InterContinental Abu Dhabi by IHG

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside Arabic, Spanish, French, Hindi, Russian, Tagalog and Urdu. That matters when you are checking in with luggage, arranging a table or trying to explain exactly what you need after a long day in the heat. The setting is polished and sizeable, but the practical appeal is straightforward: beach, pool, restaurants and spa all sit within the same property.

InterContinental Abu Dhabi by IHG suits a couple wanting a proper base in the capital, as well as families who need room to spread out and services that do not require a separate expedition. The hotel combines an urban location with a private beachfront, so you can spend the morning in Abu Dhabi and be back beside the water without turning the afternoon into a transport exercise.

The hotel stands on King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street in Abu Dhabi, directly beside a small private lagoon beach. Sun loungers and parasols are set out on the beach, while the property also has its own private marina. This is a shoreline setting, but not an open-ocean beach stretching into the distance; the lagoon is compact and enclosed.

Downtown Abu Dhabi is about a 10-minute drive away, with the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre around 20 minutes by car. The Nation Towers are roughly 1 mile away, Abu Dhabi Breakwater about 0.8 miles, and Heritage Village around 1.1 miles. Corniche Beach is about 1 mile away on foot, while The Nation Riviera Beach Club is also about 1 mile away.

Zayed International Airport is around 18 miles from the hotel, with the drive taking about 23 minutes in the stated conditions. The concierge can arrange tours, and car hire is available if you want to cover more of the capital under your own steam.

The standard rooms are generous enough for a proper stay rather than merely a place to leave a suitcase. Garden-view options keep the outlook inward and calmer in character, while sea-view rooms open towards the Arabian Gulf or the hotel's shoreline. If the view is part of the reason for coming to Abu Dhabi, choose accordingly; the difference is visible from the room, not just on the booking page.

A Classic King Room with Sea View works for a couple and can accommodate a third guest, while twin rooms make more sense when sharing without negotiating who gets the larger half of the bed. Families and small groups have suite options, including one-bedroom layouts and larger sea-view suites. The Presidential and Royal Suites are in another league for space, with room to separate sleeping, sitting and getting ready without performing a daily game of luggage Tetris.

Rooms use modern interiors, luxurious furnishings and marble bathrooms. Air conditioning is available throughout the hotel, which is useful when the Abu Dhabi heat has followed you back indoors. The beds have drawn particularly strong praise for comfort, and the combination of Gulf or skyline views with a properly sized room gives you somewhere to recover rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

Eight restaurants give you more choice than most divers need in a single week, but it is a useful problem to have when the alternative is another taxi. Chamas Churrascaria serves Brazilian cuts of meat, Byblos Sur Mer works through Lebanese specialities, and Porto Gina takes the Italian family-restaurant route. Belgian Cafe handles old-world favourites, while Cho Gao Marina Walk brings pan-Asian flavours to the table.

Fishmarket focuses on fresh seafood with a Thai twist. Selections is the all-day restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with views towards the beach and marina from almost every table. Breakfast is available in continental and buffet form, so you can keep things quick or sit down properly before heading out.

For the liquid part of the operation, the Piano Lounge serves wines, cocktails and coffee. There is also a bar, a snack bar and room service, giving you options when you want something uncomplicated rather than a full restaurant performance. Special-diet menus are available on request, and breakfast can be taken in your room.

The large outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace give you an easy place to spend an afternoon without committing to a programme. The private lagoon beach adds loungers, parasols and direct access to the water. There is a marina as well, while water-sports facilities are available on site for guests who want to do more than move between shade and refreshment.

The spa is the useful part after several days of heat, travel and general human maintenance. Treatments include massage, facials, hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, mud baths and body wraps, with a relaxation lounge for the period when standing up feels unnecessarily ambitious. Couples can book a couples massage, while head, neck, back, foot and full-body massages cover the usual post-holiday complaints.

The fitness centre includes fitness facilities, a sauna and spa changing rooms, and a personal trainer is available. Tennis courts and tennis equipment add an option for a little movement, while evening entertainment, live music and broadcast sports provide something to watch when you have already had enough sun. Families also have an indoor play area, outdoor play equipment and babysitting services.

Check-in starts from 15:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. The minimum age for check-in is 18, and identification such as a passport, UAE identity card or UAE driving licence is required on arrival. Children of any age are welcome; children aged 12 and over are treated as adults for the hotel's occupancy rules.

Cots can be requested for children aged two and under, while extra beds can be requested for guests aged 12 and above. Availability depends on the accommodation selected, so choose the room with the sleeping arrangements in mind rather than leaving the arithmetic until arrival. Pets are not allowed, and cash is not accepted at the property.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Private parking is available on site, including valet parking, and no reservation is needed for the parking. A 24-hour reception, express and private check-in or check-out, luggage storage, currency exchange, an ATM, concierge service and a tour desk keep the practical side covered. Car hire, laundry, dry cleaning and a business centre are also available.