anexpatabroad

“Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi offers a completely novel and elevated hotel and extended stay apartment experience for today’s modern traveller.” David Lance

As celebrations go the official grand opening party of the Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi last week was pretty spectacular, the amazing team pulled out all the stops to entertain and spoil us guests lucky enough to receive the coveted invitation. Let me just set the scene, the evening started with a chauffeur pick up followed by a red carpet arrival where we were shown to our spacious executive room that was to be home for the night.

Personalised chocolate creations were waiting for us in our room but there was not much time to indulge before we were gathered to be wined and dined at a private media dinner at the hotel’s signature restaurant, JW Steakhouse. While we tucked into the three delightful courses paired with fine wines other distinguished guests were arriving and enjoying the hospitality and food from the hotel’s three restaurants in the Grand Ballroom. Dinner completed we made our way to the ballroom where the ladies were offered fresh flower corsages and all guests received gifts of fisheye lenses to capture the evening’s entertainment and share on social media for the chance to receive prizes throughout the event.

After a welcoming speech by General manager David Lance who was previously GM at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Bangkok, the night’s entertainment began for the four hundred assembled guests. We enjoyed the live band, photo booth, free flowing beverages and partied until the wee small hours at the after party in Velocity Sports Bar (something that some of us quite regretted as we struggled to get up for breakfast the following morning).

The Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi is the hotel brand’s flagship property located in the heart of the city on a busy junction near Al Wahda Mall. The hotel comprises of two twenty-five storey blocks with 64 Marriott Executive Apartments, Residences and office space in the first tower and 315 five-star hotel accommodations in the second, ideal for both the business and leisure traveller to ‘Travel Brilliantly’.

Our executive room was spacious with a large bed and lounge area complete with the latest technology and a enormous bathroom with a separate bath and walk-in shower area. Decorated in a palate of rich golds and earthy tones, the swirly patterned carpet was offset with the plain bed linen, furniture and textiles. It was spotlessly clean and super comfortable with floor-to-ceiling windows offering amazing views to the busy downtown area below. Fully equipped with a desk, high speed internet and a large LCD TV it’s perfect for the business traveller looking for a centrally located base, executive rooms also offer guests lounge access.

Alongside its five-star accommodation choices Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi offers an array of dining options to cater for both the tourist and resident market. Marriott’s signature classic American steakhouse JW Steakhouse serves dry-aged premium cuts paired with classic steakhouse sides and I can confirm that the food and service is of a high quality. The first floor restaurant is small and ambient with cosy corners and decorated in a traditional style with cowhide rugs and steak related word art at the entrance. Its focus may be steaks but vegetarians are welcomed with tasty options available alongside the menu of prime cuts.

Those looking for a more casual dining option should try Velocity Sports Bar, a huge two storey bar with two enormous screens streaming live sport with a further thirty plus smaller tv’s dotted around the space also screening non-stop sport, mainly football matches. Quite a masculine vibe here overall, the menu of burgers, lobster and wings is accompanied with draft and craft beers and it was the ideal after party late night drinking venue.

Kuzbara, the all-day dining restaurant presents global cuisine influenced by the coriander trail and serves an international breakfast with live egg station for all overnight guests. Central Grounds coffee shop is located at one end of the vast lobby that’s currently dwarfed by an oversized festive gingerbread house, it’s quite soulless as it’s a busy thoroughfare but it serves good coffee to satisfy any caffeine cravings and also has a light bites menu.

The hotel is a mix of contemporary decor and state-of-the-art technology with wellness options offered at the well equipped fitness centre and newly opened Saray Spa. The facility has six treatment rooms providing ageless rituals, invigorating treatments and a variety of nail and beauty services. The fabulous rooftop pool area affords guests magnificent views across the city from various viewpoints and is just a great place to grab your book and relax on a sunlounger.

Due to its location and design this hotel is primarily geared up for the discerning business traveller who is looking for a more upmarket stay at an affordable price. Subtle touches and five star luxury make it desirable for the tourist market too, particularly for guests who are looking for a central spot from where to explore the city while experiencing Marriott Hotel’s ‘unique perspective on travel’.

The Nitty Gritty

Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi, Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Abu Dhabi

Telephone: 02 304 7777

Website: www.marriottdowntownabudhabilife.com

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Check-in: 3:00 PM

Check-out: 12 noon

Check out all the Dining options at Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi here

The Good……..

Prime downtown location

Large well equipped rooms with high-speed wifi

Rooftop pool

The Not so Good…..

Breakfast selection was somewhat limited

Read more about dining at this hotel in my previous post Kuzbara, Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi

I was invited to the official opening of the Marriott Downtown Abu Dhabi. All views are my own based on my experience. Unless otherwise stated all photos © Jo Brett 2016. All rights reserved. Additional photos used courtesy of www.marriottdowntownabudhabilife.com