Best Hotels to Book in Abu Dhabi With Points

Just down the Persian Gulf coast from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, lies the country’s capital, Abu Dhabi. This impressive metropolis is home to more than 1.5 million people and features prominent shopping districts, impressive business centers and the famed Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Resulting from a collaboration with France, Abu Dhabi even has its own Louvre museum that has been lauded as the largest, most visited museum on the Arabian peninsula.

With plenty to do and see in Abu Dhabi, it’s no surprise that the UAE capital has a buzzing tourism industry as well. This city even has adventures for those who prefer to get away from city life. The intermingling mangrove forests and surrounding deserts offer wonderful opportunities to get outdoors and explore the lesser-developed corners of the vast Abu Dhabi emirate.

If you’re dreaming of redeeming your points on a trip to Abu Dhabi, here are a few points properties that we think you should check out!

Marriott

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

When redeeming a stash of points, there’s no shame in adopting the “go big or go home” attitude. For that, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is a perfectly appropriate pick.

This gorgeous, exclusive resort boasts prime real estate along the Persian Gulf with a flawlessly manicured beachfront, access to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, a relaxing spa and six exquisite restaurants to choose from.

Although this multi-building complex is a destination itself, don’t forget to venture outside the walls to explore a bit of the city. This property is located just minutes from the famed Louvre Abu Dhabi—perfect for a break from the gleaming Sun.

A night at this Category 7 property is available from 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi

For travelers who are looking for a proper desert getaway, take a look at Al Wathba. Named for the district where it stands, this luxury resort is located just outside the industrial limits of the city and edges the Al Wathba desert.

It’s a nice balance between privacy and accessibility. At just a 40-minute drive from the airport, it’s still possible to spend as much time in Abu Dhabi city as you wish. However, we recommend spending the majority of your time soaking up the tranquility of the resort, which whisks visitors away to a place reminiscent of a storied Arabian palace. Enjoy the open air and the seamless transition between your cozy room and the wide-open desert.

A night at this Category 6 property is available from 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Cards to Help You Earn Marriott Points

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

One of the quickest ways to earn Marriott points is to open the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card from Chase. Not only do cardholders have the opportunity to earn points on everyday spending, but they also earn automatic Silver Elite status simply for holding the card.

Card members earn 6X points per dollar spent on purchases at Marriott properties and 2X points per dollar spent on all other purchases. With all of these benefits, this card is well worth the $95 annual fee.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

If you want extra benefits without the annual fee, apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card from Chase. You’ll still have access to complimentary Silver Elite status and earn 3X points per dollar spent on purchases at Marriott properties. You’ll also earn 2X points on travel purchases and 1X point on all other purchases.

If you want a quick path to Silver Elite and a decent earning potential without committing to an annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card could be the right pick for you.

Hilton

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

Whether you are a business or leisure traveler, you can’t miss the stunning Etihad Towers: five impressive skyscrapers that punctuate the Abu Dhabi skyline with jaw-dropping design.

Etihad Towers is a complex that houses highbrow shopping centers, ritzy residential quarters, trendy workspaces and unique accommodations, including the striking Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.

This harborfront property features rooms, suites and residences with access to a calming spa, 12 restaurants and bars, all the work and meeting rooms you may need, plenty of space for weddings and events, and unbeatable views from the observation deck on the 74th floor.

This is truly an all-encompassing space for those traveling for business, those hosting an exciting event or those who just wish to relax and unwind.

A night at this property is available from 55,000 Hilton Honors points.

Cards to Help You Earn Hilton Points

Hilton has a long-standing partnership with American Express and offers four different co-branded cards: three personal cards and one business card.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Perfect for business owners on the go, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a card with decent earning potential and plenty of travel benefits. While it comes with a $195 annual fee (see rates and fees), cardholders earn 12X points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases and 5X on other purchases on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.

In addition, this card is an excellent way to jump straight to Gold status. A $195 annual fee is a pretty small price to pay considering that benefit. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade to Diamond status, depending on how much you’re planning on using the card, which is a definite bonus.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is our favorite credit card in the collection and it comes with a hefty $550 annual fee (see rates and fees).

At first glance, it might not seem worth it to splurge on a high-fee card when the bonus points earning potential is only marginally better than the other three cards in the collection. However, when weighing the annual fee against the additional benefits, it might be a good deal if you’re looking to elevate your elite status to Diamond.

Cardholders earn 14X points per dollar spent on Hilton purchases, 7X points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel and cars booked directly through select car rental agencies, and 3X points on all other purchases.

Note that the value of the accompanying travel benefits surpasses the annual fee. As long as you’re planning on using the benefits, this card is well worth it.

IHG

Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi – Yas Island

If you are looking for an extended stay option in Abu Dhabi, one exciting option is Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. Yas Island is perhaps best known for its wealth of amusement parks and entertainment centers including Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld, Yas Mall, Ferrari World and the Yas Marina Circuit, a Formula 1 track at Abu Dhabi Hill.

A stint at the Staybridge Suites would suit F1 fans, those who are working remotely and like to stay in dynamic neighborhoods, and families traveling together for a fun-filled vacation. This property features rooms with full kitchens, self-laundry facilities and complimentary breakfast that is sure to help you and your crew fuel up for a day full of adventures.

A night at this property is available from 22,000 IHG One Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn IHG Points

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Card from Chase is a mid-range card in the IHG collection.

This card comes with an $99 annual fee, but it includes automatic Platinum Elite Member status and earns 10X points per dollar spent at IHG properties on top of the bonus earning rates from your status. You’ll also earn 5X points on all other travel, at gas stations and at restaurants.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Of course, the Premier level card doesn’t suit everyone. If you are an IHG One Rewards member interested in opening a co-branded card but don’t want to bother with any annual fees, then signing up for the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card from Chase could be a better move.

This card comes with automatic Silver Elite status and an opportunity to bump up to Gold Elite once you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year. Additionally, you can earn 5X points per dollar spent at IHG properties worldwide.

Hyatt

Andaz Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi – a concept by Hyatt

If you’re sitting on a stash of World of Hyatt points and you’d like to stay in the Etihad Towers, the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi is an excellent choice for that. Since we’ve already highlighted the Etihad Towers in the Hilton section above, we’d like to point out a different property in another bustling neighborhood: Andaz Capital Gate.

This boutique hotel is housed in Capital Tower, a uniquely designed highrise that leans at a stable yet tantalizing 18 degrees. The property is located adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and just minutes from Zayed Sports City and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

In true Hyatt fashion, this property has its own on-site art gallery and features decor, flavors and vibes inspired by the locals.

A night at this property is available from just 8,000 World of Hyatt points.

Cards to Help You Earn World of Hyatt Points

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential with World of Hyatt, the best way to do that is by—you guessed it—opening up a line of credit.

Cardholders earn 4X World of Hyatt points per dollar spent at Hyatt properties, 2X points on transportation, restaurants, flights purchased directly with airlines and fitness club memberships, and 1X point on all other purchases.

Chase Travel Portal

If you don’t already have points in a hotel program’s currency, you may still have options available. Those with access to Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards can redeem points for many hotels through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal.

Those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve are able to redeem points for 1.5 cents each through the Chase travel portal, while those with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card can redeem points for 1.25 cents each. If you have a no-annual-fee Chase credit card, you’ll still have access to the Ultimate Rewards travel portal and your points will be worth 1 cent each.

Here’s one exciting property (of many!) that’s bookable through the Chase travel portal.

Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel

Flanked by Abu Dhabi’s impressive highrises on one side and an expansive mangrove forest on the other, Anantara Eastern Mangroves is ideal for those looking for an immersive, natural getaway right in the heart of the city.

One of the most unique characteristics of Abu Dhabi is its Mangrove National Park, a preserve that is accessible without having to leave downtown. During your stay at Anantara, take a kayak through the mangroves, enjoy a superb meal and pamper yourself to a quiet moment in the Turkish hammam.

Business travelers will also find all of the facilities necessary to remain plugged in, but we recommend taking a little time to unplug and appreciate the property and its surroundings.

A night at this property is available from 10,800 Ultimate Rewards points.

Cards to Help You Earn Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A consistent favorite of the Chase collection is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offering unparalleled opportunities to earn Ultimate Rewards points and benefit from travel perks. Its hefty $550 annual fee is offset by an annual $300 travel credit, built-in insurance and protections for when you’re on the go.

Cardholders enjoy up to 10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on car rentals purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal and Chase Dining purchases made through Ultimate Rewards, 5X points on flights purchases through the Ultimate Rewards travel portal, 3X points on other travel and dining, and 1X point on all other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If a $550 annual fee just doesn’t sound like a good time, apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card instead. It also charges a more manageable $95 annual fee, which means that this card is ideal for a first-time Chase Sapphire applicant.

You’ll still enjoy some travel benefits as well as the ability to earn 5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, 2X points on other travel purchases and 1X point on all other purchases.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to combining business and pleasure, Abu Dhabi certainly checks all of the boxes. With impressive skyscrapers, beautiful beaches, expansive mangroves, vast deserts and plenty of fun for the whole family, the UAE capital is a destination that can suit any traveler.