Abu Dhabi is one of the Middle East’s most cosmopolitan cities and has become the holiday destination of choice for the haut monde. The Middle East and Abu Dhabi in particular is about opulence. No expense is spared in creating some of the most impressive hotels, experiences, and lifestyle events with each one seeming to outdo the next with each occurrence.
In a peaceful place amongst the calming mangroves of a protected natural mangrove reserve and a short distance from the hustle and bustle and bright city lights of Abu Dhabi is such a manifestation of Middle East opulence in the Eastern Mangrove Hotel by Anantara.
Abu Dhabi is located by the waters of the Arabian Sea with coastlines of idyllic beaches and fun in the sun, especially in the fantastic autumn, winter, and spring weather. Eastern Mangroves by Anantara is adjacent to Abu Dhabi’s Mangrove National Park which is filled with exotic wildlife such as the western reef heron and black wind slit, red foxes and the occasional dolphins and stingrays. Tourists from around the region come to explore the turquoise waters of the lagoon and natural beauty of the 1.2 kilometer natural reserve via kayaks and guided tours through the canals and waterways. Guest at the hotel have a bird’s eye view of the natural beauty of the space from vistas throughout the property.
The Eastern Mangroves is an example of Abu Dhabi’s elegant offering of opulent hotels and is located a short distance from the hustle and bustle and city skyscrapers of the modern city centre. It is truly an oasis of calm with Arabian hospitality as evidenced by the attentive service and the welcome with dates and Arabic coffee.
Inside guests will find a healthy blend of oriental and Arabian influences creating a lavish yet relaxed environment. The details include a decadent design and décor with soaring atriums with ornate Islamic arched walkways, glistening marble floors, intricate mosaics, sparkling chandeliers and a calming earth tone colour palette.
The focal point of the property is the elegant and vast infinity edged pool which is lined by rustling palm trees and overlooks the verdant mangroves and waterways. Throughout the day, guests swim and frolic, suntan, or lay out in cabanas. Others gather for a cool poolside cocktail or to relax while smoking shisha.
There are 222 rooms and suites which range in size from 57sqm to 180 sqm. All are contemporary, elegant and spacious with earth tone colours of shades of brown and gold as well as ornate Arabic influenced design elements and intricate woodwork. The bathrooms are large with an oversized bath and separate rain head shower. Many of the rooms have exquisite views of the city skyline or the pool scene below and the mangroves beyond.
The Kasara Executive Mangroves Balcony Room is an excellent option for guests. It is on the upper two floors of the six storey building and gives commanding views of the mangroves and waterways. The balcony offers comfortable seating and dining table perfect for a glass of wine or morning coffee while taking in the natural vistas.
For another level of luxury the 180 sqm Anantara Mangroves Pool Suites offer spacious indoor and outdoor living spaces and a private pool and cabana and with views of the mangroves. The design is equally as decadent with a serene earth tone palette and the finest in décor and amenities.
The Eastern Mangroves really knows how to cater to its VVIP guests. Extra special guests get access to the Kasara lounge which is like a business club but oh so much more. There’s the special check in and the attentive concierge that can help with everything from those tricky to get front seat F1 tickets to changing your flight reservations.
The area itself is extravagantly spread over two floors with an open atrium and areas for peace and quiet or to have a meeting with clients. In addition, guests staying in Kasara privilege rooms have a complimentary garment laundry or pressing per day and a number of other perks. As for the nibbles, don’t expect warmed over dried pizza puffs. The above and beyond services include cocktails and gourmet level canapés as well as a fine breakfast.
The Middle East and UAE in particular has an epicurean’s focus on food and the fine dining scene there rivals the top gourmet scenes in the world. So in order to be considered as a top hotel the cuisine has to be exceptional as well.
The Eastern Mangroves by Anantara does not disappoint in this regard offering several eateries from its all day dining with an international buffet and endless food options to Mediterranean dishes at the pool deck restaurant. The ambience is completely Middle Eastern in the evening with live acoustic Arabic music and guests enjoying the moment while smoking shisa. Their sexy rooftop bar Impressions is an awesome place for cocktail culture and vibing to the music whilst looking out over the Abu Dhabi skyline.
Their signature restaurant, which perennially garners the most rave reviews and awards, is Pachaylen which serves haute Asian cuisine inspired by Thai street food. The restaurant has really brought a piece of Thailand to the Middle East from the décor bedecked with Thai silk cloth to the Buddha statues.
The staff is dressed in traditional Thai attire and they, like most of the cooks and chef are Thai . There is an open kitchen so the flurry of activity in the kitchen is on full display as these talent chefs prepare haute cuisine based on food you may find in the streets of Bangkok or Chang Mai. This is fine dining at its best and with only 15 coveted tables reservations are a must.
The combination of Middle East opulence and one of the finest providers of spa services in the world assures an unforgettable spa experience for guests of the Anantara spa. This spa is impressive with a decadent and rich Middle Eastern style with marble, intricate and rich designs and a calming earth tone colour palate.
There are 15 treatment rooms, two vichy shower rooms, sauna and steam rooms, and an authentic Turkish Hamman which offer a wide range of services from massages to facials to more extravagant spa journeys.
One treatment worthy of your next indulgence is the Anantara Signature Hamman. It is two hours of bliss, especially when shared with your loved one. The six part ritual has been developed to detoxify, relax and rejuvenate. After a sauna and steam, the therapists begin with a foot bath followed by a series of treatment’s including Kese mitt exfoliation, aromatic clay mask, hair shampoo, pressure point face and head massage. The experience that most will love is the olive foam massage with millions of soft foam bubbles engulfing the body for an out of this world experience.
The finale of this journey into relaxation oblivion is the massage with rose or sandal infused Argon oil. As shared, Middle East hospitality is about extravagance and a level of pampering not to be out done. The spa at Anantara Eastern Mangrove clearly is one of the top providers of this calibre of service in the region.
The good thing about Eastern Mangroves is that it’s close to everything that guests want to experience in Abu Dhabi yet far enough away in a place of peace adjacent to the mangroves. Being in the mangroves provides a number of activities to fully enjoy the natural surroundings from stand-up paddle boarding, to sailing and kayaking, guided tours of the mangroves or a traditional Arabic dhow boat cruise.
A short drive away are all of the great destination experiences that make Abu Dhabi special, from the white sand beaches to man-made wonders such as Yas Water World, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi Marina ( with its Formula One track ), and a wide offering of restaurants and nightlife.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is also easily accessed and has been beautifully constructed from pristine white marble, gold and semi-precious stones. Guests will also want to visit the newly opened Louvre Museum which will soon become one of the Middle East’s top attractions.
This is a hotel that serves a wide variety of travellers. Some guests stay for a week on holiday, others for a few days of business meetings, and others as a stopover when travelling across the globe as the Abu Dhabi’s international airport is close by. For whatever the reason, the Eastern Mangroves by Anantara is an excellent choice for haute Arabian hospitality in Abu Dhabi.
