The Biltmore Bab Al Qasr: a Corniche landmark welcomes guests under a new name

One of the most recognisable addresses on the Abu Dhabi Corniche now carries a new name. The Biltmore Bab Al Qasr welcomes guests back to the house Abu Dhabi already knows, with one change that matters: every guest is now received with the personal, intuitive service of The Biltmore alongside the warmth of Emirati hospitality.

Born of a partnership between the UAE and Morocco, the hotel tells the story of both countries in the details of a single building. A monumental arch marks the entrance, and arches repeat across the façade of twin 36 storey towers joined by bridges. Moroccan inspired stone and copper gold glass take their palette from the ochre walls of Marrakech and settle naturally into the warm tones of the desert, shifting as the light changes towards evening.

A story told in craft

Inside, the city falls quiet. Real palms rise into a 48 metre atrium as water moves gently through the lobby. Hand cut, zellige inspired mosaic draws on a Moroccan craft practised for centuries, mashrabiya latticework filters the light, and mother of pearl inlay recalls the pearling trade that sustained Abu Dhabi until the 1930s.

Bab Al Qasr means “gateway to the palace”, and the names inside continue the story. The Al Dana Ballroom is named for the perfect pearl, while meeting rooms take their names from Liwa, Das Island, Al Mirfa and Al Gweifat as well as Rabat, Marrakech, Casablanca and Tangier.

“Bab Al Qasr is a landmark of genuine architectural significance with a story rooted in Abu Dhabi, which makes it a natural home for The Biltmore,” said Torsten Obermann, General Manager of The Biltmore Bab Al Qasr.

Space to stay

The hotel offers 677 rooms, suites and residences, many with floor to ceiling windows framing the Gulf, the Presidential Palace or the city, up to the 419 square metre Presidential Suite. Its 265 residences, from studios to penthouses, come with kitchens, living rooms and a residents’ lobby, with no minimum stay.

Ayana Spa draws on ancient Arabian rituals, with a separate spa and hammam for men and women, and the 24 hour gym looks out towards the Presidential Palace. Emirates Palace stands opposite, Qasr Al Watan is a three minute drive away, and a 140 metre private beach and infinity pool bring a resort rhythm to the heart of the capital.

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