Park life at Abu Dhabi's hottest new hotel

The weekend away is something us UAE-ites do extremely well - from the beach-chic packing and the dedication to accessorising the perfect cocktails-and-dinner dress, to the spa treatment anticipation and commitment to squeezing a brunch into our busy schedule of sunbathing - there's no doubt that our local hotels have to work super-hard to attract a mini-break brigade intent on leaving feeling as if they've just experienced a two-week vacation in the space of 48 hours. And the latest addition to Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Beachfront's thriving luxury hotel scene, the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, brings the chic R'n'R in spades; serving up a brunch that's as delicious as the beach views, a chilled water-side ambience thanks to its private sunbathing ‘islands', the hottest new AD hang in their Beach House bar, fine-dining in a buzzy atmos at the Park Grill, and the ultimate in re-luxe-ation at the Natura Bisse-using Atarmia spa. We battled the recent sandstorms, which turned the 90-minute drive from Dubai into something of a post-apocalyptic and surreal experience, during which we're positive we spotted Mad Max heading beyond the Thunderdome, to arrive at the five-month-old hotel, which has been designed to blend in with the natural landscape of the area, resulting in a low-lying (just six storeys high), sand-coloured complex, which, thanks to its sprawl outwards rather than upwards, gives you plenty of room to wander around. The lobby is light and airy - a dedication to space that's reflected in the spacious 50sq m rooms - decked out in sands, beiges and milk chocolates (the hue, not the food, although a chocolate hotel would be a gimmick we could definitely get with. The world's tallest chocolate hotel, obviously!) Once checked in and unpacked - more on the room later - we headed down to bag a spot by the water feature that stretches lazily down towards the beach. It's not for swimming, as the pool is to the left, but we spotted some kids wading through and no one seemed to mind. The private, covered ‘islands' with oversized loungers for, well, lounging on, are an inspired idea taking you away from the bustle of the pool, but still near enough for a cooling dip, or a stroll down the jetty to the beach. Brunch was a bonus we hadn't anticipated heading in for, but were happy (read: thrilled!) to indulge at the casual-dining restaurant, Café. With - hand-on-heart - the best dessert selection we've seen anywhere at a brunch, which included the obligatory chocolate fountain with all manner of bits and bobs to stick in it; a soft-serve ice cream machine with a vast turns-you-into-a-kid-again array of sprinkly bits to spoon on top, cup cakes galore (helloooo red velvet ones!), cheesecakes, white and milk chocolate mousse and (my fave!) profiteroles, which - I'm not ashamed to reveal - I topped off with some of the chocolate fountain chocolate. Just a modern woman, having (and eating) it all. After chilling out until the sun went down, we did what people don't do enough of when they're on hols - we hung out in the room for an hour or two. Have you noticed how when you go on vacay, time spent in your hotel room is considered a ‘waste', resulting in your mother's words ringing in your ears about "Not taking full advantage of the day!" and "Shouldn't you be out in the fresh air?" Well, we metaphorically stuck in some ear plugs whilst dancing about in front of our mums singing, "We're staying iii-in, la la la la la". Have I lost you? Back on track. The day beds on the balcony are a great place for a post-lounger, pre-dinner Kindle or internet sesh, and thanks to the in-room iPod docking station you can chill out to your own tunes. Of an evening, it's all about stopping by Beach House for pre-pre-dinner drinks, before pre-dinner drinks are taken at the low-lit Park Bar - all NYC-loft-bar vibe and tucked-away tables for romantic cocktail-sipping. You can choose to have dinner at Beach House or the Park Bar & Grill, and we opted for the latter. With its buzzy open kitchen, seafood and fusion specialities and atmospheric dining room, the Park Bar & Grill has avoided the ambience-like-a-graveyard that can sometimes blight a hotel restaurant, as the place was packed, with late diners still trickling in, even after we left just before 11pm - yes, we are rock'n'roll. The next day we headed to the hotel's Atarmia Spa, a peaceful sanctuary with a long, luxe list of treatments. In deference to our proximity to the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, we opted for the Quiro Golf Massage (Dh710 per person for 90 minutes) in the couple's room, which uses golf balls to relax, promote muscle synergy and improve flexibility. Then, it was time to try out probably the biggest Jacuzzi baths we've come across before heading home feeling suitably just-had-entire-fortnight-away-esque.