Nestled between a one-kilometre long private beach and lush gardens and just a 15-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 20 minutes from the Corniche and the city centre and only a 45-minute drive from Dubai, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri is in one of the best locations. All the main attractions – the Abu Dhabi International Convention Centre, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Aquarium and the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – are all on your doorstep.

After a day of sightseeing you can relax within the peaceful surroundings of the hotel and enjoy the infinity pool.

The guest rooms and suites have an Arabic influence but come with all the mod cons you’d expect from the Shangri-La group. Premier rooms feature either a balcony, offering views of the mosque, which are particularly hypnotic at sunset, or a terrace overlooking the gardens.

There are also six villas, each consisting of private pools and four bedrooms as well as Shangri-La residences ranging from studio to four-bedroom apartments – ideal for families or long stays.

Guests staying in the hotel’s Horizon Club Rooms enjoy extra privileges and individual services through the hotel’s Horizon Club, with little extra touches such as L’Occitane bath amenities and daily replenishments of fresh fruit and water.

As for the club itself, guests can start the day with an all-inclusive breakfast and enjoy evening cocktails (happy hour is from 5.30pm-7.30pm) and snacks before dinner.

Food wise, Sofra bld offers casual all-day dining in an informal indoor and outdoor setting with an authentic souk ambiance. It offers an extensive choice for breakfast and a range of international cuisines for lunch and dinner.

Shang Palace, Shangri-La Group’s signature Cantonese restaurant, serves authentic Chinese dishes such as dim sum, Peking duck, accompanied by a range of fragrant teas, wines and other beverages, while Hoi An offers traditional and modern Vietnamese dishes in a modern and vibrant atmosphere. Favourites include Hoi An crispy rolls, wok-seared cognac beef, steamed sea bass in banana leaf and mango soup.

The Pool Bar & Restaurant provides a relaxing atmosphere for guests to unwind and hosts themed nights, BBQs, romantic dinners and outdoor movie nights, the Lobby Lounge is perfect for afternoon tea, coffee or a light bite and the Al Hanah Bar’s balcony is a great place for sundowners.

Health and wellness is central to the Shangri-La experience and as well as offering a range of recreational activities, CHI, The Spa boasts four single male oasis suites, four single female oasis suites, one couple male oasis suite, one female oasis suite, and one suite room.

The suites offer a “spa-within-a-spa” concept each with their own changing, shower and toilet areas, in addition to heat treatment, bathing and relaxation spaces. Treatments are designed using local all-natural ingredients such as camel’s milk from the Dubai desert, hydrated lemons from Fujairah, dates from Ras Al Khaimah, solar salts drawn from the Arabian Sea and traditional spices like sumac and za’atar. Guests can also frequent the sauna, steam room and hot whirlpool bath.

For the more active, there’s a lap pool, two gyms featuring state-of-the-art equipment and yoga room. Individual or group classes include indoor cycling, Pilates, yoga, low-impact fitness classes, Zumba dance and boxing.

One of the hotel’s unique attractions are its traditional Arabic boats – known as abras – which meander through the hotel’s winding waterways. Guests can enjoy a relaxing journey while stopping for a little retail therapy at the connected souk.

Family has always been at the heart of Shangri-La and children are well catered for and, as part of the group’s support of Make-A-Wish International, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri is one of several select hotels across the Middle East that will be helping to make the wishes of children with critical illnesses come true. It will be offering specially-created afternoon teas, restaurant experiences, dedicated ‘Make-A-Wish Come True’ stay packages and more to raise funds for the charity.

For more information on this and the hotel visit shangri-la.com/en/abudhabi/shangrila/

Etihad news

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has returned to London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 following temporary homes at Terminals 2 and 3 during the pandemic. The Etihad Lounge has separate areas for relaxing and dining, as well as a children’s playroom.

Etihad has also confirmed that from now until September, it is increasing its current four daily flights from London Heathrow to five daily flights.

Return economy fares start from ÂŁ513 London-Abu Dhabi, while return business fares start from ÂŁ2,730 London-Abu Dhabi.

The airline has also launched five seasonal routes that connect Abu Dhabi to popular summer hotspots across Europe and the Indian Ocean. The new routes are to Nice on the French Côte d’Azur,, Heraklion in Crete, Malaga in Spain, Santorini in Greece and Zanzibar in Tanzania.

To book, and for more information, visit etihad.com