Hili Mall is a boutique-style shopping destination in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi’s “garden city,” known for its distinctive modern architecture, a strategic location along key intercity routes, and a strong retail and dining mix. Here’s a complete guide before you visit.
Location of Hili Mall
Hili Mall is strategically positioned in the Hili district, a thriving suburb and tourist area in the north of Al Ain, on Bani Yas Street. Al Ain itself sits roughly 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi city, in the emirate’s green, heritage-rich interior region.
Rising three storeys and spanning approximately 6.5 hectares, Hili Mall’s location places it at a genuine crossroads — surrounded by arterial routes connecting to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Oman, giving it a steady stream of visitors from residents, regional travelers, and tourists exploring Al Ain’s heritage sites. The mall is directly adjacent to the Hili Rayhaan by Rotana hotel, a 5-star, 254-room property whose guests frequently make use of the mall’s retail and dining options during their stay.
Shops and Stores at Hili Mall
Hili Mall houses more than 120 to 150 retail outlets (reports vary slightly by source), offering a solid boutique-style mix across its three floors:
Fashion: A premium selection of men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories is available, including Bird Life, a ladies’ apparel store specializing in formal outfits for special occasions and weddings, alongside other outlets covering sportswear, modest fashion, and traditional Arabic dress.
Jewelry and watches: Several stores offer luxury watches and gold and diamond jewelry for shoppers seeking finer pieces.
Perfume and cosmetics: A range of global perfume brands, cosmetics, and fragrant essential oils are available across multiple outlets.
Electronics and home goods: The mall offers electronic appliances, household goods, and home décor and furnishing options.
Hypermarket: A LuLu Hypermarket anchors the mall’s grocery and everyday essentials offering, covering fresh produce, crockery, home appliances, and more — a major convenience for nearby residents doing routine shopping.
Banking: Various banking services are available on-site, allowing visitors to manage finances or pay bills during their visit.
Dining at Hili Mall
Hili Mall’s food offering spans both a dedicated food court and standalone restaurants:
Biryani Pot serves North Indian cuisine, with butter chicken biryani and meat masala among its popular dishes. Solidaire Restaurant offers Arabic and Middle Eastern fare, including fattoush salad, grilled meats, and shisha. Pizzaro covers classic Italian flavours, including pizza and pasta. Hatam, located in the food court, specializes in Persian cuisine alongside hummus and other Arabic dishes. Additional food court options include Costa Coffee and McDonald’s, among others.
Entertainment and Services
Beyond shopping and dining, Hili Mall includes family entertainment venues and neighbourhood services alongside its retail offering, making it a fuller day-out destination rather than a purely transactional shopping stop.
Timings
Reported hours vary slightly by source, so it’s worth confirming current timings directly with the mall before visiting:
Most consistently reported: Saturday to Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Thursday and Friday, 10:00 AM to midnight.
One source lists a slightly different weekly pattern — Sunday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Thursday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM — so days and closing times differ across listings.
Individual stores may also adjust their hours during Ramadan and public holidays, so it’s worth checking directly with specific outlets if timing is important to your visit.
Connectivity and How to Reach Hili Mall
Al Ain, like Abu Dhabi, does not have an operational metro system, so Hili Mall is reached primarily by road:
By car: Hili Mall’s location on Bani Yas Street places it along major arterial routes connecting Al Ain to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Oman, making it a convenient stop for both local residents and travelers passing through the region.
By taxi or ride-hailing: Given the absence of rail transport in Al Ain, taxis and ride-hailing apps are a practical way to reach the mall for visitors without a car.
Nearby Areas
Hili Mall’s location in northern Al Ain places it close to a few notable spots:
Hili Rayhaan by Rotana: The adjacent 5-star hotel, directly connected to the mall’s retail and dining ecosystem. Hili District: The immediate suburb the mall is named after and located within, known as a popular tourist area. Al Ain city centre: A short drive away, home to the emirate’s other major shopping options, including Al Ain Mall and Bawadi Mall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hili Mall located? On Bani Yas Street in the Hili district, in the north of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi emirate.
What are Hili Mall’s opening hours? Most commonly reported as 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Saturday to Wednesday, and 10:00 AM to midnight on Thursday and Friday, though it’s best to confirm current hours directly with the mall.
Is there a metro station near Hili Mall? No. Al Ain does not have a metro system, so the mall is reached by car or taxi.
Does Hili Mall have a hypermarket? Yes, a LuLu Hypermarket operates within the mall, covering groceries, home appliances, and household goods.
Is Hili Mall connected to a hotel? Yes, it’s directly adjacent to the Hili Rayhaan by Rotana, a 5-star hotel with 254 rooms.
How many stores does Hili Mall have? Reports vary between roughly 120 and 150 retail outlets across three floors.
What cuisines are available at Hili Mall? The mall offers North Indian, Arabic and Middle Eastern, Italian, and Persian cuisine, along with familiar food court names like Costa Coffee and McDonald’s.
Does Hili Mall change its hours during Ramadan? Individual store timings may change during Ramadan and public holidays, so it’s best to check with specific outlets ahead of your visit.
Final Thoughts
Hili Mall’s boutique scale, strategic crossroads location, and adjacency to a major hotel make it a convenient and steadily busy shopping destination for residents, hotel guests, and regional travelers passing through Al Ain. Since the city has no metro system, arriving by car or taxi is the way to go, and it’s worth double-checking current hours directly with the mall or specific stores, since reported timings vary slightly across sources and can shift around holidays.