The International Airport in Abu Dhabi is like any international terminal in India compared to Dubai International Airport. It cannot be compared to the Dubai counterpart in anything. Facilities, Duty Free, Staff, all needs to be improved to be anything to international standards. It parking lot and the scenic surroundings is definitely better than Dubai, but in terms of comfort, class and facilities, its no where there. The City is bigger and has taller buildings, more greener but traffic manners of the people are something I personally like to see improvement. Shopping is again limited and its not a business hum like Dubai. More of an Oil centre. Considering the distance between Dubai and Abu Dhabi and good roads, I would recomend Dubai airport to anybody intending to travel to this part.
However if you compare it to Mumbai or Delhi, its a paradise.