Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
Monica Tindall
As the sun sets behind Abu Dhabi’s iconic skyscrapers, a serene oasis of tranquillity awaits on the other side of the city. On the edge of the urban sprawl, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel blends business and leisure, offering a unique escape that combines city life’s buzz with nature’s serenity.
Only 20 minutes from the airport, and soon to be even less with the opening of the new terminal, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi is convenient for work and play. In our case, it’s breaking up our return trip from Europe, providing respite, comfort, luxury and leisure for a two-day stopover.
I’m not ashamed to say I’m a luxury traveller (I did my fair share of backpacking in my 20s). I find long flights torturous and am fussy over hygiene, so I appreciate even more a quality bed, a big room and a hot shower to ease the transition of travel and readjust to the time zone. Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel met our needs perfectly, providing a place to relax, revive and have a bit of fun, too.
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel: Urban Oasis Redefined
As mentioned, the purpose of our stay was rejuvenation, and the mangrove-side location of the hotel was a key factor in our booking. Waking up to the gentle rustling of mangrove leaves and the distant call of birdsong provided a natural respite we hadn’t expected to find in the desert city. With the pool, restaurants and our suite’s balcony all designed to capture the views, we looked over an unexpected cover of green from every angle.
However, if you’re more about packing the sites into your itinerary, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi is ready to oblige. The government-sponsored bus, which loops around key landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Yas Island, and the Louvre, conveniently has a stop directly in front of the hotel. Furthermore, the proprietors own the theme parks, so guests can secure fantastic deals all inclusive of rooms, theme park passes and transport.
Rooms & Suites
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi has 150 deluxe rooms, 66 Kasara Executive rooms, and six suites. Each room is designed to be a tranquil urban sanctuary, offering panoramic views of the city skyline or the sprawling mangroves from private balconies. The suites take opulence to the next level, with options for private pools, rooftop terraces, and separate living spaces. We were pampered in the Kasara Mangroves Suite with 180 square metres of pure indulgence, complete with exclusive Kasara Executive benefits (light snacks and beverages throughout the day and cocktails and canapés early evening).
The enormous space with double balconies, two bathrooms, a huge walk-in wardrobe, and separate sleeping and living spaces was just what the doctor ordered for a couple who had spent the last five weeks on the road together. Also much appreciated were high-quality Apelles bath products (especially shampoo and conditioner that didn’t feel like dish detergent), an espresso machine with compostable pods, and both a desk and dining table that meant we could both have our own workspaces. The team has recently begun bottling their own water, too, doing away with thousands of unnecessary single-use plastics.
With such comforts, it would be easy to stay in, ordering room service at meal times and never leaving. Our goal, though, was to start the readaptation to the time zone, so some routine and sunlight were necessary. Fortunately, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel supplies plenty of choice with its four distinctive restaurants and bars.
Restaurants & Bars – Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
Ingredients restaurant presents a culinary journey around the world, with international recipes, buffet dining and themed nights. We enjoyed both their breakfast and dinner buffets, with highlights being the live cooking stations and a terrific assortment of Middle Eastern delights, including dips, olives, cheeses, dates, pickles, and flatbreads.
The Pool Deck would be ideal for alfresco dining with an outlook over the mangroves in cooler weather. However, in the heat of summer, most order drinks and snacks from inside the pool, taking roost at the swim-up bar. Alternatively, take respite in the air-conditioned Mangroves Lounge, serving coffee, tea and cakes, with the vistas safely taken in away from the heat behind soaring windows. For sundowners, live music, and DJs, head to Impressions Bar on the rooftop, where good times, great food, and breathtaking views collide. Lastly, take advantage of the brand’s Dining by Design, where they curate food and scenery to make memorable experiences such as dining on a boat while gliding down the mangrove river.
The staff at these outlets were involved, professional and very helpful. At breakfast, Aladdin made sure our coffee cups were never empty. Chef Alaa made pasta and sauce on the spot, adapting the recipes to our liking. And in the evenings, Elcido helped us choose just the right cocktail for each of us.
Rejuvenation for Mind, Body & Soul
While we didn’t venture out of the hotel to see the sites, we were plenty intrigued by a session at the award-winning Anantara Spa. Healing treatments are inspired by Arabian and Asian traditions, such as extensive hammam rituals, massages, facials, and relaxation classes. The spa’s facilities, including a Turkish hammam, couples’ suites, relaxation room, and private treatment rooms, offer a holistic wellness experience. I highly recommend checking the website for the latest packages. We lucked upon a fabulous session that included a massage in the couple’s suite, followed by a bubble bath on the deck, complete with Champagne and nibbles. I can’t imagine a more suitable plan to complement our get-over-jet-lag goals. The therapists were experts, and the facilities were top-notch – a real highlight of our stay.
The pool and fitness centre pledge more places to unwind and be well. For the most part of the day, it was too hot for the pool when we were there in the summer. However, an early morning dip was quite pleasant for those who like their pool bathwater temperature (me). It’s all so easy. Additionally, we were happy to get in a good workout. Exercise is critical in readjusting to time zones, and the hotel has an extensive range of premium Technogym cardio and weight machines supported by free weights. I’m of the opinion that you can work out with very little, but I sure do love a good weight and cardio buffet to spice things up.
Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Luxury
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel goes beyond providing luxurious comfort; it is committed to preserving the environment. Situated on the edge of the UAE’s protected coastal mangrove forest, the hotel’s Green Team actively engages in initiatives to maintain the ecological balance. From regular mangrove clean-ups to recycling plastic bottle caps into wheelchair parts to planting more trees, the hotel’s dedication to sustainability sets a shining example of responsible luxury.
Urban Retreat, Natural Elegance
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel fuses modern luxury and natural beauty. Here, you can experience the best of both worlds, with stunning views of the city skyline and the sprawling mangroves. Whether looking for an action-packed adventure, on a business trip or wanting to break up long flights, this hotel has something to offer everyone.
Reasons to stay at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel: unique mangrove location; 20 minutes from the airport; bus stop for free tourist bus at the front of the hotel; incredibly comfortable rooms; don’t miss an Anantara spa session – it’s the perfect intermission between flights.
Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel
Al Salam Street, Al Kheeran, Eastern Mangrove
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
+971 2 656 1000
www.anantara.com/en/eastern-mangroves-abu-dhabi
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Basking in luxury!