Abu Dhabi

Affordable luxury: Abu Dhabi’s top 10 best hotels

Abu Dhabi used to be a cheap destination. Today it ranks among the most expensive cities for living in the world. Luxury here, however, is much more affordable for visitors than many imagine, and few cities in the world offer such comfort at such prices.

Package deals, seasonal discounts, fierce competition between hotels plus the recent economic downturn has made bargain-bagging a reality. To combat the plummeting visitor numbers, top-ranked hotels are presently offering discounts of up to 65%.

Frances Linzee Gordon

Lonely Planet Writer

Abu Dhabi: the city of superlatives

As one of the richest cities on earth, Abu Dhabi is the king of bling and an expert at showcasing the sublime. Picture white domed mosques, candy cane minarets and sweeping romantic deserts; it is the essence of Arabia, from camel racing at dawn to burning-red sand dunes at sunset. But alongside this storybook slice of the Gulf, the UAE capital has a more indulgent, contemporary side that is anything but subtle.

Combining the biggest and the brashest with the flashiest and the fastest, Abu Dhabi is home to some of the world’s most exciting new adventures. So what if your budget may not stretch as far as a local Sheikh’s? Here are some of the city’s perfect spots to live out the millionaire lifestyle for a day.

Mike MacEacheran

Lonely Planet Writer

A local’s guide to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's humble roots are difficult to unearth. Following its oil boom, the city has become a playground for the Gulf’s rich and famous. But beyond the domino-like deluxe hotels and futuristic shopping malls straight from Star Trek, it retains seductive charms and a treasure trove of archaic spice souks, traditional dhows, date palm gardens and the odd thirsty camel. From this perspective, it’s easy to picture the great Arabian scholars and storybook heroes making their home here once more.

So what do the locals do to pass the time? Depending on the season and time of day – remember cold nights, sandstorms and summer temperatures of 48 Celsius 48°C (118°F) are not uncommon here – you could be dune bashing in the desert, taking a boat trip along the coast or rugging up under the Gulf's burnishing stars. This is a place that requires options for all times of the day.

Mike MacEacheran

Lonely Planet Writer