38 THE LATEST EDITION
One day I found myself in a city I’d never visited before, with a couple of big-ticket sites still to tick off. But betraying my hyper-active spirit and my job description, I never left my accommodation. But it was not sloth who was my master. Neither was the catalyst a Tyrolean ski resort nor an Indian Ocean over-water bungalow, but a big city ‘lifestyle’ hotel – a term that I previously thought was just oxymoronic marketing speak. For me, city hotels have always been mere crash-pads, a headquarters to fuel up on brekkie buffet in the AM; a comfy cocoon to schlep back to at an ungodly hour once the city has divulged all its enigma. But The Abu Dhabi Edition honey trapped me the moment the doors swung open.
Technically a chain hotel, the Abu Dhabi Edition is link number 10 in a scrupulously crafted micro-chain of boutique hotels in kicking hoods in places like West Hollywood, London and Bodrum (Turkey). A bird’s nest-ish white concrete lattice outer frame cloaks the edges of its two glass buildings – 198 hotel rooms and 57 serviced
