Vertical colorful panels run through the 34 floors of the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, a hotel that stands at the intersection of art, architecture, and sustainability
Between Modernism and Tradition: The Four Seasons Abu Dhabi at the Heart of Al Maryah Island
Al Maryah Island has become one of Abu Dhabi’s most dynamic hubs—a crossroads between the city’s twentieth-century modernist architecture and its cutting-edge new developments. Among its landmarks stands the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, a symbol of elegance and sustainable innovation.
Bridges and causeways connect the islands that make up Abu Dhabi. From the car window, the horizon often blurs where sea and sky meet—especially during summer, when the humid air creates a rarefied shimmer. Against this backdrop rises the city’s skyline: a geometry of glass and steel that reflects the emirate’s transformation since its major expansion in the 1970s and 1980s.
Opened in 2016, the Four Seasons Abu Dhabi embodies this blend of heritage and progress.
Al Maryah Island: Financial, Cultural, and Lifestyle Hub of Abu Dhabi
Al Maryah—named after an oasis region of Abu Dhabi and the Arabian deer species native to it—spans 114 hectares and is one of the city’s strategic centers. It is home to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the emirate’s international financial district, which became fully operational in 2015 and now regulates digital assets, making it a key jurisdiction for global cryptocurrency companies.
Another major attraction is The Galleria, Abu Dhabi’s premier lifestyle destination with more than 400 stores and 100 dining venues across 380,000 square meters. The Four Seasons Abu Dhabi connects directly to this mall, offering seamless access for business and leisure travelers alike.
A Conversation with GM Bob Suri: Four Seasons Abu Dhabi as a Living Work of Art
“The Four Seasons Abu Dhabi contains two thousand pieces of art—but it’s a piece of art itself,” says General Manager Bob Suri. The hotel’s vertical colorful panels, inspired by Middle Eastern textiles, line all 34 floors and anchor the design in both tradition and modernity.
Developed in collaboration with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council, the property was built under the principles of Estidama (Arabic for “sustainability”), part of the Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 initiative aimed at fostering ecological innovation and responsible urban growth.
Mashrabiya-Inspired Architecture: Sustainable Design at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
The building’s mashrabiya latticework is not merely decorative—it’s functional. This ancient architectural device provides natural ventilation and protection from the region’s intense sunlight, where summer temperatures often exceed 44°C. The design reduces solar radiation and energy consumption, while maintaining panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows that connect the interiors with the cityscape.
Art and Identity: The Seven Emirates Reflected in the Lobby of Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
Inside the lobby, a series of seven artworks honor the seven emirates of the UAE. “Each piece represents a defining landmark or feature of one emirate,” explains Suri. Abu Dhabi is symbolized by Qasr Al Hosn, Dubai by the Al Fahidi historical district, Ajman by its fort of coral and mud brick, Fujairah by its traditional fishing boats, Ras Al Khaimah by its mountainous Hajar range, Sharjah by Culture Square with its Quran sculpture, and Umm Al Quwain by its 1786 fort, now a national museum.
Diversity and Diplomacy: A Global Team at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
“Abu Dhabi has a strong cultural identity yet a very international feel,” says Suri. “Our team represents forty-six nationalities, each with different backgrounds and perspectives. Communication and clarity are essential here.”
Located next to the ADGM district, the hotel serves as a strategic meeting point for business leaders, diplomats, and entrepreneurs shaping the city’s global future.
Culture and Architecture: From Sheikh Zayed Mosque to Louvre Abu Dhabi
Our interview takes place in the elegant Al Meylas Lounge, the hotel’s social heart. From 3 to 7 p.m., guests enjoy traditional afternoon tea—a refined selection of gourmet sweet and savory bites. As the sun sets, the sound of the Muezzin’s call to prayer resonates across the city, creating a uniquely serene moment.
“Abu Dhabi has no rivalry with Dubai,” notes Suri. “This is where the government and culture reside. You only have to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to understand that.”
Built between 1996 and 2007, the mosque remains the UAE’s largest and most important place of worship, able to host more than 41,000 people during major prayers. Nearby, Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel and opened in 2017, anchors the city’s cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Soon, it will be joined by the long-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, set to become the world’s largest Guggenheim museum.
Nature Beyond the Skyline: Mangrove National Park and Saadiyat Beach
Beyond the skyscrapers, Abu Dhabi’s natural landscapes offer peaceful escapes. The Mangrove National Park, managed by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, preserves nearly 75% of the nation’s mangrove forests and supports rich biodiversity. Visitors can explore by kayak, paddleboard, or guided eco-tour.
Meanwhile, Saadiyat Beach, just minutes from the hotel and close to the city’s museum district, is regarded as Abu Dhabi’s most beautiful stretch of coast.
Wellness and Design: The Pool and Pearl Spa at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
The hotel’s third-floor pool seems to merge seamlessly with the water below, offering a 180-degree view of the bay and surrounding islands. Adjacent lies the Pearl Spa & Wellness, where the signature Gold Quartz Healing Therapy draws on ancient Greek psammotherapy—using warm quartz sand and vibration therapy to relieve tension and restore energy flow.
Fine Dining on the Waterfront: Café Milano and Butcher & Still
In the evening, guests can dine at Café Milano, overlooking the waterfront—a refined extension of the original Washington D.C. restaurant opened in 1992 by Franco Nuschese. The restaurant serves classic Italian cuisine in a luxurious nautical setting.
Alternatively, Butcher & Still reinterprets a 1920s Chicago steakhouse through an Emirati lens, with wood floors, leather banquettes, and Prohibition-era cocktails accompanying premium American cuts.
Leadership with a Global Perspective: GM Bob Suri at the Helm
Bob Suri, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, oversees 200 guest rooms and suites, 124 private residences, destination dining, and resort-style leisure facilities.
With over three decades in hospitality and nearly twenty years with Four Seasons across three continents, Suri began his journey in Toronto before leading food and beverage operations in Whistler, Damascus, Seychelles, Bahrain, and Dubai. In 2019, he took on his first General Manager role in Baku, Azerbaijan, before moving to Abu Dhabi.
