Visitors from the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and other parts of the world flocked to Abu Dhabi during the Eid Al Adha holidays. Saadiyat Island hotel occupancy rates, in particular, breached the 80% mark during this period.
This is not surprising. Saadiyat Island ticks all the boxes for people in search of premium leisure experiences.
Why You’ll Love Saadiyat Island
There are many reasons why Saadiyat Island is a favourite leisure destination, particularly for those seeking luxurious experiences mixed with cultural and historical immersion. The following places make Saadiyat Island especially desirable:
1.Kai Beach
Those searching for the best beach in Abu Dhabi will easily believe they’ve found it when they get to Kai Beach. With its expansive, 500-metre-long shore, pristine white sands, enticing turquoise waters, and its well-maintained facilities (lounge chairs, beach huts, changing rooms, showers, and food service), it is a serious contender for this honour.
Spend the day soaking up the sun, enjoying refreshments and snacks from the onsite food truck and cooling off in the emerald-green waters. Doesn’t it sound like a recipe for the best relaxing beach day ever?
2. Saadiyat Beach Club
If you want sun, sea, pool, and high-end amenities, head to the Saadiyat Beach Club, a symphony of luxury and natural wonder in the heart of Abu Dhabi. Nestled on prime 39,500-square-metre waterfront property, Saadiyat Beach Club is a haven of exclusive luxury.
Bask in the sun by the 650-square-metre infinity pool, spend the morning on a lounger at the nine-kilometre-long shore, or spend a cosy time with your family and friends in a private cabana.
Work up a sweat in the workout room, enjoy some detox at the sauna and steam rooms and, after cooling down, take a dip in the sea or the swimming pool. Tired of playing in the water? Get a relaxing massage or a scrub at the spa.
When hunger calls, proceed to Safina for Mediterranean cuisine or La Salle Restaurant for Provençal fare. If you visit on a Friday, you can enjoy a sit-down, set-menu brunch from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The Saadiyat Beach Club is a protected piece of paradise, as evinced by its Blue Flag certification. Stick around, and you might catch a glimpse of playful dolphins in the water or hawksbill turtles on the expansive shore.
3. Louvre Abu Dhabi
Tourists come to Louvre Abu Dhabi not only because it is the first Arabic universal museum but also because of its world-class permanent art collections and special exhibitions. However, one of its most distinctive features is its awe-inspiring Jean Nouvel architecture.
Its crowning glory is the 7,500-tonne silvery dome roof that seems weightless as it appears to float above the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum city. Crafted from 7,850 individual ‘stars’ of various sizes and angles stacked in eight layers, the perforated canopy lets slivers of sunlight through and fall in a ‘rain of light’ onto the complex below.
The dappled pattern this creates is a spectacle of light and shadow, reminiscent of sunlight that bathes the ground after getting filtered through palm fronds.
4. Manarat Al Saadiyat
Manarat Al Saadiyat is more than just a place; it’s the pulsating cultural heart of Saadiyat Island. It's where artistic expressions are as diverse as the colours of a painter's palette, inviting you to take part in the creation of a masterpiece.
Bathed in the golden shadow of the iconic copper-coloured Norman Foster UAE Pavilion, a symbol of the desert's captivating sand dunes, Manarat Al Saadiyat is a beacon for art enthusiasts, creative professionals and curious minds alike.
The allure of local and global exhibitions as well as hands-on art education programmes will draw everyone, from children to seasoned artists, into the art studio. Photographers have a photography studio where they can attend courses and workshops led by professional photographers.
Ultimately, what sets Manarat Al Saadiyat apart is its lively and artistic spirit that thrives in inclusion, fuelled by a community platform that lets visitors take part in cultural experiences. Get lost in art fairs, panel discussions, workshops, and all sorts of events; while away the time exploring artistic spaces and exchanging ideas with fellow art enthusiasts.
5. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is where visitors go to tee off, but it’s no ordinary golf course. It’s a coastal gem in Abu Dhabi created by legendary golf course designer Gary Player.
Set by the Arabian Gulf and featuring salt-water lakes and beach dunes, it offers a unique ocean golfing experience. With tees ranging from 5,290 to 7,784 yards, this eco-friendly par-72 course challenges both novice and expert golfers alike. If you need help with your technique, get some lessons from professional golfers that provide hands-on field instruction at the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club Academy.
After a competitive day at the course, you can make your way to the clubhouse to relax and socialise. You may also grab a bite at Hawksbill Restaurant.
6. Mamsha Al Saadiyat
Mamsha Al Saadiyat is a beachfront community of luxury apartments, townhouses and penthouses that combines the serenity of the Arabian Gulf, an unsullied white sand coast, two swimming beaches, and a wide range of coffee shops and restaurants.
At its heart is the Mamsha Promenade. Stroll along the 1.5 km length of the white sand shore and pause frequently along the path to appreciate the stunning seawater views. You can swim, too, if you want. Take your pick between Soul Beach and Mamsha Beach.
The best thing about this waterfront neighbourhood is the spectrum of culinary experiences.
Enjoy fresh sushi at NIRI Restaurant & Bar, succulent steaks at The Steak Room, Middle Eastern cuisine at Beirut Sur Mer, and Italian favourites at Antonia. The promenade is also littered with coffee shops, where you can take a break and enjoy an excellent cup or two of single-origin specialty coffee.
Go on a Luxurious Escape at Al Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island hotels experienced over 80% occupancy during the Eid Al Adha holidays—and for good reason. It's a one-of-a-kind, premium-experience beach destination.
Those who love the sea and the beach can visit Kai Beach, Soul Beach and Mamsha Beach. Those who want a full resort experience (pool, gym, fine-dining restaurants, spa, sauna, and steam rooms) can head to the exclusive Saadiyat Island Beach Club.
Golf enthusiasts will love the course and amenities at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, and gourmands the extensive dining options at Mamsha Promenade. People interested in arts and culture can enjoy the interactive experiences at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and the exhibitions and iconic architecture of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
In short, Al Saadiyat Island has everything for everyone who seeks to enjoy refined leisure on a holiday.
