Review: St. Regis Abu Dhabi

At the tail end of my trip to the Middle East, I was looking finish on a high note with a luxury hotel stay.

Having already stayed at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island previously on this trip, I decided to check out the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which is the second St. Regis property in the UAE capital.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Booking

Cash rates at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi typically hover around 800–900 AED ($300–330 CAD) during periods of low demand, while during periods of high demand, cash rates can jump as high as 1,000–2,000 AED ($370–740 CAD).

For a points redemption, this property will cost you between 45,000–63,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. In my case, I booked using 58,000 Bonvoy points.

While this redemption falls on the higher end of what you can expect to pay, it’s worth noting that this stay would have otherwise been a healthy sum in cash due to a few major events happening in the region.

Therefore, I was satisfied with the overall value of this redemption despite the high number of points used, especially when considering our valuation of Bonvoy points at 0.9 cents per point (CAD).

If booking a paid rate, keep in mind that the St. Regis Abu Dhabi participates in Marriott STARS, Marriott’s preferred partner program for luxury hotels. 

By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll pay the same as the best-available flexible rate, but you’ll enjoy a suite of perks, including complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 (USD) property credit, and more.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Location

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is nestled inside the Nation Towers complex directly on Corniche Road, which winds along the northwest coast of Abu Dhabi.

It’s a leisurely 20-minute stroll to The Corniche, a popular spot for its scenic waterfront promenade.

Within the immediate area, there’s a wealth of shops, restaurants, and high-end boutiques. What’s more, the hotel is connected to the Nation Galleria Mall, which is tucked away at the foot of the Nation Towers.

The hotel’s relatively central location means it’s easy to access Abu Dhabi’s popular sights and sounds. The trendy district of Al Bateen and Emirates Palace are a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while the Qasr Al Watan Palace is just a five-minute drive away.

Other popular attractions, like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, are a bit further afield, about a 30-minute drive from the St. Regis Abu Dhabi.

In terms of beaches, the pristine Corniche Beach is just across the road, flaunting crystal-clear waters and soft white sands, as well as the St. Regis’s very own beach club. Meanwhile, Saadiyat Beach is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

For those flying into the area, it’s a 30-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport is about a 90-minute drive from the hotel.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Check-In

Upon arriving at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, we were greeted by the Nation Towers: two glass structures which dominate the skyline of Abu Dhabi.

We were quickly welcomed at the entrance by friendly and attentive staff, who assisted with our luggage and guided us to the check-in area.

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi boasts three entrances, with the main entrance located directly on the Corniche. The entrance is an impressive welcome to the hotel, framed by stone pillars and tall glass doors.

The second entrance is located at the back of the hotel, and then a third entrance is located on the side of the building with a direct path to the beachfront and the beach club facilities.

Stepping into the lobby, marble floors gleamed beneath my feet as I gazed up towards the high ceilings and grand pillars. Here, the ostentatiousness of the St. Regis was on full display, setting the tone for the luxurious stay that awaited us.

A bespoke chandelier suspends from the ceiling, complemented by a grand staircase that leads to the Crystal Lounge.

There are many seating areas dotted around and arranged in intimate groupings, with sophisticated and elegant furnishings.

We were directed over to a dedicated room, where the check-in desk and associate were ready to assist us.

My Titanium Elite status was acknowledged, and to my delight, we were informed we’d be upgraded to the incredible 360-square-metre Al Hosn Suite, the hotel’s second-highest suite type.

Now, to be transparent, this was quite likely an upgrade that was extended because the hotel knew that I was coming in my capacity as the founder of Prince of Travel. Even so, it’s a good reminder that it’s always worth trying to “suite-talk” to the room or suite type that you want, because you simply never know if you might get lucky with a very nice upgrade. 

The staff then informed me of our benefits as a Titanium Elite member, including complimentary breakfast in the morning. Lastly, we were introduced to our butler, who’d be available 24/7 for anything we might need.

We then were escorted to the elevator lobby, and whisked up the uppermost floor, where the Al Hosn Suite awaited us in Room 4903.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Al Hosn Suite

As I stepped into the grand foyer of the Al Hosn Suite, I was immediately stricken by the luxurious and oversized surroundings that would be my home for the night.

Indeed, I think it’s fair to say that this was the most extravagant hotel suite I had experienced among all of my travels yet. 

The Al Hosn Suite is decked out in pristine marble, from the floor and walls to the pillars that adorn the entryway.

To the left of the foyer is a half-bathroom, appointed with a single vanity and a toilet.

Moving deeper into the suite, there’s a spacious living room with tasteful and elegant furnishings, including a gigantic plush sofa.

The floor-to-ceiling windows that line one wall of the room offer stunning panoramic views of the Persian Gulf and bathe the suite in ample natural light.

A dark oak-walled private office provides additional space for relaxation and productivity, with cozy seating, a comfortable desk tucked in the corner, and a flat-screen TV.

Heading back through the living room is an adjacent dining area with a large dining table for up to 10 people, as well as a secondary seating area for socializing post-dinner.

The table was set with a handwritten note and a thoughtful assortment of sweets, as well as bowls of crunchy nuts and dried fruit.

Just off the dining room is a full kitchen, complete with an oven, microwave, sink, and fridge. This is also where the Nespresso coffee maker is housed.

As you continue down a maze of hallways, there are several additional surprises, including a spa room and a glass room with a seating area.

My understanding is that the glass room previously housed a private in-suite gym, although this may have since been removed due to safety concerns. 

The bedroom itself is equally impressive, with an ample amount of space. A king bed stands proud, adorned with luxurious linens and a chandelier hanging opulently from the ceiling.

The bedroom is equipped with its own seating area, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the city and sea.

The ensuite bathroom is an impressive space – although perhaps not quite as over-the-top grandiose as the rest of the suite – with polished chrome fixtures and a continuing theme of marble. There’s a central freestanding bathtub, shower, and ample counter space.

Lastly, the Al Hosn Suite boasts a huge walk-in closet beautifully appointed with dark wooden cabinetry and plenty of storage space for belongings.

To call the Al Hosn Suite at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi ostentatious would hardly be doing it justice.

This is hands-down the largest hotel suite I’ve ever stayed in, and it was quite enthralling to revel in this one-night experience, from hopping around from room to room…

…to basking in the suite’s breathtaking views of the city and coastline in two directions, including virtually the entirety of the breakwater islands off the shore.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Al Manhal Suite

During my stay, I also had the opportunity to tour some of the hotel’s other room types, including the Al Manhal Suite, a few standard suites, and a few standard rooms.

The Al Manhal Suite at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi is the third-highest suite type, and offers another impressively spacious and luxurious suite option for guests looking for oversized living spaces to relax, work, or entertain.

The living area is luxuriously furnished, and high ceilings and floor-to-ceilings allow plenty of natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

As you explore the suite further, there’s a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a private office, and a TV room, all impeccably designed in keeping with the opulence of the St. Regis brand.

The Al Manhal Suite features a lavish separate bedroom, furnished with a king bed and two seating areas. One seating area has two loungers positioned towards the floor-to-ceiling windows

The ensuite bathroom here features a different layout with the free-standing bathtub positioned near the windows as opposed to the centre of the space.

The bathroom here is arguably more impressive than the higher-tier Al Hosn Suite, as it’s complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer spectacular views, taking bathing to new heights of luxury.

The highlight of the Al Manhal Suite is indeed the bathroom and its panoramic views of the Persian Gulf.

Believe it or not, the Al Manhal and Al Hosn Suites aren’t anywhere near the largest on the property.

That honour goes to the Abu Dhabi Suite, which occupies the sky bridge between the hotel’s two towers and comes in at a staggering 800 square metres – one to save for next time!

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Grand Deluxe Suite

The standard suite at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi is the Grand Deluxe Suite, featuring a separate seating area and bedroom, divided by a partial wall.

The seating area is positioned towards the back of the suite, with sweeping corner views of the city and sea through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

On the other side of the partial wall, the bedroom features a king bed, minibar, and flat-screen TV.

The marble-finished bathroom is much smaller here, with a shower and toilet separately enclosed behind glass doors and an alcove bathtub.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Superior Room

The Superior Room is the base-level room at St. Regis Abu Dhabi, ideal for couples or solo travellers. The room features a king bed, flat-screen TV, comfortable sofa, desk, and minibar.

These base rooms are more limited in size compared to the luxurious suites at the hotel, but you’ll still benefit from the same floor-to-ceiling windows that offer breathtaking views of the city or sea.

From the richly detailed motifs to the grandiose furnishings, the living quarters at St. Regis Abu Dhabi transport you into old-world opulence. If you appreciate this particular style of luxury, you’ll certainly enjoy posting up in any of the rooms or suites.

No matter what your room type, you’ll enjoy sweeping views that stretch across the cityscape or the sparkling coastline.

Plus, with 24/7 butler service on hand to attend to our every need, we felt like royalty from the moment we arrived.

You can ask for coffee or tea at any time (I enjoyed a French press delivery at 6am in the morning), packing/unpacking service, and you can even request up to two pieces of garment pressing per day.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Breakfast

In the morning, we headed down to The Terrace on the Corniche, which is where Marriott Bonvoy members with Platinum Elite or higher status are entitled to complimentary breakfast.

The Terrace on the Corniche is the all-day dining venue located on the hotel’s ground level. There’s indoor seating and outdoor seating where you can indulge in breakfast whilst looking out over the turquoise water.

As one might expect from a St. Regis hotel in Abu Dhabi, the buffet on offer is vast and comprehensive with an additional egg selection available à la carte.

There was a wealth of Western and local items. Western favourites included crepes, waffles, and pancakes, among classics like poached eggs, hash browns, and sausages.

Local specialties included baked feta with tomato, lamb soju, and foul medames, among many other tantalizing dishes.

A robust selection of charcuterie, bread, and pastries were on display to choose from as well as an assortment of chia, yogurt, muesli, cereal, fruits and dips.

Lastly, you have your pick of pastries, cakes and pudding.

The restaurant also features an impressive selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, as well as an array of beverages.

Indeed, the breakfast buffet at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi is on par with some of the best breakfast spreads I’ve seen at St. Regis locations around the world, with an abundance of delectable options to keep you coming back for seconds.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Dining

In addition to the Terrace on the Corniche, you’ll find several of the hotel’s restaurants just up the grand staircase on the upper level, or out at the hotel’s beach club.

Villa Toscana embodies traditional Italian and Tuscan cuisine. The menu features a hand-crafted selection of regional specialties from Tuscany, Umbria, and Emilia-Romagna.

The restaurant’s interiors are inspired by the grandeur of a Tuscan villa, creating an inviting atmosphere that evokes the feeling of being welcomed into the home of an Italian noble.

Another option for fine dining is Azura Panoramic Lounge on the 51st floor of the hotel. The lounge extends mesmerizing views making it a perfect spot to enjoy a drink while taking in the sights.

The lounge offers handcrafted cocktails and savory dishes. Additionally, on Saturday evenings, there’s a live DJ.

Cabana Beach Bar & Grill is located within the Nation Riviera Beach Club. I stopped by the adorable seaside restaurant for lunch and ordered a chicken burger and fries.

The menu mostly offers burgers, salads, and fresh seafood; however, they also have a ceviche bar and a mojito bar. I thought it was a lovely spot to stop and grab a bite while marvelling at the stunning view of the endless beach and gleaming ocean.

Catch at St. Regis is another venue located within the premises of Nation Riviera Beach Club. It’s the newest addition to the hotel, and focuses heavily on seafood, highlighting caviar, oysters, sushi and crab.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Pools & Beach

One of the hotel’s outdoor swimming pools is located on the third floor. This is the smaller of the two pools, but still serves a lovely place to take a dip, as it’s well-equipped with sun loungers and private cabanas.

The main pool and beach are found in the associated Nation Riviera Beach Club across the highway. To get there, there’s a very elegant set of elevators and an underground tunnel that brings you over to the beach club, although it’s a bit of a trek.

This is where you’ll find the hotel’s impressive temperature-controlled infinity pool featuring a true swim-up bar, fountains, a wading area, and a jacuzzi. The pool area is surrounded by lush gardens, palm trees and its own comfortable lounges and cabanas.

If you’re more of a beach goer, the club is flanked by 200 metres of private white-sand beach, overlooking the turquoise waters. Here, there are ample loungers lined along the beach exclusively for hotel guests.

We spent the afternoon relaxing out at Nation Riviera Beach Club, enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the private beach and taking refreshing dips in the infinity pool.

St. Regis Abu Dhabi – Other Facilities

I also took some time to check out the St. Regis Bar during my stay at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi. Typically, these bars are known for their sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, as well as their selection of premium spirits, wines, and cocktails.

The St. Regis bar here’s no exception, comprising three distinct spaces open from featuring a classic and timeless design. You can indulge in the cocktail menu as well as a wide selection of fine wines and spirits.

Lastly, the Crystal Lounge is located directly atop the grand staircase. The space is adorned with regal chandeliers, polished wood tables, and upholstered armchairs.

Here is where the famous St. Regis nightly sabering ritual takes place. You can also partake in afternoon tea, and a range of refreshments and snacks throughout the day.

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi fitness centre operates from 6am–10pm. The space is well-equipped with a comprehensive range of cardiovascular equipment, weight-training machines, and free weights.

Beyond this, the fitness centre also features a sauna and steam room.

Lastly, the Remède Spa offers a range of treatments with private treatment rooms in addition to a sauna, a steam room, and a whirlpool.

Conclusion

The St. Regis Abu Dhabi made for an extraordinary stay, especially thanks to the outstanding Al Hosn Suite upgrade that we received upon arrival.

Even absent such an unexpected upgrade, though, all of the hotel’s standard rooms offer an elevated level of opulence, with sweeping panoramic views of the city and coastline.

The hotel’s comprehensive breakfast buffet was another highlight, with an array of dishes and local flavors. You’ll certainly get your money’s worth, especially as a Marriott elite member, and it’s a great place to start the day.

Moreover, the hotel’s pool and beach facilities are second-to-none compared to other properties in the area, with direct access to the sprawling Nation Riviera Beach Club for swimming laps in the stunning infinity pool and soaking up the sun on the pristine private beach.

Lastly, the service at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi was exceptional, with 24/7 butler service always on hand and staff who were attentive and courteous throughout all elements of our stay.

Even putting aside my jaw-dropping suite upgrade, the St. Regis Abu Dhabi is a top-notch luxury hotel with a healthy mix of city and beach experiences, all accentuated by the brand’s signature old-school opulence.