Arrival/Check-in: After a busy day of meetings in Dubai, I planned to remain there and catch my flight on Etihad Airways in the morning. Abu Dhabi Airport is so close to Dubai, a car can get you there in about an hour. At the last minute, some colleagues convinced me to try the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi so I would be only minutes away for my morning flight to JFK. I mention this so everyone understands how close Abu Dhabi is to Dubai and that this is an option when traveling to the U.A.E., even if most of your meetings are in Dubai.

As I arrived at the hotel, I was impressed with the amount of glass making up the structure and the imposing lobby with its high, vaulting space. My bags were taken and a friendly front desk clerk showed me to my beautiful room.

Guest Quarters: The room was a lovely suite with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the Corniche; there were windows in every direction. The bathroom was most impressive with a large soaking tub overlooking the Gulf and a separate shower, double sinks and enough room to start a small business. There were turtles everywhere to promote their “Joey” sea turtle environmental initiative. Some were rubber like a rubber ducky (near the tub) and others were stuffed and cuddly. I snatched these up and returned with them for my Dalmatian; I sent a picture to the hotel, and they placed it on their Facebook page to help with the initiative.

The large bedroom contained a king-sized bed flanked with decorative end tables, a desk and chair, a sofa with a small table, and an ultra-modern chair. The room was classy but modern and functional.

Services/Amenities: The bathroom had all the amenities one desires, from a vanity kit to cotton swabs to Jumeirah-branded luxury shampoos, bath soaps and moisturizers.

I had dinner at Quest on the 63rd floor with a spectacular view in the evening of the Abu Dhabi skyline, the Arabian Gulf and the Corniche. The cuisine is Pan Asian and offers Chef Benjamin Whatt’s fusion creations from different areas of Asia in a unique presentation. The Champagne Trolley serves a fine selection of French Champagne — a great idea every hotel should have. Guests can order the best by the glass. Bravo, Quest and its team!

The Experience: A fantastic addition to the Jumeirah collection, this is their first hotel in Abu Dhabi and it is a winning, must-go property. My only regret was that I did not have enough time to hit the Lobby Bar, which is hip and cool and includes a cigar menu, and the Talise Spa. There’s always next time!

GT Checklist

• Doorman/valet
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Separate tub and shower
• Large vanity
• High-quality towels
• Powerful, unattached hair dryer
• High-quality bed linens
• Large, flat-screen television
• Large desk with convenient outlets
• Large, complimentary laptop safe
• Complimentary in-room WiFi
• Complimentary bottled water
• Stocked minibar
• Ample lighting
• In-room coffeemaker
• Iron and ironing board
• On-site restaurant and bar
• 24-hour room service
• State-of-the-art fitness center

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

West Corniche
P.O. Box 111929, Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
tel 971 2 811 5555
jumeirah.com