The Emiratis must surely be giving us Brits a pat on the back as the UK remains Abu Dhabi’s leading international source market, providing a whopping 90,000 guests this year.
In fact, when it came to overall visitor numbers, the first eight months of 2011 saw double-digit growth resulting in a 13% increase compared with the same period last year. And its goal of welcoming two million guests by the new year is looking very achievable.
With more attractions and hotels opening each month, the Emirate is becoming a playground that has something to suit all clients and budgets. To demonstrate, we take six clients and match them up with their perfect Abu Dhabi experience.
For cosy couples
What? Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. A fortress-like five-star oasis in the Liwa Desert.
Why? For couples wanting a romantic hideaway, they won’t find anywhere more private than the world’s largest uninterrupted desert known as the Empty Quarter.
Among a sea of sculpted red sand, this luxurious property hides about 90 miles off the main road. Watch the sun set behind some of the world’s highest dunes; have a candlelit dinner beside a desert watering hole; or ride into the sunset on a camel.
Couples can choose from 205 rooms, villas or suites, dine in style in four restaurants and top it off in the sanctuary that is the Anantara spa, where a 90-minute massage costs £127 payable locally.
Malcolm Davies, Middle East product manager for Funway Holidays, says: “Couples will find privacy and comfort in this remote yet exhilarating setting.”
Sample package: Seven nights at Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in January start from £1,365 with Funway Holidays. This is based on two people sharing a suite and includes two night’s free, flights with Virgin and transfers. funway4agents.co.uk, 0844 557 3131
For petrol heads
What? Yas Marina Circuit of course, home to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in November.
Why? Race lovers will get no end of kicks at this spectacular arena. Opt for one of the many driver experiences such as the Formula Yas 3000 when wannabe racers take the helm of a single-seater racing car revving a 3000cc V6 engine.
You will be caught on camera so you can relive your drive again. Tickets cost about £200 and can be booked on site or at Yasmarinacircuit.com.
There’s no better place to stay than the cutting-edge Yas Hotel – located within the circuit itself.
Sample package: Four nights’ bed and breakfast at Yas Hotel in February start from £875 with Premier Holidays, including flights with Etihad from London or Manchester. trade.premierholidays.co.uk, 08444 937 444
For culture vultures
What? A visit to the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, arguably the most beautiful mosque in the world.
Why? This is the highlight of a cultural tour of the Emirati capital, not only visually breathtaking – beware the glare as the sun hits the white marble of the 80 domes and the 1,096 columns all encrusted with semi-precious stones.
Everything here is on a grand scale, which helps to explain how it can accommodate almost 41,000 worshippers. Free guided tours run throughout the day but visitors can also wander in at their leisure, except at prayer times.
For a complete city tour, hop on board The Big Bus Company and visit all the main landmarks. A 24-hour ticket costs £35 per adult.
One of the best places to rest tired legs is the Fairmont Bab al Bahr, which is well located to enjoy all of this up-and-coming city’s main attractions. Check out the amazing views of the Grand Mosque from the restaurant terrace.
Sample package: Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the Fairmont Bab al Bahr in February starts from £1,345, with Cox & Kings, including flights with Emirates
and transfers. coxandkings.co.uk, 020 7873 5000
For nature lovers
What? Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on the wildlife reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island.
Why? Almost half the island is taken up by the Arabian Wildlife Park. It’s home to the likes of oryx, gazelle, deer and giraffe as well as more than 100 species of wild birds – including resident flamingo. The park has also managed to return cheetahs and striped hyena, brought up in captivity, to the wild.
Guests may spot on a guided nature drive or while mountain biking around the park’s beaches, lagoons and wadis. Kayaking through the mangroves is also a peaceful way to spot rare birds, fish and grazing gazelle.
“Special for unique wildlife encounters and rugged island beauty, the island is teeming with exotic wildlife in such an unusual and memorable environment,” says Colin Birchenough, product manager at Thomas Cook Signature Middle East.
The five-star Desert Island Resort is the island’s only accommodation. The 64-room hotel has three restaurants, a health club, kids’ club and the signature Anantara Spa.
Sample package: Four nights bed and breakfast at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara in February start from £1,179 with Thomas Cook Signature, including flights with Etihad from Heathrow and transfers. thomascooksignature.com, 0844 879 8014
For happy families
What? Ferrari World, the world’s largest indoor theme park.
Why? Reaching speeds of 149mph in less than five seconds, the Formula Rossa is the fastest rollercoaster on earth. Then there’s the slightly tamer Fiorano GT Challenge rollercoaster and G-Force – another heart-pounding ride that launches you 62 metres into the sky. Become a F1 racing driver at the Scuderia Challenge simulator or take the plunge in the V12 flume ride.
For the younger tots, enrol them in the Ferrari driving school before the whole family sit down to be amazed at The Pit Lane acrobatic show. Entry is £39 for visitors 1.5 metres tall and above, or £29 for those below this height.
When it’s time to take things a little easier, head back to the hotel. There are lots of family-friendly properties in Abu Dhabi. Kuoni recommends The Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi. “It has a great kids’ club, pool and play area and there’s enough to keep mum and dad happy too, such as Zen the spa, fitness centre and private beach,” says Sarah Beckwith, Kuoni market manager for the Middle East.
Sample package: Five nights at the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi in March starts at £3,268 with Kuoni. This is on a bed-and-breakfast basis for a family of four (two adults and two children under 11 years old) sharing two rooms, and includes flights with British Airways and transfers. kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008
For beach babes
What? Stay on the famed Corniche and be steps away from Abu Dhabi’s sprawling four-mile beach.
Why? As of June this year Abu Dhabi became the first destination in the Arabian Gulf to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag. It now flies proudly along the four-mile stretch of white sand, which offers numerous children’s playgrounds, a cycling track, a wakeboarding centre and roped-off swimming areas.
Among the string of hotels is the Hilton Abu Dhabi which has its own beach club occupying a 350-metre private section of beach, in addition to three swimming pools, including a dedicated children’s pool, two giant water slides, a kids’ playground, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, two tennis courts, a renowned spa and 14 restaurants.
Sample package: Five nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hilton Abu Dhabi in February starts from £1,039 with Virgin Holidays, including flights with Etihad Airways from Heathrow and transfers. vhols4agents.co.uk, 0844 557 9816
