I’m trying to review as many of the Hyatt & Starwood hotel options in Abu Dhabi as possible, as there are quite a few. When it comes to Hyatt, I’ve reviewed the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island and Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, both of which I quite like.
For Starwood I’ve reviewed the St. Regis Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Island, St. Regis Abu Dhabi, and Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. They’re all great options, depending on what you’re hoping to do (Saadiyat Island is more of a beach/relaxation destination, the St. Regis in the city has a good location for sightseeing, and the Westin is quite close to the airport).
I had always noted that Abu Dhabi also has two Le Meridien properties — Le Meridien Abu Dhabi and Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi. I decided to book the former for two nights, at the rate of 449AED (~$120) per night, which is quite a good rate.
I took a taxi from the airport to Le Meridien, which took about 30 minutes. The hotel is located in the northeast corner of the city, basically about halfway between Emirates Palace and Saadiyat Island. So it’s a pretty central location to be in, as you won’t be more than a 15 minute taxi ride to most places you’d want to go.
Le Meridien has been around for more than 35 years, and is one of the oldest upscale hotels in the city (well, at least it was upscale when it opened). Interestingly the hotel was going to be torn down as recently as a few years ago, as part of a construction project connecting areas of Abu Dhabi.
All of this is to say that you can tell the hotel has been around for 35+ years, including from the outside. 😉
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi exterior
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi exterior
The doors to the hotel have rather unique floral patterns, and upon entering the hotel I was greeted by a friendly bellman and directed to check-in, which was located inside the lobby and to the left.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi entrance
Speaking of the lobby, the design was clearly intended to be true to the area, but in the end looks more kitschy than anything, in my opinion.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi lobby
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi lobby
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi lobby
I was assisted by a friendly associate, who quickly checked me in and gave me a letter informing me of all the privileges I’d get as a club guest, which include:
- Complimentary breakfast in Latest Recipe from 6AM until 11AM
- Tea and coffee in the club lounge from 7AM until 5PM
- Cocktail hour in the club lounge from 6PM until 8PM
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club guest welcome letter
I was directed to the elevators, which were located on the opposite side of the lobby of reception.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi lobby
I took the elevator up to the fifth floor, where my room was located. The elevator let out across from the club lounge, so I turned right and took the walkway towards my room. The initial walkway was pretty cool, and featured an atrium view of sorts.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi hallway
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi atrium view
However, upon turning left I found a hallway which was… well… from a different era.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi hallway
I was assigned room 588, which was a corner suite with a massive terrace.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi room entrance
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi floorplan
This was a “full” suite, in the sense that there was a door between the living room and bedroom. The living room featured a seating area with a couch and two chairs facing a coffee table and TV, as well as a desk closer to the entrance.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite living room
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite living room
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite living room
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite living room TV
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite living room desk
On the chest across from the desk was some complimentary water, as well as teabags and instant coffee packs.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi in-room coffee & tea
Waiting on the coffee table was one of the most well intentioned but bizarre welcome amenities I’ve ever received. There was a tasty cake with my name and SPG number on it. I think it’s great they’re trying to personalize the experience as much as possible, but writing someone’s SPG number in icing is an odd touch.
I wasn’t the only guest to receive such a cake. As I was walking down the hallway I saw a staff member with a cart which had several such cakes on it… each with the member’s name and SPG number.
Furthermore, you’d think that welcome amenities are designed so that pictures can be shared through social media (after all, that’s cheap publicity), but that shouldn’t be done when your loyalty program number is visible.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi welcome amenity
There was also a customized card with my picture on it. Okay, again I appreciate the intent (even if I don’t need a picture of myself), but what I found strange was that below the picture of me was my name, address, phone number, email address, and SPG number. Talk about an extremely well intentioned welcome gift which just isn’t very well thought out.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi welcome amenity
Anyway…
The bedroom was separated from the living room by a door, and it had a king size bed, chair with side table by the window, along with a desk and TV. I thought the decor was nicer in the bedroom than in the living room.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bedroom
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bedroom
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bedroom
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bedroom desk & TV
The bathroom was quite large, though not especially functionally designed. It featured a single sink, a shower/tub combo, and then a rather small walk-in shower.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bathroom
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite bathroom toilet & bidet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite tub
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite shower
Toiletries were Cinq Mondes branded, and were nice enough. While Sheraton consistently has bad bath amenities, Le Meridien seems to have no consistency when it comes to what they offer. That’s probably a good thing, as these were actually quite nice.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite toiletries
The highlight of the room was probably the terrace, which looked out over the resort and surrounding area. It featured panoramic views and quite a bit of furniture, including a dining table as well as some lounge chairs. Unfortunately the furniture was covered in a thick coat of dirt, presumably due to the nearby construction.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite view
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite terrace
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite terrace
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite terrace
I also had a view of the construction, which was initially what was going to close down Le Meridien.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi suite view
Back by the elevator on the fifth floor was the club lounge. It was a fairly densely furnished lounge, and it didn’t seem like it was properly staffed during the day. While it didn’t seem to be very busy, it would make sense to at least have someone come by every so often to clear the tables.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge
In the corner was a comfy sofa area.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge seating
Next to it was a business center.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge business center
Then there was also a good size terrace with views overlooking the resort.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge terrace
The club lounge didn’t serve breakfast (instead all club guests get breakfast in the restaurant), though they still had some croissants, danishes, and fresh fruit available early in the day.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge morning spread
There was also an illy espresso machine along with cookies available all day. It looked cool, though I never did manage to figure out how to use the machine, unfortunately.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge espresso & cookies
There were also complimentary soft drinks and water available all day, which is perhaps my single favorite feature of a club lounge.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge all-day drinks
In the evenings there was supposed to be a drink and appetizer spread. I went there the second night of my stay and saw they had alcohol available, though there wasn’t a single snack in sight.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge evening drinks
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi club lounge evening drinks
As far as breakfast goes, it was served in Latest Recipe, which is located just off the lobby. The restaurant itself is quite nice and has plenty of seating on the surface, though it was extremely crowded both mornings I was there.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Recipe Restaurant
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Recipe Restaurant
The restaurant also had a nice outdoor terrace, where I sat one of the mornings.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Recipe Restaurant terrace
The buffet spread was quite good, though the restaurant was just so crowded both mornings. The servers were friendly but clearly way overworked, so it was 20 minutes before I was offered any coffee both mornings (and that was even with trying to signal them).
I’ll let the pictures of the buffet speak for themselves otherwise.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Latest Restaurant breakfast buffet
Across from Latest Recipe was an all day coffee shop, which I quite appreciated as a caffeine-powered person.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Al Finjan lobby lounge
One of the things this hotel really has going for it are the restaurants and bars on the premises, which are popular with locals. I have friends who live in Abu Dhabi who come to Le Meridien all the time, given the surrounding restaurants. There was even a beer garden setup of sorts when I was there.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi restaurants
The hotel also has a large pool area. There’s a smaller pool as you enter.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi pool
And then past that is the main pool.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi pool
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi pool
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi pool
There’s no shortage of lounge chairs either.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi lounge chairs by pool
In order to enter the pool you have to go through the spa. I’m not sure if there’s a faster way to get there which I missed, but I had to walk around the entire perimeter of the resort and then enter through Eden Spa.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi walkway to Eden Spa
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi entrance to Eden Spa
There you had to sign in and were then given towels for the pool.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Eden Spa
In addition to the pools, where was a pretty cool indoor bath, as well as a relaxation room.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Eden Spa relaxation room
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Eden Spa pool
I decided to have a massage the second afternoon I was there. While the setting was rather no frills, the massage was excellent.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Eden Spa massage room
There’s also a decent size gym in Eden Spa, even if the architecture is a bit… unique.
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi gym
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi gym
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi gym
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi bottom line
This hotel seemed to be very well intentioned. All the staff I interacted with were friendly and meant well, even if they seemed to be spread a bit thin.
As far as the decor goes, the hotel is desperately in need of a renovation. I guess I understand why that hasn’t yet happened based on the fact that it was supposed to be torn down a few years ago. I got the sense, however, that:
- Many of the hotel’s guests had booked through some kind of vacation packages/through consolidators, and weren’t necessarily booking specifically because this was a Le Meridien property, or because it was part of SPG
- The restaurants on the hotel’s premises are probably what do best for this hotel, as it’s a popular hotel with locals
So would I return? No, unless the hotel is renovated, I can’t imagine I would. But I also don’t have any hard feelings towards the hotel, as I’m guessing they’ve run the numbers and decided there wouldn’t be an ROI on a renovation at this point.
I do still find hotel branding to be a bit of a mystery… especially for Le Meridien, which I consider to be a brand which lacks an identity.
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