Fairmont Room
King bed or two double beds. Walnut wood paneling and a bathroom with 5 amenities. A canal-view version is available
★★★★★ · The Grand Mosque & canal area · Resort
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
An urban resort on the Abu Dhabi canal, with a private beach, an Olympic pool and a direct view of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. 366 rooms and eight restaurants and bars.
About the hotel
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is an urban resort on the Abu Dhabi canal, in the Khor Al Maqta area, at the entrance to the city. It has 366 rooms and suites, a private sand beach and eight restaurants and bars. The name means 'Gate of the Sea' in Arabic, and the hotel describes itself as an urban resort: a pool and beach getaway, a short drive from the airport and the attractions.
What sets it apart is the view. From the private beach, the pool and some of the rooms you look straight out at the white minarets of Sheikh Zayed Mosque, across the canal. The hotel also offers a private guided tour of the mosque that starts with Arabic coffee and dates, followed by an Emirati meal at Mazaj restaurant, led by chef Muna Al Mansoori.
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The entry-level room, Fairmont Room, is 45 sqm and fits up to 4 guests, with a king bed or two double beds. A couple wanting more space would choose the 60 sqm Deluxe Room, with a seating area, a shower and a bathtub, and in the Creek View version also a view of the canal and the mosque. Families suit a one-bedroom suite, 90–93 sqm, some with a kitchenette and a dining area for four. Larger groups get two-bedroom suites, for up to 6 guests.
For kids there's an indoor children's pool with a splash zone, alongside an olympic-length pool with a canal view and a jacuzzi. Both pools are heated, and pool and beach access is free for hotel guests. There are two gyms, one of them women-only. Fairmont Gold guests get a separate lounge with private check-in, breakfast and evening drinks.
The eight restaurants and bars cover a wide range of styles. Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill and Marco's Italian are run by British chef Marco Pierre White. Mazaj Bab Al Bahr serves Lebanese and Turkish food over the water, with a Sunday brunch that includes pool and beach access. CuiScene is the all-day buffet restaurant, and Café Sushi prepares sushi in front of guests. Saturdays bring the Fairmont Grand Brunch.
The main drawback: the hotel is outside the city center, and a car is needed for almost every outing. There's no free airport shuttle, but the ride is short, about a quarter of an hour. Yas Island and the theme parks are also about a quarter of an hour away. Anyone wanting to walk the Corniche, restaurants and malls of the city will find the location less convenient. Anyone wanting a beach and pool with a mosque view, and a short drive to everything else, will find what they're looking for here.
Rooms and suites
Deluxe Room
King bed, seating area with a sofa, 55-inch TV, shower, bathtub and two sinks. Creek View version: canal and mosque view
Fairmont Gold Room
Includes Fairmont Gold lounge access: private check-in, continental breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks
One Bedroom Suite
Separate living room with sofas. A version with canal and mosque view is available
One Bedroom Suite View King with kitchen
Sea view, dining area for four and a kitchenette
Presidential Suite
2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, canal and mosque view, Fairmont Gold benefits
Royal Suite
2 bedrooms, private dining area and a large living room
Fairmont Villa
A villa within a garden, with a private pool and a gym
- Fairmont Gold Junior SuiteKing bed and Fairmont Gold benefits. Creek View version: canal and mosque view
At the hotel
Private sand beach with a view of Sheikh Zayed MosqueFree pool and beach access for hotel guests2 gyms: a mixed gym (VOLT Fitness, 6:00–23:00) and a separate women-only gymFree valet parking for hotel guestsWi-Fi throughout the hotel24-hour conciergeFairmont Gold lounge with private check-inBLOWDRY salon for men and women24-hour laundry and dry cleaningFull wheelchair accessibility in public areas, and accessible roomsBike rental through the concierge
Restaurants
Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & GrillSteakhouse
Prime cuts of meat, classically prepared. A restaurant for a special evening
Marco's ItalianItalian
Traditional Italian dishes, by chef Marco Pierre White
Mazaj Bab Al BahrLebanese-Turkish
Mezze and grill over the water. Lebanese brunch on Sundays, including pool and beach access
CuiSceneInternational
The buffet restaurant: Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Breakfast, lunch and dinner facing the canal
Café SushiJapanese
Sushi and sashimi prepared in front of guests at the counter
Bridges BarSports bar
Screens for watching games and sharable pub food
Lobby LoungeLounge
At the heart of the lobby, with high ceilings and water fountains
PoolsideLight bites
By the pool and beach: burgers and drinks
Location and surroundings
Getting there
- About 15 min drive (25 km) from Abu Dhabi Airport
- 180 km from Dubai Airport
- About 15 min drive to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Yas Island
- No free airport shuttle; the hotel can arrange a paid car
Nearby
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque · Visible from the beach and some of the rooms. The hotel arranges a private guided tour
- Abu Dhabi Airport · By taxi or a car arranged by the hotel, 25 km · About 15 min
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre · By car · About 15 min
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi · On Yas Island, by car or paid shuttle
- Yas Waterworld · On Yas Island, by car or paid shuttle
- Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi · On Yas Island, by car
- Louvre Abu Dhabi · By car or taxi
- Abu Dhabi National Aquarium · By car or taxi
Good to know
- Check-in from 15:00 and check-out until 12:00. Arriving early? You can leave your luggage.
- At check-in every guest registered in the room presents an original passport or Emirates ID.
- Valet parking is free for hotel guests.
- There is no free airport transfer. The hotel can book a private car for a fee.
- Entry to the pool and the beach is free for hotel guests.
- The VOLT Fitness gym is open daily 6:00–23:00, and there is a separate women's gym.
- The hotel does not accept pets.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Grand Mosque from Fairmont Bab Al Bahr?
Yes. From the private beach, the pool and Creek View rooms you can see Sheikh Zayed Mosque across the canal.
Is there a private beach?
Yes. The hotel has a private sand beach, and beach and pool access are free for hotel guests.
How long is the drive from the airport?
According to the hotel's website, about 15 minutes' drive, 25 km from Abu Dhabi Airport. There's no free shuttle, but the hotel can arrange a paid car.
How many people fit in a room?
In the standard room, 45 sqm, up to 4 guests. In two-bedroom suites, up to 6 guests.
Is it suitable for families with kids?
Yes. There's an indoor children's pool with a splash zone, a private beach and rooms for up to 4 guests.
How far is Yas Island?
About a quarter of an hour's drive. According to Accor's website, there's a paid shuttle to Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld.
What time is check-in?
Check-in from 15:00 and check-out by 12:00. Luggage can be left for early arrivals.
What restaurants does the hotel have?
Eight restaurants and bars, including two restaurants by chef Marco Pierre White (a steakhouse and an Italian restaurant), the Lebanese-Turkish Mazaj, the buffet restaurant CuiScene and Café Sushi.
Is parking paid?
No. Free valet parking for hotel guests.