Hotels
A placing keep by the ocean on the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort — Resort Insider
Sep
They are saying the previous ones are the most effective.
The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi is actually one of many longest-running accommodations on the UAE capital’s most pristine island, having opened its doorways in 2011; it additionally marked the primary steps from the model into the Center East.
Nonetheless, with eight others now working within the area, The Nationwide checked in to seek out out if the unique nonetheless holds onto its crown.
The welcome
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Turning left into the St Regis resort, travellers first wind alongside a palm tree-lined street, giving the sense of a tropical getaway. Valet parking is out there proper outdoors the resort, and workers are fast to gather each baggage and automobile and whisk us inside. Test-in is swift and environment friendly, and we’re en path to our fourth-floor suite very quickly, knowledgeable by the receptionist that our butler can be alongside to introduce himself.
Certain sufficient, 10 minutes later we meet Mustafa who briefs us on the suite, the resort and the duties that he can assist with, similar to unpacking, urgent laundry and escorting us to spa and dinner appointments.
The neighbourhood
As talked about, the resort was one of many first to open on Saadiyat Island. It was certainly one of solely two resorts on Happiness Island (which the identify interprets to in Arabic). At this time, it is surrounded by a cluster of luxurious accommodations, residential buildings, a world-class golf course and a cluster of cultural establishments similar to Louvre Abu Dhabi, New York College Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is predicted to open in 2026.
Contained in the St Regis compound, travellers will see leafy residential villas, a yoga studio, hair salon, grocery store and a handful of eating places and bars.
The protection measures
Our Al Hosn inexperienced go is checked upon entry, and workers are all sporting face masks as per Abu Dhabi’s Covid-19 guidelines.
The room
We’re staying in a lovely Astor suite which, our butler tells us, has among the best views of the ocean within the resort. The capacious suite spans a separate residing and eating space, visitor rest room, bed room and a really spacious lavatory and has a chic impartial color palette, which has clearly been impressed by the close by seaside with mom of pearl tiling, seashell formed lamps and gold and turquoise materials.
It has two balconies, each of which share the identical view. If we’re being pedantic, we’ll name it a resort view reasonably than an ocean view, because the household pool is true in entrance of us with the Arabian Gulf solely seen within the distance. Both method, it is a beautiful vista.
The scene
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A favorite with households, there’s loads to maintain everybody busy. There’s the sandcastle membership the place little ones can participate in every day actions and revel in their very own pool. There’s additionally a sprawling household pool, which has a separate out of doors lap pool, and an adults-only pool.
The Iridium spa is slightly haven of tranquillity with separate female and male rest areas, every with a whirlpool, sauna and steam room. A wholly dreamy therapeutic massage hits the spot, sending us again to our suite in a calming daze.
The Athletic Membership is open for individuals who need to work out throughout their keep. It has an indoor lap pool — ultimate for the summer time months — and there are tennis and squash courts. And, that’s earlier than we get to the 9 kilometres of personal shoreline.
The meals
All-day restaurant Olea is a superbly embellished venue and the breakfast unfold is sort of one thing, serving quiches, pastries, sandwiches, bagels, a number of forms of home-made honey, much more types of granola, unique fruits, an Arabic station, eggs, waffles and extra. It’s additionally open every day till 1pm, that means you possibly can bask in a really leisurely brunch.
We’ve got dinner at Mazi, certainly one of only a handful of Greek eateries in Abu Dhabi. Its inside mirrors the colors of golden sunsets and turquoise sea views, and the menu is a sharing idea, with dishes dropped at the desk when prepared.
We begin with the tzatziki (Dh55) which comes with a smattering of brilliant inexperienced herb think about high of creamy white sauce that’s served with thick toasted bread slices.
Tuna tartare (Dh85) is served with pine nuts and is recent and delicate, and a standout crab salad (Dh110) hits all the proper notes with mouthfuls of barely candy crabmeat in a creamy sauce in every chew.
The lobster orzo pasta (Dh165) is disappointing, each in flavour and in its risotto-like texture. The grilled sea bass (Dh250) fares significantly better and is expertly served with a easy lemon sauce to maintain the give attention to the recent lower of fish.
We’re too full for dessert, however when you have area there is a pleasant sounding loukoumades with lavender honey on the menu.
The service
St Regis is thought for its hospitality and we’re not disillusioned. The butlers assigned to our room are charming and helpfully escort us to a sabering appointment — the place we’re handled to a re-enactment of the resort’s ritual of opening a bottle with a sword.
In addition they guarantee our room is repeatedly well-stocked with fruit and water. Ashok from The Manhattan Bar is a fountain of information, regaling us with tales of the St Regis model and resort traditions, whereas ready workers are pleasant and our spa therapist appropriately gentle-mannered.
Issues falter slightly at checkout, the place workers are slightly curt, but it surely doesn’t dampen the remainder of our expertise.
Highs and lows
With a few of Abu Dhabi’s greatest views overlooking the Arabian Gulf, that is additionally the place to identify dolphins and child turtles on the proper time of the 12 months, which is a particular draw. And, whereas we did not suppose we have been the type of travellers to desire a butler — it is arduous to not admire the hassle the workers go to to ensure every little thing is excellent.
A transparent draw back is the sheer quantity of plastic bottles used all through the resort. As a resort that’s set so near the ocean, we’d anticipate a bit extra concern for the atmosphere however plastic bottles are in every single place — in rooms, served by the pool and seaside in addition to being supplied to friends within the spa.
The insider tip
In case you’re visiting with out kids, make a beeline to the grownup pool. Accessible along with your room key, it’s the spot for {couples} with non-public cabanas, in water sunbeds and separate Jacuzzis, plus a speedy bar service accessible on the contact of a button in your parasol. Pair this with sundowners or late-night stay music at Buddha-Bar Seashore Abu Dhabi and it is the right itinerary for a grown-up weekend getaway.
The decision
Having made itself at residence on Saadiyat Island greater than a decade in the past, the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi stays simply as sturdy a contender for holidaymakers and day trippers to the capital, good for households trying to unwind or {couples} that need to spoil themselves.
The underside line
Costs begin at Dh1,118 ($304) together with taxes. Test-in is at 3pm, and checkout is by midday. www.mariott.com
This evaluate was carried out on the invitation of the resort throughout the international coronavirus pandemic. It displays resort requirements throughout this time, providers might change sooner or later.
Up to date: September 18, 2022, 4:31 AM
