The best of all worlds – that’s a pretty tall order to fulfil. But when you go for a staycation, you ideally want to have a resort-style sprawling layout complete with a beach, but be in the centre of the action. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi miraculously delivers on all fronts – and even comes attached to a mall as an added bonus.
When it comes to location, the soaring skyscraper is perched right on the Corniche, offering up rooms that overlook the water and Marina Island with show-stopping views. Want to sightsee? Everything is minutes away. Need to shop? All the major destinations are close-by, and you’re linked to Nation Towers Galleria incase you need an immediate retail therapy fix during your stay.
Yet this city-centric property also offers up a Cape Cod-style beach club, accessible by a marble-encased underground tunnel that leads to a pool area, 200m of soft sand and the crystal clear Arabian Sea. Private, discrete, with an excellent menu served up by the Cabana Beach Bar & Grill, you can easily spend your whole escape in this area that seems never to get busy. You’ll even be pampered with fruit-filled lollies and ice-cold water periodically.
The property itself has all the St. Regis luxury trademarks. From the moment you enter the lobby and see the sweeping, chandelier-bedecked dual staircase you are immersed in the grandeur and history of the brand. Check-in is done swiftly in a comfortable living-room style setting – Covid precautions all adhered to with new pens used to sign in, glass partitions and chic sanitiser pumps – before you’re whisked up to your palatial dwellings with the comfiest beds you’ve ever sunk into. Marble-clad bathrooms are particular highlights; a huge bathtub, double sinks and a built-in TV so you can watch while you luxuriate.
No request is too big; upon arrival your butler introduces himself, hands over a card complete with a mobile number and proves to be indispensable during your stay. Whether you have baby food that needs reheating, towels that need replenishing or just want top-ups on your in-room complimentary tea and coffee, it’s done promptly and with a big smile.
Adding to St. Regis’ resort vibe is the fact that you really won’t want to venture out, and one of the key factors is the delicious food available in-house. Azura Lounge opens for sundowners and shisha with Arabic bites, but the biggest draw has to be Villa Toscana, a dining destination the city gravitates to. Crisp pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven, authentic pastas and a wide selection of mains – you’ll genuinely feel like you’ve discovered a slice of Italy in the middle of the desert. The terrace offers up al fresco tables if you can brave the heat though interiors are cosy, chic without being remotely pretentious. Everything about this spot is generous, from the portions to the friendliness of the staff.
Breakfast is another highlight of a hotel stay and the St. Regis Abu Dhabi offers it up with aplomb. You’ll find yourself looking forward to the sumptuous spread, complete with multiple live stations cooking up everything from fresh pancakes and waffles to their signature take on avocado toast, full fry-ups, delicate patisserie and an array of fruit, yogurts, cold meats, cheeses and mezze. We were particular taken by a dulce de leche filled doughnut; and the manager noted our compliment and ensured a takeaway box filled with our favourites was provided to us as we exited; a lovely touch.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi delivers on all fronts – whether you are after a central city spot that gives you easy access to attractions, or a resort getaway that offers up unfettered access to the water, you can’t go wrong with this choice. Your only conundrum will be whether to try to squeeze in another night night’s stay or return to the real world from your staycation.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is located in Nation Tower, Corniche Road West, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Book Now
