The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, now open in a prime waterfront location in the United Arab Emirates capital, is solely developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, which is also the developer of Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s business and lifestyle destination.
Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director of the Real Estate and Investment division of Mubadala says: “The fact that Al Maryah Island has the best of what Abu Dhabi can offer – breathtaking views and spaces including the stunning waterfront promenade, some of the capital’s most popular events, finest hotels and dining, luxury shopping as well as high quality healthcare – is a huge draw for tourists and local community. The opening of Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island significantly adds to the island’s vibrant appeal. By offering the familiar brand of world-class hospitality, Four Seasons attracts loyal customers from all over the world. I am delighted to see that Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi is now fully operational at Al Maryah Island to deliver its outstanding and exemplary service.”
PLP Architecture has designed the 34-story building to the exacting Estidama – Pearl 2 standard for sustainable urban planning. With its unique pattern of copper coloured “baguettes,” energy is conserved while not compromising the Hotel’s sweeping views of the city skyline and Arabian Gulf. Inside, natural light floods public spaces, restaurants, meeting rooms and guest rooms designed by Richmond International and HBA.
“At Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, the natural hospitality of the region combines with signature Four Seasons service to create an experience of thoughtful luxury like no other,” says General Manager Sam Ioannidis, who leads a team of 450 carefully chosen staff who are eager to receive their first guests. “Our aim is to ensure that every need is anticipated, every wish is granted and every minute is memorable when you are with us at Four Seasons.”
He continues: “We are especially excited to introduce the Four Seasons experience for UAE residents, and to share this beautiful city and friendly culture with our international guests.”
Experience Abu Dhabi
“Summer is a wonderful time to experience the best of Abu Dhabi,” says Chief Concierge Abdulaziz AlMarri, the only Emirati member of Les Clefs d’Or. “We begin with our first Ramadan celebrations here at the Hotel in June, and then in July, Abu Dhabi Summer Season kicks off two months of entertainment, shopping and restaurant promotions across the city.”
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi will convert its grand Al Maryah Ballroom into an extraordinary majlis for families and friends to enjoy Iftar and Suhour plus all the traditional Ramadan activities for children. Then, a Summer Season rooms package will launch, as well as special events in the Hotel.
“And no visit to Abu Dhabi is complete without a visit to the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque with its 82 white domes, more than 1,000 columns and 24K gilded chandeliers,” says Al Marri. “We also have a special partnership with The Galleria mall with more than 150 shops and restaurants to which Four Seasons is directly connected, and exclusive access to Saadiyat Beach Club.”
Stay in Style
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi is the city’s premier choice for luxury accommodations, with 200 light-filled rooms and suites. Each offers sweeping views of the water and city skyline, and inside, a sanctuary of chic urban living with comfortable seating area, private refreshment centre, spa-like bathroom and at-one’s-fingertips technologies. All rooms feature the new, fully-customisable Four Seasons Bed.
The Royal Suite is truly fit for a king – and the world’s most discerning travellers – with its soaring, two-story windows offering unobstructed views of the city. The 267-square-metre (2,874-square-foot) suite is beautifully decorated with crystal chandeliers, hand painted silks, exotic marble and rich polished floors throughout.
The Presidential Suite allows guests to entertain in style or host elite meetings with separate living and dining rooms plus pantry, then retreat to a plush master suite with sea and city views. Additional bedrooms can also be added for larger parties. Both the Royal Suite and the Presidential Suite can be expanded with adjacent bedrooms for larger parties.
Four Seasons Introduces New Restaurant and Lounge Concepts in Abu Dhabi
Although there are numerous choices for dining and drinking within walking distance of Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, those who wish to “stay in” are spoiled for choice, with four venues open now, and two more to come this fall. The international culinary team is led by Four Seasons veteran Executive Chef Giancarlo Di Francesco, most recently of the renowned food and beverage program at Four Seasons Hotel Doha.
Zsa Zsa – named for the inimitable actress and international celebrity Zsa Zsa Gabor – is the city’s most stylish cocktail bar. Inspired by old Hollywood glamour, a playful selection of handcrafted libations are served at the sleek bar, see-and-be-seen tables or out on the terrace. Must-try drinks are the Miss Hungary with rhubarb, wild nettle and champagne; and the sensory Fire & Spice with notes of paprika, pear, tea and vanilla-butter. Non-alcoholic mocktails are also available, along with a bar bites menu that features imported caviar selections. An exclusive party room is available for bespoke private events.
Al Meylas is a bright and sophisticated lobby lounge opening onto a wide terrace welcoming both the Hotel’s international guests as well as local clientele with Middle Eastern cuisine and refreshments. Daily afternoon tea is an event unto itself, with towers of dainty savouries and exquisite treats in traditional English style or with modern Arabic selections including an array of flavoured honeys to sweeten the excellent tea and coffee selection. Crust is the Hotel’s modern, market-themed restaurant overlooking the water. Casual and friendly, it offers a menu of wholesome, freshly-made foods at buffet breakfasts, lunches and impressive Friday Brunches for both business and social gatherings. At the poolside, guests will find Eclipse Terrace Lounge, with ocean-inspired cuisine and trendy cocktails by day and into the evening.
More to look forward to: This fall, Four Seasons introduces Butcher & Still, a Chicago-style steakhouse with interiors by AvroKO. Also opening is the first international outpost of the famed Washington, DC restaurant Café Milano, featuring coastal Southern Italian cuisine amid interiors by Tihany Design.
In addition, Four Seasons offers an array of private dining rooms throughout its restaurants for intimate celebrations and discreet business gatherings, as well as 24-hour in-room dining, including the brand’s popular 15-Minute menu.
A Desert Oasis: Introducing Dahlia Spa
Led by Spa Director Christelle Besnier, most recently of the world-renowned Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Dahlia Spa introduces hotel guests and local clients to a relaxing haven of pampering and results-oriented therapies. There are eight soothing treatment rooms, including a large couple’s suite, each with its own shower for ultimate privacy. The Dahlia Spa menu offers organic treatments by Sodashi, highlighted by a series of holistic facials for men and women, and Swiss Perfection Cellular Anti-Ageing therapies for face and body.
Guests can also experience psammotherapy with Dahlia Spa’s Quartz Sand Escape. Originating in ancient Greece, this treatment is said to alleviate pain and promote comfort by lying on a base of sand warmed to one’s desired temperature. For the ultimate indulgence, the four-hour Dahlia Spa Time invites guests to create their own spa journey with a choice of successive treatments.
The Spa complex also has two separate fitness centres – one for women, one for men – plus separate hydro pools, steam rooms, saunas, hammams, ice fountains and water-view relaxation lounges.
The rooftop pool terrace on the Hotel’s third level features Four Seasons signature poolside services to be enjoyed from single and double lounge chairs in the sun or shade, with refreshments from the adjacent Eclipse Terrace Lounge.
Families at Four Seasons
Family fun begins when children staying at Four Seasons arrive as they are greeted by a toy-filled child-sized Mercedes G55 Wagon in the lobby, and continues when they find their own perfectly-sized robe in their room, two of many surprises and delights for the Hotel’s youngest guests. The fully-supervised Kids for All Seasons program is where children aged 4 to 12 play games, make crafts and find new friends, while teens will love the games room stocked with the latest entertainments.
Parents will appreciate the Hotel’s many options for connecting rooms and suites, as well as the complimentary baby gear available to lighten the load when travelling. The Concierge team loves to plan diversions for families – from a visit to the Emirates Park Zoo to the fascinating Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and the fun-for-all-ages Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. “And my favourite, Ferrari World Theme Park with its superfast rollercoaster!” says Chief Concierge AlMazzi.
When parents want some alone time, Four Seasons offers professional babysitting services as well.
Meet Me at Four Seasons
From society weddings to important business functions, the expert event team at Four Seasons promises creative planning, precision attention to detail and impeccable service. Boasting Abu Dhabi’s only ballrooms that open onto the water’s edge, close to 2,000 square metres (more than 20,000 square feet) of event space is highlighted by the Al Maryah Ballroom for up to 530 guests. It’s a gracious setting for business events, and is equally suited to weddings with its fully divisible main space and pre-function area and separate A/V room for live entertainment.
“Our team is ready to customise your event,” says Director of Marketing Andrea Greybanks. “Arabic and European-style weddings are a speciality, and our flexible options mean that conferences, business meetings and product launches of all shapes and sizes can be accommodated. This month for example, we are hosting a high profile car launch in our main ballroom.”
In celebration of its grand opening, Four Seasons is offering an array of attractive group packages through the end of summer.
Four Seasons in the Gulf
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is the second Four Seasons opening in the UAE this year and the first in its capital, joining sister properties Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre opened in March, and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach opened in late 2014. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay opened just over a year ago, and Four Seasons Hotel Doha recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Gulf collection also includes Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, and coming soon, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya.
