THE BEST ABU DHABI HOTELS WITH BEACH & SKYLINE VIEWS

At the edge of Al Maryah Island, the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi rises above the water with those much-desired vistas of the Arabian Gulf and the city’s skyline shimmering beyond. Light fills its 200 rooms and suites, all angled toward the sea, creating a calm, contemporary retreat in the middle of the capital’s energy. Guests drift between the spa, the waterfront pool, and Eclipse Terrace Lounge, where sunset cocktails frame the city in gold. Dining is a highlight, too—six restaurants and bars range from sophisticated seafood to relaxed Mediterranean fare, all with views to match. Step outside and you’re within easy reach of Abu Dhabi’s cultural and architectural icons: the Louvre, the Grand Market, and the city’s marinas that sparkle after dark.

Morning light glints off curved glass towers as the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residences Emirates Pearl wakes with the city. Below, the Corniche hums softly; ahead, the Arabian Gulf stretches wide and still. Guests find themselves in a place that feels both dynamic and unhurried — a hotel shaped for modern Abu Dhabi’s rhythm. The infinity pool drifts toward the horizon, where sea and sky meet in a soft blur. Terraces and restaurants pick up the last light of the day, facing Qasr Al Watan and Emirates Palace across the water. Inside, rooms feel calm and grounded in pale desert tones, a quiet contrast to the city below. By night, the mood shifts to the Lexx bar, where guests linger over a drink as Abu Dhabi’s skyline begins to glow.

Dripping with contemporary flair, Rosewood Abu Dhabi rises along the waterfront of Al Maryah Island, at the heart of the city’s new financial district. From most rooms, the Arabian Gulf stretches wide, the view shifting from soft morning blues to gold at sunset. Inside, design and comfort go hand in hand, balancing urban sophistication with a sense of calm. Days here slip easily from a morning workout to an unhurried hour at the Sense Spa, or a lazy stretch by the pool watching boats trace the waterway below. As evening falls, the focus shifts to food and conversation — eight restaurants cover every mood, from refined dinners to late cocktails at La Cava, Glo, or Hidden Bar.

Anchored in the yacht-dotted Al Bateen Marina, The Abu Dhabi EDITION blends waterfront calm with cosmopolitan flair. Its sleek rooms and suites open onto private balconies framing the marina and the city skyline, while interiors balance marble, light woods, and soft fabrics with the brand’s signature minimalist polish. The EDITION Spa invites unhurried moments, from hammam rituals and regionally inspired treatments to contemporary beauty therapies. Mealtimes carry their own rhythm — Market at EDITION leans fresh and global, Oak Room delivers a modern steakhouse experience, and Alba Terrace pairs Mediterranean dishes with the marina breeze. As the night sets in, music and cocktails take over, and the hotel’s lounges come alive in true EDITION fashion.

Inside the gravity-defying Capital Gate tower, Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi makes an impression long before check-in. The dramatic tilt of its façade hints at the experience within: bold, design-led, and unmistakably modern. From every floor-to-ceiling window, the city stretches out in widescreen, while the 19th-floor pool and Rayana Spa offer a slower, more indulgent perspective above it all. You can linger over Mediterranean plates at 18 Degrees or keep things casual with a drink and a bite at Andaz Lounge. Step outside, and Abu Dhabi’s highlights feel within reach.

When night falls over Al Bateen Marina, the yachts settle into the water and the skyline begins to sparkle. In that quiet shift between day and evening sits the Royal M Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi — a polished waterfront hideaway where the pace slows just enough to notice the shimmer of the gulf and the hum of the city beyond. Inside, rooms, suites, and villas echo the view outside: polished, modern, and quietly luxurious, with windows framing the marina or the city’s towers. The infinity pool mirrors the gulf’s shimmer, while the spa invites slower moments. As night falls, flavours take over — Middle Eastern feasts at Mezze Dining Room, fine dining at the Celebrity Restaurant, or a glass of something crisp at Cuvee Bar before the lights ripple over the harbour.

There’s a quiet ease to the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi — the calm of polished marble, a hint of lemongrass in the air, the city stretching out through glass walls that catch the afternoon light. From the upper floors, the skyline feels close enough to touch, while inside, Thai influences blend with clean modern lines and warm, understated service. Days unfold easily here: a swim under open skies, dinner at one of the hotel’s fine-dining spots, or a quiet drink while the city glows beyond the glass. And when curiosity calls, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Corniche are all a short drive away — reminders that the best of the city begins right at your doorstep.