Having spent a lot of time in Rixos the Palm, we were so excited for a staycation in their sister property located in Abu Dhabi : Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island. Similar in concept, Rixos Premium Saadiyat is also all-inclusive and very much family friendly. We packed our bags and drove down to Saadiyat Island one weekend early February, to review the resort with the family.
Here’s what to expect, if you are planning a staycation in Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island.
Where is Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island?
Saadiyat Island is an island situated in Abu Dhabi. You can drive to Saadiyat Island – it is about an hour’s drive from Dubai Marina.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat sits on Saadiyat Beach, where a row of other 5-star resorts lay. Here you’ll find St Regis, Rotana, Rixos, and then Park Hyatt.
To check rates at Rixos Premium Saadiyat
Have a look on Agoda.com
Does Rixos have a private beach? How is Saadiyat Beach like?
Personally, I think Saadiyat Beach is absolutely stunning. Soft white powdery sand, crystal clear water. When the sun is up, the water close to shore is turquoise, reminiscent of the sea in Mauritius.
Unlike the resorts along the Palm Crescent in Dubai, Saadiyat is in fact a public beach. You can walk from one end to the other, passing by all the resorts. The sunbeds are of course for use of in-house guest only.
For those of you who are wondering (I had to google this too) – Saadiyat is a natural island. Surprise, surprise! Check out Wiki’s article on Saadiyat Island, here.
Just look at the beach at sunset. Gorgeous.
What room type did you stay in Rixos with the family?
We stayed in Rixos’ two bedroom family room with pool access, king bed in one and twin beds in the other. Note that we are a family of 5 – kids are ages 2, 4 and 6. They also added a rollaway bed in the main room.
This suited us perfectly, for the following reasons :
- On Ground floor, which is the same level as Pool & Beach. Easy access with minimal use of lifts.
- Our room was very close to the main dining hall Turquoise where buffet breakfast is served. Lunch and dinner is also served there (to add, there are other options)
- Semi-private pool outside the rooms, so we could jump in anytime we wanted (shuts at sunset!)
- Quick trek to the main pool, and not so far away from the beach access
See other room types on Rixos’ website, here.
Whichever room type you end up at – make sure you figure out all the ‘in-building’ shortcuts. We spent the first two days taking the long routes outside, when we could have easily cut through the building indoors!
Book Rixos Saadiyat’s UAE Resident Offer here.
What are the restaurant and bar options in Rixos Premium Saadiyat?
Breakfast is served in Turquoise, their all-day dining buffet restaurant. It’s a huge restaurant with an extensive spread. They do have outdoor seating which does get filled up quite quickly! It’s a nice spot to be at, as the kids can run around on the large lawns beyond.
For lunch, you can either :
- go back to Turquoise ;
- head to People’s Restaurant situated to the side of the main pool overlooking the beach further beyond (Recommended, for a change of scenery & ala carte dining) ;
- Aqua Bar by Rixy Kid’s Club also serves light bites like sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit bowls after 12pm ; and
- Rixos allows in-room dining as part of their all-inclusive package for kids only. That way, if the little ones are tired and don’t want to leave the room after a morning at the pool and beach, you can order room service. Isn’t that great?
For dinner, other than Turquoise, Rixos also has 3 other ala carte restaurants.
Note that this is included in your package IF you are staying for a minimum of 3 nights. This is L’olivo, Mermaid and Aja. We did the teppanyaki at Aja one evening – which I will do a separate post on.
How is the kids club and activities?
We spent quite sometime in Rixy Kid’s Club during our staycation. Drop off is 4 years old, and they do offer a babysitting service for younger ones which is chargeable.
As big fans of Rixy Kids Club in Dubai, we were looking forward to the one in Rixos Saadiyat. I would say that their timetable isn’t as full-on as what Rixos the Palm had to offer, but it was good enough for us during our short trip.
The girls did a lot of quiet time colouring. The toddler room is nice and big which the younger two played in.
They do have 2 sport activities for kids during the day – the girls joined in on the trampoline jumping on the first day. Note that this is done in their sports corner which is a short walk from the main pool.
They also have one culinary activity a day – which they did participate in – cupcake decorating on one, and waffle decorating on the other.
The highlight was the disco at night and magic show after. So many kids, so late night, it was so much fun for our kids! Guess what, their kids club shuts at 11pm! I think Rixy Kids Club(s) are the only ones that shut so late at night 😉
Is there a waterpark as well in Rixos Saadiyat?
Well this came as a surprise – they have their own mini aquapark next to the Kid’s Club. We were there early February so it was still cold, and the water was a tad chilly but that didn’t stop the girls from using the slides and running around.
There is also a nice wave pool, but unfortunately it was too cold for us when we were there. Would be nice if the water was temperature controlled…..
What about the main pool in Rixos Saadiyat?
We didn’t actually use the main pool this trip – we were busy everywhere else ha ha. Beach, our semi-private pool, kids club, tennis courts.
It did look like a nice spot to spend the day at and does get a lot of sun – which is a plus for most.
Are there any activities or entertainment for adults?
There is a separate sports activity schedule for grown ups ran by Exclusive Sports Club. Yoga, paddling, cross fit, and 2 activities held in the main pool as well.
There was live music in the late afternoons by the pool, in the main lobby, and in the evenings as well in Orient Bar & Lounge. We did also end up watching the ‘cocktail masterclass’ held next to the main pool.
Loved how the staff served drinks on rollerblades – so cool 😉 Say hi to the lovely Ece if you see her there!
For the sporty ones – Rixos also has a tennis and basketball court, next to their indoor gym.
Here’s a quick overview :
Is there an adults pool in Rixos Saadiyat?
You are welcome to use the facilities in their spa – Anjana Spa. They also have a mixed-use adults only pool which looked absolutely serene. Next time, next time!
Things to take note of
Just a few tips to take note of before you head to Rixos Saadiyat, to ensure you make full use of what’s available :
- Ask for a copy of their current Sports Timetable, as well as Kids Club Timetable. That way you can plan your days – and not miss out on the things you and the kids really want to do, ie the mini disco and shows after.
- Plan a trip to the spa facilities with the adults during your stay – it’s well worth it. You’ll easily miss it as there’s so many other things to do.
- The aqua park opens at 10-12pm, then 2-4:30pm only – so plan your trip accordingly. Nothing worst than taking little people all the way there and finding out it’s shut.
- Get the Negroni.
- And the Apple Bite.
- Oh, and their Pina Colada….. 😉
- Enjoy 🙂
Overall Thoughts
Our short staycation at Rixos Saadiyat is definitely one to remember. The girls are still asking, when are we going back?
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island is one spot you go to, where the kids are entertained, and there’s a lot going on for the adults as well with regards to sports and entertainment. It’s an absolute plus that their drinks are so good. I would personally recommend you do a minimum of 3 nights, so you get the opportunity to dine in 2 of their Ala Carte restaurants – and well, there’s just so much to do.
Definitely add Rixos Saadiyat to your staycation bucket list. Watch the drinks though…. they’re lethal! 😀
- Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
- Rixos’ Website
- See UAE Resident’s Staycation Offer here.
Disclaimer : We were guests of Rixos Saadiyat to review the venue over a staycation.