Salaam-Alaikum [peace be unto you]. KDHamptons recently returned from my annual trip to the United Arab Emirates to visit my sister Kim, who lives in Abu Dhabi with her husband Steve and my 5- year old godson, Brady.

 

 

 

As one snow storm after the next keeps unloading on the Hamptons, I was thrilled to jet off for three weeks of exciting Arabian adventures with Kim. Abu Dhabi is one of the most beautiful places in the world, laced with luxury, perfect weather, the kindest people, exotic animals, gourmet international cuisine, fabulous fashion, and exciting nightlife. Here are a few highlights of my KDH Abu Dhabi Travel Diary:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because Kim actually lives in Abu Dhabi, my visits allow me to fold into her daily routine —which sometimes feel more like a scene from a movie. After dropping Brady off for school, we usually head over to her beach club, Emirates Palace, for a work out, swim, or tennis [pictured below].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dining and nightlife scene in Abu Dhabi is totally amazing. What I love most is that everyone dresses up — like all of my fashion magazine girlfriends still do in NYC: Sparkling fine jewelry, Louboutin sexy stilettos, pretty flowing dresses and a statement bag, usually Hermes or Dior here. You won’t see any colored skinny jeans, trainers & slouchy tees here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all were excited to go watch Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy kick off the 2014 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Tournament [below]. Steve shares, “The tournament this year was really exciting with Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy right in the mix up to the last hole, but Spanish golfer Pablo Larrazábal emerged victorious with Rory and Phil each finishing one stroke behind Larrazábal, tying for second place.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the coolest things to do when visiting Abu Dhabi is head out into the beautiful desert to stay at the Banyan Tree Al Wadi resort [above]. Amid stretches of desert sand in tranquil Wadi Khadeja [which is about two hours drive from Abu Dhabi], Banyan Tree Al Wadi is the most luxurious desert resort in the United Arab Emirates, complete with an Asian-inspired hydrotherapy spa facility, a dedicated nature reserve, and amazing activities that you typically only see in Aladdin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The contemporary adaptation of traditional Arabic architecture set amidst miles of rolling sand dunes will have you snapping photos at every turn. The tented design of the villas is inspired by local tribes and their nomadic lifestyle with elaborate Arabic touches of lattice woodwork and intricate carvings in arabesque design. The experience here is magical, and different than any place I have traveled to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another amazing trip….can’t wait for next January!