Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

★★★★★Qaryat Al Beri, Abu DhabiSpecialist pick

Overview

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri sits on the Khor Al Maqta creek, built around a network of canals with its own souk and abra boats rather than a straight strip of beachfront. With 213 rooms and suites, private villas and serviced apartments, it suits families who want a resort feel without driving all the way out to Yas or Saadiyat.

A private one-kilometre beach, several outdoor pools and a children's pool keep the days occupied, and CHI, The Spa gives parents an escape once the kids are settled. Rooms look onto the canal or, from the right angle, straight at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - one of the better views in the capital. Service is the calm, well-drilled kind you'd expect from the brand.

The beach faces a sheltered waterway rather than open sea, so don't expect Caribbean-blue water - it's calm rather than dramatic, and better suited to floats and paddling than serious swimming. Summer heat pushes most of the action to the pools and abra rides; winter is when the canal walks and gardens actually earn their keep. Being set back from the corniche, you'll want a car for evenings in town.

private beach
canal abra boat rides
on-site souk
sheikh zayed mosque views
chi the spa
multiple outdoor pools
private villas with pools
kids pool and childcare
close to zayed international airport
213 rooms and suites

Rooms

Good to know

Meal plans: Room only · Bed & breakfast
Paid at the hotel: The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
Cancelling: Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow

Eating and drinking

Shang Palace — The hotel's signature Cantonese restaurant, known for Peking duck and dim sum, established as Shangri-La's flagship concept worldwide. Smart rather than casual, but it does take families for a proper sit-down dinner.
Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard — Fine-dining French restaurant that has appeared in the Michelin Guide 2025. This is the one for a couple's night out rather than a quick family meal - book ahead and dress smart-casual.
Sofra bld — All-day dining restaurant with live cooking stations serving Middle Eastern and Asian dishes, open from breakfast through to dinner. The easiest and most relaxed choice with children in tow.
Al Hanah Bar — Lobby-level bar for evening drinks with balcony views over the creek at sunset. Adults only - guests under 21 aren't permitted - so this is one for after the kids have gone up.
Hoi An — Vietnamese restaurant with a modern take on traditional dishes, quieter and more grown-up in feel than Sofra bld. Better suited to older children than toddlers given the pace of service.
Pearls & Caviar — Mediterranean seafood restaurant with an adjoining rooftop bar looking out over the water and the Grand Mosque. Popular for weekend brunch as well as dinner.

Getting there

It's about a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Dubai along the E11, and 15-20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi. Zayed International Airport is close by, roughly 10-15 minutes away, which makes it a sensible first or last night on a longer trip as well as a standalone weekend. Valet parking is available on arrival, and a private transfer is worth arranging if you're flying in rather than driving.

Ask about Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi

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