Waldorf Astoria and Vignette Collection are bringing new luxury points hotels to Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi already has an incredible assortment of hotels, but a few hotel brands with major loyalty programs are making moves in this capital city.
Both Hilton and IHG have announced exciting new projects in Abu Dhabi that will see a handful of hotels reflag.
The first major change will see the Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel, formerly an Anantara property, join the Hilton family as the Waldorf Astoria Abu Dhabi. While Waldorf Astoria is represented in other emirates, including Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, this will be the first one in Abu Dhabi. Located near Abu Dhabi's Mangrove National Park, the hotel will feature 167 rooms and suites, three swimming pools and restaurants ranging from a brasserie to a rooftop establishment, plus Waldorf's signature Peacock Alley.
Across Abu Dhabi, on Yas Island, IHG is teaming up with Aldar, a major United Arab Emirates-based real estate company, to transform six different hotels in the Yas Plaza Hotels complex into one single resort under the Vignette Collection flag.
Scheduled to open late next year, Straylight Yas, Vignette Collection (as the merged resort complex will be called) will see all the various properties renovated and converted. In total, Straylight Yas will have over 1,300 rooms; beach access (a first for the complex); retail, food and beverage outlets; and access to a golf course, golf and beach villas, a beach club, an open-air theater and more.
IHG will also take over a desert resort in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region, the Tilal Liwa Hotel, and transition it into a Vignette Collection resort. With 110 rooms, that property — with its tented villas featuring private pools, three restaurants and a swimming pool — will enter a soft-opening phase later this year, with a full opening expected sometime in 2025.
In Abu Dhabi, Hilton is already represented by a few hotels, including a Hilton-branded hotel on Yas Island, a Warner Brothers-themed hotel, a Curio Collection hotel and a Conrad.
IHG owns several hotels, including its namesake InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and Crowne Plaza.
Opening dates and rates are currently unavailable for these forthcoming Abu Dhabi properties.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.