THE EXPERIENCE
After only a short drive from the City we arrived at the resort and marveled at the unobstructed view of the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from under the impressive entrance arch.As we entered the resort’s grand three-story lobby, with vaulted ceiling, we were immediately impressed by the white Italian marble floral designs, columns and the striking crystal chandeliers.
After the brief check-in formalities were dealt with, we were swiftly guided to our room by the professional and courteous staff, admiring the Venetian architecture and artisanship on the way. We found our room to be elegant and generously proportioned. It was rendered in a muted palette of cream and calming beige, accented with elements of dark wood and cool stone, creating a restful and harmonious environment.The room was luxuriously appointed with a sumptuous feather bed and the heavenly luxurious Ritz-Carlton signature linens.
The spacious balcony opened up to a wonderful view of lush manicured gardens, the soft ochre-coloured façade of the buildings, the extensive pool and the Grand Canal beyond. Drawn by the allure of the pool and beach we headed off to explore more of the hotel and facilities.
Hundred-year-old olive trees from Spain flank the resort’s main buildings and open onto the waterfront Venetian Village with its white curved stairs, granite cobbles and piazza dotted with coffee shops, restaurants and flowering trees.
Our children loved playing in the kid’s club and the outdoor splash area while we swam in the pool, sunbathed on the loungers and walked along the beach. We enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed poolside lunch of beef wraps and burgers before a restful afternoon of yet more relaxing!
Very much in need of a massage, I opted for the personalized massage by the ESPA’s top therapist. His years of experience working in the Maldives and in Europe were manifested in an expertly executed massage that paid very careful attention to my back problems whilst still delivering a de-stressing and reviving session. The massage was complimented by a 30-minute mini facial that efficiently addressed deep pore cleansing and moisture balance leaving my skin feeling utterly refreshed and revitalized.
In the evening at sunset, looking up at the striking building from the pool garden is when the best aspects of Venetian architecture come into play, the intensity of light, shadow and colour appear more vibrant.
We opted for the Southeast Asian restaurant ‘Li Jiang’ for dinner. We were immediately struck by the restaurant’s impressive design resembling a traditional Asian market where the open kitchen is the hub of a busy and energetic environment of vibrant colours and Oriental aromas. Floor-to-ceiling glass encases the grape cellar and forms a decorative corridor that leads from the intricately carved wooden doors into the main room with a modern bar on one side and two concealed private dining rooms on the other.
We were made to feel extremely welcome as we were talked through the menu and guided towards the best dishes to suit our tastes and appetite. The menu combines traditional and contemporary Chinese with Southeast Asian classics offering a range of dim sum in several styles, a selection of soup and wok-fried meats, seafood and rice.
The food was a feast to behold – every dish was a work of art and looked almost too good to eat! The meal was delicious and we especially enjoyed the Peking duck with pancakes and trimmings, the jumbo prawns with a mango and chili salsa and the beautiful tender beef in black bean sauce. We rounded the experience off with an Asian crème brulee and some divine freshly prepared cocktails designed by their expert mixologist.
As we strolled back to our room admiring the evening lighting of the buildings and the pool and appreciating the quite ambiance of the gardens we felt both relaxed and rejuvenated.
ACCOMODATION
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal features 447 luxurious guestrooms and suites, four plunge pool villas, 28 garden houses and 53 garden suites. Inspired by the 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, the waterfront resort consists of ten stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation, completed with artfully designed water features and manicured gardens throughout the 57-acre property.
DELUXE ROOMS & SUITES
The resort-style guestrooms are a combination of cream and beige hues and dark wood panels giving off sophisticated yet relaxed feel. The use of natural materials such as precious ebony macassar wood and Italian marble add to the atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. Spacious balconies overlooking the pool and lush gardens feel private and exclusive and make for the ideal relaxation venue. Luxuriously appointed 85-square meter suites boasting spacious balconies offer personalized service and extra space.
GARDEN HOUSES AND SUITES
Upon arrival, guests staying at the garden houses and suites check in at a dedicated villa chalet where they meet villa butlers who take note of guests’ preferences and any special requests to ensure a seamless experience. Exclusive one and two-bedroom accommodations, ranging from size of 90 to 130 square meters are a key highlight. Completed with spacious outdoor terraces under elegant African teak timber pergolas, the villas flank the pastel-coloured main building offer unobstructed views of the magnificent Grand Mosque, European-inspired sunken garden or turquoise waters of the Grand Canal.
CLUB LEVEL
Guests staying in the Club Rooms and Suites have access to the exclusive Club Lounge located on the top floor and offering panoramic views of the historic Al Maqta creek. From their arrivals to their departures, guests will have a unique service with a personalized arrival and departure experience due to the dedicated check-in/check-out service and Club concierge service. Continuous culinary offerings are provided throughout the day (breakfast, light snacks, hors d’ oeuvres, beverages and sweets), a wide variety of international newspapers and magazines and internet access.
THE ROYAL SUITE
Capturing spectacular views of the Grand Canal beach and the 1,600-square-meter outdoor swimming pool, the signature Royal Suite is located on the top floor of one of the property’s ten interconnected buildings. It occupies 250 square meters of the entire floor and comes with an adjacent security room. An elegantly appointed master bedroom connects to a regal bathroom featuring Italian-inspired wood inlays and semi-precious stones in the flooring and counter tops, epitomizing understated luxury and refined comfort. A unique colour therapy rain shower combining water, colour and light features in the luxurious surroundings of the Royal Suite bathroom.
The Royal Suite also offers a second bedroom with two double beds and an en-suite bathroom, a spacious living room with a balcony overlooking pool and beach, a dining room and a kitchenette with a separate entrance for the butler.
DINING
There is a wonderful variety of restaurants to choose from including three signature restaurants designed by Super Potato.
THE FORGE
A signature steak house serving specialty cuisine in a stylish and contemporary setting paired with the world’s finest wines. Private dining rooms and a variety of seating options provide the ultimate dining experience.
LI JIANG
A modern Southeast Asian restaurant with an open kitchen whets the appetite for all things spicy, authentic and Oriental. Highly recommended!
MIJANA
Contemporary Arabic restaurant showcasing the very best in Lebanese and Arabic cuisine.
GIORNOTTE
Designed to resemble a classic Italian villa, the all-day dining restaurant serving light Mediterranean fare features a lovely outdoor brick patio with a wooden deck overlooking the gardens. Breakfast is a wonderfully bright, sunny and delicious start to the day with plenty of al fresco seating where you can enjoy the vast array of international breakfast dishes, fruits and pastries in the tranquil setting of the lush gardens. Lunch and dinner buffets are equally enticing and the Friday brunch is a vibrant affair.
DOLCE
Italian-style trendy café offers fine coffee, espresso, home-made ice cream, waffles and light fare.
AL FRESCO
Outdoor dining doesn’t get any more casual than the delightfully breezy pool and beach restaurant.
ALBA
A comfortable, classic lobby lounge with its vaulted ceiling and semi-private dining areas is the place to try traditional Afternoon Tea made famous by the Ritz-Carlton brand.
SORSO
A traditional Ritz-Carlton bar experience with a great selection of drinks and bite-sized meals.
POOL BARS
Enjoy cozy chats and refreshing hand-crafted beverages.
LEISURE AND ACTIVITIES
HEALTH CLUB
There is an expansive, fully-equipped fitness center offers state-of-the-art equipment, a studio for group or private fitness classes, and personal trainers on request. The Health Club is open 24 hours a day, and easily accessible through the underground parking. The use of facilities is complimentary for hotel guests.
POOL AND BEACH
Guests at can take advantage of the natural private beach with its calm turquoise waters or sink into one of the lounge chairs or private cabanas around the huge 1600-meter swimming pool. Two pool bars offer fresh juices, smoothies and cocktails while the nearby pool restaurant Al Fresco offers a choice of five bento-style boxes with delicious salads, soups, mains and desserts. Surrounded by mature palm trees and lush greenery.
SPA
The all-encompassing Bedouin-inspired ESPA provides holistic rejuvenation and relaxation in a serene, meditative setting. The 2,000 square meter stand-alone spa caters to men and women and offers 16 private treatment rooms as well as a private beach and outdoor plunge pools.
Guests can enjoy separate male and female saunas, steam rooms, and an experience shower in the relaxation area. Creams, gold, auburn and woods of the steam room stimulate and soothe the senses, while vaulted ceilings create the perfect place to escape.
A pristine private beach is reserved for the use of spa guests. This hidden oasis sheltered from the Venetian Village piazza by a handsome limestone façade of the Abu Dhabi spa complex is open only to the guests of or above the age of 16 and provides a luxurious setting where to relish a quiet moment of tranquility to the soft sound of the lapping waves.
RITZ KIDS CLUB
For the enjoyment of our younger guests, and the convenience of their parents, the Ritz Kids Club, available to children between the ages of four and 12, offers an extensive program of supervised activities, both indoors and outdoors, and is a great opportunity for our young guests to intermingle with kids of their own age group.
With a diverse collection of activities based on the four pillars of the program, water, land, environmental responsibility and culture, kids are entertained by everything from coral reefs and forests, to recycling and sustainability, storytelling, art and even food. The shaded splash area located directly outside the kid’s club is a popular activity not to be missed.
MEETING ROOMS
With 14 stylish meeting rooms and the magnificent 1,550-square meter Roma Ballroom that is divisible by three, the resort can accommodate groups of all sizes for an inspiring meeting experience.
APRIL 2019 PROMOTIONS @ THE RITZ-CARLTON ABU DHABI, GRAND CANAL
EASTER ESCAPE
Enjoy your Easter Escape in ESPA with either a 60 minutes personalized massage or a 60 minutes Skin Radiance facial for AED 495 net per treatment. Receive a 15% off on any additional treatment booked on the same day and 10% off on selected retail items.* Terms & Conditions apply.
Where: ESPA
When: 1st– 31stApril 2019
Booking: call +9712 818 8051 or email: abudhabi.spa@ritzcarlton.com
EASTER BRUNCH
Celebrate with your loved ones at Giornotte’s award-winning Friday brunch, featuring a masterful collection of live cooking stations, endless sweet wonders and a lively jazz duo that completes the experience. Activities for the younger guests ensure the entire family enjoys the afternoon together.
When: April 19, 2019, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Price: From AED 320 Per Person
Where: Giornotte Restaurant
Booking: call +9712 818 8282 or email: abudhabi.restaurants@ritzcarlton.com
PRIME RIB WEEK
Savour a mouthwatering selection of prime ribs along with two side dishes, for a sophisticated night-out.
When: April 15 – 20, 2019 & April 22 – 27, 2019; 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Price: From AED 190 Per Person
Where: The Forge Restaurant
Booking: call +9712 818 8282 or email: abudhabi.restaurants@ritzcarlton.com
Call: 02 818 8888
E-mail: reservations.abudhabi@ritzcarlton.com
Or visit the website: ritzcarlton.com/abudhabi
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