Six Abu Dhabi Hotels Just Became One Enormous Resort

IHG Hotels & Resorts has converted the former Yas Plaza Hotels on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island into a single property, Yas World Resort, Vignette Collection. The conversion, reported in the first week of November, combines six hotels with about 1,400 rooms in total, which makes it the largest Vignette Collection property anywhere. Vignette is IHG’s collection of independent-minded hotels that keep their own character while joining the IHG One Rewards programme, and this resort is by a wide margin the biggest member of the collection so far.

Guests have a choice of 21 restaurants and bars, six pools, three spas and access to a private beach, spread across the six buildings. The location is the main draw: the hotels sit near Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and close to the island’s major theme parks, including Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Waterworld and SeaWorld Yas Island. That makes the resort a natural base for families planning several days of parks and for motorsport fans who want to stay close to the track.

According to Upgraded Points, reward nights start at around 35,000 IHG One Rewards points, although its report printed the figure with a typo, so members should confirm current pricing in the IHG app before redeeming. Because Vignette Collection hotels participate fully in IHG One Rewards, guests can earn points and elite qualifying nights on paid stays, which may appeal to members who previously stayed at the individual Yas Plaza hotels under their former brands and now find them under one loyalty umbrella.

Expect demand and prices to spike around the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, traditionally the Formula 1 season finale in late November or early December, when Yas Island hotels routinely sell out well in advance. Beyond race weekend, the winter months are Abu Dhabi’s peak tourism season thanks to milder temperatures, so the resort is likely to stay busy into spring. With six separate buildings in one complex, travellers should check exactly which hotel a booking is for, since walking distances to restaurants and pools can vary considerably.

Sources: Upgraded Points, IHG