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This month we venture to the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi located on Al Maryah Island. The hotel is renowned amongst residents for its high caliber of dining and entertainment. The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi offers six restaurants and lounges each with waterfront terraces. Highly regarded are Café Milano and Butcher and Still. Café Milano originates from Washington, DC, where it is visited daily by dignitaries. Whilst offering delicious cuisine and sophisticated surroundings the clientele at Café Milano Abu Dhabi are more of the see and be seen crowd. Butcher and Still has a more masculine tone, the sleek steakhouse boasts some of the most rustic and retro vibes we’ve seen. Inspired by the times of Al Capone and his wise guys the décor even features bullet casings, best of all are the restaurants secret features like a retractable wall that leads to an outdoor patio and a private elevator that takes guests down two levels into an ultra-private dining room.
The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi also has one of the most lavish spas in the city. Dahlia Spa has eight spacious luxury spa suites and one exclusive couples’ suite, all feature private showers. Guests can also utilize separate men’s and women’s fitness centres, therapeutic facilities or the expansive outdoor pool.
The hotel has two hundred accommodations, including thirty eight luxury suites which are located from the 4th to the 13th floor and offer the best views. The décor is light, airy and modern. Rooms feature a Four Seasons Bed, a plush sofa for relaxing, an oval desk that doubles as a dining table and a spa-like bathroom.
Our Four Seasons experience begins as soon as we arrive at the hotel, when the valet opens my door and greets me by name, nice touch and one I wasn’t expecting. As we enter the lobby we are taken back by the bright, open space, details on the walls conjure images of ocean waves, whilst the clean white lighting only further illuminates the intricate detailing. The wealth of natural light is a theme that we will later find echoes throughout the hotel.
We stop to enjoy an aromatic coffee at Al Meylas before making our way to the room. Al Meylas is located adjacent to the hotel’s lobby and has been described as a modern majlis. The views are picture perfect and as tempting as it is to visit the outdoor terrace we must make our way to our room.
Premier Four Seasons Executive Suite
For our visit, we will be staying in a Premier Four Seasons Executive Suite. As we enter the suite we are surprise by how spacious and luxurious the surroundings are. Large windows offer views across the turquoise Arabian Gulf and the city skyline. The suite features a large living room adjoining private dining room, a kitchenet, spacious bedroom, walk-in closet and a marbled bathroom, which offers guests the option of a large bath tub or separate rain shower. The suite has the option of connecting to a Premier Room for families who require additional space. The décor features earth like tones adding to the sense of space. The luxury bath amenities are superb and by far the best we have seen, we especially like the Four Seasons branded vanity kit. We spend sometime relaxing in our room before we make our way to the spa.
Dahlia Spa
As we arrive to the spa we are warmly welcomed by our therapists. They take the time to explain the various treatments and we eventually opt for the Signature Dahlia Massage. This treatment focuses on creating a bespoke massage, guests can customize their time and therapist touch by selecting oils and massage techniques. We are given a pre-therapy form and asked to detail areas we would like our therapists to concentrate on, the style of massage, be it Swedish for an energizing effect or Asian for de-stressing. Eventually we select the 50-minute, Asian Fusion with Serenity oil, focused on releasing muscle tension.
The massage is performed perfectly and we are left feeling relaxed. After our treatment we are lead into the relaxation room and offered a selection of teas and dried apricots. The relaxation room is dimly lit and feature reclinable beds with individual headsets allowing guests to prolong the sense of relaxation.
After a while we decide to make use of the facilities. We enjoy a dip in the large heated hydro pool followed by a sauna. Sadly, we are rushing to get to dinner, so we don’t have time to use the steam room or the heated lounge chairs. However, we do plan on a return visit as this is one of the best spas we have experienced.
Dining
For dinner we will be dining at Café Milano. Located on the promenade level, Café Milano serves contemporary Italian cuisine in a setting reminiscent of a stylish boutique. The weather is perfect and the views and atmosphere have us feeling like we are dining on the Amalfi Coast.
We order a selection of starters from the Antipasti Dal Mare we select the Sea Bass Tartare with Winter White Melon, Avocado and Thyme alongside the Roasted Octopus Salad with Diced Pumpkin, Rosemary and Taggiasche Olives followed by the Grilled Calamari, Watercress Salad, Datterini Tomato and Jalapeno. The starters are delicious but my favorite dish is the Sea Bass Tartare, this dish is light and palatable with the melon and avocado adding texture. My dining companion however is more taken by the Roasted Octopus, the lightly charcoaled essence almost dissolves in the mouth when met by the creamy pumpkin.
From the Antipasti Dalla Terra we share the Burrata Chesse with Pumpkin Carpaccio, Pumpkin Seeds and Black Truffle. We are big Burrata fans and we must say this has to be one of the freshest and creamiest Burrata’s we’ve tasted in Abu Dhabi.
For the main course, I select the Spaghetti with Garlic, Olive Oil, Chili Pepper, Cherry Tomato and Seafood. My dining partner opts for the Paccheri Pasta with Sautéed Shrimps and Imported Capaccian Tomato. Again, the pasta impresses, simple flavors well executed by chef and his team.
At this stage we are wondering if the team at Café Milano can do no wrong, the food is perfect and the service is warm and friendly. So, we decide to test their attention to detail. I carefully place my napkin on the floor just by my feet wondering how long it will take for them to notice. Impressively enough within 10 seconds one of the team has picked up my napkin and replaced it with a fresh one. Attention to detail at its finest.
For our desserts, we share the Lemon and White Chocolate Cake, Strawberries Sauce and Cocoa Crumble. A zesty finish to our dining experience.
Breakfast
After a refreshing sleep we decide to have breakfast in our room. The breakfast consists of a fresh pancake, seasonal fruit platter, an omelette, warm muffins, a pastry selection, coffee and juices. The perfect start to the day and a wonderful end to our visit.
The Verdict
From arrival to check out expect to be surrounded by pure luxury and bliss at the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi. However apart from the beautiful rooms, tranquil spa and delicious dining options what truly makes the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi exceptional is the level of hospitality. Going back to when we first arrived at the hotel we were welcomed by name by the valet small touch points like these are what stay with a guest and it seems that the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi has not only lived up to the Four Seasons reputation but in our opinion exceeded them.
The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi makes for the perfect destination to create those special Valentine’s Day memories. Book a Romance Package and enjoy specially selected romantic amenities including a rose petal decoration on the bed, celebration cake and a bottle of sparkling grape or sparkling grape juice upon arrival.
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island, 02 333 2222
