Hotel review: Is the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, really all glitz and glamour?

Living in the UAE, we’re often left numb to architectural majesty. Bricks and mortar have to conspire to create something really special to even register on our delectation dials. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is that rare exception. It’s a grand palazzo rising from the Al Maqta waterfront, flanked by lush gardens, expansive private villas, and an exclusive stretch of beach. Inside, its bones are just as refined, braced by timeless elegance and filled with marble-finished marrow. Just far enough away from the city’s brightest lights and resting on calm creek waters, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal operates a masterclass in serenity and seclusion. It’s a sense of tranquillity that’s echoed in the hotel’s signature, beyond-five-star service and the astounding, uninterrupted views of the globally renowned landmark, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Within easy reach of the airport, and just a short ride from Yas Island and Downtown Abu Dhabi, the experience of escape does not come at the expense of convenience. High Venetian charm drives the cardinal aesthetic, and seamlessly interlaces with authentic Middle Eastern opulence. High ceilings and voluminous space are used to honour the grandeur promised in the property’s name and the constellation of chandeliers, refined dark wood finishes and elaborate staircases bestow an unmistakably regal edge to the ensemble. There are playful elements too; the walls are replete with the fruits of artistic endeavour and scattered modern touches help anchor the overall allure in a deeper shade of detail. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal offers incredible variety in its rooms, suites and villas – but they all maintain the standards set out in the communal areas of the hotel. Each of the spacious hideaways comes with a stirring vista of the beach, gardens, or Grand Mosque. And there are some new ultra-luxurious villas on the way. We stayed in a Club Executive Suite, a sophisticated, modular set-up with enough room to host a round of competitive tanoura dancing. It feels mature, appropriately ritzy and possessed of true trust-fund pedigree. If your time away calls you towards an active path, there are many jewels to be found amongst Ritz-Carlton’s leisure treasure trove. Padel courts, one of the largest outdoor pools in the capital, an ultra-modern gym and a FIFA-standard floodlit football field. The most precious gem, though, is the counterbalance to all this fitness furore. The recently launched Ritz-Carlton Spa is peace-of-mind manifest. Structurally, it mirrors the lotus leaf, and carries this emblem through its experiential offering. Facilities and tailored rituals include two male and three female suites, a dedicated couples’ room, Zero Gravity and Fusion Massage Chairs, a Timeless Capsule and revitalising corporeal elixirs courtesy of ESPA and Amra. We spent an afternoon of indescribable bliss, emerging anew from a fully bespoke, transcendently rejuvenating 60-minute massage and restorative nap in the relaxation room. The gastronomic portfolio at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal contains precisely the quality and diversity you’d expect. All-day dining restaurant, Giornotte, revels in authentic Italian flair and stages what remains one of the best-respected brunches in the city. The Forge carries a rare menu of particularly well-done steaks. Signature standout Li-Jiang is a modern Asian mission statement for fragrant flavours and creative plating. Mijana is the flag-carrying ambassador for Michelin-selected Middle Eastern cuisine and there are more bars and casual options to explore at your considerable leisure. This hotel counts sitting US presidents amongst its previous guests. And walking around the property, there is an inescapable air of dynasty to it, a fitting perch for a head of state. Its leisure language is one of quiet, unpretentious luxury. Old money, perennial substance, and forward-thinking. And, well, if it’s good enough for POTUS, you can put-us down for another stay there too. Rates for August start at around Dhs616 for the lead-in room category, or Dhs1,975 for the Club Executive Suite.