Often referred to as the Playground of the Emirates, the vibrant Yas Island is a man-made destination island that is home to some of Abu Dhabi’s most exciting family-friendly attractions. Ferrari World, which boasts the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Yas Marina F1 Circuit where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place, and Yas Waterworld are all on Yas Island. Yas Links, the only Links golf course in the UAE, Yas Mall, the largest mall in Abu Dhabi, and Yas Beach are also here. Close to all these exciting attractions and just ten minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, is the luxurious Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island , where we stayed for two nights.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Yas Island has a great holiday ambience and as we drove up to the hotel, we already began feeling relaxed. Welcoming staff members greeted us as we entered the elegant lobby. I was immediately struck by the creative gilded seating areas that were reminiscent of Cinderella’s pumpkin coach. In line with local hospitality, Arabic coffee and fresh dates were available in the reception area.
Lobby
Even though we had arrived before the official check-in time of 3pm, our rooms were ready for us and we were given the key cards to both our rooms. From previous stays at Crowne Plaza Hotels, we knew that we could expect comfortable rooms with the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage, which includes comfortable bedding and an aromatherapy sleep kit. We were not disappointed.
Superior Twin Bedroom
The hotel has 428 rooms. We had a Superior King room and a Superior Twin room. The stylish rooms were decorated in neutral tones and had spacious workstations, minibars, snack drawers and satellite television. The bathrooms had toilets with bidets, and bathtubs with showers. Comfortable bathrobes and slippers were provided and so was free wi-fi.
Bathroom
After settling in, we set off to explore the island with the complimentary Yas Express shuttle service, which runs all day, taking guests to the island’s attractions. We visited the marina, the beach and the mall. The front desk had given us beach vouchers which entitled us to use the towels, daybeds, and beach umbrellas at the picturesque beach. The following day, we went to Ferrari World to ride the world’s fastest roller-coaster. All these attractions were within close proximity and it was great to know that we didn’t have to travel far to return to our home away from home.
Yas Beach
There are three restaurants, each offering a variety of different cuisines. Light meals are served in the lobby lounge. We enjoyed breakfast at Jing Asia, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant which consists of live cooking stations with an amazing array of dishes. The breakfast was more like a brunch. Apart from different types of eggs, pastries and meats, there was a gluten-free section, an Arab section, and an Indian section. Friendly waiters would hand out little glasses of power shots created by the chefs – a different blend every day. These were very popular with guests.
Al Fresco Dining area
We were at the hotel during peak season, just before Christmas. It was very busy but the service did not suffer and everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Swimming Pool
The hotel has sprawling grounds with palm-tree lined gardens and a gorgeous 25-metre swimming pool overlooking the sea. There is a spa, a squash court, and a gym with a sauna and steam room too. The Kids’ Club will keep young children entertained. On the bottom level of the hotel is a beauty salon and a barber shop, should you need some grooming or glamourising.
We loved our time in Yas Island and felt relaxed there. The Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island Hotel is one of the best hotels on the island, and it gave us a comfortable base from which to explore our surroundings.
For more information and to book, visit Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island.
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