Abu Dhabi’s Helix Hotel pushes the boundaries

Rectangular buildings are SO passé: the Helix Hotel looks set to open up a whole new frontier for hotel design. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Helix has been designed by Leeser Architecture and, according to one of its harshest critics, resembles “a load of toilet seats stacked together.” Inside, the building is a continuous spiral with a hollow centre to allow the constant flow of customers throughout the hotel.

This unusual construction has already won first prize in a competition for five-star luxury hotel designs, its most striking feature being a glass-bottom pool on the top floor, allowing swimmers to enjoy the view from eight flights up. Situated on the bay and seeming to rise out of the water, the Helix Hotel will offer some of the best views in the area.

Fitness fanatics will enjoy one of the Helix’s most playful features – a running track on the fifth floor that encourages guests to exercise in air-conditioned comfort and a cunningly designed indoor-outdoor spa, which will help them to unwind afterwards.

Abu Dhabi’s climate can be fearsome, especially during the hot summer months, so the architects have cleverly incorporated an environmentally friendly waterfall into the lobby and hallway. A glass wall will descend from the second floor down to the water, which has the ability to slide open when the weather cools.

When complete the Helix Hotel will contain 208 rooms to attract a sophisticated five-star clientele.

Click to see some of Abu Dhabi’s most exclusive luxury real estate.

New post on at Monday, 17 August, 2009, 7:59 am and is archived in Lifestyle, Luxury, Places of Interest, Travel. Subscribe to answers with RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.