Yas Island Abu Dhabi, UAE

Factual Questions
1

Hi all,

A year and a half ago I was in Abu Dhabi for business and we were staying right downtown, which I always enjoy no matter where I go.

I a month, however, I may be going back but this time we will be staying and working on Yas Island. Can anyone give me some “ground truth” about the place? Is it at all walkable, for example, or is it just a big sprawling complex?

I really don’t want to blow my per diem budget eating in hotel restaurants and I would like to eat in some local “hole in the wall” type places, which I was able to do, and did when possible, during my previous visit.

Is that sort of thing at all possible? I’ve already starting scoping out the public transit but that doesn’t look super convenient or promising. We’ll have our own vehicles but I prefer not to be joined at the hip with my team-mates during all my off time.

I would appreciate any info. Thanks much in advance.

2

Perhaps you could source a motorbike rental?

Just a thought! Have a great time!

3

Hi elbows, I expect to have a good time and thanks for your wishes.

Sadly, I’m not a motorcyclist, so that’s not an option for me.

4

Tripadvisor says this:

I don’t know what date that was written, but it doesn’t look too promising.

5

Looks like maybe a bicycle would do!:o

I really hope you find a way to get some independent time, while you’re there. We’d love to see some photos!

6

I suspect that you’re right. Everything about Yas Island is artificial and quite recent. It is an artificial island conceived (if I recall the Wikipedia article correctly) in 2006-ish.

I think that it’s essentially a super-duper big box & hotel complex/business park on steroids.

Amongst my peers and co-workers, I’ll be the one guy who, if possible, stays in the hotel in the original urban area and has no problem checking out the public transit etc. It would seem that that ain’t happening this time. Though if I have a day off I will probably scope out the bus and get into the downtown.