Always the bridesmaids but never the bride. Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, has evermore endured living under the shadow of its unashamedly brazen sibling of Dubai, notorious for its intoxicating razzmatazz and pleasure seeking livelihood.
Not one to be eclipsed by it’s indulgent emirate rival, Abu Dhabi has discovered its own groove in enthralling the affluent UAE clientele with its crystalline water beaches, rustic markets and lavish palace hotels, whilst embodying a more humble decorum in its display of grand prosperity.
The palatial abode of The St. Regis Abu Dhabi embodies the city’s spirit of regal prosperity, interweaved with serene grace where it was anything but a golden privilege to be summoned and embraced with heartfelt gusto into this stately, Arabian palazzo.
Hotel
A sacred silver spoon hotel legacy, the resplendent St. Regis assemblage witnessed its first birth in 1904, courtesy of Colonel John Jacob Astor IV. It was his mother Caroline Astor, an elegant Gilded Age doyenne and her glamor-infused panache for hosting luminaries galas and midnight supper soirées that had ignited his passion to introduce The St. Regis New York to the city’s silk-stocking alliance, earning ‘the finest hotel in America’ title in a trice.
While John Jacob Astor tragically lost his life during the haunting sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, his exquisite perceptions of hospitality grandiosity, and dynamic modern wit that gave the world the phone in each room concept continues to be cherished over a century and now recognises over 40 glorious and far-reaching St Regis hotels and resorts.
A smooth 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport has you amongst the taintless beautified beachfront of the Corniche, and in the presence of two gleaming twin towers soaring into the heavens.
A fairy-tale brought to life, the interior aesthetics of the St. Regis unveils an extravagant, sweeping Middle Eastern palace milieu a world away from its minimalist, modern skyscraper exterior setup, infused with a touch of design elements from the flagship St. Regis New York.
Ushered into the breath-taking lobby with an earnest energy from the hotel team, I was stopped in my tracks with the breath-taking antique gold-shaded vision of an embellished cascading chandelier hanging above a dual, bronze banister staircase of Herculean proportions apt for a royal, and all encircled by colossal towering pillars, Arabian motifs and traditional intricate furnishings.
As ever the courteous and warm-hearted St. Regis hosts, despite my early morning arrival and insistence to keep myself occupied, generously arranged some temporary lodgings for a spot of shut eye, hot soak, and a light breakfast in bed, as I awaited for my not-so-modest dwellings.
Rooms and suites
283 rooms and suites inhabit the St. Regis, each accommodation attired with the contemporary necessities whilst keeping true to its homeland values, including quintessential ornamentation, while boasting fetching waterfront views of the pristine dazzle of the Corniche.
Ever the perfectionists elevating the definition of luxury to aerial altitudes, my 48-hour lodgings resided inside the sumptuous grand deluxe suite.
699sqft of pure grandeur bliss, the suite effortlessly rivalled even London’s most lordly apartment lodgings. Glistening spotless windows revealed the unspoilt emerald waters of the sea with natural sun rays gleaming into the suite habitat, adorned with the latest mod cons and gadgets including a sleek, 55in LED TV and high-tech room.
The interior aesthetics aroused a more traditional bow to the Middle East with floors adorned with gleaming cream marble, crystal chandeliers and elegant mosaics. The bathroom sent a delicious trill into my heart, gorgeously groomed with his and hers sinks, rain shower and a bronzed soaking tub facing a 19-inch TV integrated inside an embellished vanity mirror.
A bedroom for a royal, the sight of the ultra king size bed unleashed my inner-princess as I stretched out onto the crisp white covers and decorated throw pillars, helping myself to the array of fresh ripe fruits and customary sweets laid out with a pot of fragrant mint tea.
The most heart-lifting experience was the butler experience, a female butler, ever competent and courteous as she merrily set about brewing a fresh tea supply from the many Tchaba selections while showering glowing praises on her fellow St. Regis colleagues and seniors. To witness this Middle Eastern hospitality haven silence their critics and shun the stereotypes notions of male only butlers couldn’t have been any more an enlivening sight to the eyes.
Also present in the suite were a small kitchen area, private dining room and fully stationed study area, ideal for clearing up the email inboxes while gazing at the sun-drenched views laid out ahead.
Food and drink
Glitterati guests and dining enthusiasts are invited for a gourmet pampering encounter within the St. Regis Abu Dhabi’s seven luxe eateries.
Encircling the luminescent bedazzle of the crystal chandelier above the lobby and grand staircase, is the aptly titled Crystal Lounge as a nod to the exquisitely ornate champagne flutes and glassware chosen to serve their deluxe champagne collection.
Guests are also treated to a slice of the high society British tea life with their timeless afternoon tea, as an agile pyramid-like stand housed a delectable sandwich assortment including a velvety, aromatic coronation chicken with a tangy fruit kick, vibrant smoked salmon rolls with a light cream cheese and wafer thin roast beef mini baguettes. Warm fragrant cardamom scones showcased an exotic sprinkle of UAE fusion to this beloved English ritual, while the dark chocolate cake uncovered intense layers of rich chocolate ganache all washed down with first-rate Tchaba tea blends, specially selected by the tea sommelier.
The breakfast affair within The Terrace on the Corniche proves a co-equally bon-vivant liaison, with bountiful stations housing regional delights of hummus and piping hot crisp falafel, and many international specialties dotted around the restaurant space.
Where a freshly squeezed juice station of citrus sweet orange and fragrant watermelon rested by a myriad of warm breads, flaky croissants and soft light doughnuts, the egg station showcased live cooking theatrics of toothsome spiced omelettes and perfect poached eggs served alongside butter like avocado slices.
To neglect, however, the honeyed aromatic allure of the waffle station should be assumed illicit. Caramelised treats come served with lashings of thick Nutella chocolate, topped with ripe strawberries to cut through the deep sugar fest and a pinch of icing sugar for that Instagrammable photo shoot.
No evening dining experience is acceptable without gracing your presence for an aperitif at The St. Regis Bar, exuding the epitome of New York’s Gilded Age dressed in a sophisticated golden, colour palette wooden furnishings and historical paintings as you sip on a smooth, dry martini or a tailored tipple expertly whipped up to your polished tastebuds.
Discerning seafood fans are summoned into an epicurean haven, to indulge their appetites on an oceanic feasting voyage at Catch at St. Regis. Embraced within neon shades of blue and gold with a digital aquatic display, the debonair hosts wasted not a second to serve up a chilled sparkling flute as I studied the saporous menu contents of fine salted beluga caviar and 48-hour marinated black cod, before settling on a fine appetiser of butter-soft Scottish salmon bathed in a delicately spiced, jalapeño dressing, topped with bright edible floral.
Following suit was the melt-in-the mouth cut of the wagyu striploin, resting on a hot plate slab cooked to medium rare precision with a light salt seasoning and crisp potatoes. As the talented live singers leave the diners captivated, a crushed ice bowl makes its way to my table hosting a water thin, dark chocolate encasing loaded with tapioca pearls and smooth creamed coconut. The sweet sharpness of the passion mango coulis levelled the richness of the dessert, finished with gleaming flakes of real 24-carat gold to add a layer of shameless glitz to conclude the feasting affair.
Also available is the picturesque Azura Panoramic Lounge resting with panoramic poise by the poolside to relish in a sundowner concoction with a mezze fare, while a jovial selection of hearty prime cut burgers and piping hot panini are served round the day within the alfresco escape of the Cabana Beach Bar and Grill.
Spa and wellness
A blissful odyssey anticipates your arrival within the illustrious Remède Spa. Generously stretched over 3,200 square meters with 11 treatment rooms, this pristine white and glimmering aquamarine tiled sanctum rests as the first Remède destination in the UAE, continuing its treasured wellness legacy that has created its rejuvenating sorcery around the globe’s most exquisite far-flung locations from Bali, Mexico and, of course, New York with locally-influenced treatments featuring natural ingredients from the region’s distinct traditions.
The ultimate body and mind retreat, sipping my way through the spa’s bountiful supply of re-energising fresh juices and herbal teas, I was left bewitched by the sights of the Corniche and Arabian Gulf before succumbing to a five-star, Four Hands Wave massage, incorporating five different massage styles of Japanese Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Swedish and Balinese.
I found myself in the four healing hands of two talented therapists, gently yet firmly kneading away the daily stresses of the corporate grind in complete harmony with one another, while enveloping my skin in an aromatic custom blend of fragrant jasmine, and minty eucalyptus.
For the more adrenaline- seeking clientele looking to burn away the buffet feast calories, the hotel’s gym comes bedecked with the latest gadgets to gear up their sweats, using the latest workout equipment kits for the ultimate, total body program.
To do
St. Regis guests have the golden fortune of exclusive private entry to one of Abu Dhabi’s sexiest beach haunts, the Nation Riviera Beach Club. Effortlessly easy to access via the beach club’s tiled pool, immaculate cabana beds and colossal parasols pose with poise on a 200-metre-stretch of the beach, submerged in fine, pure untainted powder sand and a majestic postcard vision of the deep turquoise sea shores that keeps you hypnotised.
Guests are free to engage in an abundant selection of water-sport activities from jet skiing to parasailing, before satiating hungry appetites at the Cabana Beach Bar and Grill, which focuses on simple, yet delicious, comforts.
The Thai spiced delight of mild sweet shrimps saw a union zesty lime and tangy apple with a pinch of chopped peanuts, whilst the flavours of the chicken shawarma, wrapped in a warm soft flatbread, popped from the creamy garlic yoghurt marinade and crisp lettuce. Setting the scene for the idyllic sundowner hour are a selection of classic cocktail and mocktail concoctions, from a classic ruby red cosmopolitan to an icy virgin colada loaded with real pineapple and velvety coconut cream.
Adjacent to the St. Regis sits the Nation Galleria Mall, boasting over 60 sublime boutiques for a spot of indulgent retail therapy. Culture devotees will find themselves a mere 15 miles from the Mughal treasure of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque adorned with 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers, and multi-coloured marble to celebrate this iconic impact with a symphony of colours and shades.
In a nutshell
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi has unlocked all barriers and spared no expense to unleash Abu Dhabi’s lavishly opulent hospitality offerings, entwined with gracious humility to carve its own distinctive identity away from its hedonistic UAE kinfolk.
Seamlessly blending over a hundred years of tailored tradition with Mediterranean-inspired design, worldly gastronomical festivities and a bona fide Arabian soul, this exuberant St. Regis serves as an oasis of sensational splendour, and elegant craftsmanship in each nook and corner where they relish in hosting their decorous clientele and evermore make them feel they’ve arrived home.
Factbox
Rooms start from approximately £150, with suites from approximately £400. Rates may vary during peak seasons.
Address: Nation Tower 2, Corniche Road West, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: 00 971 2 694 4444
Website: stregisabudhabi.com
All imagery credit: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
