Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is Formula One’s grand finale. A title decider under the lights, a circuit carved through a glittering marina, and a weekend where every session matters.

Our Product Manager, Simon, was there once again in 2024, hosting guests in our Platinum Hospitality Suite and overseeing every detail of their race weekend. With more than five years of firsthand experience in Abu Dhabi, he knows exactly where the best views are found, which hospitality packages genuinely elevate the experience, and which hotels place you in prime position for the weekend's entertainment off-track.

In this guide, he shares the insight and recommendations that only comes from being on the ground, hosting guests and delivering race weekend at the highest level.

Simon Gee

Product Manager

Abu Dhabi never fails to deliver every year I attend. Everything from the nail-biting racing and the elegant hotels to the weekend's entertainment off track is everything you'd hope for in a luxury Formula One holiday.

I was in Australia hosting clients for our Official Ashes Tour, so I was unable to attend in 2025, but I'll be there in 2026, and I cannot wait.

Race Day Highlights

Every year I look forward to coming back to this event. With the dark nights drawing in back home and temperatures falling, it’s amazing to head to Abu Dhabi and catch some winter sun!

As for the racing in 2024, watching it unfold from the Platinum Hospitality Suite gave me a brilliant perspective. You could really follow the strategy playing out, especially as the pit stops began to cycle through and it became clear this one would be decided by the quality of the teams' strategy.

Seeing Lando Norris control the race from the front, knowing the Constructors’ Championship was on the line for McLaren, added an extra layer of tension. Every time Ferrari gained ground, you could feel the shift in the room. By the closing laps, everyone was on their feet out on the balcony, leaning over to catch the cars charging down the straight.

When Norris crossed the line to take the win and secure the title for McLaren, it felt like a fitting end to the season. Fireworks over the marina, the podium celebrations below, and the circuit lit up behind it all. From where I was standing, it was a pretty special way to see a championship decided.

Where to stay at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

I have stayed in many hotels during Abu Dhabi's race weekend, and I always recommend staying at The Beach Rotana. I stayed here in 2024, and we hosted many clients here in 2025 too.

Beach Rotana

This fantastic hotel is located in the city centre, a short drive from the Yas Marina Circuit, making it an excellent retreat for relaxation and a perfect base for exploring the city.

Here, you can sit back and soak in the glorious sun by the pool before the race begins, and unwind in one of the 12 bars and restaurants in the hotel in the evenings.

I love the choice of gastronomy, particularly the Michelin-selected seafood at Finz, and the premium charcoal-grilled cuts and wine pairings at Rodeo Grill.

If, like me, you're the type of person who wants to get your heart rate up in the morning before the excitement of the Grand Prix, the Beach Rotana has one of the best hotel gyms that I have ever been in.

Saadiyat Rotana

The Saadiyat Rotana Resort on Saadiyat Island is another exceptional hotel choice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It's equally as luxurious with long stretches of white sand and is better suited if you’re prioritising a beachside resort feel and a quieter base outside the city centre.

And another benefit of this hotel is that, in recent years, many drivers and teams have used it as their base for the week, so keep your eyes peeled for a few familiar faces from the paddock if you decide to stay here!

The Best Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Grandstand Tickets

I have sat in most of the Grandstands at the Yas Marina Circuit, and one of my favourite things about watching racing here is that there's no wrong place to sit. Regardless of where you sit, you’ll always have an incredible view of the racing.

I do have some favourites though, and I watched on from the North and Main Grandstand in 2024, as well as some exceptional hospitality - more on that later!

My personal favourite is the North Grandstand. This vast, open horseshoe grandstand is home to the circuit’s most challenging hairpin turn and was the site of the famous Verstappen overtake back in 2021 to deny Lewis the world championship.

Alternatively, for all-out racing action, I recommend the Main Grandstand. Here, you can enjoy views all the way down the start/finish straight – a prime spot for late braking into the tight chicane.

If this is your first time at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, definitely choose the North Grandstand. It's the closest Grandstand to Etihad Park, where the iconic Yasalam After Race Concerts take place. No transfers are required; just walk out of the back of your Grandstand and the night's entertainment is right there.

The Best Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Hospitality

Hospitality in Abu Dhabi is plentiful, with each suite offering unique features and superb views.

There's no shortage of exceptional hospitality options, but my favourite is the Platinum Hospitality Suite.

Set above the F2 and F3 pit lanes in the Marina Grandstand, you get sweeping views of one of the main overtaking straights from the air-conditioned suite and outside on the balcony.

Inside, there's free-flowing champagne, specialist beers, wines and soft drinks, as well as sumptuous dining with world-class cuisine to accompany the breathtaking views.

We've been exclusively hosting Spectate guests in the suite since 2022, so 2026 will be our landmark fifth year. Over the seasons, our guests have loved the experiences they've had with us, including lunches with F1 legends like Guenther Steiner and a DJ to celebrate the racing in style.

Spaces are limited and do sell out fast, so if you're thinking this could be the right option for you, speak to our Travel Specialists to secure your spot as soon as possible.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Entertainment

As ever, the 2024 Grand Prix delivered on all levels when it came to entertainment both on and off the track. Off the track, there were the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Concerts, a host of parties with DJ sets, and a buzzing atmosphere you only get in Abu Dhabi.

Concerts

The Yasalam After-Race Concerts, often called the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Concerts, were a real highlight of the 2024 weekend. Once the racing wrapped up each evening, the atmosphere shifted from the circuit to Etihad Park, and the energy carried on late into the night.

The 2024 line-up was strong across all four days. Thursday saw Peggy Gou and Teddy Swims open the weekend; Maroon 5 took to the stage on Friday; Eminem headlined Saturday night; and Muse closed out the event on Sunday.

Every year is special, but seeing Eminem on stage in 2024 was special.

If you'd like to know more about them, or want to see who is performing this year, we cover everything you need to know in our blog about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Concerts.

Nightlife

One thing that really stood out to me about Abu Dhabi was how much the weekend shifts once the sun goes down. After the racing, the whole place takes on a different energy. The W Hotel lights up, DJs start playing, and you’ve got music and light shows bouncing around the marina. Even if you’ve had a long day at the circuit, it’s hard not to get caught up in it.

That said, it doesn’t have to be full throttle every night. I also wandered over during the afternoon when things were much calmer. Grabbing a drink, walking around the marina and just taking it all in at a slower pace was just as enjoyable in a different way.

Things to do during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend

Since 2023, all tickets have included access to the one of the Yas Parks on Yas Island. Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Sea World and Warner Bro’s World opened their doors to guests free of charge in 2024, making for an incredible experience - the perfect add-on to an F1 adventure.

I visited Ferrari world, and I'd recommend it to any F1 fanatic. You can enjoy interactive exhibits, hands on experiences, rollercoasters, cars throughout the years and much more, it is well worth a visit. My advice would be to give yourself a few hours to experience it fully, as queues for the rides can be quite long.

Experience the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Explore our Abu Dhabi Grand Prix experiences and speak to our Travel Specialists today to book your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix holiday with concert access.

Our packages can be tailored to you, offering the finest hospitality, experiences and access across the race weekend.

Enjoy this guide?

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Or get ready with all you need to know about the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and discover more about this amazing event with Simon below.