Hotel Review: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

During our visit to the United Arab Emirates, we couldn’t pass up the chance to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi. Known for its luxurious accommodations and exceptional service, The Ritz-Carlton brand has a well-earned reputation – and the Abu Dhabi property did not disappoint.

In this review, I’ll share what stood out during our two-night stay, what I loved most about the experience, and why I think this hotel is a great choice for luxury travelers. Let’s dive in!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*

Arriving at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

Location 

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi sits in a prime location on the eastern edge of Zone I, overlooking the Al Maqta area and the Grand Canal. Since opening its doors in March 2013, the hotel has earned international recognition for its luxury and elegance.

The property features 532 rooms, suites, and residences, blending traditional Middle Eastern design with Venetian-inspired touches to create a unique and sophisticated atmosphere.

Conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the hotel is easy to reach by taxi. It’s also just a short walk from the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which we loved, as the hotel feels tucked away from the busy areas of Zone I and The Corniche.

If you’re renting a car or enjoying a staycation, the hotel offers complimentary valet parking. Just be sure to mention your plans when booking to ensure everything is arranged.

Check-in process

Walking into the stunning lobby of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, we got our first taste of what was to come. With its grand design and elegant details, the space felt like something straight out of Aladdin – I half expected Princess Jasmine to appear!

The air conditioning was a welcome relief from the scorching temperatures outside, and the warm smiles of the reception team immediately made us feel at home. The check-in process was quick and efficient, and a friendly concierge was ready to help us with our bags as soon as we were done.

Rooms & Suites

Accommodation at The Ritz-Carlton, Abu Dhabi comprises traditional guest rooms alongside plush suites and villas.

Guest rooms

We selected a Deluxe Guest Room for our two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi. The room was decorated in soothing natural hues and featured a King bed with a private balcony that looked out over the manicured gardens, the huge pool area, and the Grand Canal.

The room was facing east which meant we could start the morning with a coffee in hand and enjoy the beautiful sunrise from our balcony. It was absolutely magical and definitely the best way to start our one day in Abu Dhabi.

The guest room was attached to a gorgeous bathroom complete with a soaking tub and separate rainfall shower as well as two washbasins. 

Deluxe and Club Guest Rooms register at 42 square meters (452 square feet) which allows plenty of space. You can choose between double or twin rooms.

Suites & Villas

If you’re looking for some additional space then you might be interested in booking either a suite or a villa.

Suites come with the added luxury of a separate living room and range from 60 square meters (645 square feet) to 251 square meters (2691 square feet) for the elegant Royal Suite which accommodates 6 guests. 

In terms of villas, you can choose between the 5-person villa with a private plunge pool and canal views or select one of the villas within the Venetian Village. This is a separate complex within the wider hotel grounds.

Services & Facilities

Pool & private beach

Registering a whopping 16,000 square meters (17,222 square feet), the outdoor swimming pool at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is one of the largest in Abu Dhabi. After a sticky day of exploring the best of Abu Dhabi, the water was a welcome escape from the Middle Eastern sun.

Palm trees and sails provide some shelter while you’re in the water and there are plenty of beds with umbrellas as well as private cabanas when you’re ready to soak up some R&R.

The deck is broken up with pristine lawns and shrubs, a beautiful fountain, and views of the hotel’s private beach. Besides the main pool, there is a separate swim space exclusively for adults.

You can access the private beach of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi from the pool area. The beach area is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas and it’s safe to swim in the water. What’s more, the sand is lovely and soft! The private beach is open to hotel guests from 9 am until sunset.

Fitness center

If you fancy keeping on top of your fitness regime while in the UAE then you’ll be happy to hear the hotel provides a gym. Open 24/7, the space is fully kitted out with cardio machines and a free weight zone.

Some of the equipment overlooks the olive garden and the studio benefits from natural light courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling windows. On the other hand, if you prefer to exercise outdoors then there are also some great running tracks set up around the resort complex. 

Spa

Espa Spa is a treat if you’d rather pamper yourself than work out while on vacation! The spa features a steam room, sauna, plunge pool, and a Hammam. You can choose from a comprehensive treatment menu including massages and beyond or even book an appointment at the hair salon. 

The famous Instagram spot

Last but not least, we have to talk about the famous spot at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi you’ve likely seen all over Instagram. In fact, many people decide to book a room at the hotel just to get access to this view!

Casually referred to as “the Instagram spot” by the staff, this famous archway is located within the grounds of The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, close to the guest villas. It’s roughly a 5-minute walk from the lobby but if you ask the staff about it, they’re more than happy to give to a ride on the electric golf carts.

Since The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is located right next to the famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can get an uninterrupted view of the Mosque from practically anywhere on the hotel grounds. But this archway is undoubtedly one of the best Instagram spots in Abu Dhabi thanks to its perfect framing of the Mosque!

If you want to take the best photos possible, make sure to coincide your visit with sunset. Before visiting this spot, it’s also worth taking a stroll around the garden as you can find many other great photo spots overlooking the Mosque.

Dining

With eight dining options and 24/7 room service, we certainly didn’t go hungry during our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi.

Since we only had two nights, we couldn’t try every restaurant, but we did make time for a meal at Li Jiang, a sleek Southeast Asian restaurant with an open kitchen that adds to the lively ambiance.

The food was fantastic (as you’d expect from the winner of Best Southeast Asian Restaurant at the Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards), and the views of the Grand Mosque after twilight were nothing short of magical.

For the food lovers out there, here’s a quick overview of the other dining options at the hotel:

• The Forge: A top choice for steak lovers, offering premium cuts in an upscale setting.
• Mijana: Traditional Lebanese dishes served with live music. Both restaurants require a smart-casual dress code, so plan your outfits accordingly.
• Giornotte: A Mediterranean-themed restaurant with a relaxed vibe, perfect for enjoying light dishes and fresh seafood.
• Sorso: The hotel’s atmospheric bar, where you can unwind with cocktails, wines, spirits, and light bites.
• Al Fresco: Great for poolside dining or lazy days under the sun. They also arrange romantic private dinners right on the beach.
• Alba: Ideal for afternoon tea in the lobby lounge, with a lovely selection of sweet treats.
• Dolce: An Italian-style café serving pastries, cakes, and gelato – perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Final Thoughts

Staying at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi was pure bliss. The hotel is beautifully appointed (to a practically palatial standard!) and the staff went out of their way to make us feel at home while the food was exquisite.

If you’re planning to visit Abu Dhabi and have your heart set on a luxury hotel with incredible views, comfort, and service, this resort should tick all the boxes.