Stopover in Abu Dhabi
An Unexpected 18-Hour Layover
On this occasion, we made the deliberate choice to break up our long journey from Australia to France with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. The decision was partly influenced by Etihad Airlines’ enticing offer of complimentary accommodation for layover passengers. We were looking forward to a proper shower, a comfortable bed, and a break from the confines of the airplane.
However, as fate would have it, our plans took an unexpected turn. Somewhere between booking and departure, Etihad changed their policy. They no longer offered the free hotel for layovers shorter than 24 hours. We were left with an 18-hour stopover, falling short of the new requirement.
I tried appealing to the airline and reminding them of their original promise, but they remained firm. In the end, we had no choice but to book a hotel ourselves — at a considerably expensive airport hotel. As experienced travellers know, airport hotels are rarely worth the price.
We landed in Abu Dhabi close to midnight. Customs was quick, but we soon discovered the hotel was not inside the new airport as expected. It was at the old airport, about 30 minutes away. Fortunately, a shuttle bus was waiting right outside and whisked us there without further hassle.
The hotel itself turned out to be comfortable and spotlessly clean, and the staff were warm and helpful. After a good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast, we checked out and prepared for the next leg of our journey.
Although the stopover didn’t go quite as planned, we still enjoyed the brief taste of Abu Dhabi and the kind hospitality. We’ve learned that future layovers in the Middle East should be longer — and probably not with Etihad. Despite the minor setback, it became another interesting chapter in our travels.