Exclusive Interview with Matthias Widor – General Manager at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa

We spoke to Matthias Widor, General Manager at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, and asked him what measures have been taken to make the resort and Abu Dhabi as a whole a safe place to play golf during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The Westin is one of the most luxurious golf resorts in the Middle East and home to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA, one of the European Tour’s eight premium golf events that form the Rolex Series.

What safety measures have been put in place?

The Go Safe Certification program has been launched in tourist premises within Abu Dhabi to reassure visitors that all safety measurements have been taken for a safe environment. The Go Safe Certification is a program endorsed by the Abu Dhabi Government which testifies to the implementation of cleanliness and hygiene standards designed to minimize the spread of the virus.

Are you confident that Abu Dhabi is a safe destination to travel to this fall/winter?    

As you may know, the UAE is one of the safest countries in the world during these difficult times. I can assure you that the government always takes proactive actions to ensure that residents and tourists live in a safe environment.

What can golfers expect when staying at The Westin?  

The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa is located on Abu Dhabi’s premier golf course, Abu Dhabi Golf Club. It is the only golf resort in the capital with a 27-hole championship golf course, offering unique and highly attractive surroundings. It is home to a wide selection of restaurants and bars and also features the Heavenly Spa and three swimming pools.

The Westin Abu Dhabi is the only hotel in the UAE where you can step out from your room and you are on the golf course. Very similar to skiing, you always want to stay where you ski, so our property is one of a kind with direct access to the golf course.

Also, golfers have a chance to play at nearby golf courses such as Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, one of the world’s most captivating golfing projects with a Gary Player-designed golf course, and Yas Links Abu Dhabi, the first links golf course in the Middle East region which was designed by Kyle Phillips, one of the world’s leading golf course designers.

One experience you shouldn’t miss when in Abu Dhabi?

Where else but in Abu Dhabi can you see flamingos (Al Wathba Wetland Reserve), ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster (Ferrari World Abu Dhabi), visit UNESCO world heritage sites (Al Ain), and kayak through a national park (Mangrove National Park) in a single day?

It’s quite difficult to choose only one experience. There’s the Louvre Abu Dhabi, unique beaches, desert safaris, and the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, to name just a few.