THE HOTEL IN POLE POSITION

If there’s one place you want to be when the chequered flag is waved at the F1 in Abu Dhabi (taking place from November 23-26), it’s W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, the only hotel in the world to straddle an F1 track. Picture this... You wake up in your Wonderful Room or epic EWOW Suite, pull back the curtains to views over the track and the yachts of Yas Marina, before heading to the most incredible breakfast at multi-kitchen dining hub Garage, where a big, bold buffet will set you up for you action-packed day. During race weekend, there’s entertainment at every turn, allowing you to experience the very best of the five-star hospitality W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island is so famous for.

Following your breakfast, head up WET Deck for sun-kissed dips in its rooftop pool, sipping fresh cocktails to the background beats of live sets from world-acclaimed DJs. Dry off, a quick wardrobe change and it’s time for brunch... The Go B.I.G or Go Home brunch is the stuff of legend. It spreads out over five different hubs, and 11 drinks sections, letting you sample elite cuts from Meat Vault, bold Asian street-food flavours at Steam Table, Peruvian spices at Nikkei House, tastes of Beirut at Mezza Bar and, to round off your brunch in the sweetest way possible, desserts of dreams at Tart Van. You can wash it all down at Tap Wall, with its curated picks of handcrafted drinks from around the world. 

Want an insider tip? Once time is called on brunch, head to W Lounge for the after-party, where you can sip a drink from one of three bars in the company of uninterrupted race track views, to ensure you don’t miss any of the action. If you need a little down-time before dinner, position yourself poolside at SUN Deck for an afternoon siesta, or bed down at the two-storey SPA by W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island, and put your relaxation in the hands of the pros. Go Deep to alleviate tension, De-Stress to revive tired muscles or Reset to help you relax and get back in the game. However, if you’re too revved up to relax, FIT is on hand to help you burn off energy with its state-of-the-art equipment and TechnoGym treadmills positioned perfectly for sprints against Marina panoramas.

When it’s time to get the party started again, get a quick caffeine fix at Roastery, sip a sundowner back at WET Deck, then book dinner at award-winning Angar, to take a trip along the Indian spice trail (Side note: its famous Butter Chicken is worth all the hype), before ending the night with a glass of something shaken and stirred at W Lounge. To make the most of your F1 weekend away, book the Let’s Recharge offer, with a stay in a Wonderful Room, buffet breakfast at Garage and a 60-minute treatment at SPA. Or try the Go B.I.G or Go Home offer, which includes a night in a Wonderful Room, along with breakfast, the ultimate brunch experience, 20 per cent discount on F&B, and early check-in/late check-out.

However, for a truly epic F1 experience, book an EWOW Suite – the hotel’s presidential suite that spreads itself out over 400 square metres and two floors. You’ll have a private outdoor lap pool, sauna, steam room, private dining room, kitchen, studio, living space and private access to SPA or FIT at your disposal.