"Set the scene for us. The curvaceous exterior of W Abu Dhabi Yas Island, an architectural masterpiece, is the first thing that catches your eye as you approach the hotel. Then, as you drive over the Yas Marina track (where they hold Formula One races) to the entrance, a certain level of excitement kicks in. It's easy to see why this 499-room over-track property attracts thousands of motor sports enthusiasts to the Yas Island precinct every year. Who stays here? Motor sports enthusiasts and travelers hoping to explore the nearby theme parks and entertainment district. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. In keeping with W's signature approach, the rooms here are categorized as Wonderful, Marvelous, Spectacular, and so on, all up to Extreme Wow. All 499 rooms and suites boast comfortable bedding, a pillow menu, and well-appointed bathrooms featuring luxurious rain showers and separate bathtubs. Mood-lighting, centralized speakers, and iPods, and other tech features are all are easy to operate. Anything really make this hotel unique? The hotel offers front-row seats to the action on the track, which hosts the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The slickness of the design is also worth raving about. What do they have to eat here Several restaurants and lounges give the dining landscape some real punch, everything from Indian (Angar) to Italian (Amici) cuisine. Garage, the exciting multifaceted dining experience, boasts five live kitchens that serve a variety of international cuisines. There's also the more casual W Lounge, as well as WET up on the roof. How did you find the staff? The service is dynamic and full of enthusiasm. And anything we missed? Welcome desks are reminiscent of oil drops; additionally, the Whatever/Whenever desks, which resemble canoes, do their bit in referencing Abu Dhabi's waterways. The hotel boasts two outdoor pools along with a dedicated kids' club and nearly 38,000 square feet of event space. The in-house spa is all about style and sophistication; the two-story facility has nine treatment rooms, a hammam, a steam room, a color therapy booth, separate men's and women's zones, and a relaxation zone overlooking the track. The hotel sits within a few minutes' drive of the city's most popular theme parks, as well as the Yas Mall, the UAE's largest shopping center. Bottom line: is it worth it? Definitely. This is a show-shopping choice, particularly if you're a motor-sports enthusiast." - Melinda Healy
