Wondering where to stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and which hotel to stay in?
Below I’ve listed the best areas and hotel options for F1 fans heading to the race at Yas Marina Circuit on 6 – 8 December 2024.
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Where is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is held on Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island which about 35km away from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
It’s also about 120km away from Dubai which is further north along the coast of the Persian Gulf.
Where to stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
There are three different areas where you want to look for hotels during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Yas Island
Yas Island is a resort island built for tourists and is the best place to stay for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But being so close to the track, the hotels there are the most expensive during race weekend.
As well as the race track Yas Island has lots of other attractions like Ferrari World, Waterworld, Sea World and Warner Brothers World. Most Abu Dhabi F1 tickets include access to one of those four theme parks.
It’s also home to the W Hotel – the infamous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hotel that goes over the track itself.
Abu Dhabi
If you’re on a tighter budget then getting a hotel in Abu Dhabi itself is usually a cheaper option, but you have to factor in getting to the circuit which is a 40 minute drive.
You’ll either need your own hire car or to pay for a taxi which is around 75 AED ($20 / £16 each way). There’s no reliable public transport option.
One of the nicest areas of Abu Dhabi to stay in is the Corniche, the long coastline where Abu Dhabi meets the sea, right on the beachfront. The downtown area is also a good place to stay; it’s set back from the seafront but is busy and has lots of restaurants and hotels all in a small area.
Dubai
You can also combine a trip to the Grand Prix with a visit to Dubai and stay in one of the many hotels there whilst seeing some of the main sites like the Burj Khalifa.
But allow at least 1 hour 45 minutes each way for the journey to and from the track. Taxi fares are around 220 AED ($60 / £50) each way.
Below are three hotel options for each of the different areas for high-end, mid-range and budget travellers.
Cheap stays
Unfortunately, if you’re on a super tight budget, traditional big communal hostels like you’d get in Europe, Asia and Central / South America don’t exist in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
You can find a few ‘shared rooms’ on AirBnB but these are usually in someone’s own home, so finding a cheap hotel is a better and safer option. That’s what I’ve listed in the Budget options below.
Hotels on Yas Island for the Grand Prix
If you want to be as close as possible to the circuit and aren’t concerned at all about the hotel price, then staying on Yas Island itself is the best option. Most hotels will be charging over $1000/night for a room over the race weekend (yikes).
The Island itself isn’t big and all the hotels are either just a walk or a very short taxi ride away from the circuit. But they all book up very far in advance for the GP weekend, so make sure you book as soon as the F1 tickets are released (about a year in advance of the race).
It also features the only hotel in the world that actually goes over the top of a Formula 1 track. And without a doubt, that’s the ultimate Abu Dhabi Grand Prix hotel if you’re a diehard F1 fan.
High End
W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island
Previously
called the Yas Viceroy, the 5 star W Abu Dhabi Yas Island is the hotel that the
Formula 1 cars actually drive through. It goes over the track between Turns 13
and 14 and has amazing views of most of the circuit, plus the Marina.
There’s
huge range of Indian, Italian and International restaurants to chose from, some
which have outdoor trackside views, plus two different rooftop pools to lounge
by.
This is the
ultimate hotel to stay in for the Abu Dhabi GP but it’s also the most
expensive.
Mid-Range
Radisson Blu Yas Island
A 4-star hotel overlooking a golf course and the Al Raha creek, the Radisson Blu is only a 10 minute walk from the circuit entrance gates and provides lots of luxury for a little less price.
I’ve said mid-range but this is still 4-figures a night during the Grand Prix.
Budget
Centro Yas Island
‘Budget’ is a subjective term as even on the Grand Prix weekend this 3-star hotel will be pricey, given it’s right next to the circuit. But compared to the two above it will be a little cheaper.
Hotels in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix
Staying in Abu Dhabi itself means you’ll be around 30 – 40 minutes from the circuit but can usually find cheaper hotels than on Yas Island.
High End
Emriates Palace Mandarin Oriental
A 5-star hotel that was reportedly the second most expensive hotel in the world to build. And that’s reflected in its nightly room rates but it’s opulence at its finest and really is a hotel fit for royalty. It’s located at the south-west end of the Corniche and is a 40 minute drive from the Formula One track.
Mid-Range
Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
4-star hotel in busy downtown Abu Dhabi with rooftop pools and great reviews, only 30 minutes’ drive away from the F1 track.
Budget
Kingsgate Hotel Abu Dhabi by Millenium
A 3-star hotel also in downtown. Its décor might feel a little old fashioned but it gets very good reviews and is cheaper than the other options above. It’s only 30 minutes away from the Formula 1 circuit.
Hotels in Dubai for the Grand Prix
Dubai is a lot further away, at least 90 minutes by car, but doesn’t suffer from the same surge pricing that the Yas Island and Abu Dhabi hotels do during the Grand Prix weekend. Having said that, Dubai hotels can be expensive all year round.
Combining the sights of Dubai (going up the Burj Khalifa is a must) with a visit to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a nice way to make a proper holiday of a trip to the UAE.
High End
Burj Al Arab
This 5-star hotel has picked up the nickname as the ‘World’s only 7-star hotel’. Whilst that’s not the case, it may as well be.
This iconic hotel sits on its own Island just off Jumeirah Beach and will cost incredible amounts to stay in, but the experience you’d have would be breathtaking.
There’s 8 different restaurants, some situated as high as the 27th floor with incredible views over the Dubai coastline. It’s about 90 minutes away from the Formula 1 circuit.
Mid-Range
Wyndham Dubai Marina
I stayed in this 4-star hotel a couple of years ago and had a great time. I shared a twin room with a friend and the price was super reasonable.
It’s right on the Dubai Marina which I think is the best place to stay in Dubai as it’s incredibly picturesque, especially at night, It’s also a little closer to the F1 track.
Budget
Rove Downtown
A 3-star hotel in the busy downtown area of Dubai that gets very good reviews. It’s well located close to the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain.
Downtown traffic can be a little busy so factor that in to your journey to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix track.
Other travel tips
Here’s a few other things to consider when planning your trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
- Abu Dhabi F1 dress code
- Abu Dhabi GP schedule
- After-race concert lineup & schedule
- General Admission Tips
