A couple of weeks back, our curiosity over the intriguing Saadiyat Island was answered. We’ve heard buzzes about the new hotels in the area, and so we decided to check out what lies out there, in what is to become one of the most sought after destinations in Abu Dhabi.

Our first and top choice to visit was the recently opened talk-of-the-town The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Poised to be Abu Dhabi’s first true luxury-leisure haven, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is located on the white natural beaches of Saadiyat and is framed by the prestigious Saadiyat Beach Golf Course designed by legendary golfer Gary Player.

Getting there

There was no need for GPS or Google Earth to get there. First timers like us found that the road trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island was a fine and hassle-free journey, considering the wide lanes and friendly signs that led us perfectly safe and on time at St. Regis.

As we get closer to Saadiyat, we saw surrounding construction happening around the site but we instantly forgot about that as we approached the hotel’s massive vicinity and observed the classic elegance of its façade and spacious lobby. The friendly staff who helped us with our luggage, car and check-in, allowing us to feel absolutely welcomed to St. Regis. Even the Filipino staff who guided us to our room gave us a good brief of the hotel and of the facilities inside our Superior Sea View Room.

Luxurious accommodation

Exquisitely styled and lavishly appointed, our room at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort defined refined luxury. Timeless elegance and personalized hospitality filled our spacious room. The scenic view of the pristine beach, inviting bed, heavenly bathroom, pretty and homey decors, entertaining shows on television, fast wi-fi connection and plenty of complimentary fruits and drinks gave us enough reasons to fall in love with our room.

We were told that the resort features 377 guestrooms, all with private terraces, offering panoramic views of the turquoise Arabian Gulf. Spaces range from the intimate to the grand, with rooms from 55 square metres with 10 square metre balconies, to the majestic Royal Suite, a 2000 square metre lavishly-appointed duplex that features five bedrooms, a private pool and a spacious, ocean-facing terrace.

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The resort also offers 33 St. Regis branded villas, 259 St. Regis branded residences and a high-end retail and entertainment complex named ‘The Collection,’ including shops and restaurants, which will become fully operational in stages throughout 2012.

Following in the tradition of the St. Regis brand’s legendary New York hotel, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi features the famed hallmarks of St. Regis hotels including Signature St. Regis Butler Service, bespoke guest experiences and luxury accommodations tailored to global travellers. Trained in the English tradition, the butlers provide ever-present, yet unobtrusive service while anticipating guest needs and customising each guest’s stay according to his or her specific tastes and preferences.

Exquisite culinary experience

Our getaway to St. Regis was perfectly planned. We made sure that we’ll be getting an early check-in, giving us chance to first laze around the room yet still have sufficient time to experience the popular Friday Brunch with a View in its signature all-day dining venue, Olea.

The huge selection of dishes dazzled us but we were able to compose ourselves and began digging out over the sumptuous food in offer. We started with the healthy salads and appetizers then to our favorite sushi, nigiri, maki and sashimi, moving forward to fresh crabs and prawns plus some Asian dishes and ending with various fruits and sweet delights. Moreover, while eating we were entertained by roaming clowns and magicians performing tricks to get guests and children busy not only with food.

After about two hours of brunch, we were found ourselves stuffed and rested inside the roomy indoor and al fresco Mediterranean-influenced Olea. Getting up early the following morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at Olea was a delightful dining experience we had at St. Regis.

Other than Olea, the hotel also boasts of 55&5th The Grill (the resort’s signature restaurant is a classic grill and lounge inspired by the address of the original St. Regis New York), Sontaya (a popular romantic and culinary mosaic of Southeast Asia with floating, glass-walled pavilions set amidst interconnected ponds and pools), The Manhattan Lounge (inspired by the timeless customs and signature beverages reflecting New York’s elite society) while The Drawing Room (the lobby lounge that celebrates the signature St. Regis Tea Ritual and offers a unique selection of beverages and snacks), Turquoiz (which will open later this year, is the resort’s beach restaurant and terrace offering a variety of freshly prepared seafood as well as a selection of light snacks in a vibrant setting), and last but not least, is Sucré (the resort’s pastry shop that promises a seduction of the senses with handmade chocolates, delightful pastries and bespoke cakes).

Rejuvenating time at leisure

Aside from eating a lot and staying inside our beautiful, luxurious room, we found ourselves roaming around The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort’s beach front. The pristine white beach was quite inviting though the chilly and windy weather at that time stopped us from trying the water. Yet, we still bummed around the comfy beach beds and just lay there watching the blue skies, listening to the waves and simply letting the time passed us by – relaxing and rejuvenating experience at the same time.

Aside from the panoramic beach front, the resort also offers extensive leisure facilities for families including the athletic club, which offers 3,500 square metres of ultra-modern equipment, two tennis courts, two squash courts and five pools including a 25-metre indoor lap pool. The Sandcastle Club, the dedicated children’s club, caters to children ages 1 to 12 years old and offers both indoor and outdoor activities including an outdoor pool and access to the resort’s beach.

Checking out

Bidding goodbye to The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort was quite a feat as we wanted to stay further. But, the weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan Dubai was very well served by the delicious brunch and breakfast buffet, spacious and luxurious rooms, friendly and helpful staff and, of course, the relaxing beach. We made sure we left out to try in our next visit the region’s first Iridium Spa, featuring 3,500 square metre of 12 treatment rooms and three individually designed luxurious spa suites – Moroccan, Thai and Contemporary – each with private terraces and pools. This alone was enough motivation for us to come back and relish another wonderful weekend at St. Regis.