W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island

Between the two of them, Abu Dhabi does tend to be ever so slightly more restrained than Dubai. But a hotel like the W Abu Dhabi is a reminder that restraint is a relative term. Here on Yas Island, straddling the Formula One racecourse, is the W Abu Dhabi, looking for all the world like an airport terminal or some equivalently grand post-modern architectural gesture. It’s arresting enough by day, but by night its glass-and-steel shell is illuminated by countless LED panes, synchronized in an animated light show. And with all the exterior fanfare, the interiors have some work to do, if they’re not going to pale in comparison.

We’ll end the suspense, if there was any — they more than hold up their end of the bargain. From the soaring public spaces to the stylish rooms and suites to the numerous restaurants and lounges, the W Abu Dhabi is every bit as impressive from the inside. The accommodations bypass the usual Emirates-style pomp and gilt in favor of an edgier and modern look, complete with W’s trademark ultra-saturated colors. Rooms, while not quite enormous, are wired to the gills, and make up some space with their open-plan layouts; the suites, however, go from big to absolutely extravagant, and lack for nothing in terms of luxuries.

The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Garage, is a diverse affair whose culinary offerings span no fewer than five distinct global cuisines. And the wellness center is, as you might expect, a bit more elaborate than the ordinary hotel spa — in addition to its treatment rooms it’s got a lounge overlooking the racetrack, as well a W Abu Dhabi Presidential Treatment Suite, for guests who’d sleep better knowing their private hammam is never more than a dozen steps away.

How to get there:
The hotel is located only 10 minutes (by car) from the Abu Dhabi International Airport and 15 minutes (by car) from the city center of Abu Dhabi. Clients are encouraged to check their visa requirements before traveling. Some nationalities can obtain an entry permit (stamped in their passport) upon arrival at the airport.