Review: Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

This is our review of Park Rotana, a four-star, business-focused hotel close to Abu Dhabi airport, the cruise port, and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Park Rotana isn’t trying to be a luxury resort or a design hotel. Instead, it positions itself as a smart, efficient, good-value option for business travellers — and, increasingly, for cruisers and short-stay visitors who want comfort, space, and convenience without paying five-star prices.

We stayed here for one night as a pre-cruise stay, paying $243 for one night including breakfast for two. We booked direct, which was cheaper than third-party options.

You can also check current prices and availability for Park Rotana via Klook here.

We paid for this stay ourselves; Park Rotana did not know we would be reviewing it.

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

Where is Park Rotana Abu Dhabi?

Park Rotana is located slightly outside Abu Dhabi’s main tourist centres, so this is not a walk-out-the-door-into-the-action kind of hotel.

View from Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

View from the hotel looking Khalifa Park

That said, getting around is very easy. We had a car, but taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, with Yango and Careem both working reliably — rarely more than a few minutes’ wait.

The hotel is around a 20-minute drive to Yas Island (home to Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld, and the upcoming Disney Abu Dhabi resort) and roughly 30 minutes to the Cultural District. If you’re planning time in the city before or after a cruise, this location works well logistically.

The location also has some clear advantages:

  • Next door to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, ideal if you only have limited time

  • Very close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, perfect after a long flight

  • Easy taxi access to the cruise port, making it a strong pre-cruise option

Read our guide of What to Do in Abu Dhabi on a Cruise: Port Stops, Before & After Sailing.

Arrival and lobby experience

Park Rotana Lobby

Upon arrival we were greeted by the bell services who offered assistance with our luggage. We also used valet parking which is free.

The lobby sets expectations immediately. It’s not grand or ornate, but it feels clean, modern, and very corporate. This is a hotel designed to function well rather than impress visually.

Park Rotana Check In

There’s a coffee shop and a comfortable waiting area, and when we visited at Christmas the hotel had added festive touches including a Christmas tree and a gingerbread house display. It softened the space nicely, even though the overall feel remains business-first.

Park Rotana Coffee Shop

Check-in was efficient, professional, and completely hassle-free.

Hotel facilities at Park Rotana

Park Rotana is well equipped, particularly for a four-star hotel. Facilities include:

  • Outdoor swimming pool

  • Childs Pool (Although this was closed)

  • Children's Play Park

  • Outdoor games

  • Well-equipped gym

  • Spa and wellness centre with steam room and sauna

  • Multiple restaurants and bars

  • Business centre and extensive meeting spaces

  • Club lounge (for eligible room categories)

  • Free Parking

Outdoor Games

Everything felt well maintained and clearly aimed at guests who value reliability and convenience over indulgence.

Rooms at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi Twin Room

We booked a twin room, and the first thing that stood out was the size. The room was large by city hotel standards and felt practical and comfortable.

The décor is on the drab side — neutral, safe, and slightly uninspiring — but it’s clean and functional, with everything you’d expect from a solid four-star business hotel.

Beds

Room highlights

  • Plenty of space, with room for an additional pull-out bed if needed

  • Large windows, plus a chair and small table

  • Proper desk area with kettle, welcome treats, and two complimentary bottles of water

  • Kettle with Tea and Coffee

  • Empty fridge (useful if you want to stock your own drinks)

  • TV with a standard international channel selection

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi Kettle

There were plenty of power outlets, although some were awkwardly placed too close to the desk to comfortably fit larger plugs — a small but noticeable annoyance.

Tv and Desk

The beds were excellent: very comfortable, with crisp, premium-feeling linen and a mattress on the firmer side. Air conditioning was also excellent, keeping the room consistently cool and quiet.

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi Bathroom

The bathroom was generously sized, featuring a rainfall shower and a good selection of amenities. Additional amenities were stored in the wardrobe area, along with robes, slippers, and an ironing board.

Shower at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

Dining and bars at Park Rotana

There are several dining options on site, covering everything from coffee to full meals. These include:

  • Coopers Bar & Restaurant - Pub with casual dining and drinks

  • Teatro – a multi-cuisine restaurant

  • Gineget - Buffet setving, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  • ParKafé – Located in the lobby. coffee, pastries, and light bites

Park Rotana Abu Dhabi Dining

We tried the Coopers Bar, which has a distinctly British pub atmosphere. It was lively and sociable, but it is a smoking venue, which won’t suit everyone.

Coopers Bar

Food was fine but unremarkable. We found it mediocre for the price, leaning more towards convenience than quality, and overall it felt expensive for what was delivered.

Coopers Bar Menu

We also had breakfast in the Ginger buffet, which offered a solid, well-rounded selection spanning Western, Indian, Arabic, and Asian dishes, with plenty of choice.

Gingers Buffer

The food was a good selection but the buffet was very busy.

Other dining venues are available, but this is not a destination hotel for food lovers.

Overall thoughts

Park Rotana does exactly what it promises — and does it well.

This is not a luxury or lifestyle hotel, but it offers good value, comfortable rooms, and a very reliable stay. It works particularly well as:

  • A pre-cruise hotel

  • A short city stopover

  • An airport-convenient base with easy taxi access

Would we recommend it? Yes.

If you’re looking for something stylish or atmospheric, look elsewhere. But if you want space, comfort, good beds, strong air conditioning, and stress-free logistics, Park Rotana is a very solid choice at a sensible price point.

David McDonald

As one half of Cruise with Ben & David, I am a huge cruise enthusiast and have sailed on over 30 cruises. On dry land, I am a Head of Design at a digital media company based in London. I have had the opportunity to work with brands such as the Financial Times and The Telegraph.

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