The clear blue skies of an Abu Dhabi afternoon frame the colossal, white-washed minarets of the architectural magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. There are no obstructions or distractions to interrupt my gaze of admiration towards this incredible scene. “Is this the most beautiful view in all of Abu Dhabi?” I muse from my One Bedroom View Suite at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Reluctantly, I tear myself away from the floor-to-ceiling window as there is much to explore.
Perched on the ninth floor, my suite is a generous 93 square metres, with picture windows running its entire length, offering the opportunity to enjoy that view from any location as well as bathing the suite in natural light. There is an open plan feel, while walnut wood room dividers between the bedroom, dressing room and living room offer a sense of privacy. It’s wonderfully airy and spacious with soft creams and whites punctuated by ashen furniture and shocks of aqua blue on the carpet.
There is a minimalist sense to the place too but with all that you need for a luxury getaway at your fingertips. In the living room, you have the choice to relax on two four-seater sofas or an armchair that all congregate around a black topped, metallic table from where a host of welcome treats beckon me to indulge.
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From here, I travel to the dressing room. There will be no fighting over cupboard space thanks to His’n’Hers wardrobes as well as a ring-flash mirror for those final outfit checks. Just around the corner is the bedroom and a huge king-sized bed that is waiting to envelope me with its crisp-white sheets and uber-soft pillows. At the foot of the bed sits a large HD TV, with a wooden desk to its right, from where I file some last-minute copy. Unusually, the bed is not flanked by power sockets – perfect for those, like me, who just want a digital detox when it’s time to clock out from work for the day.
The five-piece bathroom is quite a design too. Spread over three sections, the first area sees an inviting, deep bathtub sit beside a rainfall shower to the left, with a twin toilet and bidet area located to the right. In the middle, there are double vanity sinks and a huge mirror that reflects the city views back to me while brushing my teeth. The forever pleasing Le Labo Rose 31 amenities are dotted throughout, leaving a gorgeous scent everywhere.
The property itself is a site to behold. The exterior showcases striking sheer blue glass whereas inside, the hotel lives up to its name as ‘Door to the Sea’, as you will see and hear water gently trickling from various fountains. There’s the Health Club where you can enjoy a workout or like me, you can place yourself at the Olympic-sized swimming pool and soak up the gentle rays of the Abu Dhabi sun.
With my stomach making its feelings known, I head for dinner at the stylish Mazaj Bab Al Bahr. It’s a charming restaurant space, where intricate tileworks line the floors and lush vegetation creeps out from the walls. There’s an array of wonderful antiques that can be found throughout the venue including typewriters, gramophones and my favourite, a cannon.
Celebrating the cuisine of the Levant, there are a plethora of salivating options from which to choose, but our advice is to opt for the sublime hummus b’tahini and probably the best fried kibbeh I have ever tasted. Main courses include the likes of shish taouk, shawarma Wagyu beef and falafel sandwich, but I settle on a huge plate of lamb kofta. But don’t forget to save room for dessert, where the sweet dishes served up include umm ali, saffron milk cake and seasonal fruits. When I awake in the morning, I manage to leave the all-encompassing comfort of my bed for breakfast at CuiScene, where I help myself to an array of delicious fare from around the globe. But alas, my check-out time is approaching so I head back to the ninth floor and my haven of tranquillity. As I am packing my belongings away, I glance up at the view outside. Oh, how I will miss it.
