flexible with tourists. It is simply convenient to be aware of this law to avoid uncomfortable situations. The normal thing is that they address you as husband and wife. Act like you are and don’t make public displays of affection. Cases of arrests for violation of this clause have been rare. Mostly for making scandals in the hotel room.
MAP WITH THE BEST AREAS AND HOTELS TO STAY IN ABU DHABI
On this map you will find marked the best areas and hotels to stay in Abu Dhabi. From green to red, from least to most recommended, respectively.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/donde-alojarse-en-abu-dhabi/
