Abu Dhabi stopover .. budget hotel

I'm pretty sure Etihad does provide stopover accommodation though I don't know what the rules and regs are to qualify for that. But you should definitely check it out with Etihad first.
Otherwise...there aren't really any budget hotels in AD so all I can suggest is the usual google search and see what you come up with. On the other hand there aren't m(any?) real fleapits around either.
If you do a search on this site you will find various recommendations that have been posted before of what to do on a stopover.

I am also nearly sure that you should be entitled to accomodation and voucher for meals at the hotel if your stopover is greater than certain hours, could be 8/10hr or so, unless if there was an earlier connecting flight and you choose the later one. However if there wasnt any available earlier flight, they have to provide it even for economy class. This happened with me couple of times on Emirates airline, which was at the Millinium Hotel, near the airport in Dubai. Normally they provide at their sister hotel, which is close to the airport around 4 star.
You should either talk to the travel agent or airline office if you bought it on line. Once, I didnt get the vouchers in advance from Emirates and I asked them in the airport when checking in and they gave them to me. I flew on Etihad once and found them similar quality service as Emirates, so it is good deal if it is well priced.

Best of Luck,

Thanks VeraLynn and Sydney Man,

Because I'm booking my flight online I'm not dealing directly with Etihad. But I am going to contact them to see what the story is. I will update you either way, as this theme seems to have surfaced a few times on this thread, for people with stopovers. My flight is so unbelievably cheap compared to others for my outward flight (early January) that I would find it hard to believe they'll foot the bill for my hotel in Abu Dhabi as well. But, who knows!!

Please find the below few budget hotels which are below USD 150/- per night:-

Sheraton Khaldiya Hotel USD 116.37
Le Meridiean USD 136.09
Radisson Blu Hotel USD 122.49
Al Maha Arjan USD 140.10

Thanks Mgeorge, but I'm also finding the Park Inn for just 65 euros, which seems good value!

Park Inn is brand new which might explain the good deal. It's a bit out of town (half hour if traffic is ok) but I'm sure the hotel would organise a taxi for you if you wanted to head out.

Thanks veralynn,

As far as I can gather, Etihad do not cover my stopover of 13 hours. To be honest, I am not surprised because the deal I am getting on my flight to Bangkok is excellent for the time of year.

I think I will try the Park Inn. Unfortunately, while I would like to be able to walk around and see some of Abu Dhabi, all I really want is a budget hotel for the night.

Park Inn would be good for you then I should think. I've not been there yet but as it's new it should certainly be clean and tidy. It's a Rotana hotel anyway and they're always good. Close to the airport too.

We had a stop over for 22 hrs with Etihad and BA in Abu Dhabi. No chance of any free accomodation . There is a hotel at the airport which sells 4 hr slots, per person .(Its not cheap)They provide a sleeping area and great food. The rooms for 24 hrs were about $200. ( no availability which would have been ideal.) You can check it on the AD airport web site. Cost of travel to & from the local hotel plus food wasn`t attractive.
Hope that helps.