A weekend at one of Abu Dhabi’s most relaxed waterfront retreats proves that sometimes the best escape doesn’t have to shout about it

Some hotels announce themselves loudly. Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi does the opposite.

Arriving at the property feels less like checking into a hotel and more like slipping into a parallel, slower version of the city. Set on the southern edge of Abu Dhabi along the Arabian Gulf, the resort is framed by a network of emerald-green canals, and the effect is calming and reassuring almost the moment you step through the door. It’s the kind of place that has nothing to prove.

A low-rise retreat with old Arabia charm

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri sits within the wider Qaryat Al Beri waterfront complex, a low-rise development that manages to feel both central to Abu Dhabi life and pleasantly removed from the pace of the city.

The grounds are immaculate, dotted with palm trees and lawns, and the layout encourages slow wandering rather than rushing between wings. Outdoor spaces double as indoor extensions of the hotel, with the Arabesque architecture, arched colonnades, carved stonework and warm sandstone tones lending the resort a sense of old Arabia that feels authentic rather than themed.

The hotel’s standout feature is its outdoor infinity pool – a particular highlight for those staying here. It’s calm, beautifully positioned, and bordered by a gazebo area that catches the last of the afternoon light, making it a compelling spot for sunbathing as the day winds down.

For travellers who want their downtime to extend beyond the pool deck, the chic indoor private beach stretches along the waterfront, offering a wilder, unhurried and rarely crowded alternative. Back inside, CHI, The Spa rounds out the wellness offering with a well-equipped health club, ideal for guests who want to fit in a workout without disrupting the holiday rhythm.

Horizon Club: An extra layer of ease

For guests after a more elevated staycation experience, the Horizon Club membership is worth considering. It adds a particular layer of ease to any stay, including:

  • Evening cocktails from 5.30pm
  • Personalised service throughout the stay
  • Small but meaningful touches that make everything feel properly looked after

The rooms: Arabesque style with waterfront views

The rooms at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri carry through the Arabesque character of the wider property, woven into everything from the soft furnishings to the finer architectural details.

Many rooms enjoy waterfront views from the balcony, and the interiors lean into rich, warm tones – arched detailing, warm colour palettes and considered lighting combine to strike a balance between decoration and calm. It’s a room you’d actually want to spend time in, which isn’t always a given at this price point.

Step out onto the balcony and the city skyline appears in the distance, while the sound of birds drifting through the garden below adds to the sense of escape. It’s one of those rare moments on a short trip where you genuinely stop and take everything in.

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Food and Drink: Canal Cruises, Brunch and Chinese Fine Dining

Food and drink play a starring role in the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri experience, and it’s an area most guests will want to return for again and again.

Each morning, traditional wooden abra boats – the same vessels that have long ferried passengers across these waters – carry guests on a slow, scenic journey through the resort’s canals. It’s a leisurely, picture-perfect way to start the day, with freshly baked pastries, fine cheeses, cold cuts and sandwiches served en route, alongside the abra master’s relaxed take on the property’s history and heritage. It’s the kind of experience that sounds charming on paper, in a brochure-friendly way, but turns out to be genuinely worthwhile in person.

Beyond the morning cruise, dining across the property is anything but an afterthought:

  • Shang Palace brings sophisticated Chinese cuisine to the waterfront, with an impressively wide menu spanning Asian, Arabic and continental dishes — perfect for sharing with space to spare.
  • Hanah Bar, perched on the edge of the water, is the natural choice for an evening drink as the sun goes down.

The Verdict: What makes a stay at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri worth it

What truly sets a stay at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi apart is the texture of the experience – the quality of small moments that linger longer than any single headline feature.

Afternoon tea in the lobby is a particular highlight, offering a rare pocket of stillness that’s easy to miss elsewhere in the city. Architecturally, the hotel rewards slowing down: the longer you spend exploring it, the more it gives back. It’s a property that builds steadily rather than overwhelming guests on arrival, which makes an overnight stay feel surprisingly worthwhile – even just for a weekend reset.

The Details: Prices, packages and booking information

  • Abra Breakfast and Abra Afternoon Tea: AED 699 for up to four people.
  • Staycation packages: from AED 700 per room, per night, onwards.
  • Shangri-La Circle members: enjoy 25% savings across food and beverage outlets, plus complimentary stay benefits.

Where: Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

Contact: @shangrilaabudhabi

Book directly via shangri-la.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri located?

The hotel is located in the Qaryat Al Beri waterfront district on the southern edge of Abu Dhabi, along the Arabian Gulf and a network of emerald-green canals.

How much does a staycation at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri cost?

Staycation packages start from AED 700 per room, per night. The Abra Breakfast and Abra Afternoon Tea experience is priced at AED 699 for up to four guests.

What is the Abra Breakfast experience?

It’s a morning canal cruise aboard a traditional wooden abra boat through the resort’s waterways, served with pastries, cheeses, cold cuts and sandwiches, alongside insights into the property’s history from the abra master.

Does Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri have a private beach?

Yes, the hotel has its own indoor private beach along the waterfront, in addition to an outdoor infinity pool with a gazebo area.

What dining options are available at the hotel?

Highlights include Shang Palace for Chinese, Asian, Arabic and continental cuisine, and Hanah Bar for waterfront evening drinks, alongside the signature Abra Breakfast experience.

Images: Provided