A layover in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates just celebrated its 40th birthday, but despite entering middle age, slowing down now isn’t an option. In Abu Dhabi, the capital, construction cranes, skyscrapers and streets with no names (seriously: addresses aren’t used here) spring up from the sand almost daily. And with more than $1 trillion invested in this desert city, capital may be even easier to come by than water.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr | Photo: Clint McLean

Lay of the land: The new Central Business District on Sowwah Island is still a work in progress, so commerce is forging ahead on Abu Dhabi Island proper. With all the foreign cash flowing through the city, five-star hotels are thriving. The ultra-stylish Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is Abu Dhabi’s top business hotel, thanks to its private beach and its nearby golf courses. A standout among the latest openings is Rocco Forte, a bold, glass hotel inspired by the surrounding dunes and the waves of the Persian Gulf.

Prego’s | Photo: Clint McLean

Make your pitch: Prego’s in the Beach Rotana Hotel is a perennial favourite for business lunches, serving up wood-fired pizza, pasta and sea views behind its floor-to-ceiling windows. Another popular spot is Australian import Jones the Grocer, a high-end café that makes excellent salads and wagyu beef burgers—Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, brought Hillary Clinton here for lunch last year.

Hakkasan | Photo: Clint McLean

Seal the deal: Emirati people prefer to keep business talk to office hours, but meetings do move into the night, in which case you’ll likely find yourself at Hakkasan in the Emirates Palace. The 16,000-square-foot resto-bar-lounge is big on drama: think cage-like lattice screens and back-lit blue glass. In this Muslim country, alcohol is generally served only in hotel bars, making Hakkasan the perfect destination for winding down after a long day.

What to read: Born in 1948, Mohammed Al-Fahim witnessed Abu Dhabi’s transformation from a struggling Bedouin enclave into the world’s richest city. His memoir, From Rags to Riches, offers poignant insight into the business community and the ruling elite.

Terminal tip: If you’re craving more royal treatment, sign up for Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Al Dar VIP services, which includes not only a luxurious private lounge, but also a dedicated team to take care of everything from check-in and baggage to customs.

First person: “If you go to a meeting, you will be offered Arabic coffee—a light, flowery brew scented with cardamom and rosewater and served in tiny little cups. It’s considered rude to refuse coffee when it’s offered, so it’s good to drink at least one cup. If you’ve had enough after that, just wiggle your cup to signal you don’t want any more.” —Laura Koot is managing editor at The National, which reports on the UAE and the Middle East. She has lived in Abu Dhabi for four years.

This article has been edited for length and clarity.