Vast resorts: Our pick of Arabia’s hotels with the best views

Food tourism, slow travel… holiday trends change, but a great view never goes out of fashion. Whether as a backdrop to that perfect selfie or simply an accompaniment to your morning coffee, a great view can be the difference between insipid and inspirational. Let’s cast our eyes over our pick of the Arabia hotels with the best views…

1. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi

Approaching Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, the view of the hotel itself is spectacular enough – all futuristic facades and geometric lines. But it’s the outlook from the hotel that really stops you in your tracks. There, across a narrow stretch of Gulf waters, lies another design masterpiece: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. With its dynamic curves and domes it offers a dramatic contrast to the neat forms of the Fairmont, and is all the more spectacular for that. As a gateway to one of the world’s most affluent cities, this is a hotel with a wealth of visual splendour to match.

Design masterpiece

2. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi

Aside from the varied fine dining, exhilarating list of leisure and water sports, cool clubs for kids and teens, and authentic wellness practices all wrapped up in a calming island atmosphere, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island has another trump card up its sleeve: uninterrupted sea views from every villa. And with private plunge pools from which to take it all in, you won’t find a more relaxing vantage point on the Gulf.

Endless horizons

3. St. Regis Abu Dhabi

While effortlessly delivering the highest level of luxury, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi on the West Corniche of the city also excels when it comes to curating crafted boutique experiences. But few of the experiences at Abu Dhabi’s finest urban resort can beat admiring the skyline and ocean views from its upper floors. The Al Bateen district and Qasr Al Watan join white beaches and blue waters in a panorama that inspires total holiday inspiration. Top tip: reserve destination dining on the helipad to elevate your stay to new heights.

Elevate your experience

4. The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

Sea views are one thing – and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal certainly doesn’t lack these – but holidays to Arabia have more to offer than that. Culture, greenery and architecture all flourish here, so choosing a hotel that showcases all this is key for those seeking the best views. The Grand canal, Al Maqta Creek and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are all on show here. Not to mention the Venice-inspired buildings, manicured gardens, and pool complex (the city’s largest) of the hotel itself. There’s a show-stopping view in every direction.

Sea, city and resort views

5. The Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, Ajman

The UAE’s best kept secret? The biodiversity, protected mangroves and coral lagoons in the vicinity of this striking resort belie its close proximity to the bustle of Arabia’s bigger cities. You wouldn’t think you were so close to Dubai, for example, but that’s the Oberoi’s charm; best of both worlds. Tying it all together are the sweeping ocean vistas across the sugar-white beaches and endless horizon beyond, complemented by the resort’s expansive open spaces and natural colour palette created by nature itself.

Palm-studded perfection

6. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai

One of the first properties we think of when it comes to Dubai’s most luxurious hotels (famously adorned with more gold-leaf furnishings than 7-star Burj Al Arab), Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Ottoman majesty wows anyone who steps foot through its doors. Add to this two spectacular vantage points to see some of the best views in the UAE. From the hotel’s front façade on the western frond of The Palm Jumeirah, admire sensational outlooks over Dubai Marina and the incredible Manhattan-style skyline. From the pool-and-beach side of Zabeel, the inner branches of The Palm stretching into calm Gulf waters offer beautiful tranquillity.