St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
By Zehra Fattah
Perfect for a short weekend trip we decided to pack our bags and take a break to this beautiful resort that is located in the heart of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Only a 45 minutes drive from Dubai and voila there we are! Entering the gates of this amazing property - with its stylish and imposing hotel building, golf course, private beach, pools and restaurants - one immediately senses that this location offers a great experience for the whole family
Upon arrival the valet service staff guide us inside the beautiful and extremely serene lobby of the hotel. With no waits in a queue we avail of instant check-in.
Upon entering the room on the eighth and highest floor I am stunned by the views of the ocean, the variety of swimming pools as well as the hotel’s own golf course. It's a picture postcard. To top it off, a super stylish and commodious bathtub for long soaks.
The lovely hotel staff that brought our luggage explains the facilities and introduces himself as our personal butler. The butler service has been a St. Regis signature feature for more than a decade and still counts today as one of the brand's unique selling points.
After settling in it is time for a swim, and we leisurely evaluate the different options: we decide on the adult pool; amid a beach bar and whirlpools there are floating sun beds which quickly become my favorite spot in the whole resort.
As I can't finish a day without a swim in the sea the next destination is the hotel's private beach and just on time for sunset. I take in this lovely scenario while having a delicious refreshment.
Our dinner arrangements have been arranged by the hotel and on tonight's agenda it’s the famous restaurant, Sontaya. South East Asian cuisine served in a tasteful and cozy atmosphere surrounded by beautiful lights and the pools, accompanied by soft background music. With its floating pavilions and the turquoise Arabian Gulf in the distance, what a relaxing setting for a culinary adventure!
A gracious welcome from the lovely staff and being presented with the personalized menu that Thai chef, Boripat Peerapong. created just for our culinary enjoyment was just the beginning of many impressive moments to come during this extensive three course meal.
We were treated to four starters - consisting of delicious Vietnamese Beef Jerky, Sontaya Summer Rolls, Pan Seared Crab Cakes as well as a deliciously refreshing cold seafood platter .
Each item on the menu was paired with various red and white wines. The staff were highly attentive, displayed exquisite attention to detail and the table settings were always excellently organized.
Just as I was sighing of relief when the waiter started clearing the table, I was informed that these four dishes were only the starters and the mail meals were yet to come.
In order to clear the palate in between meals we we're served a tasty ginger drink.
Having tasted a wide variety of South East Asian delicacies, my favorite main course was the corn fed chicken which, to our surprise, came from the resort's own organic farm. Slowly cooked for the flavors to absorb, tastefully decorated with soya foam and fresh vegetables, this beautiful meal tickled all of the senses.
For the finale, we were offered a delicious signature Mung Bean Tart served with homemade Thai ice cream and a freshly made lemongrass tea.
With the tastes of Sontaya still alive, the next morning we start our day at Olea, with its extensive breakfast buffet, featuring dishes from around the world. My favorite was the Middle Eastern sac, which is white or brown bread freshly baked with condiments such as zaatar or a wide variety of world cheeses. Enjoying this wonderful breakfast on the restaurant's porch overlooking the ocean generates a feeling which is priceless.
I couldn't have thought of a better way to end our wonderfully short but extremely rejuvenating trip with a massage in the spa.
It is rare for someone as well-travelled as myself not to find fault in a property but the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is well on its way to earning an 'I'm Savvy' award!
The Sontaya Bar. Credit: St. Regis