Review: St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi

During my recent trip to the Middle East, my hotel-hopping odyssey began at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi.

The luxurious St. Regis Saadiyat Island is situated on Abu Dhabi’s northwest coast. The resort is one of the oldest properties owned by the St. Regis brand, and is one of two St. Regis hotels located in Abu Dhabi.

I had heard many positive reviews of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island from friends, and it appeared to be a beautiful property judging from the photos. I therefore thought it’d make the perfect place to stay for the first night of the trip as I adjusted to the time difference.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Booking

Redeeming points at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island typically falls in the range of 52,000–74,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. I kept an eye on the pricing, and was able to book at the middle of the spectrum for 60,000 Bonvoy points.

Nightly cash rates at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island typically hover around 1,400 AED ($513 CAD), but can fluctuate to as low as 1,000 AED ($370 CAD) during periods of low demand in the summer and upwards of 3,000 AED ($1,100 CAD) during peak times in the winter. 

On the dates surrounding my visit, cash rates were very inflated due to the Formula 1 and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar both happening that weekend. Fortunately, I managed to squeeze great value out of my points on this redemption.

If you’re going to pay cash for your stay at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island, be sure to get in touch with a travel advisor who has access to Marriott STARS. By doing so, you’ll get a suite of extra benefits, such as free breakfast, a room upgrade (subject to availability), and a $100 (USD) property credit, without paying more than the best available flexible rate.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Location

Only a short distance from the city centre, this resort sits on a stretch of pristine Persian Gulf beach away from the bustling metropolitan area.

While Saadiyat Island is a hub for a myriad of entertainment venues, including resorts, restaurants, nightclubs, and museums, it’s primarily known as an attractive resort destination with one of the best stretches of beachfront in all of the UAE. 

The island’s cultural sector can be reached by travelling westward for 10 minutes from the St. Regis. One of the main attractions in this neighbourhood is the Louvre Abu Dhabi, home to collections of works by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh.

Other popular stops on the island are Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus, both of which can be reached by vehicle in 10 minutes.

The journey to St. Regis Saadiyat Island from Abu Dhabi International Airport takes slightly less than half an hour by car.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Check-In

The resort building has a subtle Mediterranean character, with off-white and cream exteriors and terracotta roofs.

Upon arrival, I was shown to the lobby area for the check-in process. It’s a grand, open space with luxurious touches, such as glossy marble floors and walls.

The check-in desk was around the corner from the main entrance.

Views of the resort grounds can be seen in the distance through the lobby’s expansive windows. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, from the palm trees that line the paths to the terraced lawns that have been meticulously maintained.

Prior to my arrival, I had attempted to “suite-talk” my way up to the St. Regis Suite, which is a junior suite type at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island, and the hotel was happy to oblige.

Again, the city was extremely busy due to two major world events, so understandably, the hotel’s larger suites weren’t showing as available. Therefore, I was more than pleased with the St. Regis Suite, as I could just have easily wound up in a base-level room.

As a Marriott Titanium Elite member, I was also offered a welcome choice of 1,000 points, a hotel amenity, or breakfast. Naturally, I selected breakfast, which is always the most valuable choice at a St. Regis hotel.

After being handed my keys, I made my way back through the palatial lobby and up to Room 510.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – St. Regis Suite

The St. Regis Suite features a private balcony, an open-concept living area, and an adjacent sleeping area with high ceilings. The suite immediately boasts a traditional yet contemporary feel, with a beachy touch from the large white curtains draped across the windows.

Wooden accent walls and furniture complement the room’s scheme of creams and brown hues, adding a pleasant touch of texture. Some colourful accents, seen in the artwork and pillows, brighten the otherwise neutral furnishings.

The living room offers a comfortable seating arrangement, with a sofa and two wicker chairs centred around a contemporary coffee table and positioned for optimal viewing of the flat-screen TV.

An alcove to the left of the living room contains an oval desk and a minibar stocked with a Nespresso coffee maker, a kettle, and bottled water.

Adjacent to the living area is the king bed, flanked by nightstands with modern bedside lamps.

To the left of the king bed, a doorway leads into a sizable walk-in closet with ample shelf space, as well as a desk and mirror.

The adjacent doorway leads to the bathroom, decorated in soft tones with luxurious marble and pebbled accent walls. Each end of the bathroom has a single vanity with a stone countertop.

Sitting front and centre is an attractive stone soaker tub, while a toilet and shower are concealed behind frosted glass doors to the left and right, respectively.

Opening the living room curtains grants access to the private balcony through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which boasts stunning views of the turquoise water below.

Overall, the resort has a fairly classic design that is slightly dated but still holding up well. The general layout and shape brought back memories of the St. Regis Langkawi, where I spent some time earlier in the year.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Two-Bedroom Ocean Suite

I also had the chance to tour the Two-Bedroom Ocean Suite, which features a bedroom with a king bed, a bedroom with two twin beds, a separate living room, and a large office with a glass desk.

From this room, there are great views of the resort and the nearby beach.

The main bedroom features a second flat-screen TV, a desk, a wardrobe, and direct access to the balcony. Adjacent to the living room is a dining area with seating for six.

The bathroom is also in keeping with the other room types; however, there are two double vanities at each end of the room, and there is a second half-bathroom in the suite.

The interior design is very similar across all room and suite types, with natural hues, marble floors, wooden touches, the occasional burst of colours, and seaside motifs throughout.

As the resort is shaped like a “U”, the suites at either end offer panoramic views of the water; however, some base-level rooms face away from the ocean. Ideally, you’d want to secure a room with a view of the ocean if at all possible.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Breakfast

Olea restaurant on the first floor serves a breakfast buffet until 1pm, allowing guests to sleep in without fear of missing out. 

The property features a very comprehensive breakfast buffet with live cooking stations, drawing on a mix of cuisines influenced by Abu Dhabi’s multiculturalism. As is common at Middle Eastern hotels, there were Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Western items.

The buffet selection featured a number of Western favourites, including skillets, scrambled eggs, and a variety of sausages.

The Arabic, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisines at the buffet included shakshouka, chicken liver, potato harra, lamb sujuk, falafels, and then a station with labneh balls.

There was also an impressive offering of cold items, including fresh fruits, baked goods such as croissants dusted with zaatar, and a variety of cold cuts and cheeses.

Furthermore, there was a bread station with six different kinds of jam, and nearby was a yogurt station with a variety of flavours and granolas to mix in.

The drink selection was also comprehensive, with numerous options for smoothies and juices.

I stayed for quite a few hours with my laptop and filled up on a hefty brunch, indulging myself in multiple servings.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Dining

St. Regis Saadiyat Island is renowned not just for its breathtaking beachfront setting but also for the exceptional quality of its dining and bar options. There are a total of six distinct dining establishments in the resort.

The main restaurant at the resort is Olea, where breakfast is served. The all-day dining options have a mostly Mediterranean influence, but consistently offer a myriad of cuisine, with live cooking stations and à la carte menu options.

Mazi has a contemporary menu with a focus on Greek cuisine. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, with a garden full of olive trees and lush flora.

Buddha-Bar Beach is ideal for those who appreciate live music with its in-house DJ. You can dine inside or on their seaside patio and enjoy a fusion of East Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and other Asian dishes blended with a Western twist.

Sontaya serves a mix of Southeast Asian food and signature cocktails. The restaurant is set on pavilions that float amid a network of linked pools.

Looking out over the resort’s coastline, it appeared to be a lovely spot to enjoy a nice dinner, and a friend of mine swears by the curry here.

On the other hand, Manhattan Lounge could be an ideal spot to end the day with a drink. The inside bar and outside terrace offer up a stunning, sophisticated setting to unwind in.

Lastly, the lobby of the resort is referred to as The Drawing Room, where the time-honoured St. Regis tradition of afternoon tea is honoured. A wide selection of homemade cakes is provided to pair with the unique blends of tea.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Pools & Beach

There are three outdoor pools scattered around the resort. The adult pool has many water features in unique forms, with jacuzzi jets, shaded cabanas, and sun loungers.

Immediately next to the pool is a bar where you can order small bites and poolside drinks.

If you’d rather work on your strokes, there is also a lap pool, or if you’re vacationing with your family, there’s a large family pool with a separate children’s area.

The resort also offers direct beach access, which is a major highlight of this resort. Saadiyat Island is widely considered to be home to the UAE’s best beaches, with its clear blue water and golden-white sand.

The only drawback is the construction in the distance to the west, which detracts from the scenery somewhat, but will always be a factor in this rapidly growing part of the world. 

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi – Other Facilities

The Athletic Club is situated a bit further away from the hotel, nestled among the surrounding associated residences.

It has an impressive modern design with bright walls, wooden floors, and plenty of natural light. The equipment is state-of-the-art, with Technogym weights and ample cardio equipment.

Studio-based classes, including spinning and yoga, as well as personal trainers, are available upon request.

Moreover, the two-level facility has an indoor pool, which counts as one of the four pools on the resort grounds.

The in-house Iridium Spa is home to 12 treatment suites with private terraces and water features. The spa has its own jacuzzi, cold plunge pool, sauna, and steam room.

Conclusion

My time at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island was a wonderful way to start off my trip to Abu Dhabi.

The resort sits among one of the most popular beaches in the UAE, yet it is also conveniently accessible to other nearby attractions, should you wish to venture off the resort.

The rooms may appear somewhat dated and in need of a light refresh; however, where the St. Regis Saadiyat Island truly shines is with its many dining establishments, comprehensive breakfast buffet, and direct beach access.

Overall, the St. Regis Saadiyat Island is a stunning seaside resort with a wide range of offerings for every type of traveller, and I think it’d be particularly suitable to families who are looking to enjoy some downtime by the beach, though with the attractions of the UAE’s capital very close by.