<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-09-26</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001251391</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EXCELSIOR ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF FUNDS LLC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NONE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001373880</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bailin David</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O US TRUST HEDGE FUND MANAGEMENT, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>225 HIGH RIDGE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>STAMFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06905</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Limited Liability Company Interests</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <remarks>The Reporting Person became a member of the Board of Managers and President of the Issuer on September 26, 2006.  The filing
 of this statement with the inclusion of the foregoing information shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting
 Person is the beneficial owner of any equity securities of the Issuer.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David Bailin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
