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A first-of-its-kind Hilton property with a Warner Brothers theme offers free tickets to three nearby theme parks as part of your stay. This includes a water park, Warner Brothers park, and even the world's fastest roller coaster. Along with character breakfast and pool-side movies, the best part is that you can book this property using your Hilton Honors points. Here's a look.
The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
This Warner Brothers-themed property is part of Hilton's Curio Collection and is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Boasting a “first-of-its-kind” status on its website, the property includes features like “dive-in” movies, a kids club, multiple restaurants, and even character breakfasts.
As cool as this Warner Brothers-meets-Hilton hotel looks, the most attractive feature for me is this one: free theme park tickets included in your stay.
This perk offers free daily tickets to 3 theme parks on Yas Island: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. This park has the world's fastest rollercoaster.
Value of This Perk
First, let me point out that hotels affiliated with Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World brag about early park admission and free shuttles. None of them, however, include free theme park tickets.
But how much do the tickets to Yas Island theme parks cost? How much are you saving?
Day pass costs:
- Warner Brothers World
- Adult 1-day ticket: 295 AED / ~$80 USD
- Child 1-day ticket: 230 AED / ~$63 USD
- Yas Waterworld
- Adult 1-day ticket: 270 AED / ~ $74 USD
- Child 1-day ticket: 220 AED / ~ $60 USD
- Ferrari World
- Adult 1-day ticket: 295 AED / ~$80 USD
- Child 1-day ticket: 230 AED / ~$63 USD
“1 day, any two parks” pass costs: 395 AED / ~ $108 USD (no discounted price for children)
“Unlimited 3 days, 3 parks” pass costs: 545 AED / ~ $148 USD (no discounted price for children)
Value in Savings
Thus, if you have a family of 2 adults and 2 children, this could save you nearly $600 on a 3-night stay ($148 for a three-day pass x 4). For a couple, you could even save $160 on a one-night stay visiting just one park.
This is in addition to the free transport to the parks nearby.
So What Does It Cost to Stay Here?
When I first heard that there's a Hilton property with a Warner Brothers theme and free park tickets, I figured prices would be horrible. Luckily, they're not. Plus, you can book with your Hilton Honors points.
Since Hilton Honors uses dynamic award pricing, the number of points you'll need per night can change. Above, you can see a sample of award pricing from July 2022. Award nights range from 40,000 to 50,000 points per night for a standard room.
Beyond the standard rooms (called “Artist Room”), there are upgrades and suites available. These cost more points, obviously.
Redemption Values at The WB Abu Dhabi
Are these good values? Let's check the math. From recent redemption data from AwardWallet users, we see that Hilton Honors points are worth an average of 0.62¢ per point. Hilton Honors often sells miles for 0.5¢ per point.
Here are the redemption values in the image above:
- King Artist Room – 0.33¢
- King Directors Room – 0.26¢
- King Producers Suite – 0.26¢
- The WB Family Connecting Room – 0.26¢
- The Studio Suite – 0.26¢
These are well below average redemption rates. However, there's one more thing to consider: a 10% service charge.
Unfortunately, The WB Abu Dhabi charges a 10% service charge on bookings. On cash stays and cash+points bookings, you will pay an extra 10% on the cash portion of your stay. If you use more points and less cash, the 10% will adjust accordingly.
However, if you pay 100% in points for a full award redemption, your cash portion is $0. Thus, 10% of $0 is $0.
Thus, I would add an extra 10% to the value of award redemptions here. So rooms range from 0.29¢ to 0.36¢ in redemption value on your Hilton points.
Still, that's far below the baseline value of Hilton points. So, you may still want to pay the cash rate — even after factoring the 10% service charge — and save your Hilton points for some of the best Hilton redemptions.
Our Take
The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton is a really interesting concept. It boasts a Warner Brothers theme, cool amenities at the property itself, free tickets to 3 nearby theme parks, and you can book it with your Hilton points to save money. I'm definitely interested in staying here. My wife said she will go, but she says I'll have to ride “the world's fastest rollercoaster” by myself.
Would you stay here? Do you think it's a good redemption of Hilton points?
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