Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Nobody thought the Rosewood Abu Dhabi was going to be a bad hotel. But no amount of foreknowledge can keep you from feeling a bit overwhelmed by the actuality of the place: its towering knife-edge form, inspired by Arabian falconry; its location, surrounded by the waters of the Gulf, on the man-made Al Maryah Island; and its interiors, unapologetically luxe but never lacking in visual interest.

That’s the thing. Luxury in the Emirates can be boringly conservative, or it can veer off into tacky gilded excess. The Rosewood steers its ship straight and true, expertly avoiding both of these hazards. Rooms and suites come with plenty of space and plenty of light, and they’re equally well suited to business and pleasure — and extras like 24-hour butler service and in-room Nespresso coffee makers certainly don’t hurt. And the bathrooms might be even more comfortable than the bedrooms, with rain showers alongside massive soaking tubs. It’s hard to imagine coming away unsatisfied from even the most basic deluxe rooms, and the suites very quickly ascend into fantasy territory.

The Rosewood features no fewer than four high-end restaurants, plus a shisha bar, a wine cellar, a cigar room and whiskey bar among its half-dozen bar and lounge spaces. And a hotel like this wouldn’t be anywhere near complete without an extensive wellness program — here a full-service spa, a well-equipped fitness center and a 25-meter outdoor pool round out the offerings. There’s more off-site, of course, including golf, a beach club, and the Galleria, right next door, offering a wealth of luxury-brand shopping plus a selection of upscale restaurants.