Located on Abu Dhabi’s premier golf course, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is a vital part of the only true golf resort in the capital. David Tapley checks in for a weekend of relaxation overlooking the greens.

The sense of tranquility is almost immediate as we pull up the cobbled driveway and enter into the lobby of The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa. Bathed in natural light our eyes slowly rise skywards taking in the focal atrium and the verdant greens of the golf course that is visible through the large glass windows. Off to the left lies a quaint and relaxing cafe called The Lounge and to the right is the reception and check-in area.

Westin Abu Dhabi is a picturesque five-star golf and spa resort located in Abu Dhabi, and despite it’s proximity to the city centre, the expansive property feels like an escape from the city. A place that provides beautiful views to match the exciting hotel amenities such as the championship golf course upon which the hotel is situated.

Health and safety precautions were a priority throughout our stay. Aside from the expected mask and gloves the procedures that have been put in place include self-parking, protective screens and sterilised pens at the reception counters, and safety seals on hotel room doors to indicate that the rooms have been thoroughly sterilised and that no one has entered since the cleaning process was undertaken. We felt extremely confident with the efforts put in place by Marriott and the entire team at the Westin Abu Dhabi and it’s evident that the safety of both customers and guests is of paramount importance for the operation at this time.

THE SUITE LIFE:

A summer escape amongst the vibrant fairways of Abu Dhabi Golf Club provides the perfect respite from the heat and the sounds of bird song and chirping insects make us immediately forget that we are mere minutes from the city. This notion of an ”oasis of calm” extends into the bedrooms, which are very spacious, peaceful and abound with natural light. We check-in to a one-bedroom Executive Suite with 1.5 bathrooms, sweeping golf course views and a large balcony which is perfect for a mid-morning coffee or as a place to top up the tan. The spot was so delightful in fact that we opted to forego our breakfast in Fairways and instead dine on the balcony, watching the golfers tee off while enjoying the early morning atmosphere.

The 95 SQM suite is separated into living and dining areas which put comfort and convince first. A refrigerator, flat-screen television, small sink and ample storage space means that guests can unpack quickly and enjoy all of the benefits of such an appealing space. The suite is beautifully appointed with a comfortable king bed that provided us with admittedly the deepest nights sleep we’d had for some time (we think it may have been due to the buoyant pillows and super comfortable mattress and duvet combination). The suite also featured tea and coffee making facilities (hooray for morning caffeination), a dressing room and a free-standing bathtub that we may have soaked in for a little longer than we’d care to admit!

A control panel next to the bed allows for seamless control of lighting and temperature settings, as well as the ability to place the do not disturb and the make-up room signage. So if you want to lock yourself away in complete privacy, then this goal is easily attainable.

Boasting a dining repertoire of six food and beverage outlets, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort * Spa has long been a popular haunt for residents of Khalifa City and the neighbourhoods along Al Raha Beach. It’sIt’s easy to see why as not only are there a variety of cuisines represented, but the service is exemplary. Throughout our 24 hours in the property, we are continually greeted with smiles, laughter and genuine empathy from the team that is so often lacking.

DEBONAIRE DINING:

An early dinner reservation at Sacci results in an almost full restaurant, which is bursting with atmosphere as families venture out for a post-pandemic weekend meal. The family-style trattoria is a venue that channels childhood nostalgia and the aroma and flavours of traditional Italian dishes. We indulge in several classically prepared dishes including the Tartare di Tonno Agli Agrumi, a perfect summer dish of tuna tartare, citrus fruits and candied walnuts that hits the perfect balance between sweet and tart, and the Risotto con Pere, Radicchio e Gorgonzola – a risotto with a striking purple colouration, enhanced via the inclusion of pear pieces and Gorgonzola cheese. Unable to resist classically prepared Italian desserts we gleefully save room for the signature Sacci Tiramisu with its lashing of creamy and generous proportions of chocolate.

The Lounge is a fresh take on the traditional coffee house and features an extensive menu of hot beverages and light bites and an environment that we can only really describe as an urban oasis. We cannot resist the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea before we depart from the luxurious property and find ourselves in an inspiring setting, surrounded by views of the lush Abu Dhabi Golf course. The multi-tiered afternoon tea stand features a specially curated savoury selection of sandwiches with exciting flavours such as cucumber and cumin cream and the classic smoked salmon on rye. For those with a sweet tooth, there is opera cake, lemon crèmeux with pineapple caviar a matcha tea tartlet with banana and passionfruit and our personal favourite, the freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream. Accompanied by unlimited hot beverages, this is the perfect way to while away a few hours on a warm summer day with friends.

The hotel is also home to The Retreat, a good choice for pub grub and to watch the latest sporting fixtures. Fairways is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant with culinary influences from Arabia, Asia and the Mediterranean’sMediterranean’s northern shore. Lemon & Lime Lounge offers dinner and drinks in a laid-back, luxurious setting and Shades Pool Bar is a tropical-themed bar at the hotel pool.

AMIABLE AMENITIES

What’s a staycation without amenities and first-class facilities? The resort boasts a family-friendly lagoon-shaped main pool with an adjoining children’s area set amidst the perfectly manicured gardens. There are plenty of grassy areas for the little ones to run around on while the adults relax on the sun loungers and the resort boasts plenty of walking paths for those looking to pick up the pace. Trade in the treadmill for a RunWESTIN self-guided jog or refreshing walk with custom running maps that feature three-mile and five-mile routes from the hotel – something we’ve not seen before. Speaking of exercise, the onsite WestinWorkout room offers a good selection of cardiovascular equipment and free weights for guest use.

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa is an essential part of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club experience which is home to the HSBC Golf Championship and the 27-hole championship golf course weaves through undulating terrain featuring pockets of palms, as well as seven spectacular saltwater lakes. So why not tee-off during a stay at the only hotel in the UAE capital to be located on a championship golf course.

With a number of summer packages currently available why not Stay and Refresh with an exclusive staycation package offering daily buffet breakfast and AED 150 credit to spend in any hotel restaurant or bar for only AED 600 per room. Alternatively, you could Stay and Play with a golf staycation package, offering daily breakfast, one round of golf and 40% off all restaurant and bars. Either way, summer is the best time to stay city close, country quiet at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa.

GO: VISIT WWW.WESTINABUDHABI.COM FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.