Located in Abu Dhabi's business district, the Southern Sun Abu Dhabi is a smart, golfer-friendly base that puts you within easy reach of the capital's three championship courses without feeling stuck out on a resort island. You're around 25 minutes by car from Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Yas Links, and roughly 15 minutes from Saadiyat Beach, so you can easily fit in morning or afternoon rounds without spending half your day in transit. Beyond golf, you're well placed for a bit of sightseeing between tee times, with landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace and the Corniche waterfront all within an easy drive. Ferrari World and the Falcon Hospital are also close by if you fancy mixing things up.
The hotel has 353 rooms and suites, with a clean, modern look and subtle Arabian design touches that give the place a bit of character. The headline feature is the 27th-floor pool deck, open to all in-house guests, which doubles as a cracking spot to decompress after 18 holes while you watch the city lights come on. There's also a gym up on the same level, so if you're keen to stretch out the travel stiffness before a morning tee time (or feeling guilty about the clubhouse calories), you can do it with a skyline view.
When it's time to refuel, you've got a solid spread on site. Kahraman covers contemporary Middle Eastern flavours, The Foundry is the obvious shout if your post-round order starts with "steak", and Hytes on the 27th floor is made for that one well-earned drink while you compare scorecards. Airport transfers are quick and straightforward thanks to the central location, and the hotel's position means you're never far from either a tee time or the city's main attractions.
Who is this for? Golfers looking for a comfortable, centrally located base in Abu Dhabi with easy access to the capital's three championship courses and the city's key attractions.
Who is it best for? Groups or couples who want a well-equipped 4-star hotel that balances quality facilities, rooftop leisure space and a choice of dining options, all within striking distance of Abu Dhabi's best golf.