Onto a winner

1 January 2020

With a unique F1 selling point and new branding, W Abu Dhabi is ready to make a name for itself

Detox, design, fuel and fashion are the four pillars of any W Hotel, and guests are encouraged to partake in all of them when they check into W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.

Formerly the Viceroy-owned Yas Hotel, Marriott took over the property and redesigned it to create the third Middle Eastern offering from the W, which opened in November 2019. Many of the rooms have views of the Yas Marina Circuit, and this property is the only hotel in the world located atop a Grand Prix racetrack. Love it or loathe it, when a race is on there’s no escaping the electrifying sound of supercars speeding past.

The most noticeable redesign is in public spaces; each piece of quirky furniture or art installation in the lobby, or ‘Living Room’, has a reference to the heritage and culture of the UAE. From the abaya-inspired sofa to a wall of pegged noses that pays homage to the country’s pearl-diving history, everything you see is a conversation starter.

The hotel chain is known for its pool parties and the revamped adult-only WET Deck at W Abu Dhabi looks the part, and hopefully will soon create the same vibe. The DJ booth is positioned centrally, with chic daybeds surrounding it, and the rooftop pool is hidden away on a mezzanine level.

Garage, the all-day dining restaurant, combines dishes from five different cuisines, each of which has its own dedicated section of the restaurant with open kitchen and executive chef. Cuisines include Nikkei (a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese), ‘Steam House’, which focuses on noodles and dim sum, Middle Eastern ‘Mezza Bar’, a meat house and a tart van, offering freshly-baked pastries.

The W Lounge, a signature in each property, has a strong focus on cocktail culture, with master mixologists ready to create a classic, innovative or gin-based beverage to your taste. It’s an ideal space to meet and mingle before exploring the city.

Three experiences to try

Yas Marina Circuit
Feel the thrill of Formula 1 for yourself with a Yas Marina Circuit driving experience. The track offers go-karting sessions, or supercar junkies might like to try their hand in the Aston Martin GT4 or a Ferrari 458 GT.

Spa with a view
Nine treatment rooms include a couples room and hammam, all with views of Yas Marina. There are also private steam room and jacuzzi facilities, and a relaxation room with a galaxy of dangling LED lights hanging above.

CLYMB to the top
Abu Dhabi’s newest attraction, CLYMB, has the world’s tallest climbing wall and the largest indoor skydiving chamber. The asymmetrical architecture of the building can’t be missed as you arrive on Yas Island.

Words: Elise Kerr