Hotel Hotspot: Rosewood Abu Dhabi showcases local luxury 

Indulge in world-class martinis, menus and massages. 

In the UAE, many hotels claim to be inspired by local surroundings. At Rosewood Abu Dhabi, this is part of its philosophy from the ground up, from the carpets designed like sand dunes to the building’s shape resembling a falcon. So, if you’re after a sophisticated sense of place, this hotel is for you. 

Located on Al Maryah Island, Rosewood Abu Dhabi opened in 2013. The hotel marked the first presence of the company in the UAE. During our visit, it welcomed a mix of locals and tourists, as well as a classy crowd across its bars and restaurants. Spanning 34 floors, it towers above its competitors and offers superb service, dazzling dining experiences and a plush place to rest your head. 

Rooms and suites 

Rosewood Abu Dhabi has 148 rooms and 41 suites, which are great for solo or family travellers. The rooms range from the Deluxe Room, at 506 square feet, to the Royal Suite, at almost 4,000 square feet. We checked into the Executive Room, which felt like a one-bedroom apartment due to its separate living and sleeping areas.

Due to the dark woods and muted colours, the room felt more business than pleasure. While the design felt a little dated, the mod cons gave it an upgrade. The bedroom included custom furniture and a king-size bed that we loved so much that it’s where we slept and worked. The highlight was the bathroom, which is curved to make the most of the view. We also used the freestanding marble bathtub as much as possible, as it offered refined relaxation. 

Destination Dining

Rosewood Abu Dhabi boasts world-class restaurants and bars. Breakfast is a buoyant affair at Aqua and includes local and international favourites. The buffet offers bite-size options and ranges from fresh fruits to cold cuts. The main menu offers sweet and savoury options, from egg dishes to fluffy pancakes.

We visited Dai Pai Dong for the Wok Hei Brunch, and loved the authentic Cantonese cuisine. The highlights included the Roasted Black Cod and Wok-Fried Angus Beef Striploin. The Hidden Bar is a game-changer when it comes to gin, and it made us fall in love with the spirit. With more than 300 gins to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know what to order. Whenever we gave our waiter Vijay a request on the basis of flavours, he was able to succeed and surprise. So much so, the team made the best martinis we’ve tasted in the UAE. 

The restaurants also include BB Social Dining, Dragon’s Tooth Bar and Em Sherif Sea Café. The bars include La Cava for wine and Glo for sunset sips and poolside bites. Plus, the hotel recently welcomed Majlis by Pierre Hermé, which offers Parisian pastries. 

Fantastic Facilities 

Rosewood Abu Dhabi is home to a state-of-the-art fitness centre, spa, and wellness centre. Located on the second floor, the gym isn’t banished to the basement. Instead, the treadmills face the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Sense, A Rosewood Spa offers facials, massages and couples’ treatments. In keeping with the local influences, the Sense Signature Massage uses heated rosewood sticks, and Arabian frankincense and oudh. Plus, the 25-metre outdoor pool is the perfect place to do laps in luxury.

Rosewood Abu Dhabi: don’t just stay in the heart of the capital, feel the heart of the capital. 

GO: Visit www.rosewoodhotels.com for more information.