Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island combines beachfront luxury, great dining and cultural experiences into one amazing Abu Dhabi staycation
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There is something about Saadiyat Island at sunset that changes the mood completely. The sea turns gold, the skyline softens, and from the beach at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, you can spot the outlines of the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi rising in the distance. It is one of those views that reminds you just how quickly Abu Dhabi is changing. Making it the prime location for a staycation.
The all-inclusive resort sits on one of the capital’s most beautiful stretches of beach, but what makes the stay memorable is how easy everything feels. Families move between the pools and the beach. Children laugh in the water while waiters on roller skates deliver drinks to sunbeds. Music drifts through the resort as the evening settles in. Nobody looks stressed here.
Guests also get access to the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi Museum Pass, which includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. It gives you the perfect excuse to swap the pool for a few hours and explore one of the city’s most exciting cultural districts.
The setting
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The resort is polished without feeling overly formal. White arches, palm trees and manicured gardens give it a Mediterranean holiday feel, while the beachfront setting keeps things relaxed. Everywhere you look, there is another beautiful angle of the sea, the pools or the resort grounds. Sundowners on the beach quickly became one of the highlights of the stay. Watching the sun dip behind Saadiyat’s cultural landmarks with a cold drink in hand feels pretty special. Later in the evening, The Courtyard shifts the atmosphere completely. A DJ takes over, guests settle into low sofas and the space fills with that easy holiday energy.
The room
The rooms are spacious, calming and designed with comfort in mind. Neutral tones, soft lighting and sea-inspired finishes keep things feeling relaxed rather than overly flashy. Large balconies open up to either garden, pool or sea views, depending on your room category, and the bathrooms are generous enough to make unpacking for a few days feel worth it. Small details make a difference here. The beds are genuinely comfortable, and after long afternoons in the sun, returning to a cool quiet room feels like part of the reset.
The food
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One thing Rixos does very well is giving guests options. Breakfast at Turquoise feels massive, with buffet stations covering everything from pastries and fruit to Turkish favourites and made-to-order dishes. Dinner at Turquoise is just as special with the live performances add to the atmosphere.
We opted to have lunch over at People’s. This restaurant serves elevated poolside bites with uninterrupted views of the pool, making it dangerously easy to stay there all afternoon. Mermaid was one of the standouts during our stay. Open for dinner, the restaurant serves Greek-inspired dishes and Mediterranean seafood in a beautiful setting near the beach. Another great dining experience was dinner at L’Olivo, which serves classic Italian comfort food. This was followed by drinks at The Courtyard to round off the evening.
The activities
This is the kind of resort where you could happily spend days without leaving the property. Families are especially well looked after. The Rixy Kids Club keeps younger guests busy with games, activities and workshops, while the wave pool and aqua park become the centre of attention for most children staying at the resort.
For adults, the Exclusive Sports Club offers everything from tennis and paddleboarding to fitness classes and personal training sessions. Even the gym feels impressive. Bright, modern and properly equipped.
The Anjana Spa is also worth making time for. The Turkish hammam, sauna and snow room turn the spa experience into something far more memorable than a quick massage before dinner.
The experience
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What Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island gets right is balance. The resort feels lively, but never chaotic. There is always something happening, whether it is music by the pool, families gathering for dinner or guests making their way down to the beach for sunset, yet it never feels overwhelming.
The all-inclusive concept also works properly here. Drinks arrive quickly, restaurant service feels polished and staff are warm without becoming intrusive. It is easy to understand why so many families return.
There is also something distinctly Abu Dhabi about the experience. One moment you are floating in the pool listening to children laugh nearby, the next you are staring out at one of the world’s most ambitious cultural districts taking shape along the coastline. Few staycations in the city feel this connected to what Abu Dhabi is becoming.
What’s On verdict
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island understands exactly what people want from an all-inclusive escape. Good food, a beautiful beachfront setting and enough happening throughout the resort that you never feel bored. Add museum access and Saadiyat’s spectacular location into the mix, and this feels like far more than just another beach staycation.
The package
The all-inclusive staycation includes dining, drinks, beach and pool access, entertainment, fitness classes, kids activities and access to multiple restaurants and bars across the resort. Guests also receive the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi Museum Pass, which includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.
The cost
Room rates vary depending on the season, but Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island firmly sits in the luxury staycation category. Expect delux room rates to start around Dhs6000
The details
Location: Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
Contact: 02 492 2222
