Car of the Year – Abu Dhabi
Guest Portal
March 2 -5, 2019
We look forward to welcoming you to Car of the Year, Abu Dhabi. This portal provides the latest up-to-date information and details for your upcoming trip. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Caroline Barry at carolineb@robbreport.com or 310-589-7664.
Abu Dhabi Itinerary– Updated 3/1/19
Before you leave:
🔲 (UPDATED 2/22/19) Please sign the Car of the Year Abu Dhabi Event Waiver by March 1
🔲 Make sure you have a valid passport.
🔲 Please send a picture or scan of your driver’s license to carolineb@robbreport.com by February 15.
🔲 Send your flight information,special rooming requests, or extensions to carolineb@robbreport.com by February 11.
🔲 (UPDATED 2/17/19) US Citizens do not need to obtain transit visas to enter the United Arab Emirates and will not need to do anything prior to arrival. All visas will be processed as you go through immigration upon arrival to Abu Dhabi or Dubai airports.
🔲 (UPDATED 2/20/19) Please review this safety advisory and consider registering for the State Department’s Safe Traveler Program. Please click here.
Hotel
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi (Corniche) & Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
As you have been made aware, due to an unforeseen government buyout of the Emirates Palace, guests will be staying at The St Regis Abu Dhabi (Corniche) for the night of March 2 (as well as pre-event nights if you are arriving early). Bell staff will be on hand to assist in transporting our guests from The St. Regis to the Emirates Palace on the morning of March 3.
The St Regis
Guests arriving pre-event and on March 2
The St. Regis Address: Nation Towers – Corniche Rd – Abu Dhabi
Check in: 3:00pm
Check out: Morning of March 3,transfers to Emirates Palace will be in the morning, exact time to be announced in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that the rooms will be available upon arrival to the Emirates Palace, but have requested early check ins for all rooms.
Emirates Palace
March 3 – March 5 and guests extending post-event
Emirates Palace Address: West Corniche Road – United Arab Emirates
Check in: March 3 at 2:00pm
Check Out: March 5 at 12:00pm*
*On March 5, we will have a full day of activities following check out. Guests will check out of their rooms before departing for the Louvre at 9:45am. Bags may be stored for the day with the bell desk. Upon your return at 5pm, guests have access to the Palace Lounge (available only to suite guests) if you need to wait before departing to the airport for a later flight.
If you would like to request a room upgrade, early or late check out, post-event extensions, an additional bed, or any other requests for your room, please email carolineb@robbreport.com. All changes and requests must be made by February 11.
Transportation
Transportation is provided by the Emirates Palace for all arrivals and departures at Abu Dhabi International Airport. If you require a ride to or from Dubai International Airport, please let us know and we can arrange for you, please note there will be an additional fee. Rides will also be provided from The St Regis to the Emirates Palace on March 3.
Please be sure to provide your flight details to carolineb@robbreport.com by February 11 in order to arrange your transportation.
Traveling into the UAE
Visa – (UPDATED 2/17/19) US Citizens do not need to obtain transit visas to enter the United Arab Emirates and will not need to do anything prior to arrival. All visas will be processed as you go through immigration upon arrival to Abu Dhabi or Dubai airports.
Medications – Please review this document if you are packing any medications. Guidelines for Travelers Carrying Personal Medications
Dress & Attire
Please don’t forget your sunglasses. Sunglasses are a must in Abu Dhabi!
Overall: Resort casual throughout the day. On the drive-day, be sure to wear flat and close-toed shoes for driving. The safari experience will be outdoors and in a lot of dust; it’s a good idea to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sun protection. All of the dinners will be cocktail attire, gentlemen in jackets and ties optional. It’s recommended to cover shoulders and knees. Additionally, close toed shoes are recommended for all.
Emirates Palace: In respect for the local culture, please abide by the dress code inside the Palace, which is a smart business casual clothing style or the traditional Arab national dress. Please kindly refrain from wearing shorts, Bermudas, Flip Flops, open-toed shoes or any other skin-exposing garment. Women should cover their shoulders and knees, and it is advisable to bring a pashmina with you at all times as it can often be cold in the air conditioning. Normal beach and pool attire is acceptable at the Beach Club.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Wear conservative, loose fitting clothing. Men are not allowed to wear shorts. Women need to wear a long sleeved shirt and long, loose pants or a long, loose fitting skirt that cover their wrists and ankles, and must cover their hair within the mosque. Women may be asked to wear a traditional robe (abaya) and a headscarf (shayla) before entering. If you do not bring your own, these will be provided for you. Shoes will be removed before entering the mosque. Please click HERE for visual guidelines.
Culture – A few things to note
PDA – Public displays of affection are not permissible in public and may be reported to the police. Holding hands is alright, but within the mosque men and women are not permitted to touch or take photos together.
Language – As a Western tourist, all of the staff will speak English so no need to know Arabic, but it may be helpful to know a few basic words.
Hello: As-salam alaykom
To reply back you say: Wa Alykom As-slam
Thank you: Shukran
Tipping – Tipping your waiter, hotel staff, taxi driver and car valet a standard 10-15% for good service is common practice in Abu Dhabi. However, be sure to check your bill in restaurants as some of the high-end dining establishments add 10% gratuity to the bill automatically. It’s recommended to leave a 10% tip in cash as opposed to leaving the tip on the credit card bill.
Alcohol – We look forward to enjoying some wonderful wine and spirits with you within Abu Dhabi as a part of our meals (we are Robb Report, after all), and alcohol may be purchased in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, but please note that drinking alcohol in public is illegal in Abu Dhabi. Buying alcohol in stores is not easily available unless you’re a resident with a license to buy alcohol.
Activities
Desert Safari Experience:
Discover the true desert of Abu Dhabi. Feel the thrill with an exciting drive over the sand dunes, visit a camel farm and take to the dunes on a sand board. As the afternoon turns to evening, watch the spectacular sunset from the dunes.
Your journey will continue until you reach the traditional Arabic camp, where you will enjoy a unique evening of activities and entertainment. After sunset, feast on a BBQ dinner served under the starlit sky. Enjoy live entertainment in the form of belly dancing to ensure you have a night to remember. Experience traditional Arabic hospitality, with Arabic coffee and dates served as they have been for centuries.
Yas Marina Circuit track drive experience:
Since its launch in 2009 to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Yas Marina Circuit continues to be one of Abu Dhabi’s most lively venues. The ultramodern track not only offers a bespoke and captivating racing spectacle but offers extensive year-round professional and grassroots motorsport events.
Private Tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stands out as one of the world’s largest mosques, and the only one that captures unique interactions between Islam and world cultures. Sheikh Zayed’s vision for the Grand Mosque was to incorporate architectural styles from different Muslim civilizations and celebrate cultural diversity by creating a haven that is truly diverse and inspirational in its foundation.
The open-door policy invites tourists and celebrants from all around the world who can witness the spectacular onion-top domes, the reflective pools that engulf the courtyard and the iconic prayer hall, which not only overflows with blissful sunlight, but also houses the world’s biggest chandelier and carpet, both meticulously handmade.
Private Tour of the Louvre:
Saadiyat Cultural District, the art-lovers dream displays the works of historical, cultural and sociological significance from ancient times to the contemporary era. Designed by Pritzker-prize winning architect Jean Nouvel, the Louvre Abu Dhabi encompasses 9,200 sq. m of galleries including the Permanent Gallery and a Temporary Gallery that is enriched by loans from many notable French museums including Musee du Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou.
Recreating parts of UAE’s integral cultural elements, Nouvel designed a falaj-inspired water system running through the museum, inspired by ancient Arabian engineering whilst the orderly lace dome borrows inspiration from the interlaced palm leaves traditionally used as roofing material in many parts of the country that results in an enchanting play of light. The juxtaposition of different civilizations in the same spaces, the Louvre Abu Dhabi illustrates similarities and exchanges from the shared human experience going beyond geography, nationality, and history.
Fellow RR1 Guests on the Trip
James Brendel & Willis Wong – San Francisco, CA
Roberto De Jesus & Ivelisse Cruz – Washington DC
Zane Edwards & Ryan Edwards – Redwood City, CA
Robert Frazier III & Robert Frazier IV – Calabasas, CA
Steven & Sandy Hardie – Las Vegas, NV
Lars Henriksen & Jasper Henriksen – West Palm Beach, FL
Scott Hershman & Therese Doherty – New York, NY
Michael & Allison Ingram – Montgomery, AL
Janice Jaraicie – Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Kirk & Debbie Ledbetter – Zephyr Cove, NV
Brian Libman – Westport, CT
Tony & Monique Owen – Manhattan Beach, CA
Antwane & Katrina Owens – Seattle, WA
Raina Ring & Blake Ring – Calabasas, CA
Mike & Mickala Sisk – Flower Mound, TX
Final reminder to complete the following checklist:
🔲 Make sure you have a valid passport
🔲 Please send a picture or scan of your driver’s license and driver’s insurance ID card to carolineb@robbreport.com by February 15.
🔲 Send your flight information,special rooming requests, or extensions to carolineb@robbreport.com by February 11.
🔲 (UPDATED 2/17/19) US Citizens do not need to obtain transit visas to enter the United Arab Emirates and will not need to do anything prior to arrival. All visas will be processed as you go through immigration upon arrival to Abu Dhabi or Dubai airports.
