Like Drew, I’m a big fan of the longer layover on the way to your final destination. It’s a great way to taste test a new place to see whether you’d like to visit again, or a great way to visit a specific attraction.
I was passing through Dubai last year on the way to New York and the only award flights available (which I needed to use the premium award magic trick to secure) in Business Class required a 21.5 hour layover.
In most situations this would be a negative. However, Emirates provide a hotel, transfers and meals for Business and First Class passengers during these long layovers so they turn out to be a good way to break up the journey.
It was the transfers that were of most interest to me, especially the note stating no mileage restrictions applied within the United Arab Emirates.
This was the perfect opportunity to visit the newly opened Louvre Abu Dhabi for its stunning architecture and to experience the ‘rain of light’ from the incredible dome.
In this post:
Getting From Dubai to Abu Dhabi
The Emirates Chauffeur Drive Lounge is marked as 8 in the terminal map below. You just show your boarding pass, let them know your destination and a car and driver will be assigned shortly.
After no more than a 10 minute wait, I was loaded into a BMW 5 Series Touring for the 90 minute drive from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Given it was barely 6AM local time there was little traffic on the road.
Unfortunately the complimentary hotel is only offered in Dubai so I ended up paying for my room at the Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi (which has since been rebranded to an Andaz). I had planned on a refreshing swim before heading out to the Louvre Abu Dhabi by 10AM, but Mother Nature had scheduled a sandstorm.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Review
Eventually it was time to head out to the main event, with a short 25 minute taxi ride through downtown Abu Dhabi and out to Saadiyat Island depositing me out the front of this architectural marvel.
Approaching the museum you appreciate the scale, despite the relatively low rise nature of the structure.
The museum itself is surrounded by water, with the sound of waves gently crashing into the buildings being memorable on the morning of my visit.
Once inside, the galleries hold a good selection of artworks owned by the museum and borrowed from the Louvre Paris and other French museums. Famous artists such as Da Vinci, Monet and Degas are amongst the artworks.
The real star here, however, is the dome designed by Jean Nouvel. As the sun moves across the sky, a rain of light shines down upon the buildings and visitors below.
After a good five hours exploring the museum it was another short taxi ride back to the Hyatt for a good six hours of sleep before the return Chauffeur Drive journey back to Dubai for my onward flight to New York.
Summary
The experience of awe standing under the beautiful dome during my first visit to the Middle East was worth the three hour round trip from Dubai and paying for my own hotel.
Most people look at a long layover as an inconvenience. But if played right, it can be a great opportunity. And you’ll still have time for a glass of champagne in the lounge before your onward flight.
