Review: W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island
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Booking
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is a category 5 hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy program. This means that it costs between 30,000 and 40,000 points.
For my one-night stay, I used a free night certificate obtained with my Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card..
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points to stay for free at over 7,000 hotels worldwide is to be a Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Cardmember (and/or Marriott Bonvoy™ Business American Express® Cardmember).
In addition to the great welcome bonus on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations.
And each year, you’ll earn a free hotel night certificate (35,000 point value) as well as 15 Elite nights towards your Marriott Bonvoy status.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
Alternatively, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points with American Express Membership Rewards credit cards. You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy points at a rate of 5:6 (50,000 Membership Rewards points = 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points).
For example, with the American Express CobaltMD Card, you earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar of purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, bars, convenience stores and home delivery. It is one of the best credit cards in Canada for travellers. Find out why here.
Check out this page for all the welcome offers on cards that earn Marriott Bonvoy points.
Location
The W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island Hotel is located on the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Circuit on Yas Island and is only minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport.
It is a prime location if you are making a short stopover in Abu Dhabi.
Checking-In
Having a rental car, I parked at the free parking lot below the hotel. When I arrived at the end of the day, the light was magnificent.
I enter the lobby which imposes the style of the W hotels.
Next to the lobby is a large bar and a coffee area (roasted on-site, which is rare)!
Forty-eight hours before my arrival, when I checked in, I chatted with the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island front desk through the mobile app chat to get an upgrade due to my Marriott Bonvoy status.
The front desk upgraded my booking to a Fantastic Suite.
I gave my Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card as collateral and to pay for my stay there. With the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card, you earn 5 points per dollar for all your spending at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
This is the best credit card to have if you stay at Marriott Bonvoy hotels frequently.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
W Fantastic Suite
To reach my suite, I cross large corridors overlooking the racetrack. The theme is even printed on the carpeting in the common areas.
The lounge
First of all, the entrance to the suite with a large mirror gives a feeling of space.
The cupboard contains the mini bar and the coffee machine.
There is also a toilet in the entrance hall.
Then the living-room: this one is equipped with a desk integrated into the wall. Note the glossy black tile in the form of a parquet. Very classy!
The room
Let’s move on to the bedroom with a king bed, adjacent to the bathroom.
Here too, the materials chosen are flawless.
The bathroom
Finally, the bathroom is composed of :
- a large shower
- a very nice bathtub
- toilets
- a large dressing room
The terrace
One of the highlights of this suite is the view of the Formula 1 circuit from its terrace. During my stay, there were even test drives, so I had a front-row seat.
And what about the sunset from the bedroom?
The welcome gift
Shortly after my arrival, a welcome gift was delivered to my room: beer and macaroons. That’s what I chose when I registered.
Swimming pool
On the top floor of W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is the swimming pool. And what a pool… which I was able to enjoy as the only guest!
A bar is also located there, all with a beautiful view of the Formula 1 circuit.
Gym and Spa
The gym and spa are on the same level. Let’s start with the gym, which has very nice light.
As for the spa, it has treatment rooms, including this one with a pink bubble bath! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to test it.
Restaurant
When I checked in to the hotel, the receptionist offered me a prize draw on an iPad. I won an appetizer at the restaurant.
So I chose to spend the evening at the restaurant which has a beautiful view of the circuit.
The portions were correct, but the alcohol was not necessarily well proportioned.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, either indoors or on the terrace.
I chose to eat inside, as the temperature was relatively high on the terrace.
The food at the buffet was excellent and varied, and the service was attentive. Since I have Titanium status, this breakfast was complimentary.
Bar
I also took the opportunity to take some pictures of the bar, which must be very lovely in the evening (or during the car racing events)!
If you make purchases in the bars and restaurants of your hotel, do not forget to charge these expenses to your room bill. So you’ll earn up to 17.5 points per dollar based on your Marriott Bonvoy status!
And when you check out, pay with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card to earn 5 points per dollar!
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Bottom Line
The W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is a great option for a short stay in the city in an unusual location on a Formula 1 circuit.
Categorized as a level 5, it is one of the sweetspots of the Marriott Bonvoy program and I, therefore, recommend it if you are visiting the city, before or after a flight. You are ideally located to visit the Ferrari World theme park and not far from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (about 10 minutes drive).
However, if you want to be closer to the other city’s attractions (including the beach and the Louvre Museum), I would recommend another option such as the St Regis Abu Dhabi.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
Go further with Marriott Bonvoy
To maximize your stays and points earning, check our complete Marriott Bonvoy program guide and our best Marriott Bonvoy credit cards ranking. For personal use, see the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card. For business expenses, the Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card earns points on every business purchase. And if a points purchase promotion is running, take advantage via our Marriott Bonvoy points purchase guide.