Review: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi

After a night at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island to kick off my trip to the Middle East, I made my way to the nearby Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi which was just down the stunning Saadiyat Beach.

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi was one of the first hotels to open on Saadiyat Island, and it’s now well-established amongst the many beachfront properties on the north-facing coastline.

As I adjusted to the time difference between Canada and the Middle East, I was very much looking forward to another beachfront stay at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Booking

World of Hyatt is one of the last hotel rewards programs to use a published award chart with peak, off-peak, and regular prices. For my stay at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, I redeemed 25,000 World of Hyatt points for a one-night stay.

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a Category 6 property within World of Hyatt, so 25,000 World of Hyatt points is the standard rate. You’ll also find pricing of 21,000 or 29,000 points on off-peak and peak dates, respectively.

Cash rates at the property can be as low as 951 AED ($353 CAD) during off-peak times, but typically fall in the range of 1,300–1,700 AED ($482–630 CAD).

With cash rates inflated across the board due to the FIFA World Cup and Formula One, I was confident that I’d get excellent value for my World of Hyatt redemption on this stay.

If you’re booking a cash rate at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, get in touch with a travel advisor with access to Hyatt Privé, Hyatt’s preferred partner program. You’ll pay the same as the publicly available refundable rate, but you’ll get extra perks such as free breakfast, a $100 (USD) property credit, a room upgrade, and more.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Location

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is just five minutes east of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island, where I’d stayed the previous night. It’s the last resort in a string of five luxury hotels that all take up residence along the shoreline of Saadiyat Island.

Saadiyat Island is a natural island that was recently a part of a significant tourism-cultural project, transforming it into the destination it is today. The island is now teeming with entertainment venues, high-end hotels, and numerous restaurants.

The resort is located on Saadiyat Public Beach, widely considered to be amongst the best beaches in the UAE due to its white sand, turquoise ocean, and rich marine life.

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi conveniently borders the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, which is accessible directly across the street.

Within 10 minutes by vehicle or taxi, you can reach the Saadiyat Cultural District, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, as well as other world-renowned museums.

The city centre and Abu Dhabi’s most prominent sights and sounds, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, are 30 minutes away by car. The Abu Dhabi International Airport is also accessible within about the same timeframe.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Check-In

As I arrived at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, I noticed that the blocks of white stone that made up the building’s façade were very similar to those at the St. Regis just down the beach.

The main entrance to the resort may be accessed by climbing a lengthy set of steps flanked by palm trees on each side, whereas vehicles can pull up directly to the entrance.

Upon entering the lobby, it’s airy and museum-like, with impressive sculptures and artwork to peruse. The check-in desks are immediately to your right as you step inside.

A beautiful arrangement of flowers, artistically displayed on a pedestal embellished with traditional geometric patterns, is front and centre in the lobby. At the far end of the lobby is a seating area with a piano tucked in the corner.

On account of my Globalist status, the hotel had proactively upgraded me to a standard-level Park Suite, which was confirmed upon my arrival at the front desk.

As I began to make my way upstairs to Room 475 on the fourth floor, I headed over to a pristine minimalist elevator lobby with doors adorned in gold and illuminated on each side.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Park Suite

Stepping off the elevator, the hallways came across as somewhat less immaculate than the lobby, with brown carpets and white textured walls.

As I entered my room, I noticed that the Park Suite is incredibly spacious and larger than most standard suites I’ve encountered at Hyatt properties to date.

Immediately upon entering, a wide foyer guides the way to the living room and separate bedroom. Cream hues, marble floors, and light wood create a soft coastal atmosphere with local Emirati touches.

The living room features a small seating area with a cozy sectional and rocking chair. On the opposite wall was the flat-screen TV, and just below it was a desk with two chairs.

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the Park Suite grant access to a large balcony with stunning views of the Arabian Sea.

In the left-hand corner of the living area, under a few decorative shelves, is an Illy coffee maker.

The bedroom is just through the doorway to the left of the living room. At the back is the king bed flanked by floating side tables. Upon my arrival, the bed was decorated with rose petals set around the edges – a little odd for a solo stay, I must say – and a small welcome message laid out in the left-hand corner.

To the right is a small chaise longue, and positioned on the wall opposite the king bed is a second flat-screen TV.

The bedroom also grants access to a smaller balcony with equally magnificent views of the ocean in the distance. 

The primary bathroom is accessible from the bedroom via a foyer that links to a spacious walk-in closet in the bathroom. The space is opulent and adorned with marble.

A generously sized standalone bathtub is the focal point of the bathroom. To its left is a double vanity with a single large mirror, vessel sinks, and dark textured countertops.

The doorway to its left leads to the walk-in closet, whereas on the right, there’s a bidet, a regular toilet, and a third sink.
The walk-in shower is the farthest to the right, with full marble-clad walls and a rain shower head.

Lastly, the suite also features a secondary half bathroom with a single toilet and a small sink closer to the entrance in the foyer.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – King Room

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is a sprawling, U-shaped building, with each room coming with a beach-facing balcony or terrace. In addition to their base-level rooms and suites, the property also has a set of villas, ranging from one to three bedrooms.

Naturally, I was curious about what the other room types here would be like, so I took a tour of one of the base-level rooms and the Three-Bedroom Villa.

The base-level King Room is a single bedroom and very much keeps with the design of the Park Suite, albeit with a welcome splash of colour in the turquoise rug. The king bed sits in the centre of the left-hand wall, and to its right is a spacious sofa and small side table.

These base-level rooms still afford panoramic views from the furnished private balconies, which I thought was quite impressive.

Entering the bathroom, there is a double vanity to the left, and the bathtub is nestled into an alcove on the right. Directly in front is the walk-in shower.

In the right-hand corner of the room is a wooden desk with two soft chairs, while the flat-screen TV is on the wall opposite the bed.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Three-Bedroom Villa

The Park Hyatt’s standalone villas are accessible outdoors via interconnecting stone paths on the resort grounds. Every villa offers stunning views of the landscaped gardens or the ocean.

Inside, you’ll find separate bedrooms, a living area, and a large terrace. The glass chandeliers and other light fixtures in these villas add a touch of extravagance to the somewhat monotonous design of the room types at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi.

The primary and secondary bedrooms are very much in line with the other room types.

The living area is enormously spacious. There is a central seating area with two plush sofas and two armchairs, a third adjacent sofa and ottoman, and then a dining table for eight at the far right of the room.

The terrace has a private plunge pool, a rain shower, and shaded lounge chairs. There’s a substantial amount of green space which offers direct access to the beach.

Overall, I felt that the rooms at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi were well-designed, spacious, and came with excellent views from the attached balconies.

I also noticed that the property as a whole appeared to be newer and better maintained than the St. Regis just down the beach, which might just give it the edge if you’re trying to decide between the two properties.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Breakfast

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi offers a complimentary breakfast for Hyatt Globalist members in The Café, the property’s Middle Eastern restaurant. The Café is located next to the main pool and has a variety of indoor and outdoor seating.

The buffet was indeed quite impressive, consisting of almost every major western breakfast item, with hot items such as oven-roasted potatoes, sausage, bacon, pancakes, and waffles.

I also found a fantastic selection of Middle Eastern and Indian options outside, such as roasted red pepper, roasted eggplant, hummus, manakish with cheese and zaatar, shakshuka, and numerous stews and chutneys. Congee and dumplings were amongst the tasty Asian options.

The cold buffet featured a myriad of items, including unending plates of cured meats and fresh fruit covering the counters.

There was also a station with numerous options for yogurt, muesli, chia pudding, and five types of cheese. Nearby was a diverse assortment of breakfast cereals for the young (or the young at heart).

Outside, you can treat yourself to a cup of hot coffee, including traditional Arabic coffee, while inside, there’s a self-serve juice station to help quench your thirst.

Lastly, among my favourite options at this impressive buffet was an ice cream station, which certainly didn’t bode well for my fitness plans.

The breakfast served at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi was exceptional, and it’s in your best interest to arrive hungry. I also appreciated the unique layout of the various breakfast stations, and how there was a mix of indoor and outdoor stations.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Dining

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi has a respectable number of dining and drinking establishments. In addition to The Café, where breakfast is served, there is Maté, Shala Beach Lounge, and the Beach House.

Maté has only recently opened, bringing Argentinian food with a hint of Lebanese to the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. It has an inviting rustic yet sophisticated atmosphere, and I decided to come here for dinner.

I ordered the entraña steak dinner, which was nice, albeit not cheap at 185 AED ($70 CAD).

Situated on the rooftop, Shala Beach Lounge looked to be a beautiful location to enjoy a Mediterranean meal, perhaps as the sun sets over the beach. The lounge has a bohemian style, with comfy couches, cozy pillows, and fireplaces.

If you’d prefer to dine even closer to the water, the Beach House is situated directly on the beach. The restaurant has both inside seating and a terrace that extends out over the white sand.

The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine, international fare, and specialty drinks, making it an ideal setting for a nightcap with romantic views.

Lastly, The Library is the resort’s tea lounge, offering a selection of traditional teas, specialty coffees, and quick bites.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Pools & Beach

The sprawling resort grounds are meticulously maintained, with vibrant green space, towering palm trees, and stunning pools spread out across the property.

The main pool is the crown jewel at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi. In fact, it’s one of the largest pools in Abu Dhabi, and features an ample number of shaded cabanas and loungers with umbrellas.

The complex is made up of a wading pool closer to the hotel and a full-sized adults-only pool closer to the beach, with the two creating a dramatic view leading to the ocean. At night, the pools are elegantly illuminated, offering a mood that is serene and tranquil.

There are a number of secondary pools, such as a family pool, a children’s pool, and an outdoor jacuzzi, should you find that the main pool a little crowded for your liking.

In addition, the resort grounds provide direct access to the magnificent Saadiyat Island beach, allowing for easy access between the water in the ocean and the pools at your leisure.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi – Other Facilities

The fitness centre is located in Atarmia Spa. The space is bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows letting in a great deal of natural light.

However, the fitness centre was perhaps a weaker point of the resort, as it was on the smaller side. Still, there was a sufficient amount of equipment for a comprehensive workout, such as treadmills, cycles, and weight machines.

During my visits to the fitness centre, I happened to see some of the players from Team Uruguay, who were staying here just before the World Cup. I also noted the increase in security around the resort as a result of the high-profile guests.

In addition to a fitness centre, yoga classes and other wellness activities are offered on the beach and at the resort throughout the day.

The spa features two floors with a private outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, a sauna, a steam room, and several treatment rooms. Moreover, the spa has a dedicated outdoor pool reserved exclusively for spa guests.

Camp Hyatt, the hotel’s Kids Club, is geared towards families. It can be found in the resort’s West wing, not far from the family swimming pools.

The camp has a designated play space and organized activities for kids aged 5–12.

Finally, another major appeal of the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is the direct access to the island’s 18-hole golf course.

Conclusion

This was yet another great stay at a Park Hyatt property, and the resort proves itself as a strong contender amongst the luxury hotels on Saadiyat Island.

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is more up-to-date and well-maintained than the St. Regis Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island nearby, with a solid range of base-level rooms, suites, and villas. The rooms are all spacious, and come with great views of the surrounding beach and sea.

The breakfast buffet here is of an exceptionally high quality and quantity, and the inclusion of an ice cream station is a creative touch.

The Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi is perfect for a relaxing stay on Saadiyat Island. The property has plenty to offer for families, couples, and anyone looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.