Looking for a little luxury retreat in Abu Dhabi but still want to keep your social distance?
Isolation and privacy are more important than ever for travellers. On your next vacation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, why not check out one of these luxury villa options within hotel resorts that offer you your own pool?
All of our selections are within Abu Dhabi Emirate. We’ll start with some favourites on Saadiyat Island, and other options close to the city centre then share some absolutely serene desert retreats perfect for a romantic special occasion or an exclusive family getaway.
Saadiyat Resorts with Private Pools
Situated less than 30 minutes from AUH airport – all connected by freeways and bridges – Saadiyat Island is an easy “island” escape close to the action of downtown Abu Dhabi. A string of luxury resorts hug the coastline with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf. Here’s how to snag yourself a resort villa with a private pool!
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi
Offering a selection of 327 rooms and 13 private villas, Saadiyat Rotana is a great option if you want the best of resort facilities combined with your own private area to retreat to. Each beachfront pool villa offers a private plunge pool, sun loungers and a small kitchenette with a living room for an ultra-exclusive experience.
Enjoy an extensive choice of dining options within the resort and Zen the Spa, offering 10 treatment rooms and a Turkish Hammam. With kids in tow, there’s loads to keep them entertained too with Aladdin’s Cave Kids Club a lazy river and splash pool. This is our top recommendation for families seeking a little extra privacy and luxury.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is one of the smaller and more exclusive resort offerings along Saadiyat Island. With just a handful of Beach View and Garden View Villas, each offers two bedrooms and a private temperature-controlled plunge pool and rain shower.
For even more exclusivity and space, upgrade to the Executive Villa or Royal Villa including a large outdoor terrace, maids quarters, even massage beds! Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi also offers a fitness centre, Atarmia Spa for luxurious treatments and sits immediately adjacent to a golf course., the ideal island retreat.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Saadiyat Island
Many of the suites and villas at Rixos Premium are advertised as “private pool” which actually gives you direct room access to a long lap loop pool that runs between the luxury suites – not your own pool. The three-bedroom villas also directly access a shared lagoon-style pool, though your terrace area is considered private. For complete exclusivity, you need to opt for the four-bedroom Superior Villa.
Offering ultimate privacy but still close to the heart of the action the private villa can accommodate up to eight guests. Guests are afforded uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and access to the Ultra-All Inclusive resort. The perfect setting for an important family occasion in Abu Dhabi.
Other private pool options near Abu Dhabi City Centre
Whilst Saadiyat Island certainly steals the limelight when it comes to Abu Dhabi luxury resorts, there are a few other closeby options to consider for that little extra privacy and exclusivity:
Zaya Nurai Island Resort
Although technically not on Saadiyat, your short 12-minute speed boat transfer from Saadiyat Island will deliver you to the even more exclusive island of Zaya Nurai.
Some of the most luxurious boutique accommodation in the country, each incredible villa on Zaya Nurai has its own temporary controlled private pool and direct access to the beach access (not to mention all the cool features and luxury touches inside your villa!).
There are options from one-bedroom villas through to the most incredible 5-bedroom deluxe estate if you’re looking for a secluded party pad – and got the cash to splash!
Shangri La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
Sitting along the Grand Canal in Abu Dhabi with views across the water to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, there are 6 exclusive Villas in the Shangri-La Complex, Qayrat Al Beri. (The area is also known as Khor Al Maqta, or Between the Bridges).
Each villa at the Shangri-La offers four bedrooms in exquisite Arabian styling, a fully equipped kitchen, hot tub even a home cinema; And yes, your own private pool!
This is a great option for longer-term stays in the city with the convenience of location, being attached to the shopping and restaurants of Qayrat al Beri.
Abu Dhabi Desert Resorts with Private Pools
If you want true seclusion then it’s time to head beyond the city limits and explore the rest of Abu Dhabi Emirate; The Desert!
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Set deep within Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter, Qasr Al Sarab is the height of Arabian desert luxury. Offering 52 one, two and three-bedroom villas as part of their desert resort, expect exceptional Arabian styling and unsurpassed hospitality.
Top off your luxurious desert spa experience with your oversized bathtub and rain shower – and your private butler, of course. Guests in the pool villas have full access to all resort offerings from the wide range of dining to desert sports and desert exploration tours. The isolated position of Qasr al Sarab makes it ideal for moonlit swims and starry nights.
Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Not too far from the city centre but deep enough into the Abu Dhabi desert to enjoy the seclusion and privacy you desire. This boutique hotel, operated by Marriott, is designed in the style of a desert village. There are 103 guest rooms plus a selection of one, two and three-bedroom villas offering guests their own private plunge pool and patio overlooking the rolling dunes.
It is pretty and luxurious and has the advantage of being close to town and AUH airport. However, if we had to pick between the two desert resorts, Qasr Al Sarab would still be our top pick despite the longer drive. The sand dunes in Al Wathba just aren’t AS impressive!
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villas
One of the more unique offerings in Abu Dhabi Emirate is Sir Bani Yas Island. Sitting around 2 hours west of the city, you will need a short ferry ride from Jebel Dhanna Jetty to cross to your exclusive desert island, complete with its own wildlife reserve.
Part of the Anantara Desert Islands Resort and Spa, Al Sahel Villas are 30 exclusive safari-style villas set in lush savannah. There are one and two-bedroom villas offering private decks and pools along with living rooms, air conditioning, minibar and wifi. If you don’t mind a few onlooking gazelle or Arabain oryx while you take a plunge, this is your nature retreat at its finest.
When pricing up hotels in Abu Dhabi be aware there are several additional taxes including municipality tax, tourism fee, service charges, VAT and a 15AED per room per night hotel fee. Total additional charges to quoted prices can equate to an extra 25%.
We hope you find the seclusion and luxury you are looking for in this superb collection of hotels with private pools in Abu Dhabi. You may also be interested in:
- The Best Resort Hotels on Saadiyat Island
- Hotels with Private Pools in Dubai
- Resorts & Hotels on the Beach in Abu Dhabi
Locate the best hotels with private pools in Abu Dhabi using this handy map. As you can see the desert options are quite remote, but if it’s the ultimate in luxury and seclusion you want, they are well worth the journey!
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:
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