The Best Hotels in Al Ain

The in-house gold-leaf specialist is a full-time employee here, which tells you most of what you need to know about this palace hotel on Abu Dhabi's Corniche. A Forbes Five Star, it sprawls across a private beach, a marina, a spa, and enough domes and crystal chandeliers to make Versailles feel restrained. World leaders and royals book the suites; everyone else just enjoys having nearly a mile of beach to themselves.

A 34-story glass tower on Al Maryah Island, connected by walkway to a major mall and a Cleveland Clinic, which tells you something about who Abu Dhabi is courting. The Rosewood is a luxury hotel with 149 rooms and 40 suites, Arabian Gulf views, nine restaurants and lounges, a destination spa, and an underground wine lounge with a cigar room for anyone who finds the pool insufficiently atmospheric. Forbes Four Star.

A canal running through the grounds carries guests by traditional abra boat, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque sitting directly across the water. This large waterfront resort leans into traditional Arabian design, with shaded gardens full of birdsong and a spread of restaurants ranging from regional Gulf cooking to French fine dining. It earns a Forbes Four Star rating and draws families who want the full Abu Dhabi spectacle without sacrificing calm.

The views across the water to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are almost unreasonably good from this Forbes Four Star beachfront hotel on Abu Dhabi Creek. The name means "gate to the sea," and the building's cool blue geometry makes the point without subtlety. Eight restaurants and 369 rooms inside, with the airport close enough that a late arrival doesn't ruin the first night.