Over the past year, I had the pleasure of discovering Etihad’s layover program— a surprisingly generous scheme that allows travellers to stay in Abu Dhabi with a free two-night hotel stay, or, in my case, extend it by one additional night and pay just $200 USD for a five-star hotel.

Here are a few important things to know before booking.

First and foremost, you must book directly through the Etihad website. I originally flew from Bangkok to Amsterdam and found my flight deal on Kiwi.com, which is my go-to search engine for affordable flights. However, what I later discovered was that when booking directly with Etihad, you’re given access to their Abu Dhabi layover option. Adding three days in Abu Dhabi cost me roughly $20 CAD on top of my ticket.

So how does it work?

If your layover is two days, Etihad provides a free stay at a three-star hotel (without breakfast). If you choose to stay three days, you pay for one night—$200 USD—and in return, you’re upgraded to a five-star hotel with breakfast included.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Surprisingly, it’s not.

That said, there is a catch: you need to ensure your layover dates don’t fall on Etihad’s listed blackout dates. This detail is definitely buried in the fine print, so I strongly recommend double-checking before booking otherwise, you could lose eligibility for the hotel entirely.

In my case, I had to contact customer service because no hotel options appeared after booking my flight. Thankfully, Etihad’s chat support was helpful, though a bit time-consuming. I suspect this was due to my layover falling between December 27–30, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. I later learned that had I booked for December 31, I wouldn’t have been eligible at all, another reason why checking blackout dates is so important.

It’s also worth noting that hotel assignments depend on availability. I was placed at the Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi (ranked 6th among the 20 top hotels in the Middle East by Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards!) and I couldn’t have been happier. The buffet breakfast alone was incredible. The only *minor* downside was the location it’s not within walking distance of major attractions, so expect a 15-minute Kareem ride (Abu Dhabi’s version of Uber) to downtown or the Grand Mosque.

As for the service, I have nothing but positive things to say. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, and while the hotel has a slightly vintage feel, the rooms were luxurious: complete with a large bathroom, bathtub, and spacious shower. The hotel also features a rooftop pool and a well-equipped gym, all within an impressively large property.

Considering I paid only $200 USD for a five-star hotel during one of the busiest times of the year (when comparable hotels were going for $400–$500 per night!) I can confidently say the experience was more than worth it.

While Abu Dhabi is quieter than its more notorious and grandiose neighbour, Dubai, there’s still plenty to do. One of my favourite experiences was visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. I highly recommend booking in advance and preparing for long lines. If you don’t already have traditional attire, there are shops underneath the mall you pass through on the way to the mosque where you can purchase an abaya and headscarf.

Other highlights include the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, and Corniche Beach.

Since three days felt like more than enough time in Abu Dhabi, I also managed to squeeze in a day trip to Dubai. Personally, I don’t think you need more than two days to see Abu Dhabi’s main attractions, it’s much more laid-back compared to Dubai. That said, if I hadn’t gone to Dubai, I would’ve definitely opted for a desert safari, which is also extremely popular.

Overall, getting a taste of Abu Dhabi—the culture, hospitality, luxury, and everything in between was absolutely worth it. Since I needed a layover anyway due to the long distance between Bangkok and Amsterdam, being able to turn it into what felt like two trips in one was the cherry on top.

If you’re considering flying with Etihad Airways or planning a layover in Abu Dhabi, I can’t recommend this experience enough.