The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

- Since 2017, I've made it a tradition to visit the Ritz-Carlton at least once a year, making it my preferred hotel and a recommendation to all my acquaintances. It's not just a place to stay; it's where I celebrate special occasions, including my company's annual party. This year, our original plan to celebrate our wedding anniversary was delayed, leading us to choose the Ritz-Carlton for a New Year's celebration and our anniversary. To our delight, the hotel went above and beyond, adorning our space with festive decorations and delightful balloons. Furthermore, we were graciously upgraded to the Ritz-Carlton Suite for the second time, emphasizing the hotel's commitment to providing spacious and serene accommodations. - Most of the staff, exemplified by the warm and welcoming faces of Solafa, Mary, Aml, and Salman. Special thanks for their outstanding hospitality and regular check-ins to ensure everything was in order. - The diverse range of on-site amenities, including various restaurants and recreational areas, adds to the convenience of the stay. Noteworthy is the hotel's New Year's celebration, which proved to be an unparalleled event suitable for all family members. - Despite minor hiccups, the Ritz-Carlton remains my top choice in Abu Dhabi, and I sincerely hope it maintains its high standards in the future. - I would have given them a perfect score of ten if it weren't for the less-than-pleasant experience at the lounge. The hotel truly deserves this high rating for all other aspects.

- There was confusion regarding the bills. I requested settlement of the full stay amount upon check-in to ease the checkout process. However, upon leaving, I discovered an unaccounted amount. Although I didn't mind paying it, I was informed later that all charges were settled, and the extra amount would be refunded. On my way home, I received a call about another error and the need to withdraw the amount. I didn't mind, but I hope the settlement process could be smoother. - Regarding the Club Lounge, we contacted the hotel beforehand, seeking Club Lounge access for our maid to celebrate the year-end. Unfortunately, it seems this information wasn't relayed to the Lounge management. We found ourselves repeatedly questioned about our room number, creating discomfort, especially as my husband hadn't appeared in the initial days and was treated as if he were an unauthorized guest. The issue became apparent during check-out when I discovered the additional cost hadn't been added initially. A simple clarification during our stay in the club lounge would have resolved the matter. - Some repetitive remarks from a Lounge staff member, although well-intended, displayed a lack of cultural awareness. Questions like, "Have you eaten well?" or "Would you like seconds?" or even "You had your lunch before, do you want more?" might be considered inappropriate in Arab culture. This is particularly notable when guests from other cultures receive more general inquiries like "Did you enjoy your time?" or "How's your day?" The imbalanced focus on food-related questions felt off-putting, especially when our visits to the lounge were often just to step out of our room, seeking a complete vacation away from the city's hustle as Abu Dhabi residents. -While 99% of the lounge hospitality team demonstrated exceptional kindness, the behavior of two individuals, impacting our overall experience within the hotel.