The Corniche
The list of things we look for in our perfect beach is a pretty short one – decent sand and beautiful water. Abu Dhabi has both those things in (buckets and) spades (sorry), but few places can beat the Corniche. And for the ultimate slice of Corniche beach real estate, grab a lounger on the St Regis Abu Dhabi’s 200m-long private stretch of sand. The Nation Riviera Beach Club even offers sunset yoga sessions, which beats sweating on a mat in a dimly lit gym in Hackney any day of the week. We should know.
The Empty Quarter
Rub Al Khali, or ‘the Empty Quarter’, is the world’s largest uninterrupted sand mass – which, roughly translated, means it’s an enormous desert/giant sandpit. That also means it’s a lot of fun – you can thrash 4x4s over the dunes, take a camel tour, or just watch the sunset over this extraordinary landscape. For the sandy escape, the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara offers a taste of untouched Arabia in a setting that’s part sophisticated luxury, part ‘just hanging out in my castle in a desert oasis’ – and that’s a vibe we can always get onboard with.
Yas Island
Not all hotels are created equal – and the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, which happens to straddle a Formula 1 race circuit, is about as unequal as they come. Not only can you catch top DJs while Lewis Hamilton’s car screams past beneath you, but you can get out on the circuit yourself and see what it takes (before heading back to the bar to toast your genius behind the wheel). If that’s not enough, nearby Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has petrolhead thrills to spare. If you can still function properly after all that, you’re made of stronger stuff than us.