If it’s endless sunshine and luxury service you have come to Abu Dhabi to enjoy, then you won’t be disappointed.
Abu Dhabi has a superb selection of hotels with their own private beach access. Most are calm, shallow-water beaches, whilst those on Saadiyat Island experience gentle waves and uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf.
Here we’ll guide you through all of the areas of Abu Dhabi boasting beach frontage and what you can expect in terms of hotels – luxury and value options for visitors to Abu Dhabi.
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Beach Hotels in Abu Dhabi – Saadiyat Island
We’ll start with the luxury resorts lining the coast of Saadiyat Island. The hotels along Saadiyat Beach enjoy the natural soft, white sand and crashing waves from the Arabian Gulf.
- The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
- Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
- Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas
- Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
- Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort
All of these resorts are luxury offerings with family-friendly facilities as well as private villa options. They don’t come cheap, but package deals can be available, especially if visiting mid-week (Monday to Thursday), making them sensational value for the setting and service you get.
Beach hotels along the Abu Dhabi Corniche
There are many hotels that could be classified as sitting on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, though as a large road separates most from the beach itself, only one hotel at the East end of the Corniche actually has its own beach frontage. This is the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort, with a small lagoon-style beachfront and pool. A little dated but a great value city option.
Abu Dhabi hotels on the Corniche West
There are many more hotel beach options at the western end of the Corniche and the area known as Al Ras al Akhdar that have their own beach or beach club.
- The St Regis Abu Dhabi – Nation Riviera Beach Club
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi (the old Hiltonia – now The Cove at West Bay)
- Emirates Palace
- Jumeirah at Etihad Towers Hotel
- Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl
- Bab al Qasr Hotel
- Khalidiya Palace Rayhann by Rotana, Abu Dhabi
- InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace remains one of the city’s flagship hotels with its absolutely pristine 1.3km long beach frontage; the others on this list all include excellent facilities for both hotel guests and daycation use.
If you are staying at a hotel in Abu Dhabi without its own beach, you may be able to pick up a sensational package to one of these beach clubs for day use only so you don’t miss out on the Abu Dhabi beach experience.
Al Zahiyah (Tourist Club Area)
Although officially renamed Al Zahiyah in 2014, most still refer to this little pocket of the city, facing towards al Maryah Island, as Tourist Club Area (adjacent to Abu Dhabi Mall). Once the heart of the city’s entertainment zone in the 1970s, now just two popular family resort hotels remain:
Although views from the beaches have become somewhat tainted over the past decade with construction and power lines, the area has become settled again with calm waterfront views. Both hotels can offer sensational daycations and overnight packages and have a lively nightlife scene with many attached pubs and restaurants.
Beach Rotana also has residences that are great for larger families and those looking at longer stays in the Capital in serviced apartments.
Beach Hotels on Abu Dhabi’s Grand Canal (Khor al Maqta)
There are several hotels along the Grand Canal, the waterway that separates Abu Dhabi island from the mainland, that enjoy their own beach frontages. These are:
- Fairmont Bab al Bahr
- Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri
- Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
- The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal
The Ritz Carlton sits immediately adjacent to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, whilst the other three sit on the opposite bank (the name Bab al Bahr “Between the Bridges” referring to Al Maqta Bridge and Mussafah Bridge, two of the three main thoroughfares into Abu Dhabi Island.
Each commands spectacular mosque views, particularly at sunset. The waters here are calm, and a traditional dhow service operates between the hotels. This is a great location for those wanting to be close to both the city of Abu Dhabi as well as off-island options, including the Yas Island theme parks, AUH airport, and easy access to Dubai.
Beach Hotels on Yas Island
Although none of the Yas Island hotels has direct beach access, they all run a shared shuttle service to Yas Beach, a private beach frontage on the island free for hotel guests or sunbeds rented to daycationers.
- Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
- Yas Island Rotana
- Centro Yas Island by Rotana
- Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- Park Inn by Radisson Abu Dhabi Yas Island
- Crowne Plaza Yas Island
- Staybridge Suites
This is a good option for those on short stopovers who want to catch a bit of the city’s theme park action as well as catch a little bit of sun. The Yas Island hotels are significantly cheaper than the resort-style offering on Saadiyat Island, though granted, not as luxurious, they are practical and convenient – you are less than 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Beach Hotels Elsewhere in Abu Dhabi
Beyond these clusters of hotels, there are other locations just outside of the city centre and further around the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which offer guests a private beach frontage.
- Al Raha Beach Hotel – off the E10 Highway, close to the airport on the way to Dubai
- Zaya Nurai Island Resort – exclusive luxury island experience just 10 mins off the Saadiyat Island coast
- Al Maya Island & Resort – accessed by boat, adjacent to the Presidential Palace [their villas are currently closed for renovations, day passes only]
- Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort – Al Dhafra, Western Region 3 hours west of the city
- Anantara Desert Islands Resort – Sir Bani Yas Island, approx 2.5 hours west of the city, then a ferry ride
See all hotel & resort options in Abu Dhabi
Before you go… Important things to consider planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Find the latest Abu Dhabi COVID-19 Guidance here.
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a small commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.
Abu Dhabi Travel Planner
