Though its name is Erth and it’s decorated with natural woods and organic textures, this 75-hectare city resort appears anything but earthbound. The centrepiece hotel is one of Abu Dhabi’s true architectural marvels, an otherworldly structure that looks equal parts stingray and spaceship when seen from above.
In fact, erth means “legacy” in Arabic, a nod to the estate’s impressive history. The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, envisaged this as a recreational space for the UAE Armed Forces, as well as a gift to his sons who had served. The Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel (AFOCH) was eventually founded in 1997, opening to the public six years later and becoming popular with families across the city. Refurbished and reopened as Erth in 2022, the well-disciplined staff nod to AFOCH’s regimented origins while internal Japanese-style rock gardens maintain a peaceful atmosphere. The buffet breakfast on the Al Rimal restaurant terrace – all za’atar cruffins and fresh smoothies – is the best in the city.
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