If you think a great staycation has to include a beach, think again. On the edge of Al Maryah Island, Four Seasons Abu Dhabi makes a compelling case for city-based escapism and proves that a waterfront view, skyline shimmer and world-class dining are more than enough to turn a weekend into a holiday.
With gleaming glass facades and a marina-front location, the property is all polished elegance — marble floors, oversized chandeliers and views that stretch across the water to downtown Abu Dhabi.
It’s easy to forget you’re only 90 minutes from Dubai (or a short hop from anywhere else in the GCC). The tone here is calm, composed and curated, perfect for couples or solo travellers after downtime and indulgence, and families who want more city than sand.
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Middle East Traveller checked into a Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island.
The Arrival
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi is tucked into Al Maryah Island, connected to The Galleria mall and close to both the business district and cultural landmarks like Louvre Abu Dhabi. Arriving from Dubai is a breeze via a straight, scenic highway run that gets you from city to suite in just under two hours.
The entrance sets the tone with soaring ceilings, mirror-finish marble and a signature scent that follows you throughout the hotel, followed by a check-in that’s seamless and sincere, with cool towels and refreshments offered on arrival.
The lobby is full of thoughtful touches: Arabic coffee, dates, sweets, and even a popcorn machine for casual snacking.
The Room
For this stay, a Deluxe Four Seasons Executive Suite became home — a huge, elegant one-bedroom setup with a king bed and a separate living room. There’s a sense of space and serenity that makes the room feel more like a sleek apartment than a hotel suite. The interiors blend rich textures, soft neutrals and gleaming finishes, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase sweeping views of the water.
The suite comes with everything you could need, from a large desk for remote work to a cosy lounge area perfect for late-night films or mid-day room service. The signature Four Seasons pillows live up to the hype — soft, supportive and impossible to leave behind.
Bathrooms are equally impressive, with a beautiful soaking tub, double vanities, a rain shower and generous amenities.
The Activities
The Pearl Spa is a sanctuary of calm, tucked into the third floor and designed with subtle Arabian touches: other-of-pearl mosaics, soft lighting and sea-inspired tones.
The Signature Massage is a must, a deeply relaxing 90-minute treatment that blends aromatherapy and flowing techniques to dissolve tension and rebalance energy. Offered in a private couple’s suite with all the plush comforts you’d expect, it’s the kind of experience that lingers long after checkout.
The hotel’s poolside is sleek and stylish, set against a marina backdrop and flanked by loungers designed for full-day lounging with guacamol, sliders, and cocktails (or mocktails). It’s easy to spend hours here, dipping in and out of the water and soaking up the sun. There’s no beach, but you won’t miss it — this is a staycation made for indulgence, not sandcastles.
The Restaurants and Bars
Dining is where Four Seasons Abu Dhabi truly excels, with options that span the globe but never stray from quality. Crust, the hotel’s breakfast restaurant, deserves a special mention for its sprawling breakfast buffet of fresh, flaky pastries, vibrant platters of seasonal fruit, and a hot selection that spans continents.
Café Milano, meanwhile, brings refined Italian flair to the waterfront. A vibrant charcuterie board opened the evening — a mix of cured meats and cheeses that paired perfectly with freshly baked focaccia.
The herb-crusted lamb chops were a standout: pink-centred, tender, and bursting with flavour. Pizzas are done the traditional way —–thin, wood-fired and topped just right – while pastas arrive perfectly al dente, rich in flavour but balanced in portion.
Butcher & Still takes you straight to 1920s Chicago, complete with leather booths, black-and-white tiles and a secret speakeasy entrance. The food is phenomenal: top-quality meats grilled to perfection, starting with a melt-in-the-mouth brioche bread served warm with whipped butter.
This space has hosted world leaders, elite athletes and Hollywood stars, and it shows — from the mood lighting to the underground private dining room filled with decades-old whisky and a cigar lounge that feels like a movie set.
La Petite Maison Abu Dhabi hosts the La Vie En Rose brunch every Sunday from 12 to 4:30pm — and it might just be the most stylish in town. Snails come drenched in garlic and parsley butter, while warm breads, pastries and a trio of sauces arrie before a parade of signature LPM dishes, from melt-in-the-mouth steak with peppercorn sauce to fresh prawns, crispy calamari and more.
Brunch is served on the outdoor terrace, which – even though it may get rather hot in summer – feels like a scene straight from the French Riviera. The champagne flows, the cocktails sparkle, and the setting is pure Côte d’Azur.
Why Stay?
Whether you’re escaping midweek or making a weekend of it, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is a stay that delivers far more than the sum of its skyline views and sparkling swimming pool. There may be no sand and no waves, but this is a sophisticated escape that offers a true getaway from the hustle and bustle.
The Essentials
- Phone number: +971 2 333 2222
- Website: fourseasons.com/abudhabi
- Address: Abu Dhabi Global Market Street Second, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
