0.3 business
Address:
Electra st pob, Po box 46066 tourist club area
, Abu dhabi , United arab emirates
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Lonely Planet review
- Jenny Walker
- Lonely Planet author
Not entirely warranting its top dollar billing, Le Meridien is nonetheless a relaxed and comfortable (if somewhat odd) hotel. Conveniently situated near Abu Dhabi Mall and the rest of the commercial district, it also boasts a piece of beach, tennis courts and a large fitness centre.The words 'quirky' and 'eclectic' spring to mind in describing Le Meridien's odd blend of French Art Nouveau and Arabic kitsch. With a majlis (Arabic tented seating area) and Moroccan fountain in the foyer, French bijoux lights dangling from the ceiling, and glass motifs that are more retro than nouveau, the guest may well forget that this is no-nonsense Abu Dhabi. The disorientation continues in the garden with an American sports bar, Turkish restaurant, French bistro and Thai cocktail bar. A bouncy castle takes pride of place on a patchy lawn, strolling bands of Filipino minstrels strum rock and roll, portable TV sets broadcast French news, and parrots squawk back in Arabic. These may all sound like negatives, but it has to be said that in a modern city with not too much history or character of its own, it's quite refreshing to come across a hotel that has both in heaps.
