ABU DHABI// While the city may not have had the huge parties and fireworks displays of Dubai, there was still plenty of revelry to mark New Year's Eve.
One popular venue was the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri Hotel, which hosted the Back to the '80s night to mark the occasion.
The hotel invited people to don their most outlandish 1980s outfits. Only a few dressed up in the spirit of the decade, but the dress standard in general was a pretty smart turnout.
"People like to dress up in evening gowns, but I guarantee you they will be dancing like it's the 1980s," said Patrice Cornee, the executive assistant manager for food and beverage for the hotel.
As guests arrived to the sounds of classic tunes by the likes of Whitney Houston and the Pointer Sisters, they were also greeted by hotel employee Kedy DeFelix in an incredibly tasteless 1980s outfit.
By researching the style of the decade on YouTube, he turned up wearing a large dark-haired wig, oversized guitar-shaped sunglasses and a suede vest.
He was one of several hotel employees who dressed up to celebrate the decade though Mr DeFelix, 26, said many people had mistakenly thought he was dressed as Elvis Presley.
"Everyone likes my hair," he said.
About 650 people were expected to attend the party, held in the Shangri-La's Sofra bld, Hoi An and Shang Palace venues, Mr Cornee said.
As well as a live covers band, they were also entertained by fireworks at midnight – albeit much smaller than the world's largest display in Dubai.
One of the guests was Egyptian Yasser Zaki and his Tunisian wife, Yousra Hosni, a supervisor at a family health clinic.
He said that their wish for 2014 was to have a child, though they differed on which gender – he wanted a baby girl, she hoped for a boy.
Mr Zaki, a legal translator, said he'd also like more money so that he can relax and "not have to do anything".
"My plan for the New Year is no plan," he said. "I want to be a millionaire."
Mr DeFelix said he hoped for good health, more blessings to come "and to be successful".
Elsewhere, many Abu Dhabi residents had their plans cancelled when Red Line Media and Marketing entertainment company suddenly announced to hotels that a line-up of concert events at several venues would not take place.
The InterContinental in turn announced that it would host a free party for ticket holders who had had their plans cancelled.
A popular Arab musician had been scheduled to perform at each hotel before the company notified the hotels via email that the event was cancelled. The company did not respond to inquiries.
lcarroll@thenational.ae
