AUHotel Abu Dhabi - Airport Transit Hotel

Being inside the airport is convenient, but this felt like a major trap for desperate travellers. Etihad changed our flight from two hours to 10 hours after we had already left, so we had to stay overnight and pay over 170USD. The room is only available for six hours, which isn’t even a REM cycle. It was fine, but nowhere near worth the price. There were no slippers or bathrobes, only two towel towels, no hand towel, and no shower towel. Without shower slippers, water got everywhere. Basic items such as toothbrushes had to be requested, and when you only have six hours, losing 10 minutes waiting is a long time. The café in the room was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever had, and there wasn’t even an nespresso machine. A really big trap, unless the alternative is sleeping like a peasant outside.

This is a very modern, spacious, and well-maintained airport. Clear signs make it easy to navigate, while immigration and security are smooth and efficient. The staff are polite and helpful, and there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and lounges for people facing long layovers. The facilities and service feel world-class.

The location is superb, and despite being in the middle of the airport, the hotel is remarkably quiet. My room was small, which was perfectly fine, and it was very clean. I stayed for 12 hours, but the price was quite high, more than $250 for 12 hours, so I could only give it four stars.

The rooms are clean, and they provide water, toothbrushes, towels, slippers, tea bags, and coffee powder. However, booking can be confusing because the hotel has no own website and treats booking.com as its official platform. The customer service link kept sending us there. You also have to choose a 6hr, 12hr, or 24hr stay. Since the hotel is in the transit departure area, it won’t suit someone leaving through arrivals to rest before sightseeing in Abu Dhabi during a layover. There were only 2 pillows in our room for 2 pax.