Where to stay for the Coldplay concert in Abu Dhabi as room rates near Zayed Sports Stadium rise

Some accommodation options have already sold out ahead of the January 11 gig

Bab Al Nojoum offers glamping, overwater villas and a private beach, and is an excellent post-Coldplay concert base. Photo: Bab Al Nojoum

Hotels in the Abu Dhabi area are already starting to sell out at sky-high prices ahead of Coldplay's concert on January 11, although a second concert is now set to take place on January 12.

Fans are expected to travel from far and wide for the high-profile event, with Abu Dhabi Tourism confirming that more than 100,000 people have already registered for presale tickets for January 11. Hotels in the area, including Aloft Abu Dhabi, are already starting to sell out on the Saturday night, while others are requesting sky-high rates – a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal on that night starts from Dh25,000, for instance. However, the website lists the tariff for January 12 at Dh2,725 at the time of writing.

Pre-sale tickets for the Music of the Spheres World Tour gig are on sale and thousands of fans have registered to pick up the tickets. The British band are performing at Zayed Sports Stadium in what will be the group’s only Middle East gig on its worldwide tour.

The open-air venue is more than four decades old and, when it first opened, the stadium was on the edge of the city. Today, it's nestled in Al Radwah area of Abu Dhabi, with striking views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,

For those looking for a place to stay after the concert, here is a selection of hotels that still have availability at the time of writing.

Pearl Rotana Capital Centre

A top choice thanks to its proximity to the venue – it’s a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk. The hotel has spacious rooms, and there’s a rooftop pool bar with views over the city. It’s also home to decent eateries including The Warehouse Wine and Tapas bar and Dino’s Italian Bistro. While rooms start at Dh582 in low season, staying here on January 11 will set you back at least Dh1,530, plus taxes.

Centro Capital Centre

A 20-minute walk from the venue, the three-star Centro Capital Centre is another budget property where rates have gone up due to the concert. On January 11, room rates start at Dh1,215, excluding taxes, which is more than double its lowest room rates. This venue has contemporary decor, a rooftop swimming pool and a 24-hour takeaway deli, ideal for post-concert snacks. All-day dining is available at C-Taste and the hotel is attached to sister property Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, which has a choice of restaurants and bars. There are also plenty of eateries within walking distance in the Capital Centre district.

Al Raha Beach Hotel

Another long-established resort in the UAE capital, Al Raha Beach Hotel is located in the rapidly expanding Raha district of the city. The recently refurbished resort has a choice of rooms, suites or villas, with four-bedroom options a good pick for those coming in a large group. The beach has 500 metres of shoreline, two infinity pools and a family pool. There are also six options for eating and drinking. Getting to the gig from here will involve a car ride, which should take less than 20 minutes. On January 11, rooms start from a relatively reasonable Dh567, plus taxes.

Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre

It is a budget hotel within walking distance of the concert venue, but rooms are currently selling for a lot more than usual. It has all the basics, including an outdoor pool for unwinding post gig, plus a gym and hot tub. An in-house Costa Coffee is ideal for those needing a kick-start after a late night partying at Coldplay. Rooms start at Dh1,147, excluding taxes, on January 11.

Andalus Al Seef Resort & Spa

A hidden gem evoking Mediterranean village vibes, Andalus Al Seef Resort and Spa is a good pick for those looking for a place to stay with everything on their doorstep. The resort is family-friendly, has two palm-lined swimming pools and manicured gardens. It's also right next to excellent cafes including Sandersons and Nolus, and a small mall that has a Carrefour, handy for last-minute concert essentials. It is less than 6km from the venue and the drive should take about10 minutes, traffic-dependent. On January 11, rooms start at Dh812, plus taxes.

Erth Abu Dhabi

A heritage hotel that is also one of the capital's most futuristic-looking resorts, Erth Abu Dhabi was recently refurbished and offers a Michelin-starred restaurant, plus manicured gardens, a beach club with two oasis-shaped pools and a 350m-long private beach. Rooms and suites have a contemporary design. The hotel is only 4km from the concert venue, and rooms start at Dh1,330, including taxes, on January 11.

Marriott Hotel Al Forsan

Marriott Hotel Al Forsan is in Khalifa City, a 15-minute drive from Zayed Sports Stadium. Rooms are spacious and there's an Olympic-sized swimming pool with a swim-up pool bar. There's plenty to do here, either pre or post-concert, with archery, equestrian, go karting and more available. There are also six dining options, including a steakhouse and sports bar Appaloosa, plus a luxury spa. On January 11, rooms start at Dh1,425, including taxes.

Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat

For those with festival vibes, camping is an option at Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat Island. Set in one of the capital's newest regions, the resort is reachable via the imposing Hudayriyat Bridge and is a 20-minute drive from the stadium. Abu Dhabi's first glamping site offers a variety of basic tents with shared camp facilities, through to luxury chalets and overwater villas. Campers are provided with most amenities, including tents, shared bathrooms, BBQ pits and basic toiletries. Guests can add mattresses and towels but have to bring their own sleeping bags. Stays start at Dh473 for a basic two-person tent, including breakfast.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas

For those aiming to make a mini-break out of concert weekend, Saadiyat Rotana Resorts and Villas is an option on Saadiyat Island, arguably Abu Dhabi’s most picturesque coastline. The five-star resort has a huge outdoor swimming pool and beach access. Dolphins can be spotted frolicking offshore. If it's a family break, there is a lazy river, water slides and a children's club. A taxi to the Zayed Sports Stadium typically takes half an hour, but concert traffic is likely to impact that. On January 11, rates start at Dh1,602 excluding taxes.