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The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · Ritz-Carlton · High Luxury
Set on 57 acres along the ancient Khor Al Maqta waterway, once the principal sea approach to Abu Dhabi island, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal opened in 2013 with ten Venetian-inspired buildings arranged in a crescent around a 1,600 m² outdoor pool. Its position delivers direct sightlines to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the world's third-largest mosque, visible across the creek.
- 506 rooms
- Opened 2013
- Neighborhood: Grand Mosque District
- Rooms from 452 sq ft (42 m²)
- Architect: Otak
- Interiors: SFA Design
About The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
- The resort's 1,600 m² central pool is one of the largest outdoor hotel pools in Abu Dhabi; the ten buildings were modelled on Venetian Renaissance palazzi, making this the only overtly Venetian-themed luxury resort in the UAE.
- Khor Al Maqta, on which the resort sits, was historically the only sea-level passage into Abu Dhabi island from the mainland, the causeway and bridge now crossed by tourists were preceded by centuries of boat crossings at this exact point.
- The resort restaurant Mijana, serving Lebanese cuisine, is a MICHELIN Guide selection, one of a small number of Middle Eastern restaurants in the Abu Dhabi guide.
History
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is a luxury waterfront resort inspired by Renaissance and Venetian architecture with Arabian design touches, consisting of 10 stately buildings in a crescent formation around one of Abu Dhabi’s largest pools. Nestled on 57 acres of lush gardens along Al Maqta Creek, it offers views of sunrises over the creek and sunsets illuminating the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Just 20 minutes from the airport, it blends modern elegance with rich Middle Eastern traditions.
Set on 57 acres along the ancient Khor Al Maqta waterway — once the principal sea approach to Abu Dhabi island — the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal opened in 2013 with ten Venetian-inspired buildings arranged in a crescent around a 1,600 m² outdoor pool.
The setting
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal occupies 57 acres along Khor Al Maqta creek in the Al Maqta Area, commanding uninterrupted views across the water to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — reachable in 11 minutes by taxi. Inspired by Renaissance Venice, the resort's ten buildings are arranged in a crescent around one of Abu Dhabi's largest outdoor pools, with a private beach framing the canal's historic edge — this waterway was once the principal approach to Abu Dhabi island. The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi is 29 minutes by taxi. Within a cluster of landmark properties along the creek, the resort's scale, garden privacy, and mosque backdrop make it one of the most distinctly Abu Dhabian settings for a luxury resort.
Restaurants and bars
- The Forge — Restaurant · Steakhouse
- Li Jiang — Restaurant
- Mijana — Restaurant · Lebanese
Experiences
- Signature Impact Experiences: Planting for the Future — Group guests can plant trees and clean the Eastern Mangrove area of invasive plant species that threaten the mangroves' survival.
- Impact Experiences — On-property activities during conference breaks, including preparing regionally adapted dishes for a hunger relief organisation, assembling school supplies in backpacks, assembling emergency preparedness kits, and designing cards for children in a local pediatric facility.
Amenities
- spa
- beach
- outdoor pool
- fitness center
- hammam
- butler service (villas)
- kids club
- Sauna
- Private beach
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Recommended (2026)
- Green Key certified
- MICHELIN Guide selection (Mijana)
Open The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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