LUXURY THRILLS

The child in you will never grow old you know! FACT’s Layal El-Mahmoud takes a dive back in time for a chance to re-live every child’s perfect adventure, only better, courtesy of a most generous invitation from Yas Island Abu Dhabi.

People gasp in awe when I tell them that in my 17 years in the region, I have never visited the United Arab Emirates. In October of this year, despite the unpleasant travel restrictions that continue to tail us, Yas Island made it happen and it was awesome! The flight was a piece of cake, even the unexpected PCR that we needed to do at Abu Dhabi International Airport was super quick and free of charge; we were out in no time to receive the warmest welcome from our accompanying driver.

The arrival at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island was eye catching to say the least. A shiny extraterrestrial structure calls on you from afar. Large glass doors slide open to reveal a modern lobby with a unique style.

After a swift check-in, we headed to the elevator and glided up to the eighth floor. Two connected bedrooms, equipped with five-star amenities to deliver top quality comfort, would be our home for the next three days. The welcoming messages that we read on the mirrors suggested a casual and friendly approach and instantly formed a memory imprinted in our hearts.

Three nights spent in luxury, three breakfasts served to perfection, and three dinners that translated premium culinary talent into pure gastronomic joy. Thumbs up!

The three days, on the other hand, were packed with adventure and adrenalin overload.

On day one, the outside world ceased to exist at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. From Scooby Doo to Tom & Jerry and The Flintstones to Gotham City and The Hall of Justice in the company of amazing DC superheroes. An impressive entertainment world full of thrilling rides, amazing characters, and great visual aesthetics. I will never forget the cheesy rollercoaster at Tom & Jerry’s house. A truly miraculous space that is extremely organised and welcoming. Before you leave, grab a token from one of the many WBW souvenir shops to keep the memories alive.

The fun on day two was wet and loud at one of the world’s biggest water parks. The Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi experience was a great pleasure indeed! A huge space that will entertain your family for a full day, at the end of which you will not want to leave. A rush of happiness hormones takes over your body with the first slide and, like an addiction, you find yourself repeatedly climbing the same staircase asking for more. The service inside is five-star, we booked a cabana by the beach-like pool offering four long chairs with four towels, a mini fridge with complimentary water bottles and, most importantly, a digital safe. Anything and everything beach-related is right there in case you forget an item or have an emergency.

On day three, we made sure the packing was done and nothing was left behind. After breakfast, we visited the front office for a quick check-out before heading to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and taking advantage of every minute to harvest the maximum roller-coaster excitement before dashing to the airport.

At Ferrari World Abu Dhabi no one holds back a scream of pure joy. Don’t you dare walk away from the Flying Aces or the Formula Rossa, AKA the fastest roller coaster in the world. You’ll find a wild array of rides for all ages and safety is the number one priority. If you are a Formula One fan, try changing the tire.