Abu Dhabi didn’t just meet our expectations—it crushed them, bench-pressed them, and flexed in the mirror afterward. From the moment we walked into The Abu Dhabi Edition, we felt like royalty. And not just any royalty—think “moved into a palace, handed a golden scepter, and showered with gifts”-level royalty.

First Impressions: Bellhops or Bodybuilders?

Our first welcome committee? A group of men who looked like they had just finished competing in the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding competition. Seriously, if they had told me they moonlighted as bodyguards, I wouldn’t have blinked. But despite their polished physique, they were unbelievably kind, helpful, and made sure every bag was handled with care.

The check-in team greeted us with warm smiles and, more importantly, candy. Yes, they strategically wooed the kids with multiple visits to the candy bar, and honestly, me too.

A Room Upgrade Fit for Royalty

Our room? Massive. And to top it off, they had gone the extra mile to make it feel like home—literally. There were framed family photos from our other Edition hotel stays, which was such a thoughtful touch. But Maddie’s setup? So perfect. A custom bed area complete with a tent and cozy surprises, making her feel like she was on the most luxurious camping trip of her life. By this point, it was late, and we were starving, so we beelined straight for The Oak Room, a Michelin-starred steakhouse. And let me tell you, this wasn’t just a good steakhouse—it was a full experience.

The Oak Room: Where Meat Gets the Red-Carpet Treatment

First of all, they have a meat sommelier. That’s right, a person whose sole job is to share the array of aged and marbled steaks and ensure your steak is perfect. On top of that, they offer a special selection of salts, sauces, and mustards to pair with your meal. Who knew steak needed its own entourage? And the cocktails? Insanely creative. More on that later because we definitely had more cocktails.

Stuffed and happy, we ended the night with a perfect turndown service, we slipped into bed with the comfort of knowing tomorrow had more Edition-level surprises waiting for us.

Breakfast, Surprise Ceremonies, and a VIP Backstage Pass

The next morning, we had a leisurely breakfast on the terrace—think perfect avocado toast, fluffy French toast, and dreamy lattes—before meeting Katrin in the lobby for the official Edition Passport Ceremony.

And just when we thought things couldn’t get better, the team surprised us with something we’ve never done before—a behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel.

We ventured deep into the “back of the house”, a maze of hallways where the magic happens. We saw:

✔️ Inspirational quotes to keep the team motivated

✔️ The quick-connect wall where staff sync with the GM

✔️ The kitchen, where Michelin-star meals come to life

✔️ The walk of fame, showcasing the team’s achievements

✔️ And my absolute favorite—the cocktail lab

Yes, they have an actual cocktail lab, complete with a centrifuge that turns any cocktail completely clear. Imagine sipping a crystal-clear Piña Colada or Manhattan—your brain says water, but your taste buds say whoa.

From Pizza Tossing to Dune Bashing: The Ultimate Day Continues

For lunch, the team took us poolside to make homemade, wood-fired pizzas from scratch. Let me just say—throwing a pizza dough looks way easier than it is. But after some questionable spinning and almost launching dough into the pool, we successfully created and devoured some of the best pizza ever. The team even set up a little scavenger hunt for the kids to get to know that hotel better!

Then it was time for adventure. The hotel arranged a desert excursion, and we were off on an evening of wild fun, including: Dune bashing – a.k.a. off-roading through massive sand dunes in a Toyota Land Cruiser. (Imagine a rollercoaster, but in the desert.) Sandboarding – like snowboarding, but with way more sand in your shoes. A desert show – featuring falcons, dancing, and an incredible dinner with a postcard-worthy sunset.

We came back exhausted, exhilarated, and covered in sand, which is how you know it was a great time.

Cocktail Science & a Late-Night Challenge

The kids crashed, but Robbie and I weren’t done yet. We headed to the Library Bar for a creative cocktail session. Two drinks in, we threw down a challenge:

💡 Create an “Edition Passport” cocktail using ingredients from every continent.

Our bartender nailed it. Twice. He’s now on a mission to perfect the recipe, so hopefully, we’ll be able to share it soon.

As the night wrapped up, Robbie and Max headed to the airport, and Maddie and I crashed. And after the fastest sleep ever, we were up at dawn for our own early flight—wishing we had booked two more weeks.

Final Thoughts: 10/10, No Notes.

All of this happened during F1 week, their busiest time of the year, and yet the team made us feel like we were the only guests in the hotel. The generosity, the attention to detail, the thoughtfulness—it was truly unmatched.

Would we go back?

In a heartbeat.

Would we book for longer next time?

Absolutely.

Would we challenge the bartender to another wild cocktail experiment?

You already know it.

Until next time, Abu Dhabi. 🏆💛