Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2009- Hotel accomadation-anyone going ?

[mike360]

Is anybody going to this event next year, if so does anybody know of anygood accomadation close to the circuit, and if not does anybody know how far the location is from main Abu Dhabi, and whats the traffic like would it be awful on race day?

[Nick M]

I can't think of anywhere I'd rather go *less* to watch a Grand Prix.

A sterile Herman Tilke designed circuit in a desert - be still my beating heart...

[Asterix]

Nick M said:

I can't think of anywhere I'd rather go *less* to watch a Grand Prix.

A sterile Herman Tilke designed circuit in a desert - be still my beating heart...

Actually round a Marina.

I'll be going (if there's a regime change at the FIA) as I live in Dubai (hour up the road)- you can have my spare room for the week for one million dollars...

Edited by Asterix on Wednesday 24th September 12:34

[Ecosseven]

I live in Abu Dhabi. the GP circuit is on Yas Island about 30 minutes drive from the city centre in normal traffic. Could be double that in rush hour. the Circuit is right next door to my work. There are plenty of nice hotels but expect to pay top dollar for the GP weekend. PM me if you want more info.

Martin.

[mmm-five]

If it's on the normal race day Sunday then you may find the traffic quite heavy as Sunday is the start of the working week in Abu Dhabi.

I've been working with a team at Aldar (the developer of the whole Al Raha Beach development which has the GP track at one end) and we've been staying in the Meridien in Abu Dhabi at a cost of about £80/night.

At 7:15am it takes us about 30 minutes to travel to the site. You may prefer staying in the Jumeirah Marina or Jebel Ali between Dubai & Abu Dhabi as there's more choice of accommodation than Abu Dhabi - although Oct-Dec is peak season for hotel rates (whereas Ramadan is low season) - i.e. our hotel rate goes up from £80/night this month to £120 a night next month.

If there's a group of you then a short-stay multi-room apartment may be cheaper.

[mike360]

Thanks for all the replys,,,, the Al raha beach resort near the track is unfortunaltey at full occupancy is there any "smaller brand " hotels anywhere nearer the circuit or anybody , know somebody with a place i could rent for the week

Edited by mike360 on Wednesday 24th September 22:35

[Chrisgr31]

I hope to go, but plan to stay with my brother in Dubai and drive down!

[Dan Friel]

I live about 20 minutes from the track – and I’m expecting a few visitors next November. There aren’t too many hotels in Abu Dhabi (next year a total 6000 rooms will be available) and there’s been articles about all of the main hotels being full already / or putting up prices sky high. There’s not really a mid range hotel market (not that I’d trust with a booking so far ahead anyway). Renting short term doesn’t really happen unless you go for a serviced hotel apartment. After Raha, the Shangri-La is probably the next closest to the track (very close to where I live, my local bar, highly recommended but expensive). If they have any reasonable accommodation left, I’d take it.

Or Al Mafraq Hotel. www.mafraq-hotel.com. Good location for the airport, track and visiting the desert. A good option.

Or the Officer’s Club, Abu Dhabi – a slightly strange set up. Check out the website.

Considering the location of the circuit (no it’s not located in the middle of the desert and the design looks pretty good) I’d also be tempted to try Dubai. From the western end of Dubai it should take less than an hour (it would take about 45 mins from the centre of Abu Dhabi anyway – although the new route onto the Island could be finished in time). But be warned, staying the wrong side of Dubai could be a disaster – it can take hours to drive across town at the wrong time. Sunday is the working week in this part of the world and only Fridays are quiet(ish). Driving here is DANGEROUS (death rate is 10 times that of UK roads), some people recommend taxis but I trust myself more than most taxi drivers.

Dubai is more tourist friendly and you could also visit their Autodrome for a spot of karting (excellent outdoor track) or one of their driving experiences. Potential for two racing venues in one trip. Skiing, desert safaris and good golf also. This part of the world is perfect for a short winter break, and the GP is a good excuse to come (as long as accommodation is available).

You may also want to sort hire cars out very early – you won’t want to rely on public transport. If the flights from the obvious carriers are booked, then consider Qatar Airways through Doha (they are very good and reasonable cost). If Etihad / BA to Abu Dhabi are booked up, then it would be easier to use them to get to AD rather than use Emirates to Dubai (and then have to drive down).

[skinny]

Nick M said:

I can't think of anywhere I'd rather go *less* to watch a Grand Prix.

A sterile Herman Tilke designed circuit in a desert - be still my beating heart...

+1

i seriously hope not. i think it will be worse than the bahrain GP which is bad enough. F1 flavoured corporate entertainment.

Edited by skinny on Sunday 28th September 09:17

[mike360]

Dan Friel said:

I live about 20 minutes from the track – and I’m expecting a few visitors next November. There aren’t too many hotels in Abu Dhabi (next year a total 6000 rooms will be available) and there’s been articles about all of the main hotels being full already / or putting up prices sky high. There’s not really a mid range hotel market (not that I’d trust with a booking so far ahead anyway). Renting short term doesn’t really happen unless you go for a serviced hotel apartment. After Raha, the Shangri-La is probably the next closest to the track (very close to where I live, my local bar, highly recommended but expensive). If they have any reasonable accommodation left, I’d take it.

Or Al Mafraq Hotel. www.mafraq-hotel.com. Good location for the airport, track and visiting the desert. A good option.

Or the Officer’s Club, Abu Dhabi – a slightly strange set up. Check out the website.

Considering the location of the circuit (no it’s not located in the middle of the desert and the design looks pretty good) I’d also be tempted to try Dubai. From the western end of Dubai it should take less than an hour (it would take about 45 mins from the centre of Abu Dhabi anyway – although the new route onto the Island could be finished in time). But be warned, staying the wrong side of Dubai could be a disaster – it can take hours to drive across town at the wrong time. Sunday is the working week in this part of the world and only Fridays are quiet(ish). Driving here is DANGEROUS (death rate is 10 times that of UK roads), some people recommend taxis but I trust myself more than most taxi drivers.

Dubai is more tourist friendly and you could also visit their Autodrome for a spot of karting (excellent outdoor track) or one of their driving experiences. Potential for two racing venues in one trip. Skiing, desert safaris and good golf also. This part of the world is perfect for a short winter break, and the GP is a good excuse to come (as long as accommodation is available).

You may also want to sort hire cars out very early – you won’t want to rely on public transport. If the flights from the obvious carriers are booked, then consider Qatar Airways through Doha (they are very good and reasonable cost). If Etihad / BA to Abu Dhabi are booked up, then it would be easier to use them to get to AD rather than use Emirates to Dubai (and then have to drive down).

Thanks for the info , I tried the Al mafraq hotel, they said they may be completing renovations in november 09 so cannot confirm anyrooms beyond January !

The officers club, I cant find any information on it at all.

Going to try the shangri la today , after that any ideas ?

Mike

[mike360]

mmm-five said:

If it's on the normal race day Sunday then you may find the traffic quite heavy as Sunday is the start of the working week in Abu Dhabi.

I've been working with a team at Aldar (the developer of the whole Al Raha Beach development which has the GP track at one end) and we've been staying in the Meridien in Abu Dhabi at a cost of about £80/night.

At 7:15am it takes us about 30 minutes to travel to the site. You may prefer staying in the Jumeirah Marina or Jebel Ali between Dubai & Abu Dhabi as there's more choice of accommodation than Abu Dhabi - although Oct-Dec is peak season for hotel rates (whereas Ramadan is low season) - i.e. our hotel rate goes up from £80/night this month to £120 a night next month.

If there's a group of you then a short-stay multi-room apartment may be cheaper.

Do you know which hotel brand will be owning the actual hotel inside the track where the hotel passes under it

[Dan Friel]

Officers CLub info here: http://www.afoc.mil.ae/afoc/abudhabi.htm

No idea about Yas Marina Hotel - presume that will be booked out.

Local hotel booking story here: http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081026/NATIONA...