Is Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island right for you? I stayed three nights at the hotel, and here is my honest review to help you make an informed choice for your next vacation!
One of the most beautiful and extraordinary hotels in Abu Dhabi is located on the pristine beach of Saadiyat Island. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort is surrounded by crystal clear water and fine white sand.
An all-inclusive concept, several restaurants, family-friendly housing, and luxurious facilities guarantee a worry-free experience and a relaxing holiday.
Around the resort, you can indulge in nature and the cultural highlights of Abu Dhabi. Just take a taxi downtown and explore the Louvre, haggle your way through the souk, or shop for some souvenirs to take home.
I’ve recently had the pleasure of spending several nights at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort and would like to share my experience here with you.
Location
This resort is your Arabian dream coming to life. Its unique location will make you feel stranded on a deserted island, while the hustle and bustle of downtown is only a 5 minutes taxi ride away.
Saadiyat Island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Abu Dhabi, with turquoise waters and soft white sand.
The resort is only a few steps away from the beach and offers dreamy ocean views and wonderful nature.
If you are an art lover, you should not miss out on the Louvre Abu Dhabi, just 5 kilometers away. If you’re looking for a game of golf, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is also around the corner.
Taxis take half an hour to reach other attractions, such as Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, or Warner Bros. World.
And last but not least, Abu Dhabi International Airport is around 35 kilometers away.
Rooms & Suites
One of the highlights is definitely its impressive architecture.
The palatial resort combines centuries of traditional Arabian culture with its oriental courtyard gardens and extensive water features.
Families will find family rooms and suites, and groups traveling together can take advantage of the connecting room options.
1. Deluxe Room Sea View
I stayed in a Deluxe Room Sea View. With 45 m² it was quite spacious, and I loved the Mediterranean decor with marble floors and mosaic walls.
My favorite part about the room was the amazing view overlooking the Arabian Gulf. I also enjoyed the big plush bed, the freestanding bathtub and overall the open and comfortable feeling of the room.
Pool & Beach
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort offers three outdoor swimming pools and a kids pool.
You’ll find comfortable sunbeds to relax and can choose between staying close to the pool bars or finding a more private space further away.
The resort is located directly at the gorgeous beach of Saadiyat Island. Guests can enjoy the soft white sand on lounges, hammocks, and sunbeds or take a dip in the crystal-clear water.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try several different water sports at the beach.
Beach Bar
Watch the waves while enjoying a cool drink or even a cocktail at the beach bar. Drinks at the beach are also included in the all-inclusive concept.
Wave Pool & Aqua Park
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort is also an amazing place for a family holiday.
Kids will especially love the shallow wave pool and aqua park, with endless possibilities to play, make new friends, and get rid of some energy.
The Rixy Kids Club is fully supervised and the perfect opportunity for parents to enjoy some time alone, while their offspring is entertained and happy.
Wellness & Spa
One of the highlights at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort is definitely the spacious Anjana Spa in traditional hammam style.
The luxurious facilities perfectly combine Turkish hospitality and Moroccan beauty.
Enjoy a relaxing treatment featuring only natural ingredients, oils, and aromas. Or take advantage of the pool, jacuzzi, steam room, traditional Turkish hammam, sauna, and snow room.
A little hint for everyone looking for some tranquility and relaxation: There’s also a smaller outdoor pool at the spa area that most guests seem to overlook.
Most of the time, I had the pool all to myself. It was extremely quiet with no kids – just the perfect place to relax or finally finish that book you’ve wanted to read for a long time.
Gym & Sports Club
Don’t worry too much about any extra all-inclusive pounds you might bring home from your holiday.
Fortunately, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort features an amazing sports club where you can choose from various indoor and outdoor activities.
How about Aqua Fitmat, Paddleboard, or several other non-motorized water sports? Or maybe you’d prefer a round of tennis or a private fitness lesson with one of the personal trainers?
Of course, there’s also a well-equipped gym with high-end machines for cardio and weight lifting.
For hotel standards, the gym is extremely spacious, and you’ll definitely find everything you need for a perfect workout.
Restaurants & Bars
Make the most of your all-inclusive experience at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort and try out several of the amazing restaurants.
Whether you prefer a romantic dinner with a sea view, a family meal from the buffet, or a healthy snack at lunchtime – the resort caters to all tastes and preferences.
Turquoise Restaurant
Turquoise Restaurant is the perfect place to try several different flavors and dishes in just one day.
The restaurant offers an open buffet with a wide selection of international dishes.
People’s Restaurant
People’s Restaurant is the perfect place for you if you’re in the mood for a casual and light lunch.
Enjoy a refreshing drink or a yummy salad while soaking up the tropical vibes.
Mermaid – Mediterranean cuisine
Treat yourself to a luxurious dining experience at Mermaid Restaurant.
Enjoy a nice variety of seafood à la carte while listening to live music near the beach.
L’Olivio – Italian cuisine
L’Olivio Restaurant offers Italian cuisine à la carte.
You’re gonna love the traditional soul food, featuring all the different flavors of Italy.
Aja – Asian cuisine
At Aja Restaurant, you can experience world-famous traditional Japanese cuisine at a live Teppanyaki station.
Enjoy a true Asian-style dinner in an amazing location.
Lobby Lounge
Your all-inclusive adventure starts in the hotel lobby.
The Lobby bar welcomes guests with an assortment of tea, coffee, cookies, and snacks.
You can also relax in the comfortable outdoor seating area with a nice view and water features across the resort.
Orient Bar & Lounge
Don’t miss out on the signature cocktails at Orient Bar & Lounge – crafted with love by the talented mixologists of Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort.
Even better: Enjoy your drink with an amazing view from the bar’s terrace.
From here, you can also watch the live music performances taking place at Lobby Lounge every night.
Things to do near the Hotel
There’s so much to explore around Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort. So make sure you’re not missing out on Abu Dhabi’s highlights.
Nearby attractions include:
- Louvre Abu Dhabi: 56 minutes by foot or 8 minutes by car;
- Corniche Abu Dhabi: 13 minutes by car;
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: 26 minutes by car;
- Yas Mall: 18 minutes by car;
- Observation Deck at 300: 22 minutes by car;
- Mangrove National Park: 23 minutes by car;
- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: 19 minutes by car;
- Marina Mall Abu Dhabi: 21 minutes by car;
What I loved
I had an absolutely amazing experience. To be honest, there’s actually nothing I did NOT love about this wonderful resort.
I’ll still go ahead and try to point out some highlights for you, starting with what’s most important: The staff was absolutely wonderful, extremely attentive, and just overall very kind and helpful.
I obviously enjoyed the excellent food as well. There were so many restaurants to explore and so many cuisines to experience. It was definitely hard to choose and I could’ve spent hours just indulging in the different flavors.
Everything was high-quality with fresh ingredients. And you could just taste all the love and effort the amazing chefs at the resort put into their cooking.
The spa was one of my favorite places at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort. The treatments are absolutely divine and I recommend you make the most of it during your stay.
Last but not least I absolutely loved the gym and the varied sports program. I had a lot of fun trying out different activities, and the amazing trainers gave me all the motivation I needed to stay in shape.
If you’re looking for a truly unique and luxurious experience in Abu Dhabi, I can definitely recommend Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Resort one hundred percent.
Disclaimer: I was a guest at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi. My opinions, as always, are solely my own.
- About the Author
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Tim Kroeger, founder of Universal Traveller, is a Luxury Wellness & Active Travel Specialist with over 15 years of experience exploring the world.
Through his work with leading luxury hotels and travel brands, Tim helps connect premium travelers with exceptional experiences. His expertise spans hospitality trends, digital nomad lifestyles, and luxury bikepacking, combining adventure travel with comfort and style.
