W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is the capital's first pet-friendly five-star hotel

The luxury resort is welcoming dogs, cats and goldfish for sleepovers with their pet parents

The famed W sign to welcome guests to the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island. All images Reem Mohammed / The National

W Lounge at the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, the lounge offers views of the marina and the race track.

Inside the Extreme Wow Suite at the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.

The hotel's modern reception area.

The display in the reception of the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.

The Wet Deck pool area at the W Abu Dhabi.

Comfy seating in the reception area. Reem Mohammed / The National

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed to join owners at Wet Deck.

Details inside the Living Room space in the lobby at the W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island.

A wall display inspired by the pearl divers behind the reception desk.

Bites on offer at the Living Room.

Staycations are great, but if you happen to be a pet parent you'll find that planning a night away comes with a few additional things to think about, namely whether your pet can come with you or where they will stay instead.

In Abu Dhabi, there is a lack of pet-friendly hotels, as well as a limited selection of boarding places that welcome pets overnight, and the ones that do exist are certainly not cheap.

But W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island is set to change that with a new pet-friendly policy, which welcomes animals to check-in at the five-star resort.

Bring your dog, cat or goldfish

The resort on Yas Island is the first luxury hotel in the capital to allow guests to bring their pets for a staycation.

And it's not only dogs that are welcome. The W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island also welcomes cats and even goldfish.

Pets weighing up to a maximum of 18 kilograms can stay with their owners. Animals are allowed in the hotel's Living Room (lobby area) and inside the suites.

All pet guests will get their own bed, bowls for food and water, and a complimentary snack. Dog owners will also be provided with waste bags and can take their pet for a walk in the on-site Palm Garden. Cats will be provided with an in-room litter tray.

There's also a pet-friendly menu filled with tasty meals, snacks and toys that can be ordered from room service.

Not quite access all areas

Pets are not allowed at the pool or in any of the hotel restaurants or bars. However, dog-sitting services are available for guests who want to leave their rooms. These services need to be pre-booked in advance and incur a cost.

Pet fees typically cost Dh350 per animal, plus a daily hosting fee of Dh70, but to celebrate the first furry guests, the "P A W Esome Retreat" package is running until the end of the year.

Inclusive of a room for two adults and one pet, it also includes treats, toys and a special welcome pack for your four-legged friend. Breakfast for the humans is also part of the package and pets get a discount on the in-room Paw dining menu.

W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island opened in December 2019. As well as being Abu Dhabi's only luxury pet-friendly hotel, it's also the only hotel in the world to be located on top of a Grand Prix racetrack.

Stays from Dh735, plus taxes. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; marriott.com