A staycation sprinkled with more than a little movie magic…

The world’s first Warner Bros. Hotel is now open on Yas Island — located a mere cape-twirl away from the spandex-clad wonderland of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. But it’s more than a launchpad for Yas Theme Park adventures, the hotel comes with an exciting collection of new restaurants and recreational facilities; it plays curator to a museum-load of props and exhibits from Warner Bros.’ vast entertainment dynasty; and with a generous schedule of character visits, it offers kids the opportunity to come face-to-face with costumed heroes

The location

If your staycation priority list leans more heavily on thrill than it does on chill, you’ll struggle to find a better place to temporarily lay your hat, than on Yas Island. And this WB Hotel (full name The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton), is right in the heart of it — minutes away from a trio of theme parks (Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld); Yas Mall and adventure hub, Clymb are just down the road; the stunning collection of new eateries at the Yas Bay Waterfront development are conveniently adjacent; and quite unexpectedly — the hotel’s rooftop bar, The Overlook — offers absolutely stunning sunset views across Yas Links Golf Course, and a green arm of mangrove forest stretching towards the city skyline.

The look and feel

Even before you make it into the lobby, you’re greeted by some pretty august nuggets of reconstructed WB memorabilia. You’ll find the iconic sofa from the opening montage of cult sitcom Friends, Battison’s Batmobile and a collection of luggage from select celluloid-spun characters. Inside there’s a virtual marble mural depicting etched scenes from stream and screen; a spiraling staircase puckering with movie props and celebrity paraphernalia; and an autoplay WestWorld piano bashing out tinny renditions of 90s garage grunge. What’s here is well thought out, the degree of detail and its presentation is extravagant, and there’s plenty to kindle both kid and adult attention. But with a heritage offering so much to draw from (Harry Potter, Sopranos, Mad Max, the Lord of the Rings, the entirety of the DCEU, Tom and Jerry, Buggs and Daffy and Friends to name a few), it feels like there’s space for growth, and we do hope this aspect of the magic does expand.

The facilities

With the frankly sugar-dizzying array of attractions in the point-blank vicinity, there isn’t a huge amount of pressure on the hotel to supply a big range of amenities. But there are actually some absolute crackers on-site, chief amongst them being the pool complexes. The ground level aqua-frolics include a ‘dive-in’ in-pool cinema screen (which was frustratingly stuck cycling the highlight reel of Quacker’s appearances in Tom and Jerry during our stay for some reason) and a swim-up bar. The rooftop infinity pool offers absolutely mesmerising sundowner views. and there’s a well-stocked fitness centre, kids’ club and splash pad.

The rooms

These aren’t the most luxurious rooms, this isn’t a deluxe class hotels, but they’re neat, well-appointed and the entertainment themes are continued with gusto. Each of the 257 keys offering artwork and design finishes fitting in with three separate themes. “From Script to Screen” offers BTS and origin story insights for a range of Warner Bros projects, illuminating the journey from written page to the final shot. “Artist Confidential” showcases a collection of some of Warner Bros. most dazzling talent from both sides of the camera. And “The Vault” theme offers exclusive access to rare images from Warner Bros.’ voluminous archives.

The food and drinks

There are actually five restaurants on the premises, but we’d like to draw special attention to three. As we’ve already mentioned, With a watery perch to ponder the horizon, The Overlook provides some genuinely jaw-dropping moments. The Directors’ Club operates primarily as a steakhouse, and for a theme hotel restaurant really has no business being as good as it is – the prime cut ‘steak flight’ trio is one of our favourite meaty discoveries so far in 2022. Sidekicks is the all day diner and it’s chief menu offering, is character encounters. These are the sorts of experiences — particularly for the younger sets of guests, the ones still capable of suspending disbelief that there’s a man beneath the costume —that are the fuel of forever memories.

The room rates

Based on a room night for two adults and a child, with breakfast — you can get standard semi-flex packages from around Dhs1,000. This price also includes access to one Yas Theme Park for all guests, every night of the stay.

Yas Island. Tel: (02) 815 0000, hilton.com

Images: Provided