This second part explores the “and Villas” part of the hotel name. Part I of my post about this property was an extensive description of it’s very spacey and roomy standard category room.Before anything else, allow me to say that this hotel granted me the most (if not, one of) breathtaking hotel views I ever had. Because I arrived at the hotel at 2 in the morning, everything was pitch dark + bit of jetlag coming from London so I was abit clueless as to what the surrounds of the hotel looked like.I woke up the next day after a full 8 hour sleep ( I never get that anymore!), drew the huge curtains open, and was stunned by this magnificent view.
That was literally a “Holy S****” moment. Holy Smithereens! Is this for real? Despite the shocking heat, I was still bedazzled by the view.
My room balcony had this very relaxing chill out lounge area. Very tempting but even with the ceiling fan on, the heat was too stifling. I really hate saying that. I love hot weather, I grew up in a tropical country, and would always prefer heat over cold. I thought I would ace the Middle Eastern heat like a pro, but nothing prepared me for the dry dessert heat. I’m used to humidity, not scorching dry heat.
But the grandeur of this hotel (and almost everything in Abu Dhabi for that matter), can almost take your mind away from the heat.
A self shot in my room balcony. Ready to face the heat!
I wasted no time in exploring the sprawling hotel grounds. So the building area is made up of hotel rooms, and the properties closer to the beach are the villas. I found out that most Emirati families spend holidays this way. Because Saadiyat Island is not really located along the hustle and bustle or CBD of Abu Dhabi (it is a mere 20 minute drive away), there is a feeling of seclusion in this island. What makes it special is that it lies along Saadiyat Beach, the only natural beach/shore in Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Island is currently being constructed to become the capital of UAE’s culture and education. (The Lourve and Guggenheim, along with other places of interest like opera houses, museums, and universities will be located in this island).
Currently, Saadiyat Island is a quick getaway for most families (expat and Emirati alike) to relax.
They have 3 types of Villas (Executive, Presidential and Royal). I was able to inspect the Executive type and I could have easily gotten lost in that one. I think I will need a GPS to explore the Presidential and Royal villas if I had the chance!)
All Villas have a personalised butler service, and all rooms come with a househelp quarter ( I hate the term “maid”).
The househelper’s quarter. Very simple compared to the other bedrooms but this is a luxury compared to some househelpers’ rooms I’ve seen on regular family homes.
I do love this bathtub in one of the rooms. All the villas also offer grocery shopping service. I learned that most families that stay in these villas stay long term. For weeks on end (the starting price per night in an Executive Villa is around AUD 4,000.00), and most of them like staying inside the Villa , and do their cooking / barbeques in the villa. Heck if I paid a 5 figure amount per day for this Villa, I don’t think I would ever want to leave it! I would live there and make sure I maximise and utilise Each and every cent paid.
For that price, you do get your own private villa pool, and a very generously sized outdoor shower.
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