Experience Abu Dhabi
Project Manager, Craig Charles, reviews this stunning destination
Experiencing Abu Dhabi
One of our Project Managers, Craig Charles, was recently invited to experience some of what Abu Dhabi has to offer organisations looking for an incentive or conference destination with a difference. From seeing (and staying at!) opulent hotels and sampling luxurious dining experiences, to taking part in a range of unique, exciting and relaxing experiences, Craig was able to really uncover what Abu Dhabi can offer corporate clients.
Here’s how he found the capital of the United Arab Emirates…
Getting there
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), positioned approximately 16.5 kilo-meters east of Abu Dhabi’s city centre, serves as a central hub connecting travellers globally. Renowned for its modern facilities, diverse amenities, and efficient ground transportation options, AUH ensures a seamless experience for both business and leisure travellers. Whether exploring the city or awaiting the next flight, passengers can enjoy the convenience and comfort offered by this bustling Middle Eastern airport.
Hotels
We were lucky enough to stay at two amazing hotels and visit plenty more on this trip.
Hilton Yas Island
On the first night we stayed at the Hilton Yas Island. What an amazing hotel. I’d say it’s the one that on the whole the group enjoyed the most.
It’s the perfect location for a lot of activities on Yas Island as well as being in close proximity to the Etihad arena. It has great bars onsite and within walking distance there’s plenty more bars, clubs and restaurants.
The Hilton had a large ballroom that could be split into 3 smaller rooms as well as 5 or 6 separate breakout rooms. You are also able to have a separate entrance to the conference area and arrange airport check in at the hotel.
St Regis Corniche Hotel
The second hotel we stayed at for two nights was the St Regis Corniche hotel. A stark contrast from The Hilton as this hotel was two huge towers, each floor with its own butler.
A high-end hotel that certainly exceeded any expectations… this could be perfect for the right group looking for something ultra-luxurious.
Additional visits
We also visited a number of other hotels inclucing the Shangri-La for lunch on the second day, the W hotel on Yas Island, and the Emirates Palace a Mandarin Oriental hotel.
This final venue was a completely lavish, huge and luxuriant hotel with a small amount of rooms available. Again, this would be perfect for a very specific group looking to do something very high-end out there but perhaps not somewhere that would be great for a larger conference over a number of nights (unless budgets were not a problem!)
Activities
During our time in Abu Dhabi we managed to cram in a host of activities. There’s so much to see and do!
We visited Sea World, Ferrari world (and even went on the worlds fastest rollercoaster), went karting at Yas Marina Circuit, we went on a mangroves tour and also went dune bashing on the last evening.
There certainly isnt a shortage of activities in Abu Dhabi to cover any group. Its also only approximately 45mins from Dubai so you could potentially do a couple of days in one city, travel to the other, then fly home from there.
I think Abu Dhabi is an incentive trip dream with so many amazing places to see and dine.
Inside Ferrari world there are plenty of places to arrange private dinners and same can be said of Sea World. Pretty much all the locations are available for private hire and have unique spaces to do special one off dinners or group activities.
Restaurants
During the trip we visited a selection of restaurants. Our first night was dinner at the Warner Bros hotel on Yas Island. For me, as a movie lover, this was the very best meal of the trip.
A wonderful hotel that was very understated in its decoration, not over the top and in your face but lots of memorabilia around.
Dinner was a mix of meats and sea food which were all incredible.
The second day we ate dinner at the Shangri-La. It was an asian style restaurant with a mix of different small dishes inspired by asian and middle eastern cuisines.
Summary
Overall my thoughts on Abu Dhabi are positive. It’s a great location for an incentive trip or a conference with a difference. Flight times are just under 7 hours, but if you time this right and do an overnight flight you don’t lose any days.
Particularly on Yas Island there is so much to do and the facilities at the hotels are incredible.
Abu Dhabi is certainly somewhere I will be showcasing to the right clients. If you feel you’d like to plan your next incentive trip, conference or event in Abu Dhabi, please get in touch – I’d love to chat you through more of my experience.
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