Our Abu Dhabi Escape: Checking Into Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

An all-inclusive staycation in Abu Dhabi, a cappuccino mishap, beautiful beaches and some of the best sleep we've had in a long time. Here's why Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island has us planning our return.

Our stay at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island started with a small, rather funny misunderstanding. We had just arrived, settled in and ordered our first cappuccinos when we instinctively reached for our wallets to pay. Except, of course, there was nothing to pay. We were staying at an all-inclusive resort, something we'd never experienced before, and apparently our brains hadn't quite caught up.

We laughed about it, put our wallets away and quickly got used to the idea. Spoiler alert: it was our first all-inclusive experience, but it definitely won't be our last.

Located on Abu Dhabi's beautiful Saadiyat Island (our favourite beach in the country,) Rixos Premium is the sort of place that makes a staycation feel like an actual holiday. And we mean that in the best possible way. From the moment we arrived until the moment we reluctantly checked out, everything was genuinely wonderful. The welcome was warm, the staff were attentive without being overbearing, and there was something particularly lovely about knowing we could spend the next few days doing exactly what we wanted, without having to organise very much at all (except for a quick trip to Galleria Mall to check out the newly launched male section at LIMÉ, there was clearly not much except pure relaxation on the agenda.)

First, the room. Spacious, beautifully appointed and wonderfully comfortable, it quickly became one of our favourite parts of the stay. There's a particular pleasure in returning to an enormous, inviting bed after a day spent swimming, eating and doing very little else. We slept like absolute royalty, the kind of deep, uninterrupted sleep that confirmed we need to invest in an new mattress back home.

But as tempting as it was to stay in bed, the beach was calling. And what a beach. Saadiyat Island is already famous for its gorgeous stretch of white sand and clear turquoise water, but experiencing it from the resort was something else. We spent hours alternating between the sea and our sun loungers, ordering refreshments and occasionally remembering that we should probably move. The beach was easily one of the highlights of our stay, and we'd happily return for that alone.

The pool deserves its own mention, too. Surrounded by the resort's grand architecture and palm trees, it's ideal for long, lazy afternoons, whether you're swimming, reading or enjoying another drink. Families have plenty to keep younger guests entertained, including a wave pool, children's aqua park and the Rixy Kids Club. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more active holiday can explore the resort's fitness programme, tennis, water sports and wellness facilities. There's even the Anjana Spa, complete with a traditional Turkish hammam, for anyone whose idea of exercise involves walking to a massage appointment.

Then there's the food, which, let's be clear, is a very important part of any successful holiday.

One of our favourite things about the all-inclusive concept was being able to explore the different restaurants without constantly thinking about reservations, bills and what to order next. The resort offers an impressive variety of dining experiences, from the international buffet at Turquoise to Italian favourites at L'Olivo and Asian cuisine at Aja & Teppanyaki.

Our personal favourite, however, was the Greek-inspired Mediterranean dining at Mermaid. Fresh seafood, beautiful flavours and that wonderfully relaxed atmosphere you only seem to get when you're eating close to the sea.

Breakfasts were equally enjoyable, with plenty of choice, good coffee and absolutely no reason to rush. Lunch could be casual, dinner could become an occasion, and somewhere in between there was always the possibility of another cappuccino. This time, thankfully, without the embarrassing attempt to pay.

What we appreciated most was the balance; Rixos has a full calendar of activities, sports and entertainment for anyone who likes to keep busy, but it never felt as though we had to participate in everything. We could spend the morning at the beach, take a dip in the pool, enjoy a long lunch and disappear into our room for an afternoon nap. No pressure, no complicated plans, just a few days of doing whatever felt good.

Genuinely, the whole experience was so enjoyable. We arrived expecting a lovely staycation and left feeling genuinely rested, very well fed and slightly spoiled. Everything, from the service and food to the beach, room and atmosphere, made the experience feel effortless. Going home was not an easy feat. By the time we checked out, we'd become rather attached to our little all-inclusive routine. Going back to paying for our own cappuccinos felt like a rude awakening.

Would we return? Without hesitation. In fact, we're already looking for an excuse.

Discover Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island at rixos.com.