Anyone been to Abu Dhabi

masterbuddy

Hi Guys,

I am going to Abu Dhabi next week, it's a last minute trip I've been asked to go on. I've never been to the UAE before and was wondering if anyone can answer the following for me?

1) What is the shopping like, I'm after mainly clothes shopping e.g, Levi's, GAP etc. Is it expensive? Still the same as the UK?

2) Has anyone been to Ferrari World, is it worth it? I'm really looking forward to going on the world's fastest roller coaster!

3) I'm staying in at Yas Island, does anyone know of any water parks etc?

4) Any good restaurants you can recommend, I really like seafood?

5) Are taxi's expensive?

6) I'm travelling with Eithad Airlines, I've never heard of them. Has anyone got any experiences of them?

7) And most importantly, will I be able to go an alcoholic drink out there?

I look forward to hearing from you more experienced travellers!

V

richardw

6. http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/etihad.htm
7. Don't think you can get alcohol from the shop and drink it in your hotel room, might be hotel bar only.

Also http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g294013-i3754-Abu_Dhabi.html

PompeyPete

6) Etihad is the national airline for the UAE. Abu Dhabi is the hub. If you look on the airline quality website then also look at the link for Airport Quality. It's not a nice place to get stuck, no smoking, but completely ignored. Most groundstaff are from the Asian sub-continent, probably paid peanuts, and completely clueless. But it could have changed, as the airport has expanded.

7) Alcohol isn't a problem, either in the air or in Abu Dhabi (hotels and restaurants).

I visited about 5 years ago to do a course, and thought Abu Dhabi was quite pleasant. It's a lot easier to navigate than Dubai, and didn't have the same bling about it.
Have a look on Trip Advisor.

haveibeendone

masterbuddy wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I am going to Abu Dhabi next week, it's a last minute trip I've been asked to go on. I've never been to the UAE before and was wondering if anyone can answer the following for me?

1) What is the shopping like, I'm after mainly clothes shopping e.g, Levi's, GAP etc. Is it expensive? Still the same as the UK?

2) Has anyone been to Ferrari World, is it worth it? I'm really looking forward to going on the world's fastest roller coaster!

3) I'm staying in at Yas Island, does anyone know of any water parks etc?

4) Any good restaurants you can recommend, I really like seafood?

5) Are taxi's expensive?

6) I'm travelling with Eithad Airlines, I've never heard of them. Has anyone got any experiences of them?

7) And most importantly, will I be able to go an alcoholic drink out there?

I look forward to hearing from you more experienced travellers!

V

I lived in Abu Dhabi for a year in the early nineties and while some of the things you mention like Ferrai world were not there I maybe can help with others.

Shopping was very good as well as in the neighbour Dubai. I did not buy much in the way of clothes but a tailor made a shirt to measure for me that cost a couple of pounds (don't forget 1991). This was from a small tailor in a place called Ruwais. Some of the gold souks are very impressive and some of the malls are staggering.

Outside of Abu Dhabi city there was not much to do except play snooker and drink in the hotel but from your description it seems that they have bulit the place up a lot. You can get duty free when you land at much cheaper prices than UK DF shops. Buy when you land and drink in your room.

In Abu Dhabi city there are the usual high end hotels where you can drink at the bar, restaurant or in your room. Most have clubs attached somehow. There was even an Irish theme pub.This is tolerated (again 1991) but DO NOT get sloshed and decide to go for a walk about or late night shopping trip. The country is very tolerant and as long as you don't abuse it you will be ok.

Ramadam may be around this time so check as lots of things are curtaied in the daylight hours.

The beaches were very good with clear warm waters from the Gulf. Driving was a doddle with very cheap petrol. Desert safaris were another popular option. Cars are (were) limited to 55ish mph by a means that if you exceeded the set limit you got a constant bong bong. You could drive at 100 mph provided you could stand the bong bong and are prepared for a very rough jail if you cause an accident.

Never heard of Yas island. We stayed not far away from Das island which was an industrial oil complex but I suppose they have developed the place a lot. When I was there they were knocking down perfectly good buildings of 3/4 floors to build skyscrapers.

I tried a couple of local restaurants and the food is an aquired taste but generally not bad. All the big hotels have fancy restaurants. We had dinner in the Japanese at the Hilton in the city. There was no McD but there was Wendys and KFC for cheap snacks when the gourmet food got too much.

Eithad is the national carrier of Abu Dhabi in the same way Emirates is for Dubai and while I have not used it I suspect it will be fine.

Lastly the temperatur when I was there was 26-28 at this time of year. In the summer they did hit 45. No crime for you to worry about. When I was there the main crime was employer related (read the Gulf News) but as with everywhere be alert. Credit cards no problem.

Go, drink, eat and enjoy but be sensible. Hire a car and drive to Dubai.

In Abu Dhabi walk down the Corniche (the prom) at sunset along with the locals and in Dubai visit the Creek and then nightclub your heart out.

Pelican_eats_pigeon

I haven't been there for a few years so I can't help with a few of these, Yas Island wasn't really even started back then.

4) If you like seafood, there is one interesting restaurant I can remember called Fishmarket, attached to the Intercontinental Hotel. It basically has a fishmonger's counter at the bar, you pick a fish you like the look of and they cook it for you. Really fresh, good cooking and surprisingly cheap.

5) Taxis are very cheap compared to the UK and seem to be the main method of getting around, though they've apparently introduced a free bus service since I last visited. If you're getting a taxi from the airport take care, they have been known to try and overcharge people, realistic price is 60-75 dirhams.

6) I'm not a big fan of Etihad personally, on the routes I have flown economy seating has been quite cramped (especially on 777s) and cabin crew not particularly service-minded.

7) Alcohol is only available in bars and restaurants that form part of a hotel.

Be careful bringing medicines into the country as quite a number of things that are over-the-counter here are totally illegal to possess there. They are quite stringent about searching arrivals for such substances.