Shangri-La Hotel, Abu Dhabi

If a hotel group called “Shangri-La” is going to move into a destination as strongly associated with over-the-top luxury as Abu Dhabi, it’d better have the goods to back it up. This is, after all, one of the richest cities in the world, a place known for its opulent luxury hotels and gold-dispensing ATMs. As it turns out, the Shangri-La Abu Dhabi more than lives up to the name. Despite its urban location, the hotel’s extensive waterfront grounds, reflecting pools, and ethereal architecture make it feel like a proper oasis. Indeed, you could stay here for a week without finding much of a reason to leave.

The Shangri-La features a variety of different spaces — lushly landscaped gardens, a private beach, a spa, and its very own souk, an Arabian-style market selling local crafts, art and jewelry — all interconnected by a winding waterway plied by traditional boats. If that sounds to you like a Disneyfied version of Abu Dhabi, you’re not terribly wide of the mark, but the concept is tastefully executed, and the effect is surprisingly enchanting.

Each of the Shangri-La’s 214 rooms has a private balcony or terrace with water views. As you might expect, given the hotel’s lavish grounds, even its most basic room is spacious and elegant. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, high-end linens, complimentary fruit and water, and large marble and mosaic bathrooms with large tubs and separate walk-in showers. Suites offer extras from Nespresso machines and pillow menus to Bulgari bath products, plus access to the Horizon Club with its customized concierge service and private lounge with a complimentary evening cocktail hour.

Speaking of not leaving for awhile — the Shangri-La has a restaurant for every day of the week, spanning French, Vietnamese, and Mediterranean cuisines. The signature venue is Shang Palace, serving gourmet Chinese food in an apparent nod to the hotel group’s origins. Do as the locals do and smoke a shisha on the pool deck, or have a sunset aperitif on the balcony at Al Hanah Bar. Whatever you do, don’t miss drinks at the gorgeous mosaic-lined Pearls Bar, a rooftop lounge overlooking the canal and the city lights beyond. It takes a lot to live up to a name like Shangri-La, but when you’re up here, looking out at the Arabian Gulf and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the name feels appropriate.