Abu Dhabi hotels offer, and represent a special value for the community and in the experience of every traveller.
Demographic, urban, historical and economic reasons might explain this feature, which here in Abu Dhabi one can perceive more clearly than somewhere else.
Having an idea, albeit briefly, on some accommodation features in Abu Dhabi not only can save you time and money but can also enrich your travel experience, making you discovers some interesting sides of Abu Dhabi and its history.
This is why here we talk about hotels and accommodation in Abu Dhabi from two different perspectives:
👉 In this other post, instead, you can find some notes about the hotels in Abu Dhabi from another perspective, which can inspire you ideas for your travel itinerary >>
7 practical facts to consider before booking an hotel in Abu Dhabi
Let’s see now some information on the types of accommodation, price ranges and other details that may be useful to know before booking your hotel in Abu Dhabi.
- Go Safe certification in Abu Dhabi tourist establishments
- Abu Dhabi hotels: main features
- I don’t speak Arabic! Will they understand me?
- Other types of accommodation in Abu Dhabi
- Price ranges of hotels in Abu Dhabi
- Facilities at Abu Dhabi hotels and why it is worth taking them into account
- The areas in Abu Dhabi most requested by tourists and tour operators
What is the Go Safe certification?
During pandemic times, we consider very important this information: Go Safe is an Abu Dhabi government approved program that certifies the implementation of standard cleaning and hygiene procedures and measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in tourist facilities.
One of the measure is, for example, that hotel’s staffs, including those who have been vaccinated, undergo a COVID-19 test every two weeks.
Launched in June 2020, the Go Safe certification was achieved by 95% of Abu Dhabi hotels in early January 2021, and by facilities such as Yas Marina Circuit, the four theme parks on Yas Island, 33 shopping malls and two cinemas.
![GoSafe logo in Abu Dhabi touristic establishments](https://livingabudhabi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gosafe.jpg)
The hotels, and other establishments that have obtained the certification, display the Go Safe logo visible on site, usually at the entrance, or refer to it on their websites, listing the extra security measures in place.
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What are the main features of hotels in Abu Dhabi?
The possible accommodations in Abu Dhabi are many, and if it is true that there are not many hotels up to three stars, it is also true that you can find a more than satisfactory accommodation without spend a fortune.
Speaking of star ratings, it should be considered that these are not absolute standards about the quality of the accommodation.
Other evaluations can be made considering, first, what kind of holiday you intend to experience, and other information, such as the reviews of other guests, or candid hotel pictures.
Even the official standards vary, for example between different European countries, and a four-star hotel in Abu Dhabi, for the quality and characteristics of the services offered, could often easily have five stars in other parts of the world.
We observed also other interesting features for the Abu Dhabi hotels:
✳️ There are few hotels under three stars in Abu Dhabi, but there are.
✳️ You can find here almost all the best known hotel chains in the world.
✳️ Most hotels in Abu Dhabi are four and five star hotels, but this doesn’t mean always super expensive, especially if you consider what is included in the rate: if you have the patience to search, with a few tips, you will find affordable packages and affordable rates.
✳️ Inside Abu Dhabi International Airport, there are two capsule-hotels (at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3), to be considered for long transits, delays, cancellations or late night arrivals. If you are allowed to leave the airport, there are also inn hotels in the immediate airport’ surrounds.
As with all hotels, it is always advisable to check the terms of service, especially the check-in and check-out times and, of course, check that you can leave the airport, in the case of hotels outside of the International Airport.
✳️ Abu Dhabi hotel’s offer also includes a variety of fantastic resorts: beach resorts, desert resorts, gulf resorts, resorts on a private island with exclusive access, but also resorts for families, like the one inside a zoo.
✳️ Throughout Abu Dhabi, attention is paid to accessibility: there are also many hotels that have facilities for those who need to use a wheelchair with easily accessible and well equipped rooms to offer maximum comfort.
✳️ Usually, hotels in Abu Dhabi do not accept pets.
✳️ Inside the Abu Dhabi hotels there are restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs and services such as hairdressers, for women and men, baby-sitting, areas for kids, laundry service and business centres, which generally offer all the complete equipment of an office, from the computer to the fax.
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I don’t speak Arabic! Will they understand me?
In Abu Dhabi, in addition to Arabic, the official language is English.
In addition to their mother tongue, staffs of Abu Dhabi hotels know, at least, international English.
Managers and cleaners, all are in fact all expatriates, used to interacting with an international clientele and with all types of travellers.
Sometimes inside the hotel managers and employees speak several languages.
But in any case, an aspect not to be underestimated, is that staffs are usually very patient and kind and will do everything to make you understood and put you at ease, especially if they see kindness and patience from your side as well.
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Accommodation in Abu Dhabi different from hotels
🏡 Apartment hotels or aparthotels are other types of accommodation in Abu Dhabi, considered convenient for those who stay a little longer for business reasons.
Abu Dhabi apartment hotels are classified into Standard, Superior and Deluxe. The price also depends on the size, ranging from the “studio” to the “one / two / multi bedroom” with living area separated from night area.
At the Standard level, the hotel apartments should offer at least survival appliances (kitchen-refrigerator-washing machine), but in most cases the equipment also includes also hairdryer, electric kettle, free Internet connection, service cleaning of the room and, upon arrival, bottles of water and toiletries.
Upon request, at least before the pandemic, a minimum supply of cutlery, pots and pans was provided.
🏡 Holiday Homes Since February 2020, the Department of Tourism has approved the licensing of Holiday Homes, which are required to comply with hygiene and safety standards, as well as to specific requirements established by the Department of Tourism, who verifies them through periodic inspections.
🏡 Campsites in the emirate of Abu Dhabi Near Al Ain, there is Jebel Hafit Desert Park which offers three types of camping:
– basic camping for which you need to bring your own equipment (100 AED for the small tent)
– fully equipped campsite in Bedouin tents, breakfast included (approximately AED 500)
– bubble-glamping tents equipped with every comfort, including air conditioning, (about 900 AED).
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Price ranges for hotels in Abu Dhabi
So, we are discovering that, contrary to popular belief, the offer of hotels and accommodation in Abu Dhabi is so wide and varied that it can meet different types of budgets and needs and make happy almost all kind of travellers.
Consider also that:
💰In most cases, it is not necessary to spend an arm and a leg to find comfort and pampering. For those looking for it, Abu Dhabi also offers “affordable luxury” opportunities.
💰 Taxes also apply to hotel rates, unless otherwise specified: always check whether the proposed rate includes taxes or not.
From January 1, 2021, and until further notice, taxes for staying in Abu Dhabi hotels include:
– Tourism Fee: 6%
– Municipality Fee (“municipal” tax): 4%
– Municipality Room Fee / Room / Night (a kind of service charge that is paid per room and per night of stay): AED 15
💰 To get an idea: in April, the cost of a room for two in an hotel without extra frills is around AED 250 (about 50 euros) per person per night, including taxes, while for a resort accommodation super-luxury you get to 3000 AED (about 688 euros).
Of course, they are given just to have a reference, and considering two “extreme” price ranges: in between, there are many possibilities and considerations to be made.
First of all, seasonality: the low season periods are the hot months, in particular June, July and August, while the period from November to January is considered high season, both for the climate and for important events (such as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix -Formula One or New Year’s Eve). Between February-May and September-October the prices can be considered “mid season”.
In all seasons, however, it is possible to find interesting offers, such as stays two for the price of one and, frequently, free tickets for children and teenagers.
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Facilities in Abu Dhabi hotels and why take them into account
In addition to considering the season, having to book your hotel, the services and “facilities” included should not be underestimated: for example free Internet connection, access to the swimming pool (or pools), access to the gym, to the spa area and often also to the private beach, the shuttle service (sometimes but not always free), discounts for eating in the restaurants inside the hotel, vouchers for different shops or attractions in the city.
💎 Almost all hotels, and in particular those that adhere to international chains, offer free membership to their loyalty program. The points you accrue can be spent not only in hotels on your next trip destination, but also in hotel restaurants and services or to visit some of the city’s tourist attractions.
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The areas of Abu Dhabi most requested by tourists and tour operators
The areas of Abu Dhabi most requested by tourists and tour operators are Abu Dhabi City, Saadiyat Island and Yas Island. The choice of the area depends on the type of vacation you want to do (family, relaxation, exploration, wellness…), as well as the budget available.
The area where hotels are most concentrated is, of course, Abu Dhabi City, which, despite his dimensions, is very varied, not only in the internal “areas” but even between the two ends of the Corniche, East and West, which are just less than six kilometres apart.
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👉 See also: How hotels in Abu Dhabi can inspire more for your itinerary >>