8 of the Best Hotels in Abu Dhabi, UAE - AFAR

"A seafront palace of Arabian opulence beside the presidential Qasr Al Watan, this expansive resort stretches over half a mile with lavish details—hundreds of chandeliers, thousands of palm trees and tons of gold leaf—while remaining family-friendly with waterslides, a lazy river and a long private beach. Guest rooms and suites favor calming palettes and thoughtful service touches; ultra-luxury Three-Bedroom Palace Suites (originally designed for heads of state) offer vast lounges, dining rooms, embroidered silk detailing, hot tubs and terraces. Dining ranges from a signature gold-leaf cappuccino at the café to Michelin-starred options for Italian and contemporary Chinese cuisine." - Nicola Chilton