debsi6

hello, we are flying etihad airlines from uk to australia with a one night stopover on Sunday 5th December , leaving on Monday 6th December 2010 , never been to UAE , and am struggling a bit re whereabouts of hotel, have gone off Yas Island as now realise , not much else there! would like to try and get a feel for abu dhabi , am looking at now staying at Vision hotel apartments ,but is that a long way from airport? roughly how long would journey take by taxi, and taxi cost? have also considered Hilton Corniche, or would we be better to stay nearer airport , eg traders, am trying not to break the bank! with hotel choice, I believe that 6th december is new years eve in UAE will that make the traffic very busy , we would need to be back at airport by 6-7pm (our flight leaves about 10pm) Many thanks for any help advice , will also be stopping over again 9th 10th jan 2011.

busybee2

vision in town will be a long way from airport it would be in the region at rush hour something like 35 mins. hiltonia is on the corniche and much easier to get in and out of, it has hemingways there a pub etc or you could taxi from there no problem. but if it was me i would go half way in between somewhere near to the shangrali, there is the fairmount, and park rotana lots going on at the shang. if you want somewhere cheaper then aloft hotel which is at the exhibition centre half way into town or holiday inn again similar distance. i havent taken a taxi from town to airport for a good few years but they used to be just under 100dhs, but they will be more than that now as the petrol and price of taxis have just been raised.

benzonar

GCC conference is in Abu Dhabi in Dec, not sure of the exact date but if it clashes with yours then you are best to avoid town.

In December Ferrari World will be open on Yas so there might be a little to do.

busybee2

ferrari world "should" be open by then, we will wait and see.

commander

Is 6th december new years eve here?

I would stay around the fairmont/traders/park rotana.

Eva

I think 'Aloft' is a good deal.20mins max in a cab from airport and 15mins downtown.Very clean,functional and value for money with some atmosphere on the premises.

benzonar

Sorry, I forgot you were the programme manager for the project and therefore in the know.

debsi6

Many thanks for all your replies, much appreciated ,I will try and find one of the hotels that you suggest at a reasonable price!! (I had found a really good deal for Vision, hadn't appreciated how expensive hotels were in Abu Dhabi before making the booking) but will look on it as an opportunity to see somewhere new,

busybee2

bukra inshahal

Eva

I think your date is close to major holiday??? Can't remember if Prophet's birthday or Islamic New Year or Big/Little Eid or a school date but busy time however:

You will get a room with two Queens(oooh er Mrs!) for @ 650AED at ALOFT
Probably get Sheraton Corniche(building works going on ) for less and The Meridien(down near AD Mall and a nightmare to get to as well as old ) for less.
Both are fine for one night though.Anything under 700AED is a good deal.No Travel lodges or La Quinta Suites or -Econolodges
Check Holiday Inn on 31st- opened about three months ago and good location(near Aloft so 15 mins downtown).About 150$US per night
Hth

Bahtatboy

I'd go for Hilton Corniche Residence Apartments, currently AED330 plus taxes. Most rooms have sea view, and IMHO the real Abu Dhabi is downtown near the Corniche. I don't recall NYE here being in early Dec, and if it is I don't think its anything special.

Journey time from airport will be about 30-40 mins depending on traffic. Taxi: AED70 fixed price from airport, usually about AED50 on the meter to the airport (don't use hotel cars).

Most of the hotels midway (eg Traders and Shangrila) are expensive, and you won't see anything of AD from there (apart from the Mosque and my very unremarkable office). Nice hotels, mind, but you could be anywhere.

Good luck

GB1982

Dont think that its New year but from memory National Day is around early December. If this is what you were thinking of then my advice would be to stay as far away form downtown Abu Dhabi as possible. could easily take 2 hours to get to the Corniche from the Airport, the place goes completely crazy.

busybee2

national day is 2nd of december.

Tillybean

If you are here over National Day, then definitely do not stay anywhere down town. I would recommend either Fairmont, Traders or Shangri-La, or ALoft. These are far enough away from town to avoid the "party" that happens for National Day.

But by staying in these, you wont get a real feel for Abu Dhabi which is a shame.