Introduction
We had a 1 night layover in Abu Dhabi on our way back from the Seychelles. I booked this place because we just needed a bed for the night, I was shooting for Platinum status, and it was dirt cheap at 3,000 SPG for the weekend night. Unfortunately, we were there on National Day, and so the city had a huge festival at the convention center, which is where the hotel was located. The main highway was blocked and so it took much longer than normal to get there.
Actually I forgot to mention that Uber has pulled out of AUH but are still there in DXB for some reason. My wife and I were talking to the taxi stand until some random guy asked if we wanted a taxi. He told me it’d be 90 AED ($25 USD) to get to the hotel. This was my bad – I had NO CLUE how much a taxi would have cost. He muttered it’d cost me 120 AED if I took the taxi, so I reluctantly agreed to ride with him. The joke was on him due to the extra 15 minute detour that he had to take because of traffic. If I had taken a taxi, the meter would have been running during the detour. For reference, the taxi ride back was 40 AED. I doubt the airport tolls would add up to 50 AED, so I most likely overpaid.
Check in
The lobby was pretty hip and colorful. I was recognized as Gold and given 2 free drink coupons (includes alcohol) and 2 coffee/tea items for breakfast. We immediately used our 2 drinks for some martinis at the bar that cost about $20 USD total. We got some tea the next morning. I think the drinks alone covered the cost of the 3000 SPG points.
Wifi
The wifi was based on name and room number. I felt it was fine.
Room
The room was fine. They gave us a dessert plate (not sure if it was for being Gold or if every guest got one.) The room was a bit noisy when people were walking down the hall after the convention, but it wasn’t noticeably bad. Plus, we left at 6AM.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t stay here if you were staying multiple nights since there’s not much within walking distance (you are at a convention center.) I wouldn’t even stay here if you were doing a 1 night layover due to the cost of the taxi to/from the airport (let’s call it $40.) If I wasn’t chasing Platinum status, I would have stayed at a hotel closer to the airport.
Pictures
