Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

BACKGROUND This hotel, which opened in 2016, o ers 200 guest rooms and suites, including specialty suites.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? It’s the epitome of high-end Abu Dhabi luxury – contemporary elegance meets nods to tradition, wrapped up in overwhelming elegance, to create an uber-luxurious destination for work, leisure or both. As soon as you walk into the bright, airy and expansive lobby, there is an air of calm. The service is very attentive, without being su ocating. The balance is just right.

WHERE IS IT? It’s a waterside hotel on Al Maryah Island, a new business development with high-end residences and o ices, premium shopping and dining, and a beautiful 5.4-km promenade. It provides direct access to Galleria Mall, The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Beach Club are close by, and Abu Dhabi International is 25 minutes away.

ROOMS I stayed in a 55sqm Premier Room, a stylish retreat with a large bedroom featuring an luxurious king bed with ultrahigh-quality crisp white cotton bedding (which can be customised on request), including huge Four Seasons pillows; a living space with a desk and chair and a separate vanity unit; an expansive marble bathroom with separate WC, huge walk-in shower and bathtub with Abu Dhabi views, as well as a double vanity with a TV in the mirror above; and a private bar with co ee machine. Soft flu y bathmats and Terry robes and slippers up the cosy stakes significantly. The in-room tablet can be used to search for hotel and local info and to engage in ‘Four Seasons Chat’ with the hotel. It’s a useful tool for asking quick questions.

FOOD AND DRINK Butcher & Still, a 1920s steakhouse; Café Milano, an outpost of the acclaimed Washington DC restaurant, serving handmade pasta and seafood and home to a terrace with water views; Crust, the market-inspired neighbourhood restaurant serving breakfast and brunch; Zsa Zsa cocktail lounge where gourmet snacks and small plates are the order of the day; Al Meylas, the hotel’s living room with indoor and outdoor seating, serving afternoon tea and as a “modern-day majlis”, the ideal place for work meetings; plus the Eclipse poolside terrace bar – the perfect place to watch the sunset and enjoy cocktails, shisha

BEST FOR and Japanese A personalised cuisine. Here I business stay enjoyed Wagyu beef Udon noodles. BUSINESS Five meeting and event venues, including a 530-person-capacity ballroom, plus three pre-function areas. Private and al fresco dining options are available for groups, plus restaurant venue buyouts are available for private functions. Work at Leisure by Four Seasons is also on o er, providing guests the opportunity to order in-room extras on the Four Seasons app. A Herman Miller desk chair, ring lamp, power strip or USB charger stand, laptop lap tray, monitor and printer, yoga mat, co ee and afternoon snack break and end of day celebration cocktail and treats are all bookable.

LEISURE Two fitness centres – male and female – with extensive cardio and strength equipment, plus The Pearl Spa, o ering a vast menu of treatments and packages. The service at the outdoor pool is personalised, with complimentary water provided and advice on where to sit In – or out – of the sun given by the very professional pool attendant.

VERDICT The Four Seasons stands out for its highly personalised service – the sta are very informative, courteous and attentive and explain everything you need to know, whether you are in your room/suite of one of the venues. The Four Seasons chat and mobile app is a very useful service – you can search for info or ask a quick question, instead of calling. This property suits travellers who expect the best and value a high-end tailormade experience. It’s relaxing, because all runs seamlessly.

Gemma Greenwood

DON’T MISS Evening drinks and snacks at poolside Eclipse

PRICE From AED 800 per night

CONTACT fourseasons.com

It’s the epitome of high-end Abu Dhabi luxury