Weekend retreat: Abu Dhabi EDITION

It’s official: the luxurious new Abu Dhabi EDITION by Ian Schrager is scheduled to open tonight.  Designed to be a warm, contemporary five-star escape, the exclusive waterfront oasis  on the Al Bateen peninsula is already a city landmark, embodying the hotelier’s nuanced aesthetic and the Abu Dhabi’s new urban landscape.

‘It’s about an attitude, about a feeling rather than a look’, Schrager says. ‘Sophisticated public spaces, finishes, design and details serve the experience, not drive it’.

Designed with 198 guest rooms and suites, as well as 57 exclusive residences, the view on arrival is the distinctive and memorable exterior, reminiscent of the lateen sails of the traditional Dhow boats that the region was once famed for building. With interiors created by Ian Schrager Company and Wimberly Interiors, the five-storey lobby contains a dramatic, curved atrium with a sinuously shaped balustrade, echoing the movement of the water and mirroring the marine narrative of the development.

The lounge area features a large-scale kinetic art installation In 20 Steps designed by the world-renowned art collective Studio Drift , produced by Czech glass company, Lasvit. The installation pays tribute to evolution and humanity’s desire to fly, spanning across the whole length of the space above the lounge and is made from a number of glass cylinders, each connected by metal joints and suspended from the ceiling by a series of strings that enable the artwork to move.

Below, the vast lobby contains two signature armchairs by local designer, Latifa Saeed inspired by the distinctive way Emirati children braid their hair. The guest reception is flanked by a feature, brass-clad desk and the surrounding walls are ensconced with gold leaf, gently washed with a delicate light to create a sense of superior warmth and welcome to guests.

The guest rooms, suites  and exclusive residences featuring a neutral palette and boast sweeping views over the surrounding water, each room features photography by the twentieth-century photographer Brett Weston. The photographic selection displays Weston’s masterful skill at manipulating photos of sand dunes to create sinuous lines and sensuous forms which references Abu Dhabi’s surrounding environment.

Grey oak herringbone timber flooring draws inspiration from local basket weaving techniques, whilst beautiful timber panelling adorn the walls, enhancing a feeling of calm and tranquillity. Signature imported linens are used throughout the guest rooms, whilst the bathrooms are finished in white marble, detailed in contrasting antique bronze, for a modern bathing experience with custom-scented Le Labo amenities as standard. Guestroom balconies take in the beauty and serenity of the Marina views and feature sleek, sophisticated outdoor furniture by Gandia Blasco.

The “prow”, or point, of the hotel, reminiscent of the prow of a boat protruding out over the water is the location of the property’s penthouses – the Marina Penthouse and the Royal Penthouse. Both penthouses feature panoramic views over the water on two sides as well as a large, private balcony. Each penthouse contains a large bedroom with six-fixture bath and soaking tub, whilst the lounge area contains a living room and dining area where meetings are conducted and guests are entertained.

And the dining experiences are just as exceptional. The hotel’s three signature restaurants were created by world renowned chef Tom Aikens, famed for being the youngest chef to ever have been awarded two Michelin stars.  Guests will find Market at EDITION, the Oak Room, the Library Bar and Alba Terrace. At night, ANNEX and the Den offer lively escapes.

For more information about The Abu Dhabi EDITION, please visit www.editionhotels.com