Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

This is only my second TripAdvisor review—more than a decade after my first. Not because I haven’t travelled, but because nothing has truly gone beyond expectations. UNTIL NOW. There is something genuinely unique that sets Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island apart from the luxury 5‑star properties I’ve stayed at across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe—and it absolutely deserves a special shout.

I stayed at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island with my family between 19 August and 3 September. These two weeks felt less like a holiday and more like being welcomed into a beautifully run, joyfully warm home. It’s rare to find a resort that gets everything right, even rarer for an all inclusive: the service, the atmosphere, the food, the people, the attention to detail, and the genuine sense of care that never feels forced.

This was our first time in Abu Dhabi, and we arrived with high expectations. What we left with was something better: memories that felt personal, thoughtful, and deeply appreciated—especially as we were celebrating our child’s 7th birthday, which we celebrate in a different country every year.

The property is stunning—lush grounds, a pristine beach, beautifully maintained pools, and interiors that balance luxury with comfort.

The all‑inclusive offering is genuinely premium, with high‑quality food, great variety, and service that never feels rushed or stretched. Everyone played there part, although there are a few thanks I wanted to give.

A special shoutout to Richel (Duty Manager), who embodies what exceptional hospitality looks like. Her attentiveness stood out from day one—checking in on us without ever being intrusive, remembering small details, and ensuring our stay felt seamless. She has that rare ability to make you feel like your experience genuinely matters. Whether it was coordinating birthday touches, smoothing out logistics, or simply stopping for a warm conversation, Richel added a layer of comfort and trust that elevated our stay.

In the restaurants, Ankush was outstanding. Across all three restaurants, he made sure everything ran smoothly for us, showed genuine care and make sure we were comfortable. Every meal felt like a bespoke event - which is hard to achieve at an all inclusive resort at capacity! His friendliness, calm efficiency, and genuine interest in our experience made every meal feel special. Naf also contributed to that warm, personalised service that made dining a highlight of our stay.

At Sol Savana and in the lobby bar, Niroshan, Safraz and Azizbek brought a different kind of magic — warm smiles, easy conversation, and a sense of familiarity that made returning to those spaces feel like coming home. Their friendliness never felt forced; it felt human.

By the pool, Nikko and Bisho kept the atmosphere fun and relaxed. Their energy, humour, and great service made our afternoons by the pool unforgettable.

Overall, this was more than a luxury resort—it’s a place where people make the difference. The team here doesn’t just deliver service; they deliver care, with hospitality done right. That’s what sets it apart, so it deserves every bit of praise it receives.

And for us, it has earned a special place in our travel memories.

We had a fantastic stay at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, and I would especially like to mention Rashed from the Entertainment Department.

Rashed was absolutely brilliant throughout our stay. He was friendly, welcoming and always had a smile on his face. He made such an effort to make sure everyone was having a great time and really went above and beyond to make our holiday special.

His energy and enthusiasm were fantastic, and he is a real credit to the Rixos team. Staff like Rashed are what make a holiday memorable, and we genuinely appreciated everything he did for us.

Thank you, Rashed, for helping make our stay so enjoyable. We hope to see you again on our next visit to Rixos Saadiyat!