Thanks to the Middle East’s spirit of karam – or Arabian hospitality – the region has an impressive ability to make visitors feel at home.
With one of the strongest tourism economies in the world, the UAE shines strongly in this regard – and nowhere more so than the country’s vibrant and varied capital of Abu Dhabi.
While hotels here have so much to offer, their stunning lobbies are the perfect introduction to the emirate’s world-famous hospitality.
Enjoy a warm Emirati welcome at these top five most beautiful hotel lobbies in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION
Meet, eat, drink, relax, play, and be inspired in the lobby of the Abu Dhabi EDITION, a boutique-style hotel with an innovative, futuristic style.
The lobby’s design is ambitious. Hanging from a five-story curved atrium is a kinetic art installation from Dutch creatives Studio Drift, whose forty suspended thin glass tubes move with a wing-like grace.
Despite its size and the grandeur of certain features such as the bespoke Cavicchi gold leaf billiard table, the lobby leans more into stylish subtlety than glitz.
Warm colour palettes, soft armchairs, and a collection of plants – plus hundreds of real wax candles lit every evening – create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
- Where: Marina, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971 2 208 0000
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental describes is the epitome of luxury, showcasing Arabian hospitality at its finest, and the lobby is no exception.
Look to the central dome ceiling for a nod to the hotel’s Islamic architecture, decorated with an elaborate geometrical pattern picked out in gold.
Marble is the primary material, used for both the floor and the grand supporting columns, with the grandeur softened by a canopy of pink flowers and fairy-lit tree branches.
The lobby is also the location of one of the hotel’s many restaurants, Episodes. Here, guests can enjoy a tea apothecary, a gourmet deli, a cake shop, and a gelateria.
If you’re feeling indulgent, Episodes offers an afternoon tea that pairs exclusive and rare blends with classic scones and finger sandwiches.
- Address: West Corniche Road, Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971 2 690 9000
Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara
Outside of the busy metropolis of Abu Dhabi is Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara, nestled among towering dunes in the secluded oasis of the world’s largest uninterrupted sand desert.
This luxury resort – the name of which translates to the Mirage Palace – has the features of a traditional Bedouin village with all the modern amenities.
The interior is as memorable as the surroundings. Enter the hotel via a lantern-lined bridge into a charming lobby and lounge area that is a feast for the eyes.
Stuffed with Arabic artefacts – from chandeliers to camel statues to antiquarian books and old photographs – it could be the home of an eccentric collector.
The design is traditional, with lanterns and falaj water systems, while the usual live piano music is swapped with a qanun, an Arabic string instrument.
- Address: Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort – Al Mirayr – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
- Contact: : +971 2 886 2088
Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers
At the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, the view is the clear centrepiece of the lobby.
28 meters of floor-to-ceiling glass offers an unobstructed, panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf – the perfect setting for a stunning sunset.
This openness is incorporated in lobby’s overall design. High, airy ceilings, shimmering water features, and light, modern, chic furniture all give the space a refreshing brightness.
Beyond the aesthetic, the lobby is designed for socialising, boasting both a bar and a lounge with extensive menus ranging from bar snacks to afternoon tea.
- Address: Corniche Road, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Contact:+971 2 811 5555
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Be transported to a majestic palace inside the lobby of the St. Regis Abu Dhabi.
As with the rest of the hotel, the entrance space doesn’t shy away from the opulent luxury expected from the city outside its walls.
From the dome to the carpet to the intricate floor pattern, gold is the primary colour on show here.
An imperial staircase dramatically curves around colossal pillars, sweeping guests to an upper-level balcony.
Marble flooring reflects light from a pendant chandelier in the style of filigree lanterns. A grand piano is poised on a podium, ready for a pianist to serenade guests.
- Address: Nation Tower, Corniche, Abu Dhabi
- Contact: +971 2 694 4444
