Abu Dhabi has reopened to foreign traveller early September, after probably the longest and most strict lockdown over over 16 months. All Emirati nationals or expats living in other emirates, including Dubai, had to submit themselves to excessive Covid-19 testing not only when entering Abu Dhabi but also during their stay in Abu Dhabi. Flight were halted to almost all destinations, including international ones.
Similarly to our reports on other destinations, Abu Dhabi is now facing major challenges with staffing, many of the expat staff having left Abu Dhabi or having been made redundant in the early months of the pandemic. Staycations in Abu Dhabi used to be minimal and mostly restricted to dining and most of dining being outdoor. Many luxury hotels have resorted to partial operations, i.e. closure of dining venues and closure of over 50% of accommodations inventory.
Dining menus have been reduced and so were opening times of dining facilities, including for instance almost scrapping in-room dining. Some luxury hotels are still not operating Spas or part of their beaches or swimming pools while some other luxury hotels are no longer offer turn-down service, not even on request. With being Covid-19 measures or restrictions, many luxury hotels have been cutting costs by removing flowers and bedroom furnishing elements.
A good number of hotels did not replenish their cosmetics amenities – some, which were natural are, by now expired – the same applies to Spas, including skincare and massage oils. We have also come across expired mini-bar items, especially bottled or canned juices. Few hotels apply critical protocols on bedding such as washing pillows in 90 degrees as per research by specialit companies such as Bureau Veritas.
Having stayed at 4 luxury hotels and visited 3 other luxury hotels, Rosewood Abu Dhabi has emerged as an absolute leader of Abu Dhabi’s luxury hotels. Thanks to its unique location on Al Maryah Island, a superb natural island in the hear of Abu Dhabi, with stunning panoramic views of the city skyline in the distance – at times, it even feels the hotel is on an island location, not in an urban one. Although housed within a tower building, which may appear ”standard” at first glance, the hotel has a unique sense of place.
The sense of place is effortlessly achieved through a blend of many elements such as physical elements (furnishing details which are inspired by local culture – decor elements but also lighting, flooring – even if very small details), staff, dining (setting but also Arabic dishes), wellness & Spa (soil infused with custom-blended Arabian botanicals of frankincense and Oud). There is also an authentic Hammam that invites guests to purify the body and calm the mind
Indulge yourself with a unique pairing of the Moroccan Herbal Hammam followed by a full body customized massage with the most decadent of body balms. After completing your traditional cleansing ritual in one of our Hammam steam chambers you will transfer to your private Spa Suite. Your entire body is treated to a healing massage with a powerful and richly aromatic blend of exotic Arabian ingredients. Be prepared to leave with radiant skin embalmed in oils of Rose Damascena, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Argan, Rose Centifolia, Frangipani, and Macadamia.
Cooled in the summer and heated in the winter, Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s 25-meter outdoor swimming pool allows you to enjoy refreshing swims any time of the day, whatever the season. During my stay, a ”Wood & Fire” outdoor space was set up by the pool, serving a most diverse menu of grills and themed as ‘Oktober Fest’ featuring some exclusive beers. ‘Wood & Fire” at Glo is also hosting each Friday a brunch which is one of the most popular in Abu Dhabi, attracting a good number of locals too.
The quality of food is exceptional at any venue and at any time of the day. The Executive Chef makes it a priority to source the best quality meats and greens, as well as seafood. Service is flawless at all venues, with staff being most caring and passionate, eager to please and service. Despite the size of the property, it is impressive how it has been consistently managing to extend a most personalised, individual service. At no time of the day and at no venue, would I encounter the least allusion to the ”excuses” many hotels find, especially now, post the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, as it also caters to a segment of corporate guests, dining and Spa are also adapted to the needs of the business travellers. One may opt for a more formal or fast meal in one of the 7 dining venues of the hotel but also a more private experience in the Manor House, the lounge of the hotel, which I found as the perfect place to catch up on work. In-room dining was also an exceptional elevated experience – which I very much enjoyed on an evening when I wanted to just simply enjoy my suite and soak in the stunning views, the most spectacular time of the day being sunset.
Although open 8 years ago, the hotel will impress you how well maintained is the product – the designer aesthetic choice was also exceptionally chosen for the hotel to take on a more timeless feel, which does not age fast – maintaining its relevance and most important, maintaining ultimate comfort. This undertaking also involved the choice of the finest materials, including the finest quality of furnishings but also technical details such as AC, which was the most elaborate among all hotels reviewed in the Middle East which is dominated in high temperatures. AC temperature adjusts automatically to your desired temperature.
No details have been overlooked, from the shower pressure, soundproofing indoor and outdoor, perfect lighting, impeccable night black-out, with automatically controlled curtains and blinds, making for a wonderful sleep experience. Bedding is also outstanding, not only in the quality of the mattress but also the sophisticated high-thread silk cotton linen and superb Egyptian cotton towels and bathrobe. Ecology and sustainability are a top priority of the property, some of the ‘visible’ measures being the bathroom cosmetics amenities being bottled in large biodegradable recipients and the rationalisation of water waste.
The sense of place which Rosewood Hotels has been mastering, is also reflect with the Rosewood Abu Dhabi which has a direct connection to The Galleria Mall, the finest mall in Abu Dhabi, home to the boutiques of the world’s top luxury brands – whether fashion, watches or jewellery. The Mall also includes a wide selection of restaurants, some of them franchises – Coya, Zuma and Godiva. The immediate proximity to the mall in a hot weather destination such as Abu Dhabi is essential – one may only walk inside such malls.
But probably the biggest achievement of Rosewood Abu Dhabi was that feeling when driving back towards the hotel and feel not necessarily as coming home but returning to a place which I could trust, a place where I would feel sale and where I can feel truly respected and pampered. I have felt as being ”taken care of”. A simple day trip to the Louvre Museum was flawlessly organised, with an almost obsessive attention to detail to make sure my experience was not only exceptional but ensure that i would be taken care on the respective trip.
After having stayed at 33 luxury properties in 29 destinations during the pandemic (June 2020 – October 2021), Rosewood Abu Dhabi has made me feel safe, strictly implementing the most complex set of safety and hygiene measures to protect both staff and guests. It was not only the firmness but the consistency in how these measure were implemented. Rooms and suites have always felt crisp and fresh upon each housekeeping service. When transferring from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Rosewood Abu Dhabi insisted they could arrange it with a private chauffeur driven care which meets the most stringent Covid criteria in terms of disinfection – not to mention avoiding any crowds.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi has also promoted to take this opportunity and truly acknowledge the achievement of Mrs Sonia Cheng and her team, my criticism of the ”ulra-luxury” ranking being futile. Whether super, uber, top luxury Rosewood Hotels is perfectly equipped and ready to take on all future projects coming up, in utmost confidence. By applying a relatively simply ”formula” Rosewood has the potential of becoming one of the top 3 luxury hotel groups and operator within the next 5 years.
رفع القبعة
Oliver Petcu in Abu Dhabi
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
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