F1 Abu Dhabi - where to stay?

[Raine]

I'm just at the start of planning a trip to the 2011 F1 at Yas Marina.

We were thinking about staying at the Yas Hotel as it looks AWESOME on the telly.

However, I've just been on the hotel's online booking and it's already showing as full for the whole week before and after. I've emailed them to see if that's true.

I've been reading some old PH posts and get the impression that staying in Dubai and driving to the circuit is recommended rather than staying on-site?

Has anyone here actually stayed at any of the Yas Island hotels for a race weekend? I might be asking the wrong forum, as I guess most of you guys live locally and don't need a hotel?

We might only need one night, so maybe it would be better to be close, so we have more time to catch up on sleep (overnight flights the day before and after), but are ALL of the Yas hotels likely to be booked already? Which hotel is best?

Also, how good is the food in the hotels / elsewhere? We eat out a lot so like to find really good quality restaurants when on holiday.

Thanks in advance for any help. I might have more questions as things progress!

[yorky500]

I have visited some of the hotels, but have not stayed there. My guess is that the hotels have already "block booked" a majority of their rooms for the F1 teams and the like coming over during that period.

Dubai is only 45 mins away and you may find you can get a better hotel, however, I am not sure why you need a good hotel/restaurant as you only seem to be coming here for the day judging by your flight itinery?

[6th Gear]

Here is a list of hotels located within close proximity of the Yas Marina Circuit -

Park Inn Yas Island
[e-mail]

Staybridge Suites Yas Island
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/sb/1/en/hotel/auh...

Yas Island Rotana
http://www.rotana.com/rotanahotelandresorts/united...

Radisson Blu Yas Island
http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-abudhabi

Crowne Plaza Yas Island
http://www.crowneplaza.com/h/d/cp/925/en/hd/auhyi?... B-EMEA-Mkt-ME-_-ARE-Abu+Dhabi-Yas+Island-AUHYI-_-crowne plaza hotel abu dhabi yas island&dp=true&_requestid=234424

How long are you in the UAE for? Are you just coming for race weekend?

Edited by 6th Gear on Wednesday 12th January 05:32

Edited by 6th Gear on Wednesday 12th January 05:34

[Raine]

Thanks 6th Gear. I will check out all those hotels.

We're not sure of our plans yet. We might end up catching a Fri overnight flight from London (as it's easier work-wise to leave late Fri night), so will have all day Sat and Sun in Dubai / Abu Dhabi, then will likely be flying on to the Seychelles after the race (we'll be flying Emirates, and all their Seychelles flights are overnight).

Actually, finding a hotel that's offering late check-out might end up being our top priority, if we're tired from the overnight flight!

We want to keep our options open to stay in Dubai a bit longer if we decide to day a day or two exploring, dune buggies, whatever, but the Seychelles is the "real" holiday.

Can anyone remember how much weekend race tickets were last year? I see they're not on sale till April, and no pricing shown yet.

As regards where to sit, someone here on PH (can't remember who) said "South Grandstand Upper. You see 40 seconds+ of the lap through the marina." Does anyone else agree? I'd been thinking about Turn 8 (west grandstand), as it looks quite close to the action, but maybe the south grandstand is better? I've only seen it on TV.

[PhillT]

Can't really help directly, but I've stayed at the Yas hotel a couple of times and wasn't overly impressed. It's like staying in an iPod.

[flow99]

Hotels in Abu Dhabi will be charging a huge premium over the race weekend and most likely insisting on minimum 3 night stays. I was at the Shangri-la prior to the 2009 race and std rack rate was multipled by 5 for several days either side of the race day.

There is limited hotel accommodation in Abu Dhabi, so would suggedt staying at Dubai where there is an abundance of accommodation and driving to Yas each day.

[Dan Friel]

Dubai is only 45 mins away.. and much cheaper.

[6th Gear]

I tend to agree, Dubai is probably the better option. Plenty of hotels on the Marina side of Dubai which will reduce your journey time to aproximately 45mins door to door. If you fancy somewhere special, I highly recommend the One & Only Royal Mirage.

[Stu R]

Dubai is by far the best place to stay IMO.

[Raine]

Brilliant, thanks for all the replies guys.

Dubai it is then. I'll check out the One & Only and see if the budget will stretch to it. :-)

[IanUAE]

There are a couple of Ibis hotels between the Marina and Dubai that are on the more budget end of the hotel prices.

[yorky500]

IanUAE said:

There are a couple of Ibis hotels between the Marina and Dubai that are on the more budget end of the hotel prices.

From the One & Only to Ibis - thats some drop in standard is that hahahaha