Abu Dhabi is a vibrant city filled with plenty of attractions you cannot miss, from the cultural and heritage sites to family-friendly spots and magnificent architecture.
Of course, visiting the UAE capital requires booking accommodations, which can be quite pricey. This is a city where luxury stays are de rigueur. But you don’t always have to pay high street prices to stay in some of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi.
You can book accommodations in high-end hotels and still stay within budget. Follow these strategies for scoring the best deals.
Use Comparison Websites
Hotel price comparison websites handle the legwork for travelers. You only need to fill in your travel details and hotel preferences to find prices for each one.
Some comparison websites you can try are Expedia, Hotel.com, Booking.com and Kayak. You’ll notice these websites will show different prices for the same hotels. The varying rates are due to the differing terms and conditions (e.g., prepayment required, non-refundable, etc.) and extras (e.g., breakfast, tours, etc.). Some websites also offer special discounts if you’ve used their platform a number of times as a subscriber.
Join Loyalty Programs
It’s good to be loyal because certain luxury hotels reward your devotion as a guest. Unlike airline loyalty programs that could take years before you can acquire significant points, hotel loyalty programs let you accumulate points faster.
Some of the best hotel loyalty programs include Hilton Honors from HIlton Hotels & Resorts, Wyndham Rewards from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and World of Hyatt from Hyatt. Members of these programs have privileges, such as spa rewards, room upgrades, free nights per year, early check-in and late check-out, and special rates on accommodation, among a host of other benefits.
Look for Package Deals
If you’re not quite ready to commit to certain hotels, you can still enjoy high-end hotel stays by choosing the right package deals. Some deals will be offered by travel agencies and others will be offered by the destination itself, like ‘Stay and Play’ from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This specific package deal combines accommodations at one of the world-class hotels on the island, access to the UAE capital’s most exciting, world-breaking theme parks and free breakfast.
Most package deals will include a mix of discounted rates for hotel amenities and complimentary passage to attractions.
Check for Promotions
If package deals are not yet being offered, some hotels have special promotions. These are typically connected to holidays or other special events.
Some hotels also offer discounts for guests who book more than the usual number of nights. If your visit to the city is going to be longer than a week, check with the hotel about getting a discount for your stay. In some cases, negotiating allows you to enjoy luxury accommodations without breaking the bank.
How do you negotiate?
Firstly, it helps to be polite. Front desk clerks will deal with multiple people and differing temperaments. A kind face and gracious behavior would be more persuasive when you ask if a room upgrade might be possible at check in. Secondly, mention how you prefer their hotel because hotels always welcome customer loyalty. When looking for a good deal on a suite, mention that you’re considering two different hotels with ideal locations and then ask if their hotel might be able to offer a better rate than the two.
If you’re on a business trip, you could ask for the hotel’s corporate rates. The discount on these rates tend to be substantial since hotels want to keep a company’s business.
When it comes to negotiating for better rates, upgrades or extras, it can’t hurt to ask. And if the front desk clerk has no power to say ‘yes’, ask to talk to the general manager or the revenue manager.
Book in Advance
Some luxury hotels offer exclusive discounts for guests who book weeks in advance. HIlton Hotels, for instance, offers a 17% discount when you book a room at least 7 days in advance.
On average, luxury hotels can offer about 22% discount for advance booking.
Travel During Off Season
When you travel during peak season, which is December through March in Abu Dhabi, you can expect big crowds in all of the popular attractions and top hotels in the city. From long queues in the airport to slow-moving traffic, more travelers can mean longer wait times and likely stress.
More people in the city also means higher rates everywhere else. The room upgrade you were planning to negotiate at your preferred hotel may not happen since fewer rooms will be available.
Off season is generally the best time to travel because Abu Dhabi will have fewer visitors. Fewer travelers mean reduced airfares, less traffic, fewer visitors to top attractions and low-season rates in top hotels. Hotel and tourism businesses compete for fewer travelers, so expect discounts and reduced rates when demand is low.
Low season in Abu Dhabi is during summer, between June to August, when temperatures register triple digits and humidity is high. So, if you choose to travel to Abu Dhabi during this time, you always have the option to enjoy the sights at night, when it’s relatively cooler.
If you don’t mind the heat and humidity, you can also explore the UAE capital during daytime. Start early in the day so you won’t have to bear with excessively high temperatures.
Ask About Credit Card Rewards
Credit cards have rewards programs to entice more consumers. These rewards can cover anything from discounts at retail stores and gift cards to cash back on purchases and travel discounts. Some credit cards have partnerships with luxury hotels, so you have an opportunity to get a good deal on a room. Similar to how loyalty programs work, credit card rewards require accumulated points before you can redeem the perks.
Finally, consider flexibility with your travel plans. If you don’t have to travel during peak season then reschedule your bookings. If touring around Abu Dhabi during summer will not work for your family, think about traveling during the shoulder season (i.e., between peak and low season). Shoulder seasons in Abu Dhabi fall between April to May, or September to October. The weather is pleasant enough, but there may not be that many people and rates may not be as pricey as they are during peak season.
Get the Best Hotel Deals
Abu Dhabi is a can’t-miss destination. Big things are happening in the realm of tourism as the city positions itself to become the next luxury wellness hotspot in the world. Expect to see bigger, grander hotels from premium brands.
There’s lots to do and see in the UAE capital city. Make your travel plans now, and work on getting some money-saving deals.
