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Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi real estate: Residential prices surge 17.3% with strong demand from global investors
Abu Dhabi's residential property market continued its robust growth in Q2 2025, with average prices rising 6.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter to AED1,230 per sq ft ($335), according to Knight Frank's latest Abu Dhabi Residential Market Review. This brings the total annual price growth in the emirate to 17.3 per cent, marking a 31.3 per cent increase since Q1 2020. Apartments led the quarterly gains, climbing 6.8 per cent to AED 1,296 per sq ft ($353), reflecting a 17.3 per cent year-on-year rise. Abu Dhabi real estate prices Al Raha Beach and Al Saadiyat Island were standout locations for apartment price growth, up 11 per cent and 10 per cent respectively since H1 2024. Both areas offer prime beachfront living, with Al Raha Beach benefiting from its proximity to Yas Island's leisure attractions. Villas outperformed over the long term, posting a 3.4 per cent quarterly increase to AED 1,103 per sq ft ($300), with prices up 42.3 per cent since Q1 2020. Villas on Al Saadiyat Island recorded a 28 per cent year-on-year jump, followed by Yas Island with a 22 per cent rise. Villas represent 37.4 per cent of Abu Dhabi's supply pipeline, where demand remains strong due to limited new villa developments and competitive pricing compared to Dubai. Residential transactions reached AED9bn ($2.45bn) in H1 2025, down 36 per cent from H1 2024, reflecting supply constraints despite the delivery of 890 new units. However, more than 33,000 homes are under construction and expected by 2029, with apartments comprising 62 per cent of this future supply. Yas Island leads new developments with more than 8,000 units, followed by Al Shamkha with around 3,000 units. Branded residences by Aldar at Mandarin Oriental and Nobu also bolster Saadiyat Island's pipeline. Knight Frank highlights growing interest from international buyers attracted by Abu Dhabi's lifestyle amenities and business environment. Private capital targeting Abu Dhabi's residential market is estimated at $1.6bn, making it the UAE's second most popular destination after Dubai. Demand from global high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) continues to rise, with 19 per cent intending to purchase property in Abu Dhabi in 2025, up from 14 per cent last year. Particularly strong interest comes from those with wealth between $30m and $50m, where 75 per cent plan to buy, and 65 per cent of those above $50m express similar intentions. Shehzad Jamal, Partner – Strategy and Consulting, MENA, said: 'Some 63 per cent of global high-net-worth individuals interested in buying in Abu Dhabi are doing so for personal reasons; they intend to use the property as their main residence, or holiday home, or for retirement. 'The remaining 37 per cent are investment-driven. For buyers who may have been priced out of Dubai, or who want to diversify their UAE portfolio, Abu Dhabi is increasingly attractive, with average residential prices growing by around 17 percent year-on-year.' With average residential prices approximately 30 per cent lower than Dubai, Abu Dhabi's market offers attractive value for investors and homebuyers amid continued strong demand and limited supply.
The Independent
10-05-2025
- The Independent
10 best hotels in Abu Dhabi for an opulent stay
Until a few years ago, Abu Dhabi 's hotel scene was dominated by soulless business digs – but as the city's tourism prospects have grown, so has its crop of desirable places to stay. Now, in between art-gazing at the Louvre museum, kayaking in Al Thakira mangroves and gawping at the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can retreat to some of the world's most desirable hotel brands, including Anantara, Mandarin Oriental and EDITION. As you'd expect from the UAE, standards are universally high – so how to choose 'the best'? The following hotels combine superb facilities, service and accommodation with a truly unique proposition, whether that's an iconic location, stellar design, or simply excellent value. Some are slap-bang in the centre of the capital, while others occupy the emirate's untouched deserts and coastline – but all are extraordinary. If you want wow-factor on your Abu Dhabi holiday, these are the hotels to seek out. Best hotels in Abu Dhabi 2025 At a glance 1. Jumeirah Saadiyat Island hotel Al Saadiyat Island The moment you step out onto the wide, white sands of Saadiyat Beach, you know you're onto a winner. As well as its own stretch of shoreline, this hotel has so many perks it's hard to keep up: you'll enjoy free access to its top-quality spa facilities (with plunge pools, a sauna, steam and salt rooms), three swimming pools and one of the city's most extravagant breakfast buffets – plus everything from tennis courts and a 24-hour gym, to a free kids' club. All rooms are sea-facing, with private balconies and beautiful marble bathrooms featuring rainfall showers, deep-soak tubs and fancy toiletries by Amouage, an Omani perfumer. Address: Al Saadiyat Island, SDN3, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2. The Abu Dhabi EDITION hotel Al Bateen The EDITION doesn't rely on lashings of gold or dazzling colours for its wow-factor: it's all about stealth-luxury. The kingsize beds with heavenly mattress toppers, the lustrous ferns and hostas at every turn, the gorgeous lighting scheme that changes throughout the day: it's all quietly opulent, and oh-so grown up. Rooms are fabulously spacious, and full of stylish details like monochrome desert photographs and glossy herringbone floors, plus full-size toiletries by New York's Le Labo. After a day poolside (there are two to choose from), sneak behind the velvet curtain into the Library Bar: its cocktail list is as big as a book, with a darkly decadent speakeasy vibe. Al Saadiyat Island Throw open your balcony doors, for views that encompass the turquoise waters and soft sands of Saadiyat Beach, and the gardens of this palatial hotel complete with elegant fountains, swaying palm trees and clouds of pink bougainvillea. Inside, the rooms' emerald and royal blue décor feels fresh and decadent, with proportions to match; the beds, bathrooms and wardrobes are enormous, and housekeeping is flawless. This is the UAE's finest all-inclusive hotel, and every package includes limitless drinks, dining and activities, plus free access to the spa's vast sauna, steam and hydrotherapy suite. 4. Aloft Abu Dhabi hotel Al Rawdah Abu Dhabi's budget-friendly hotel scene isn't as strong as Dubai's, but the Aloft bucks the trend. With its resort-sized swimming pool, rooftop pizzeria and spotlessly clean rooms, it puts Europe's low-cost hotels to shame – and its location is good for sightseeing too (20 minutes' drive from Qasr Al Watan and 10 from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque). The foosball and pool table in the lobby bring a sociable vibe, and you'll be hard-pressed to fault the service. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed for savvy spenders, with mini fridges and a 24/7 grocery store downstairs. Address: Al Khaleej Al Arabi St, Al Rawdah, W59 01, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 5. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara hotel Rub' al Khali Desert It's easy to rave about Qasr Al Sarab's decadent Arabian décor, its two huge swimming pools and its extraordinary location in the Rub' al Khali desert, 2.5 hours' drive from the city. But what really sets this hotel apart is its passion for Emirati wildlife; the surrounding dunes are a protected conservation area, where you'll encounter Arabian oryx and dinky gazelles, and try everything from walking safaris and stargazing to 4x4 buggy rides. Rooms feel cosy and authentic, with antique-style furniture, desert views and scalloped arches over the beds. 6. Al Wathba Resort & Spa hotel Abu Dhabi desert If you can't justify the journey to Qasr Al Sarab, consider Al Wathba instead; its desert location isn't quite as impressive, but it still has that oasis vibe. It looks like an old Emirati village, complete with trickling falajs (streams) and lustrous date palms, albeit one with fine dining and private plunge pools. But the stars of the show are its Arabian horses, who live a pampered life in the hotel's stables (and will gladly snaffle apples from your hand). After a lazy day poolside, saddle up for a sunset ride into the dunes, while your guide spins stories of desert life long ago. Address: Al Wathba South, 56620, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Al Saadiyat Island The Park Hyatt occupies a prime spot on Saadiyat Island's glorious beach, and quick access to its 18-hole golf course. Sure, you could spend your days exploring Saadiyat's museums, Abrahamic Family House and teamLab Phenomena (all of which are less than 10 minutes' drive away), but there are countless reasons to stay put. For starters: the five swimming pools, the deluxe Atarmia Spa, the prime Argentine steaks at Maté Abu Dhabi, and the sundowner cocktails at Shala Beach Lounge. If you're travelling with little ones, there's a free kids' club and children's pool too. Address: Al Saadiyat Island, SDN1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 8. The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton hotel Yas Island What do Batman, Bugs Bunny and the Flintstones have in common? You'll find them all at Warner Bros' hotel on Yas Island, just a few steps from the studio's epic indoor theme park. Every guest gets free daily tickets to Yas's theme parks (including the world's fastest rollercoaster at Ferrari World), and its rooms pay homage to WB's legendary superheroes – with bunk beds and twin beds to accommodate family groups. When they're not hooning around the parks, the kids will love the cartoon-themed activity club and poolside movie screenings. 9. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel Al Ras Al Akhdar This isn't just a hotel, it's an icon – and one so lavish that almost everyone confuses it for an actual Emirati palace. Its gleaming domes and voluptuous archways are a vision of near-perfect symmetry, and its interiors are lavished with gold leaf, marble and crystal chandeliers. Rooms overlook either the city, gardens or sea, with balconies and kingsize beds as standard, and there's even a vegan room with fully plant-based décor and room service. Add a private beach, award-winning spa and 12 dining options – including two with Michelin stars. 10. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers hotel Al Bateen Soaring over the western end of the Corniche, Etihad Towers' five skyscrapers include the Conrad hotel – which features three Michelin-recommended restaurants and two large infinity lagoons, plus a small private beach on a quiet waterway. Spend your days flopping between sunlounger, swimming pool and daiquiris at the swim-up bar, then head up to the 74th-floor observation deck to catch sunset: it's free for guests, and the city-wide views are incredible. Rooms are huge, and service is flawless throughout.
