Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Opened in 2013, the 34-story Rosewood Abu Dhabi is a dramatic curvilinear tower covered in reflective glass, inspired by both the waters of the shimmering Gulf, and the shifting sands surrounding it. Inside, the lobby is warmer and less dramatic, bordered on one side with a calming water feature and the whole space is washed in soothing mood lighting against wood and stone. Sand-colored chairs tucked into dim-lit alcoves provide quiet spaces to sit. The opposite of a noisy resort, this discreet atmosphere rarely gets louder than a few hushed conversations occurring at the same time, with a mix of roughly half business and half leisure travelers.

The hotel sits on Al Maryah Island facing the waterfront promenade and overlooking downtown Abu Dhabi. Behind it, shopping centers and offices sprawl around the block and it's connected to upscale The Galleria shopping mall. The island hosts a series of brand-new developments from residential and office space, to the adjacent Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi medical facility. The area is spectacular in terms of architecture and urban modernity, but there’s little life on the streets, and guests will need to drive to most attractions. The gargantuan Abu Dhabi Mall, which features a six-screen cineplex is a six-minute drive away, right across the bridge. Expect a 30-minute drive from the Abu Dhabi International Airport.  

The Rosewood Abu Dhabi's 189 rooms and suites have modern decor, conservatively accented with rich, dark woods and contrasting light fabrics. Standard rooms have either one king bed and a sitting area beside the windows with an armchair and ottoman, or two twins accompanied by chaise loungers at the foot of the beds. Work desks have roller chairs and there are vanities in the entryways that have roller chairs as well. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, along with iPod docks, iPad room controls, huge 60-inch flat-screen TVs, and minibars. 

The sleek bathrooms are top-notch, outfitted with bidets, large walk-in rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs. Club Rooms and suites add access to the Manor Club lounge where breakfast is included. Junior Suites have open-plan living spaces with Nespresso machines, big work desks, and ergonomic roller chairs. Increasingly more opulent suites add perks such as kitchenettes and personal butlers.

Features at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi are unsurprisingly high-end and extensive, though there's not a ton geared toward families with kids. The pretty outdoor pool is heated in winter and cooled in summer, surrounded by sculptural funnel-like lighting fixtures and dotted with gray-brick planters housing palm trees that lend a touch of natural beauty, if not much shade. The sundeck is skirted by covered lounge areas and comfortable loungers under umbrellas. A poolside bar serves drinks and hosts weekend movies. There are also a wine cellar with a cigar lounge, an outdoor shisha lounge, and a lobby bar. Dai Pai Dong serves authentic Chinese cuisine and houses its own wood-paneled bar. A fine-dining Lebanese restaurant and an all-day international buffet in a bright dining room overlooking the water are other options.

The expansive spa's nine full-service treatment rooms include two with small marble-tiled hammams. Also available are a large communal hammam covered in bronze mosaic tiles, relaxation areas with cold mist showers, a large hot tub, a sauna, and a chromotherapy steam room. A 24-hour fitness center has rows of modern cardio machines against floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel also has a 24-hour business center, as well as several meeting rooms, and two ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate over 1,000 guests.