If you are looking for a place in Abu Dhabi that feels both relaxed and thoughtfully designed, with a mix of hospitality, food, culture and social spaces, you should know about Erth Abu Dhabi. It is more than just a resort; it is a destination built around experiences, whether you are staying, dining, attending events or simply hanging out. … But honestly, it is one of those places you really have to see for yourself.

First of all, something worth knowing: Erth (which means “legacy” in Arabic) used to be the UAE Army Officers Club. It is now been completely transformed into a beautifully designed hospitality destination — part resort, part event space, with cafés, restaurants, and plenty of places where you can simply hang out.

Erth has a lot of layers. You kind of move through it. You arrive, you walk, you start noticing things. There are pathways, courtyards, open areas, and even an oasis, with indoor spaces flowing into outdoor ones.

Food is a big part of the experience. If you are in the mood for something comforting and rooted in local flavours, there is Al Rimal (meaning "the sands"). Here, you will find a mix of Emirati-inspired dishes, fresh bread, mezze, desserts, and more international options as well.

If you are into Greek cuisine, Ergon Deli & Café is a great option. It is very laid-back and flexible: brunch, coffee, lunch, or an unpretentious dinner all work here. The food (a lot of Greek dishes!) feels fresh and seasonal, and it is the kind of place you end up staying longer than planned because it is just comfortable.

If you are hanging out by the pool or just want something casual, Asrah is ideal for drinks, light bites and desserts.

Then there is Beetza, which is exactly what it sounds like: pizza. Neapolitan, good, and delicious.

And if you are looking for a proper sit-down dining experience, Erth Restaurant (the world's first-ever MICHELIN-starred Emirati restaurant) is where you go. It is more refined, but still warm and approachable — food that takes inspiration from local flavours and presents them in a thoughtful, modern way.

Another really special layer at Erth is the Fount Flagship Store by the Ripple Collective. It feels like a place built around a shared love for good design — or, as the founders call it, a design shrine. You go there to slow down, look closely, and appreciate things that are well-made and thoughtfully designed.

Fount brings together objects, designers, and stories — from iconic design pieces to discoveries that feel completely new. There is a strong sense that everything here has been chosen with care: materials, tones, functionality, simplicity, purpose.

What is interesting is how all of this coexists at Erth so naturally. You might be there just to stay at the hotel, or simply for coffee, or to attend a wedding or a big event in one of the ballrooms, while someone else is browsing the store, and none of it clashes. The space absorbs it all. Even when it is busy, it still feels calm.

Erth doesn’t try to impress you loudly. There is no obvious luxury, no spectacle. It is just… confident, and full of space. Everything — the architecture, the materials, the way people move through it — feels thoughtful and human.